Olde Towne Book Faire
November 3-5, 2006 I took Laura and Faith with me to Martinberg, Berkley County West Virginia to the Olde Towne Book Faire. It was the first annual book faire for the county, and it was absolutely smashing! Vivian, our English sales clerk would have to say it was BRILLIANT! She was precious! She sold every book we had out on the table and in the backroom! Andrea Siok gets all the credit for calling me and inviting me to the book faire, and I really hope she calls again next year as well. Her husband Jason deserves extra kudos and a bunch of cookies for driving us to and from the airport. We abused him and the other driver Shawn (no last names please) when we made them listen to our crazy family stories, our jokes, and the way Laura and I play off of each other in public! Poor guys. Then there was WILL PLATT...my volunteer that Laura kept. I swear, Andrea gave Will to me...but it didn't end up that way. He took Laura driving around, went to the banquet with her, doted on her a bit because Laura needs to be doted on quite a bit, and then he even went so far as to call her gorgeous! Well...do you think? Of course my daughter is gorgeous! Will is one of the smartest kids (18) I've met in a very long time, and he's pretty darn cute too! He made my little girl smile, and I don't think that silly grin is coming off her face any time soon. Thanks Will. You're the best. (Now go out and clean that car out - I saw the Fabreze! You can use it, it's OK)
We met some fantastic authors, and I will be listing a few for you now. I want you to understand that these people came out to West Virginia (like me) from all over the country. Some were considered local, driving up from DC, Baltimore, Pittsburg maybe, but they were so kind to participate. I learned so much about fellow authors from them, and Louisa Jaggar even found me a potential agent! I love her! We'll see how that works out. Rush out to Amazon.com and order their books as fast as you can. You can think of someone at Christmas time who would love to get one of these books. I know you can!
Louisa Jaggar: "Saving Stuff" (Simon & Schuster 2005) ISBN: 0-743-26416-9 It's about restoring things you've lost, things that were broken, or perhaps went through a flood. Louisa is a single mom, and she had this happen to her. Her own precious memories washed away! She has coupled with Don Williams to write this book, and it's a part of the Smithsonian books...Louisa also writes for the Washington Post, and she's writing two more books which are bound to be as fun, funny, informative, and as lively as "Saving Stuff" you have to get it.
Lonnie Schorer (Architect turned Author) wrote "Kids to Space" a Space Traveler's Guide. It is cute, fun, active, and one for not only every kid you know, but get one and donate it to a local library for others to enjoy. I did! It's through Apogee Books (2006) and the ISBN : 1-89495942-6 and 13-978-1-894959-1 for softcover. They are easily found on Amazon, but you can learn about the book by going to her publisher's site at: cgpublishing.com and then clicking on the bookcover.
Natalia Nogulich - Actress She was so beautiful, and she is going to attempt to write the screenplay for my book With a Little Faith. Faith loved Natalia, and we're hoping she is able to get the book adapted well, and we can get the movie produced soon.
Rebel Sinclair (Romance Novelist) publishing through SavPress and can be found both at Amazon and by going to her website at www.rebelsinclair.com Her books are gothic tales of romance and love. You have to order them. She is so much fun, and you bet she's placed her own love of the paranormal storytelling into these two books. She's working on a third even as we speak! The books are: Ghosts of Charleston and Spirits of the Shadows, go and google them!
Rev. Paul Bresnahan (The funny priest!) He wrote two books, the one he brought with him is titled "Everything You Needed to Know About Sex to Get to Heaven!" It is ISBN: 1-59926559-1 and I have to tell you, I'm laughing about it just before I open it to read it because I can't get this guy's big smile out of my head. He fed Faith his own breakfast because she begged him for it, and she doesn't usually walk up to men! He was so very kind, so very sweet. Please get his books too.
Mario Acevedo (The Vampire) He and Rebel had too much fun, but it was all in good humor. They talked a great deal because their books come from the type of genre and they are both so well researched. He writes a bit on the adult side of the world, his nymphomaniac vampires are a little too sexy for the kids, but a great read I am told....by the author! Hahaha His ISBN is:10:0060833270 and 13:9780060833275 It comes out in March and is titled: X-Rated Bloodsuckers. His first book is titled "The Nymphos of Rocky Flats" and is available through Amazon and at www.marioAcevedo.com
LM Bicknell (Famous Author) wrote a lovely novel called "Climbing Mountain Paths, ISBN 1-4137-9947-7 and lives in the hills of West Virginia, so she knows mountain paths. She and Pete sat with us at the table during the banquet, and poor Pete was surrounded by women...talking, and giggly women, and even Faith was a girl! We saluted his bravedo! LM was so kind and sweet and she really embodies the sweet spirited women of West Virginia. Thank you for your laughter.
Shari Caudron (2006 Barricade Books) ISBN: 1-56980-304-8 wrote a very funny book called "Who Are You People" and she is writing a new book about strange places and odd things - she was fun to talk to, and I had to tease her because her business card was 4x6....but it is hilarious!
Thanks also to the Holiday Inn staff, the restaurant staff: Tom, Jim, Beverly, Connie, and all the waitstaff that helped us to dine and dine well! Faith thanks you Jim and Tom for the brisket, the eggs, the bacon, the sausage and all the love and hugs. Tom brought his family out to meet Faith too! These people are so awesome.
Thanks to Bill, and the staff at the Blue Ridge CTC for allowing us to interrupt your lives for the day and for Faith's impromptu meeting with the President. Faith wanted his bagel. Everyone was so kind. We were able to do demonstrations and presentations at the CTC and inform people about our books, about Faith, about each other. We just loved the entire trip. The library welcomed us and we did a demonstration and show there as well with really great kids from 3 different schools showing up for the gig. The librarians even came to the banquet to eat with us...great food....great company!
Finally, to the police officers and firefighters of the community, thank you for working so hard to preserve this city and the county. It was clean, beautiful, safe, and probably without hesitation, one of the nicest places I have ever been to. Just about 1 hour out of BWI if you're interested in going to Martinberg...you can see history in the making. We did. A Civil War reinactment was put on right before our eyes, and I'll be sure and post pictures. It was at the 1812 mansion called Boydville. Several Union soliders were ordrered to burn the house down during the Civil War, but the daughter of the owner begged Lincoln not to burn HER house down, and after he was informed of its particular history and significance he agreed to let it stand. It is gorgeous! The guys that are in the reinactment went out of their way to make things so realistic..they are from the following groups: 2nd US Cavalry Company H, Civil War Reenactment Group and can be found at: usdraggoons@adelphia.com, and also Brig. Gen. William W. Averell who was portrayed by Mr. Nick Korolev. (A wonderful job!) He can be reached at: skywolf1@earthlink.net Thanks for not burning the house down guys I really enjoyed the unofficial tour - I sort of refused to pay for the real one.....I didn't bring any money with me! Sorry.
Hope the horse is OK!