Barnstormin’ Seattle

After much wailing and gnashing of teeth I finally let go of my new manuscript and sent it off to 1745 Broadway, home of one Random House Publishing—whew. Nothing like a Gordian knot of separation anxiety to jump-start the weekend. (I keep wondering when I’ll finally be able to kick this whole writer-insecurity thing. If you know, clue me in, aiiight?)

Speaking of weekend, I’m on my way back to the Emerald City.  Seattle is a charmingly odd place. The traffic is as congested as LA, but without the random freeway shootings to up the entertainment value. And people do walk around with sippy cups—I mean Starbucks. Or Seattle’s Best (also owned by Starbucks, in case you didn’t know. Yes, you will be assimilated to the caffeine collective). Then there’s Tully’s (the CEO used to drive around in a Humvee with a plate that read TLYNATR), plus a Greek chorus of indie/rebel/organic coffee pubs. And yes, it rains. But not like a monsoon, more like a perpetual puppy-sneeze, light and annoying.

Yet despite all that or perhaps because of all that, the Seattle area is one rockingly literate place. Which is why it’s always a joy to do book gigs thereabouts...

Monday, March 1, 7:30 pm
Eagle Harbor Book Company
Bainbridge Island, WA

Tuesday, March 2, 7:00 pm
Longview Public Library
Longview, WA

I also have a gaggle of meetings, luncheons, book group thingies, and other fun activities disguised as work. See you soon.

Comments

[Kristan]

Dude I feel bamboozled! I had no idea Starbucks owned Seattle's Best!!

Ah well. (I don't drink coffee, so it's not a big deal.)

Congrats on sending it out! I'm not sure there's ever a way to evade writerly insecurity... unless you just stop caring, you know? But if you care about your ms, you will want other people to care too, and that means you'll inevitably worry that they won't. Completely different step of the process, but I just sent a couple chapters to my Alpha readers, and I'm both dying to know their responses, and terrified of getting them. Sigh.

[Sara J. Henry]

Ah, Jamie, I used to WORK in the Longview Public Library - it was my first post-college job! I also wrote for the daily newspaper there, where I learned to write decent features. Boy, that brings back memories. It's a lovely little town. Wish I could be there.

[Jamie]

Yes, Seattle's Best and Starbucks are one and the same. Scary, isn't it?

Sara--Wow, Longview...who knew? I'm looking forward to it. These community reads events are pretty amazing.