Yesterday I ran into Jimmy Kemmer in Ocean Park.  “I hear I’m on a Wanted Poster at Jack’s!” he laughed.  He was referring, of course, to his picture on the cover of my just-out book,  Legendary Locals of the Long Beach Peninsula.  The cover has been reproduced as a poster of various sizes and this end of the Peninsula seems to be papered with them!  Hooray!!

I’m happy to say that I’ve had quite a bit of feed-back about that book cover already.  When I posted it online, Jessica Murfin wrote:  “Is that my beloved grandmother on the lower right?”  And neighbor Bradley pointed out to neighbor Susan Holway that she is a “cover girl, at last!”

I love the buzz and hope that it translates into lots of sales for local retailers.  I understand that many Peninsula businesses, not just bookstores, are carrying the book.  Yesterday when I was out and about I saw a display at Bailey’s Bakery snd Café and also at Adelaide’s Coffee and Books.  And, they both report that there have already been book sales!  Hooray some more!

One of the questions that Cate Gable asked me during an interview for the Chinook Observer—see her great article in this week’s issue! – was, “Will there be a Part II?  It was a logical question posed during my description of how hard it was to decide who to include in the book.  For a book about people who have made a lasting difference in the community, the Long Beach Peninsula offers a plethora of choices.  I don’t doubt that it would be possible to write a Part II.

So, I contacted my editor at Arcadia Publications and asked if there was a precedent in this new Legendary Locals series for doing a follow-up book.  “Not yet,” was the answer, “but we have discussed the possibility.”

She went on to say that it all hinges on the sales of this first book.  They are looking at a bottom line of 2,000 books sold.  “Piece of cake!” said Katie Uram at Adelaide’s.

I love Katie’s enthusiasm!  Having been in the book biz, myself, for many years, I am a bit more reserved in my thinking.  But then… we never had a book for sale that covered such a wide swath of people, places, stories, and history of the Peninsula!

So, what I say is:  “Buy that book!  Get copies for your relatives!  Give it for gifts to far-away friends!  Set your sights on that 2,000 goal!”  And, meanwhile, I’m keeping a list of possible subjects for a Part II – suggestions welcome!