Raising Lucy makes it to the USA Book News Hot list

http://www.usabooknews.com/childrensmainpage/picturebookhcnonfic.html

I woke up this morning to an email from USA Book News that they've put Raising Lucy on their website of new books.  It's a good morning!

Dance of a Painted Lady: Brief journeys - In the churchyard

Dance of a Painted Lady: Brief journeys - In the churchyard

Life and Lucy

I got back from Seattle Friday to a busy house full of relatives.  Nick's mother passed this summer and family came from as far as Pennsylvania and Okinawa to remember Peggy.  The weather was lovelier than expected and we all had such a nice time together.  We scattered her ashes in the water near the family cabin across the lake.

I'd gone to Seattle to visit bookstores in that area - up to Bellingham. I love sharing Lucy's story with others and even though I have to put my sales hat on to get the book into new stores- it isn't as hard as I thought it would be.  Of course, it's Lucy's story and it's part of my life.  She's inspired me now for 5 years.  Lucy is forever a part of me.

I stopped in at some bookstores that already have the book and as you can see I found Lucy on the shelves. I have events scheduled and the first is a book reading at the Mockingbird Bookstore for children on Woodlawn Avenue in Seattle. It's a new store near Green Lake and I'll be there October 23rd at 11am.  I have a busy weekend (October 24th & 25th) scheduled selling books at Seattle Bookfest 2009.  Kent Sturgis, President of Epicenter Press invited me to be at their booth and I'm thankful for the opportunity.  Bookfest has a full schedule of NW authors signed up, and although I signed up too late to do a reading or signing, Raising Lucy should be able to get some good exposure.

Doing all the work is something I wanted to learn and I am really appreciative of the experience I am gaining in the industry.  I think though, as Lucy takes off, I could see the benefit of hiring a publicist or an agent.  At this point it's about taking baby steps and getting the word out there.  I am thankful for every moment and in the midst of challenges I am keeping a positive attitude.  I recently thought if I wasn't doing this I'd be working for someone else, and which did I prefer?  The answer was easy - I prefer working for myself.  I feel I am doing what I was meant to do and I am putting it in God's hands - to guide the way.

Goose Bumps

I had such a great time at the PNBA Tradeshow in Portland last weekend.  I shared Lucy's story with so many and its telling brought tears and goose bumps over and over.  I so enjoy connecting with people and that's what was happening when people see the book.  I get to re-live Lucy's life when I share the colorful images I created, all based on Lucy's life with us. Having Lucy with us was an unbelievable experience, and I love that people get it, and are touched by our connection with her.  

I met best selling Penguin Books author, Jennie Shortridge, whose new book When She Flew  will be out in November of this year.  I love the name of her book and have images I've drawn that relate.  Like when we first taught Lucy to fly - I always say, "I taught a goose to fly", and in essence she was teaching me to fly.

I look forward to Jennie's book release.  I met her as we perused the Oregon Writer's 2010 calendar.  In the calendar she and other Oregon authors appear nude behind strategically placed props.  It's hilarious, and well done, and raises funds for their organization.  

On the way home from the PNBA event I went to an old friend's wedding in my hometown of Walla Walla.  They are two friends, my age, who have been together a long time and finally got married.  I felt blessed to be able to share in the experience.

During dinner we were assigned to sit at the same dinner table as national best selling author and romance writer Elizabeth Boyle. She was a real kick and we so enjoyed the conversation at our multi-talented table.  

09/09/09

My book inspired by a goose is here. Raising Lucy - The True Story of Raising an Orphaned Wild Goose is here and I'm ready for the PNBA event this weekend. 

Full Circle

This was Sunset Gallery - the gallery I created in 2005.  The space in Harrison Idaho was dilapidated and had been "remodeled" in the 70s.  In this old building we tore down walls and created a beautiful open space.  The gallery was inspired by a goose.  

I sold Sunset Gallery 3 years ago to Denise Oliver and sold it to tell "our" goose Lucy's story.  I've now created videos, a coloring book, and just published the hardback full-color  book. 

It is amazing to imagine something and then to fully create it.  The gallery, the books, the videos - it is very satisfying to feel so inspired by someone, something so wonderful, and to bring it to fruition.  I have also enjoyed the process of all that I have learned and put together. 

Yesterday, I went back to the gallery and had my first book signing with the full-color book.  I'd come full-circle - back to the place where I began sharing Lucy's story.  Many people came to congratulate me and it was great fun re-connecting with so many Lucy supporters and meeting new people who didn't know the story.

The moonlit boatride home after dinner with friends was rewarding too.  After a rainy cool day, the night sky opened up and the moon and stars were shining so brightly.  Alone in the night I was so thankful and so appreciative of the beauty of the lake and all that it has meant to me.  I'd learned to drive a boat well to fly Lucy then the boat became my car to get to the gallery.  It was a magical ending to a wonderful day.

Satisfied, content, and whole, I slept better last night than I've slept in a long time.  Thank you Lucy.

My idea of Night-Life

      A self-portrait circa 2003.  Not much has changed.