Sep8

Whew… and breathe!

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Whew… and breathe!

I had the week from hell. My stress was distressed.

I had been waiting for the publisher to tell me when early copies of Wish I Was Here would be available. I had hoped I’d have them for a Sept. 20 launch party. Greg the Guitarist was on alert for the go sign to book the brewery. (Pun. “Book.”)

I had no forewarning when: The books are available Right Now!

Quick! Check the brewery calendar for the 20th! Aaaaaannnnddddd… booked. (Still a pun.)

Wait! Sept. 6 is open! That’s three weeks away!

Greg??

Him: Our band calendar says we’re free!

Me: Huzzah!

I leave a message at the brewery.

Later, Greg: Turns out the drummer didn’t put on the calendar that he has a work trip.

Me: !!

Greg: He’s going to see if it can be postponed.

Waiting. Days pass. Still no word from brewery anyhow.

Greg: It’s postponed. He can do the show!

Huzzah again! But…

Brewery?? (Email.)

Brewery?? (Phone call.)

Hello! Brewery?? (Email from both Greg and me.)

Meanwhile, I ordered a ton of books from the publisher, but was told, “Hey, why don’t you just get a couple first just to be sure you don’t find any major problems with it from the printer?”

Since I didn’t have the brewery, I said, fine, I’ll do as you suggest.

And then, of course, the brewery finally said yes to the 6th with a week and a half to go.

Me to publisher: Let’s assume the books are fine. I need copies now!

Pub: The amount you want will take a while to print and get shipped.

Me: Tell me a convenient amount to print and ship quickly.

Pub: A case holds 30. We can start there.

Me: Do it!

Pub: The books will ship Friday, Monday at the latest.

Me: Monday is Labor Day. I need the books by Saturday of that week.

Pub: Oh gosh! It is going to be a rough one then.

Me: For the love of all that is good and holy! I thought getting the band and venue last minute was stressful. [He was apprised of the situation.] The books not being there would be an epic flop. Sweet baby Jesus, help me! 

Pub: We shall pray to 7 lb, 6 oz newborn baby Jesus!

Next day, Thursday, Pub: They have shipped!

Me: There is hope! Thank you, 7 lb, 6 oz newborn baby Jesus!

Pub: HAHA. The baby has spoken!

And in this same week, I was substitute teaching middle schoolers every day. One grade was angelic, the other, not so much. One class was easy to teach, but for the other, without clear instructions, I spent time trying to figure out what I was supposed to do each morning and then sort of winging it. Whatever. I got through it. They learned something, presumably.

Also happening in this same week as the book/band/brewery fiasco + subbing came trying to tell everyone about a party happening in a week and a half. HRH made a flier for me because she’s wonderful and amazing. That was a big help.

There was also this other matter, which deserves its own post, but it involved a whole lotta emails and texts to various people to organize a thing and collect information and a form from each person as well as fees for this and for that and to make a spreadsheet and keep all the information up to date and keep track of who had turned in what and not miss something and screw it all up.

In the end, I did screw one thing up. It was bone-headed but it was last-minute, under pressure, so I’m trying to make peace with my blunder in light of all that was going on that week.

Oh, yeah, and I still had MY DAY JOB, which also had a big thing happening the following week that I was responsible for one aspect of but was not getting done. Fortunately, my coworkers were also behind, so on Saturday, the boss pushed the whole thing back a week. A small mercy.

What else going on that week was my momma’s heart concerned for my daughters who each had a major thing happening: finals (weird school schedule), a play audition (she thought it went okay), and a driving test. (After I spent 2.5 hours sitting at the DMV, not at home getting work done, my daughter failed. By one point. 😦 I was so not happy.)

I lost a lot of sleep that week.

But, the following week, no more subbing, far less organizing of major side project, no big life events for my girls, more time for my day job, RSVPs for the party were rolling in despite the super short notice, and, with three days to go…

The above was my way of poking fun at fellow authors and their box opening reveal videos. I saw one where the author was crying a little and slowly, lovingly pulling out a book like she was holding her newborn child for the first time. I’m not a good enough faker to fake that. I was just glad the darn things made it in time.

This was a lot for you to read. There’s more because baking was involved, so OF COURSE I have a story about that, but I’ll end on this:

Books, band, brewery

I started with 32 books. From the party and others asking me to mail them an autographed copy, I now have four left. If you want one too, act fast.

P.S. In mountaineering, these multispiked items affix to your boots to aid in climbing during icy conditions. Answer: crampons. Maybe more trivia next time. I’m tired.

