Launch Day! 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1! BLAST OFF!

A perfect pony, gracing the Crescent Park carousel, one of my book's Honorable Mentions.

Yesterday while visiting my Dad at the Arms, I noticed a photo album, one of MANY, directly behind my head from where I was sitting.  I opened it up, this one singular album, and saw it held pictures of my Daddy and me at Kiddieland back in 1966.  And that told me, without a doubt, TODAY was the right time to splash my new book out into the world!

https://www.createspace.com/3840248

Go to this link, tout suite!!  I'd hoped to get the book out by April 17, the three-year anniversary of my visit to opening day of the Kiddieland's last season, but I think today is close enough for jazz.

Folks, I'm giddy: I've already sold five copies in just a few hours, and I've generated a lot of interest on Facebook.

To think: my labor of love is now out and about in the ether and soon will be in hard copy form in the hands of many, ready to enlighten folks to the spirit and treasure found in these vintage amusement parks.

Please consider purchasing a copy right away through the Createspace link.  I promise you when we next meet, I'll personalize it for you.

Sorry if I'm boring you with the details of publishing...

but this process is taking a while.  But it IS moving forward, that's for sure!

I got the hard copy of the book and basically flipped out by being able to hold "my baby" in my hands.  The first person I took it to was my dad.  After all, so much of the inspiration I received to carry on with the project came from him, even while he was going through a myriad of medical woes.  To see the broad smile of pride on his face was worth every mile traveled, every park visited, every funnel cake consumed.  Yes, even every pound gained.

Ben and I went out for a celebratory dinner, had a little bubbly - even showed the book to the restaurant owner, who thoroughly enjoyed it.  But she gave me a great bit of objective criticism - to make the photos stand out even more.

So, in the last week or so, we've re-tooled the photos, making them a lot sharper.  We've fine-tuned the segments the book is broken up into. And I did the very last (and I mean it!) editing of the text.  It's amazing how even after having it professionally proofread, you still find a couple of "oops"es here and there.

As of the wee late hours of last night, the electronic copy has gone back to the publisher and I should have the final hardcopy proof in a matter of days.

And then - off to the presses.

Book sent off to the publisher!!

Kiddieland's Little Dipper, Opening Day, April, 2009

May I let out a rip-snorting "YaHOO!!!"?  Last night, I uploaded all my materials for the book to the publisher and will receive a hard copy of the manuscript for final perusal soon.

Just think of it - the book will likely be published by the 3rd anniversary of the first visit, which was to Kiddieland on Opening Day of 2009.  What promise and happiness that day held - and what a bittersweet beginning to such a joyful undertaking.

I recall standing in line and starting to interview people.  I'm more of an introvert than an extrovert, so it took a little revving up of my internal motors to do it, but that's when it began: the first interview for the book, which would include dozens of observations from a plethora of happy park goers and park workers.

I'll keep you all posted on the progress and the actual date when "The Cotton Candy Road Trip" can be in your very own hands!