A book launch is a most exciting time for an author, and the reason for all we do. My new book, “General William Palmer: Railroad Pioneer,” was delivered to me by my publisher, Filter Press, on Thursday, just before a Colorado spring blizzard socked Denver. Although an author open house I was scheduled to attend at a rural library was canceled on Saturday, the sun popped out and events carried on for Sunday and Tuesday. In the meantime, I had a couple of days to catch up on desk work and enjoy the presence of my new book, and the beautiful snow.
Sunday’s appearance was the 10th annual author open house at Englewood Library, which I’ve attended a few times in the past. As before, it was a classy and enjoyable event. I especially enjoyed visiting with other authors and seeing newly released book titles. Writing is a solitary activity. I relish getting out and spending time visiting with readers, fellow authors from Filter Press, other members of Women Writing the West, and making new friends in the book world.
Yesterday, my presentation at the Columbine Genealogical & Historical Society was “Lurking in Cemeteries: A Researcher’s Guide.” Once again, the subject returned to cemeteries. Rich stories abound there, and they provide unlimited possibilities. In addition, biographies are the perfect vehicle to preserve the stories of people who might otherwise be overlooked, or their voices lost to history and posterity. It was a large audience of savvy genealogists and cemetery enthusiasts. Afterwords, I signed a bunch of books, including my new Palmer title. It was a good, unsinkable day, and General Palmer is off to a good start.
Joyce B. Lohse, 4/22/09
www.lohseworks.com