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72 responses »

  3. Well, crap. I never had a book reveal video or a launch party. In fact, I don’t think I ever ordered more than half a dozen books at once. CLEARLY I AM AUTHORING ALL WRONG.

    Congratulations, though! Looks like a great event, and your sales reflect that. Well done! And of course I want a copy.

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    • Something to aspire to for your sequel? [Yeah, yeah, I know. I can hear you giving me crap from here. No Time For Kings is on my list, okay?!?!]

      Actually, is it weird that I’m surprised by your “of course”? I would’ve figured you’d have a been there done that attitude. (I just relived the scene of Andy Dwyer handing out code names. The scene ends with Ben saying, “Oh, thank God.” You with me?) So, I’m honored you want a live book. Email me your current address because ain’t no one can keep track of where you live. I might accidentally mail it three states ago. And, I know what you’re thinking, but the oranges aren’t in season right now. Sorry.

      Liked by 1 person

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  15. Good grief Charlie Brown! With a week like that no wonder you’re not up for trivia!

    And your kiddo has my condolences. 1 lousy point is miserable. I think the instructor was being a hard ass. When I did my driving test I didn’t put the handbrake on at the end because I thought it was flat but the instructor said we were on an incline. She let me pass anyway. For which I and my parents were extremely grateful!

    Liked by 1 person

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    • So glad you had a nice lady as your driving tester. There were two men and a woman rotating through the line-up of people waiting to test. I was hoping my girl would get the lady, thinking maybe she’d be nicer. We got David. I hope we don’t get him next time. It’s cool that you remember your driving test so well. A pivotal moment in your life!

      Liked by 1 person

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  17. You had a big busy week, what a roller coaster, Betsy. I loved seeing your unboxing video and to put a voice to your face and name. Your launch dress was lovely. Kudos and enjoy the continued ride ahead!

    Liked by 1 person

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  19. “In the end, I did screw one thing up. It was bone-headed but it was last-minute, under pressure, so I’m trying to make peace with my blunder in light of all that was going on that week.” Hey, we all make mistakes. That’s life. And yes, here’s to occasionally pushing back deadlines. We need that sometimes. And finally, congrats on publication. Cool to see you signing books. That’s awesome!!!

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Brian. Thank you. I need more of you in my life. If ever the feeling strikes, feel free to comment randomly over here with, “Ilsa–relax. It’s going to be fine.” I’m sure at any given moment it will be apropos for me to hear that. 😛

      Thanks so much, friend. I appreciate all of that. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

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  22. Oh my lord! I’m stressed just reading this. All that AND a blog? Subbing AND a day job? Ugh. I don’t envy you. I see classrooms with subs. Even darling classrooms that the regular teacher has under total control devolve into chaos when a sub is there. You are a saint (or genuinely mad). Congrats on the book launch – how cool to see you signing! I think you should fly out all your blog buddies for Book Signing Take II (at a winery please – I don’t like beer). 😉

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    • I had a glass or rosé, which I never got to finish, come to think of it. I left the table and my glass was cleared. Dang it. It was quite good. I think you would still approve of this place, as they did have wine as well.

      My hubby is perhaps the most feared man on campus, so that may have helped, in general. That rougher class, I’m told, is rough for everyone (except Hubby. No one messes with him). It’s the dynamic of the students. If you removed one particular kid, the whole environment would change. I’ll bet you know what I mean. And I know which kid it would be. Very smart, but also very vocal.

      And, yeah. That week was just utterly nuts. Everything at once. Bizarre, really, but I did manage to survive and not lose a child–mine or someone else’s.

      As far as saint or genuinely mad? My vote is option 2.

      Liked by 1 person

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  24. Wow, reading about your week made my head spin, Ilse! Congratulations on getting your books in time for the party and signing. Your red Chinese dress is too cute. I know what you meant by some authors holding their books like a new born. You publisher should have read he proof copy and shouldn’t have any issues. Mommy’s job is never easy. Sorry for your daughter missing the test by 1 point. I’m sure she’ll do well next time.

    Liked by 1 person

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  27. So – most importantly – what I took from this post is: 1) You owe us a baking story, and 2) Despite the drummer being available for the party, I don’t see him/her in the final photo (unless that’s a drumstick peeking out from behind the lead singer) JK of course – WHO CARES about either of those things when the final photo shows YOU signing YOUR books!!! That’s a kind of cool very few get to experience!!! Good on you, Ilsa – your so called “just rewards”. I’m patiently waiting for my copy of WIWH in the mail. Speaking of hard copies, I was curious: how many days between your desperate request to “print!” and having the box of thirty in your hands? Sounds like your publisher burned the midnight oil.

    Liked by 2 people

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