Archive for the ‘Historic Haunts of the Long Beach Peninsula’ Category

The Tip of The Iceberg

Thursday, July 1st, 2021

I don’t know about you, but when I receive just a little bit of information about something — especially if it’s not in the Good News Department — I wonder.  Sometimes I even stew about it.  Today was one of those days because of one of those things.

Actually, it began yesterday when my friend Marion wrote from Olympia that she had ordered Historic Haunts of the Long Beach Peninsula from Amazon and: there was some kind of glitch so they refunded my money. I decided to go through Time Enough Books in Ilwaco as they could ship it out right away. 

My first thought:  Bless you, Marion.  My second:  What went wrong at Amazon?

Then, today, I received a Facebook message from my friend Isabelle in France:  I’m looking forward to get my copy. The delivery is being delayed. Have a great date, Sydney. Wish I were in the area and could attend the presentation and signing of your New Book.  I wrote:  Amazon?  Yes, she told me, but she is choosing to give it a few days before ordering anew from a local bookstore.

For me, those bits of information were the tip of an iceberg.  Where was the problem — with Amazon or with History Press?  Would the books I’ve ordered for my book signings arrive in time?  What’s the rest of the story as Paul Harvey used to say?  I got in touch with marvelous Elysia who handles all my book orders. She was wonderfully reassuring:  It must be an Amazon problem. Did they specify what the issue was? We have plenty of inventory and are shipping without issue.  

Whew!  The iceberg seems much less ominous — in fact, melting as we speak.  Take note, dear readers.  Buy locally!!!

Hope to see you Saturday at my booksigning!

Wednesday, June 30th, 2021

Page A-8, Chinook Observer, June 30, 2021

I’ll be signing copies of my new book, Historic Haunts of the Long Beach Peninsula, at Adelaide’s in Ocean Park from 12:30 to 2:30 this coming Saturday!   But before I sign, I’ll be talking a bit about this book — what’s different from my first book of ghost stories, which chapters are sequels and which are totally new information.

Cover: Historic Haunts of the Long Beach Peninsula

I also want to tell you a little about Madam X who guided my steps through several of the stories. Was she a psychic?  A clairvoyant?  A soothsayer?    No matter what you may think about Madam X, you will find her a fascinating character in her own right.  In fact… if you knew her, maybe you can add to my remarks!

So, get there a bit early.  I’ll begin right at 12:30, give you a little “insider information,” answer your questions (if I can!) and then get to the signing part.  I can hardly wait!

Just to clarify…

Thursday, June 24th, 2021

Coast Weekend, June 24, 2021

I was absolutely decomposed (Note that this is a synonym for gobsmacked — totally appropriate here doncha think?) to see all the coverage given to me and my new ghost book in this week’s paper  TWO articles no less — one in the Observer and one in Coast Weekend!  And already I’ve had emails and FB messages from readers who are eager to get copies.

As I mentioned earlier in the week, Historic Haunts is available at a number of Peninsula shops:  Time Enough Books, the gift shops at the Cape D Interpretive Center and the North Head Lighthouse and the Heritage Museum in Ilwaco; BOLD and the Cranberry Museum in Long Beach; Adelaide’s in Ocean Park.  The Coast Weekend article gave two other choices:  from me, directly, and from the publisher, directly.

Chinook Observer, June 23, 2021

I’m not sure about buying from the publisher — no doubt possible, but since they go to great lengths to get the books into local outlets, it seems unnecessary.  And the price, printed on the back cover, is the same no matter where you buy it.  As for buying it from me — definitely possible.  Just give a call to make sure I’m home and bring a checkbook or cash — I can’t take credit cards.  Also, I’m glad to personalize your copy if you like.  But I do encourage you to patronize your local booksellers if at all possible.

Having said that, I will be doing a book talk and signing at Adelaide’s on Saturday, July 3rd from 12:30 to 2:30 and another at BOLD on July 11th, from 2:00 to 4:00.  I think one is also in the works for the Senior Center. Stay tuned!