Posts filed under ‘Update’
A LOCAL BOOKSTORE NEEDS OUR SUPPORT
The only independent bookstore in our area, Chester County Book and Music Company, will soon close. I found this news to be extremely upsetting for I have shopped there now for more than twenty years. Last year they were also kind enough to let me have a book signing at the store.
A local author, Kathye Fetsko Petrie, has organized fellow local authors to attend two nights, October 26 and November 23, to show their support for the bookstore. I will be there on the October date. I would appreciate any of my readers that live in the area also to attend.
I have included the well-done piece by Petrie describing the situation for the bookstore and lists of authors that will be in attendance. You may be surprised at the local talent in the area, especially if you are familiar with children and mystery writers.
Included is a link to Petrie’s piece so that you may check out the authors’ blogs or websites.
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• BIOGRAPHY
• PUBLICATIONS
• FLYING JACK / CHILDREN’S PICTURE BOOK
• KATHYE FETSKO PETRIE BLOG
• TWEETS @LOCALLIT
Soon after it was announced that Chester County Book and Music Company (CCBMC) was on a month-to-month lease and planning to close 60 days after the landlord signed a new tenant, I went to see if anything might be done to keep the store open. I was not alone. Distressed customers have been pouring in to the large independent in West Chester, PA, since the news broke late summer, expressing regrets and offering ideas. As a result Kathy Simoneaux, CCBMC’s owner since 1982 (then with her late husband Bob, who died in 2010), is now considering the possibility of relocating from the store’s present 28,000 square foot selling space—“too big for the current bookselling environment” she told Shelf Awareness—to a smaller space. Customers can fill out a questionnairein person or online at http://www.ccbmc.com to help Simoneaux figure out what that hypothetical bookshop might look like.
Across the country, people are brainstorming ways brick-and-mortar bookstores can survive in the digital future, and readers are lamenting what will be lost if they don’t. The words coziness, community, handselling, occur often. All true. But these are generic words. As I wandered CCBMC during several recent visits, I was reminded of what I love most about it, and reminded of what specifically will be lost if and when we lose this specificbookstore:
ALL THESE MAGAZINES: An entire disappearing wall of them–a glorious selection of titles not often carried elsewhere locally.
TRUE SUPPORT OF LOCAL AUTHORS, whether it be via the always-full “Local Talent” bookcase; or by the individual displays highlighting works by local authors; or by being an always willing and enthusiastic host for launch parties and signings by local authors. CCBMC has also always been able to attract and be A VENUE FOR HIGH-PROFILE AUTHORS who otherwise rarely visit the ‘burbs, but rather confine their appearances to cities.
CCBMC is also…
A PLACE FOR SURPRISES: When was the last time you came around a corner of bookstore and saw a full display of books from small publishers such as these brightly colored “Art of the Novella” titles by Melville House—or any display novellas in a bookstore, for that matter? Translated books, books from academic presses, books grouped by category such as “Great Books, Bad Movies,” and other intriguing displays. can be found throughout the store.
In addition you will find…
BOOKISH GIFTS THAT ARE JUST RIGHT, such as the “Sweet How You Are Still Reading Books” magnetic bookmark and the IN MY BOOK® greeting cards that turn into bookmarks and carry sentiments such as In My Book…You’re Novel.
Additionally, CCBMC has…
EMPLOYEES WHO KNOW YOU LOVE TO “EAT SLEEP READ”because they do also. This truth is in evidence everywhere, particularly via a multitude of handpicked STAFF PICKS. Yes, I know you have seen staff picks in other stores before, but probably never so many—and never so many worth your while.
What I always enjoyed at CCBMC for years and what I am especially touched to see every time I go to CCBMC now is something no other store has, namely…
JOE PICKS. These are the selections of the late Joe Drabyak, bookseller-extraordinaire at CCBMC for many years until his death two years ago this past August 27. Drabyak was so brilliant and beloved that his words and selections still live among the shelves, interspersed among the other staff selections.
So what can be done to save CCBM? Possibly nothing, though we all hope something. A show of ongoing interest via people continuing to shop is certainly an excellent action, though no guarantee. Ultimately, the fate of CCBMC will be the hard decision of owner Kathy Simoneaux, who has difficult economic and no doubt personal factors to consider.
In the meantime, I’m thinking a show of gratitude would be just the thing. Those who love the store can go there now, buy books, fill out the questionnaire, perhaps leaving a note saying how much the store has meant to your life—not to sway the outcome, which is out of your hands, but to merely say “thanks you for being here for me all these years,” and “I love you.” Much as you would say to those you love today and every day, while they are alive and healthy and still here.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR: Plans are underway for two special“AUTHORS SAY THANK YOU TO CCBMC” nights at Chester County Book & Music Company this fall onOctober 26 andNovember 23, from6 to 9 PM. On these dates, area authors will gather to shop, talk, eat at the Magnolia Cafe and mingle with each other and customers to celebrate, say thank you and support this wonderful independent bookstore that has supported local authors and readers for over 30 years. Won’t you join us?
PARTICIPATING AUTHORS as of 10/1/2012
Authors are confirming daily so please check back.
