Book readings and signings

Well, I had to admit to my publisher that I got a little carried away with scheduling readings and signings for my new book. I forgot that even an energetic person like me has to rest once in a while. When I looked at my schedule and realized that I had scheduled 7 talks/readings in a two- week period, I almost fainted. Doing readings isn't a problem, but when you have to prepare talks and workshops, you need time to do it.

I talked to the Roane County Writers in Kingston on Oct. 16 and had a wonderful time with them -- after my friend, Fay, and I finally found the library. I had gotten directions over the phone, but naturally I didn't write them down coherently. The only words I could read were "near the courthouse" and "on Kentucky Street." The library is near the courthouse but not that near. Fortunately, I had the library phone number so we were able to call and get more specific directions.

On Oct. 23, I speak to the OR Chamber of Commerce Diplomats on the power of humor. I'm pulling that talk together right now in-between working on the 5-hr humor writing workshop I'm doing for the TN Mountain Writers on Nov. 1. I get to rest a little after that workshop and don't need to prepare another talk until Nov. 12.

My grandson's football season is almost over so I'll have Monday nights free again. It's been a lot of fun watching him on the freshman team, but I don't enjoy watching him get tackled by some of the behemoths on the field.

KWG anthology launch

This was a great week for the Knoxville Writers' Guild (KWG). We launched our 8th anthology, Outscape: Writings on Fences and Frontiers, at Laurel Theatre on Thursday night. Edited by Jessie Janesheck and Jesse Graves, the anthology is a real treat with dozens of talented writers represented, I am very proud to have my memoir included, "Seashells, Hula Skirts, and Bob Hope: Memories of Guam." I lived on Guam in the early 1950's when my father was stationed there with the US Army. It was a magical time for me, and I hated being evacuated because of the threat of attack by North Korea.

The KWG also had readings at Barnes&Noble today where several of us read our poetry, fiction, and non-fiction. Coincidentally, the piece I read on Guam was one I composed in a writing workshop I took from Jeanne McDonald at the TN Writers' January Jumpstart two years ago. Jeanne also was one of the readers today.