05-Oct-2007
Hello friends, family and fellow readers,
Hope all is well in your corner of the world. Crazily enough, the leaves are already starting to change here in St. Paul. And while the gorgeous red, yellow and orange hues are a feast for the eyes, it’s also a reminder of what’s ahead: A long, COLD winter. So I’m enjoying what’s left of the warm temps here at Starbucks as I drink a caramel macchiato and thought I’d send a quick note your way because, of course, it’s been way too long since the last one.
Overall, it’s been a pretty exciting week in the Banister household. Not only is Will back at Bethel Seminary and enjoying it to no end, but my little heart went all aflutter when I received a very special delivery this week. On Monday, my first actual copy of Around the World in 80 Dates arrived on my doorstep. Now of course, I’ve seen various galley copies along the way, but there was nothing quite like having the finished product in my hands. After months and months of work and a whole lot of anticipation, I actually had something to show for it. A couple of days later, the publisher sent an entire box (50 copies in all), so I pretty thrilled about that, too. So much so, in fact, that I took one pretty much everywhere I went after that. Like a mother showing off her new baby, I couldn’t wait for everyone to see my labor of love.
And just think…in only 10 days, you’ll be able to have your very own copy as Around the World in 80 Dates will be available in a bookstore (Borders, Barnes & Noble, Wal-Mart, you name it) near you. Even writing that still feels a bit strange to me, but I’m so excited! Also, if you’re more the online ordering type, you can pre-order it at Amazon.com (just search for Christa Ann Banister) and have it in your mailbox on October 15. Now how cool is that?
There are also quite a few publicity opportunities in the works for the book, so I’ll be sure to keep you posted on that. On October 17, I’ll be speaking at a Feature Writing class at Bethel University. And here’s a date you’ll definitely want to mark on your calendar—October 23. I’m going to be doing my first-ever book signing at the Borders store (across from Oakwood Mall) in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. If you’re in the area, more details are below.
Now for those who don’t live nearby, don’t worry, more book signings are in the works. But I thought I’d let you know about my first one in the meantime.
Thanks again for all your encouragement and support as I’ve been working on the book…that means the world to me.
Have a great weekend,
Christa
OCTOBER 23 BOOK SIGNING DETAILS:
Release Party for Around the World in 80 Dates
Borders; Eau Claire, Wisconsin
7:00 p.m.
(I’ll be doing a reading and will be signing copies of the book.)