10/26/12
Cordelia France Biddle
Jen Bryant
Nero Blanc
Jim Breslin
Jessica Dimuzio
Merry Jones
Susan Beth Lehman
Lisa Loeb
Susan Marie Kelley
Bruce Mowday
Kathye Fetsko Petrie
Jan Mulligan
Marc Schuster
Kelly Simmons
Gloria Slater
Chris Shaughness
Jerry Spinelli
Eileen Spinelli
Joelle Sterling
Laura Tamakosh
Walt Trizna
Steve Zettler
11/23/12
Carmen Ferreiro-Esteban
Beth Kephart
Stephen Fried
Jonathan McGoran
Karen E. Quinones Miller
Jan Mulligan
Kathye Fetsko Petrie
Chris Shaughness
Lisa Scottoline
Francesca Serritella
Kelly Simmons
K.M. Walton
Here is the link so you can appreciate the full article and checkout the authors.
UPDATE
UPDATE
My consistent readers,
I thought I’d touch base after some of disturbing medical update I’ve recently shared. For the most part, I’m back to normal. I’m feeling fine although I am one enough pills that I could open up my own pharmacy, but as time goes by the number should diminish.
As far as my writing is concerned, I’m working on a new short story and a novella featuring Elmo. Elmo has already appeared in a novella published by Melange Books in their anthology, Curious Hearts. I’ve also submitted two short stories for which I am still awaiting a reply and a host of poems which have all been rejected.
I’ll keep in touch. I hope you will too.
UPDATE MEDICAL
My consistent readers,
As I told you recently, I had bypass surgery in March, spent ten days in the hospital and went home feeling pretty good. But that didn’t last very long. I began going downhill fast.
There is a ‘rare’ side effect of surgery call Dressler’s Syndrome where your immune system goes wacky and decides to vent its rage on your body. The syndrome results in inflamed joints, fluid around the lungs or perhaps fluid around the heart. My immune system must have been really pissed and decided to give me all three. Back to the hospital for another ten day
I’m home now and hope to get my writing back in full gear.
I must say that this whole experience has been quite strange for me. I have never spent a night in the hospital before. All during my care I felt I was watching someone else deal with all the efforts to determine and cure all my maladies. But when they began the IVs or drew blood I was brought back to reality.
UPDATE NEW PUBLICATION
My consistent readers,
Two new stories can come your way for only 99 cents.
Cat’s Eyes and Second Chance were recently published by Books to Go Now.
So far the stories are only available on amazon.com, but that should change soon.
When the stories are available on the Books to Go Now website, if you don’t have a nook or kindle you can have them delivered to your computer in pdf format.
Let me know if you enjoy these stories.
SURGERY UPDATE
I want to thank all my friends and family for their cards, well-wishes, prayers and kind thoughts during my mending after surgery.
Since my six hour bypass surgery I have experienced ups and downs, currently I’m doing fine. I can see that the road ahead may still be a long one. Thanks for easing my journey.
UPDATE STAYING ALIVE
It’s been a couple of interesting months for me. Let me give you the details and you’ll see why my productivity was down.
While on a cruise toward the end of January with my wife, Joni, I began experiencing increased shortness of breath while going up stairs. The day after coming home, Joni took my vitals which she had been monitoring before the trip and said that I was in atrial fibrillation. A call to my internist resulted in a visit hours later and from his office to that of a cardiologist. I was scheduled for a cardio version a few days later. It worked, but after a few weeks I was back in a fib.
After a failed stress test, I was scheduled for a cardiac catherization on March 26. A blockage, 75%, was found in the main artery feeding the front of the heart and is known as the ‘widow maker’. If this stops functioning, so does Walt. This artery gets its disturbing name because it provides flow to just about everything downstream. It could not be stented, only bypassed. But I had a great deal of luck on my side. The bypass could be done using robot technology and three small incisions.
After surgery I had a slightly rocky recovery, kidneys got a little balky. I left the hospital on April 5 with an eight to twelve week recovery ahead of me.
During the course of my hospital stay our daughters, Annie and Lynn along with Lynn’s boyfriend John, were a constant help to Joni around the house and raised my spirits with their hospital visits.
What am I going to do about this experience? Write about it, of course. I approach this experience for a unique prospective. I have a science background and my wife is a nurse. Also, at the age of 64, this was my first hospitalization.
UPDATE CHAPBOOK
My consistent readers,
I have many projects currently in progress. I am writing another novella with Elmo as a reappearing character. The first time I’ve used a character twice, but I really like him. I’m also rewriting some old short stories and see if I can find them a home. Also, there is The Beast Awaits, my second novel which I hope to publish, someday.
But I figured ‘what the hell’ I’ll start something else, something where, for the most part the work is already done. I’m thinking of publishing a chapbook of poetry. A chapbook is more of a pamphlet than a book. The reason I am discussing this with you is that in the past some of the busiest days on my blog was when I was sharing my poetry. So for any that enjoyed these poems, could you please go to both of my poem areas, Published Poems and Unpublished Poems, and select the poems that you enjoyed or said something to you. I know this will take time but I would really appreciate the effort. I’ll get back to you with the poems that made the cut.
Thanks for your time,
Walt
UPDATE TRAVEL
My consistent readers and new-found friends,
My wife, Joni, and I recently returned from a cruise on the Allure of the Seas, a Royal Caribbean International ship which is the largest cruise ship in the world. This was our first cruise; nothing like starting at the top. We visited Nassau, St. Thomas and St. Martin. St. Martin was our favorite and the island we would like to revisit. While on St. Martin, we caught a glimpse of an island (I forget its name) that served as Skull Island in the filming of King Kong. If only we could have visited and sought out those huge footprints.
We were accompanied on this adventure by my sister, Shirley and her husband Matt, along with many couples from their retirement community. If any of those that we met read this blog, I want to say we had a fantastic time in your company and you made the cruise experience all the more pleasant.
Now, back to writing.
Take care my friends,
Walt
Walttriznastories's Blog 