Floyd Bloggers Who Write Books
I was in the Café Del Sol posting flyers for our Spoken Word Open Mic this Saturday night when I witnessed an actual impromptu purchase of Fred’s new book, Slow Road Home,” at the Café counter.
As a friend of Fred’s, an author with a book myself, and a roving blogger who likes to record what interests me, my curiosity was piqued.
“I’m a friend of Fred’s,” I said as I approached the petite blonde woman who was buying the book.
“You are?!” she responded enthusiastically.
“I thought you’d like to know that I just snapped a picture of you for Fred,” I went on.
Her name is Katherine and she lives in upstate New York. In town for a wedding, she had just come from camping at Rocky Knob.
“We love this area,” she gushed and explained that she was in the Café earlier when she had first seen Fred’s book.
“Tell Fred that the back cover description sold me. We’ve been thinking about moving to a place like this,” she went on.
At that point, I handed her my card, the one with my blog address on it that says ‘The Blogkeeper is in,’ and let her know that Fred and I both have blogs and frequently write about Floyd.
“Do you know what a blog is?” I asked. She did. Not only that, she is a writer and has had a blog in the past.
“Look!” I said, pointing to the locally published books by me, David, and Fred (in that order) on a shelf below the counter. “And we’re all bloggers!” 
I explained how supportive the café has been to local writers, showing her the open mic flyer in my hand. She offered to get her dog out of her car to pose for the next photo, but I had a date with the grocery store. We promised to stay in touch.
As I headed out the Café door feeling like got a scoop for Fred, I was thinking, ‘That’s the cool thing about the small press. You often get to meet and hear the stories of the everyday people who read your book, even if it comes to you by way of your neighbor.’
Comments
You are too cool. I like the way you weren't "afraid" to meet her!
Posted by: Deana | June 16, 2006 8:31 AM
Sometimes my passions over ride my shyness. If I don't think too much about it, I can often just find myself doing it!
I'm still kicking myself for not going up to Steven Tyler when I saw him in Hingham Mass. a few years ago.
Posted by: colleen | June 16, 2006 8:35 AM
Getting to know people on so many levels is one thing I like about retail, especially in selling my own creations. Great story!
Posted by: Leslie | June 16, 2006 8:54 AM
This is so cool. I bet Fred was thrilled.
Posted by: Nancy | June 16, 2006 10:25 AM
Now, if someone in Floyd would put together a cookbook with all the extra special recipes from the area, my mother would buy it. She reads cookbooks like novels.
Posted by: srp | June 16, 2006 11:32 AM
One Floyd cookbook is done another one is on the way! My friend Amy did a blueberry cookbook a few years back based on my friend Jayn's blueberry garden, which was featured in the Floyd Press once. Another friend Bernie (who as a musician is frequently posted on http://ripples.typepad.com and Doug's http://blueridgemuse.com) is just finishing up one that is full of his recently deceased wife's recipes. Neither are relevant in particular to this area alone but are good just the same. Once Bernie gets his out it should be on the shelf along with the others!
Posted by: colleen | June 16, 2006 4:40 PM
Great job marketing/promoting, Colleen. I've always felt that just about as much fun as the writing is the networking and meeting great people. I once got stopped by TSA flying on a book tour...and ended up selling my book to the security agent. Well done for you and Fred!
Posted by: Terri | June 16, 2006 4:59 PM
I'm glad you gave her your card. I'm thinking she will end up sending for your book, having gotten positive vibs from meeting you.
Her smile tells me that.
Posted by: Kathy | June 16, 2006 7:00 PM
Mom would be very interested in the blueberry one as we have Pongo blueberry farm here and she sends us down to pick every summer.
Posted by: srp | June 16, 2006 8:13 PM
I put together the blueberry cookbook. If you want a copy, please email me at newvision@swva.net. I have a printed version for 10.95 plus 3.95 shipping or you can download a pdf version for 5.95. There are about 100 different blueberry recipies as well as fun and gmes, blueberry history and planting tips.
Thanks
Amy Adams
Posted by: Amy | June 16, 2006 9:10 PM
that is really neat!! How exciting for you and Fred!
Posted by: Ivy | June 16, 2006 9:25 PM
How fun! It's exciting to see the other end of the writing process (is, someone else buying and reading it). Here tonight from Michele's.
Posted by: Dara | June 16, 2006 11:50 PM
It's vignettes like this that convince me of a number of truths:
1 - Floyd is a magical place. I must visit there someday. Soon.
2 - Writing for a living is an amazing way to connect oneself with readers like Katherine. Writing is all about making that connection. This story so totally validates this truth.
3 - You are a very cool, empathetic and giving person. How nice of you to step forward and initiate this discussion. I'm sure Katherine will read it and be touched. It's a neat world, indeed.
4 - When I visit Floyd, I hope to spend some quality time at the Cafe Del Sol. I hope I'll get to meet you and your gang while I'm there. I know I'll learn something from the experience.
Thanks for proving that creatives and small town values can still thrive in this day and age.
Posted by: Carmi | June 16, 2006 11:53 PM
Carmi, I hope you do make it to Floyd some day!
Posted by: colleen | June 16, 2006 11:59 PM
Thanks for this, Colleen. What an eclectic mixer the Cafe has become--in a space that, just a few years ago, was a shirt factory--wasn't it? And yes, Carmi, it IS about that connection. To see someone carry away your book tucked under their arm holds the potential of merging some small part of one life with another, a mind-meld, and heart, and certainly the most gratifying part of what comes to exist between those covers.
Posted by: fred1st | June 17, 2006 4:44 AM
I agree with Carmi, you have passed on some good energy from your small space in the world. These are the ripples through space that keep us all smiling.
Posted by: Tabor | June 17, 2006 6:11 AM