It's Always the Stories

October 2024 Newsletter

My new book, Adventures on Land and Sea, is now in my hands. No, the pub date is not until November 12^th, but to have the physical book in hand feels surreal as I am not able to flash them out into the world! Yet! (Ah but take a peek!)

People ask me what it is like to write a book as the process is known to be a lengthy one—months, years, decades, even. And then it takes another year and a half to move the completed manuscript from the publisher desk through a lengthy process before one sees the finished book pop out on the other side.

So, what is it one does while waiting for the birth of the next book? One would think I could rest on my upcoming laurels, right? Ah, but not so fast! For the book to reach ‘my’ audience, the criteria within the book must be carefully examined. There are hundreds of tiny little details called metadata that need to be taken into consideration for the future success of the book.

As you may, or may not know, over 500,000 books hit the market every year. So, it is up to the author to assist in getting all these important details or the meta-data to the sales force so they can represent the book in a comprehensive manner. Simple questions, such as what are the themes and/or story lines of the book to help whet the appetite of potential readers? Who is your audience? What age group to you expect to reach? What is your genre? Where would you find the book in the library or at the bookstore? Yes, these are details presented to librarians and bookstore owners across the nation and even around the world.

Now, the question about genre has been a tough one for me, as I have been known to be a ‘genre straddler.’ I have written historical fiction which I followed with a literary cookbook which was a companion to the novel. Lately, I have written a series of books known as Savoring the Olde Ways, which is considered ‘culinary travel memoirs.’ In this case, you might think you would find my book series in the cookbook section. Or the memoir section. Or the travel section. But no, with the last name of Bumpus you can find my books right next to Anthony Bourdain’s culinary travel memoirs in Barnes & Noble, for instance. Which, on true reflection, is not a bad place to land!

As my husband, who is my Book Sherpa and ‘best consultant ever’ has said, “After you have finished your book and think all the work is behind you, you will need the equivalent of a master’s degree to launch your book into the world because there are so many new skills and tools needed to jettison your book out the door!” That is where this newsletter comes in, along with developing a current and fluid website. It means I must be on top of ways of getting my books seen and spoken about before a variety of audiences, including teaching classes. [In fact, my next class will be taught on the same subject as above: After the Book has been Written, Now What? I will be presenting at the California Writers Club in Redwood City on November on the 17^th at 11:00 a.m.]

Then, there is the full-court press of marketing, which usually starts in earnest about six months before launch day. My crack team of Caitlin Hamilton Marketing has been by my side for the past four books, and they find all the best ways my book—with my somewhat odd genre—can land in the press, in blogs, on radio shows, in Zooms, essays, book launches, bookstore events, and speaking engagements. All forms of moving my book out into the world are called into action! And, because I am supposed to be the best spokesperson for my books, I need to find a way to speak in front of audiences. That means taking classes on public speaking, attending other authors’ events, then giving classes and speaking before large audiences like the San Francisco Writers Conference.

I have been asked, “Is it worth it?” And I must say, as I wipe my arm across my brow, this process has allowed me to share the many stories I have been aching to tell! And I have been able to jettison them into the world with my blessing!

It is pure joy when one of my readers shares a special part of my book which has spoken to them. Or noticed that little innuendo I hoped someone would notice. But it is the sharing of stories that means the most to me. I believe that is why I write!

And that is what my mother taught my four siblings and me! Storytelling is the gift which binds families together—through the sharing of tidbits, jokes, shaggy dog stories, recipes, and the stories of family’s trials and triumphs.

The following is a story I wrote years ago describing the memory my mother shared with me:

UNDER GRANDMA’S TABLE

Peering out between people’s legs and table legs, I look about Grandma Iva’s kitchen. Seeing only the bottom half of things—the bottom of the cream-colored pie cupboard with the tiny bird-designs tapped into the tin fronts of the hinged doors—the massive legs of the cast-iron wood stove which is cool now, but continues its heated after-glow in an already hot kitchen—the wide-open back door which sends a light breeze into the room—the brown wooden spindle of the chairs which are pressed up against me but are now filled to the brim with the legs of my family, I check out my family.  My favorite Aunt Hazel, audacious Uncle Glen, teasing and testy Uncle Kenneth, stalwart Grandma, my genteel Grandfather, plus, Dad, Mom…they are all there…. maybe more. I’m melting into a puddle of sweat at their feet and am grateful they have forgotten I’m under here.
 
It is summertime 1926, a hot steamy night in western Kansas and I slide down further and place my five-year-old cheek onto the coolness of the linoleum floor.  Laughter rocks the table, and I startle at the sound, but nothing can still the voices above me. They rise and fall, one after the other, like combatants in a duel. One joke then another—one raucous story, then another—and then, laughter spikes the air. Titters from my grandmother, timid laughter of my aunt, the gut-gathering bellows of Uncle Glen, the quiet gathering of laughter by my father—it all filters through my ears—then, begin again. Trying to outdo each other, they repeat stories that they have read—jokes they’ve heard—poems they’ve memorized…. And, of course, to top it all, stories made up on the spur of a challenge. Every night is the same—something a body can count on. It’s the rich banter of their voices, the lightning-quick repartee, the good, humored jibes—all are like a salve on the sunburned skin of childhood. 

“Always the stories,” my mother recounted often, “even though it was during the Depression and the times known as the ‘Dirty Thirties’ were upon us, we always had stories.” 

I did not realize until I began writing, maybe fifty years later, that my goals were shaped by my mother’s revelations. Just to describe families coming together—sitting at the table, eating a hearty meal—but awaiting the banter which followed was the dessert I loved most ……the dessert she taught me to love….and the dessert I still search for.

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I have a number of events scheduled for the book launch in November, so please check out my website for the event and pop it onto your calendar, if you can, as I would love to have any and all of you come to celebrate with me.

Also, I thoroughly love the comments you send my way! I can’t tell you how much joy that gives me! Thank you!