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| Brenda Koestler, from left, Melanie Jones and Stephanie Price, members of the Vicksburg chapter of the Pulpwood Queens Book Club, discuss "The Pirate's Daughter" by Margaret Cezair-Thompson. (Joshua Corban * The Vicksburg Post) |
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
KATHY PATRICK 
I met Kathy Patrick eighteen years ago when she dropped by her sister's bed and breakfast in Jefferson, Texas. My husband and I were having a romantic getaway while my mom watched our two year old. Kathy and I spoke briefly about the upcoming birth of her first child. Back then, she owned a bed and breakfast and I was a decorator. But years have a way of twisting our lives into something different.
Nine years later I received a phone call from Kathy. By then, she was a publishing rep and I was a writer. She'd read my first book and was excited about it. She asked if my publisher was sending me on tour.
I told her, "No, but I've planned a two week book tour in Louisiana on my own." I'd spent six months putting together events at libraries and bookstores.
"Would you start the tour here in East Texas?" she asked. She wanted to arrange two book signings and a talk at the Friends of the Library in Jefferson.
Of course I said, "You bet!" We chatted a bit more and by the end of the phone call, we remembered our earlier meeting. Today we still talk about being moms, but our interests have spread to other subjects, mainly books. We've become the best of friends. And I'm thrilled to announce that this woman with a generous heart now has a book of her own. I asked Kathy if I could interview her so that others could have insight into her fascinating life.
You are such a huge supporter of books and authors.
What was the first book that made an impression on you as a
child?
The first book was Honestly, Katie John by Mary Calhoun. This book
was given to me by my fourth grade teacher, Mrs. Boulden. It was the first
book that really made me want to read as it was about a little girl who
was exactly like me. She was a tomboy. She didn't want to grow up and
her friends were growing up right before her eyes. She felt left out
and I knew exactly how she felt. That was the first time I felt I was
not alone in the world. I could not wait to read another book just like
that one. Fortunately for me, Mrs. Boulden, handed me another Katie
John book and I was hooked on reading.
You've worked in almost every field of the book world. Please share the
variety of jobs you've held in that world and a lesson that each job taught you.
After I had my first daughter and we realized when she reached toddler
age, we could no longer run a bed & breakfast. She was just too
rambunctious and noisy. My husband, Jay, told me I would have to find
another job to help out with the finances. I chose to do something I
had never done before, one in which I could throw all my passion into
and that was to become a bookseller. I started out as a lowly
bookseller and by the time of the three month employee review, I was
made Children's Manager and Buyer of the independent bookstore. I
embraced this new job with my heart and soul hosting children's events
and children's authors. For seven years, I drove round trip 75 miles to
do just that including to almost full term of my second pregnancy. I
consider my time at that bookstore kind of like my first twelve years of
school. I learned all the basics of bookselling and the world of
books. I was now ready to graduate.
Now with two daughters, I had to start thinking about getting a job that
would pay enough to ensure my children would get a decent education.
Book selling is my passion but working in a bookstore doesn't allow the
luxury of any big savings. So when a publishers representative offer
was made to me, I jumped at the opportunity. For two and a half years I
worked as a book rep, calling on independent bookstores in a four state
area. Though I could be gone for some extended periods of time for
sales conferences and to call on my bookstores, mostly I was home for
the girls. I learned that travel was to become an important part of my
life.
Then when my independent bookstores started closing due to the influx of
the big box chains, I was the first to be let go from the sales team as
I was the last one hired. I was completely depressed as I loved that
job. But isn't it as they always say, when one door closes, another
window of opportunity opens. I learned when life hand's you one big ole
lemon, forget plain ole lemonade, mix up a batch of margaritas! Embrace
change and see where that life leads you. Now when a door slams, I look
for that window of opportunity.
Indeed, it was my sister came up with the brilliant idea of me going
back to doing hair, (I put myself part of the way through college
working in college hair salons), and opening a Hair Salon/Bookstore that
I called Beauty and the Book. Being the only one in
the country, the media has been calling on me every since.
January of this year, I published my first book ever of the story of my life in
books called, The Pulpwood Queens Tiara Wearing, Book Sharing Guide to
Life I have been a bookseller, a children's
manager/buyer, book publisher's representative, bookstore owner, and now
author. The only two things I have not done concerning books is become
a literary agent and publisher. Since I am only 51, I have the second
half of my life to see if that too is in my future. I have learned that
what is in important in life is not just the destination, it's all about
the ride. For now, I will continue to own and operate Beauty and the
Book and continue with my stories in the wonderful world of books.
Please tell us about how and why you started the Pulpwood Queens.
I have always wanted to be in a book club. In the past, I neither had
the time nor the money for that luxurious endeavor until I opened my own
shop. The local book club then invited me to attend one of their
meetings. I was thrilled beyond words and could not believe how lucky I
was to not only be invited, but had read the book they were reading and
loved it. After we shared a meal and discussed the book, I blurted out
how thrilled I was to be asked to join their book club. The hostess
jumped up, grabbed me by the elbow and led me to the galley of her
plantation home. She whispered, "I am so sorry Kathy, but you cannot be
in our book club. Our book club is eight people only and unless,
someone dies or moves away, that is just the way it is." I stumbled
back to my seat horrified at my breach of southern etiquette. I had
invited myself to their book loving party.
As I drove home mortified at my brashness of asking to join, I soon
found out that the embarrassment turned to so what am I going to do
about this. I mean who says that a book club is only eight people. Who
made up that rule?
When I got home I got out some paper and pencil and thought if their
ever is to be a book club that I would enjoy being a part of, then I am
going to have to start one. I thought, The Pulpwood Queens as pulpwood
is the industry of the area. We grow super seedling pine trees that are
cut and ground into pulp, pulp is made into paper, and paper into
books. Though we weren't going to read "pulp fiction", our motto was to
be "where tiaras are mandatory and reading good books is the RULE!" We
would crown ourselves "beauty within" queens as we were readers. We
also were going to be an inclusive book club, no exclusive membership
for us! I threw out all the rules! Anybody could join our book club as
long as they crowned themselves Queens and read the book, everybody welcome.
That was eight years ago, we started with six women who were all virtual
strangers to me. This same women and more I can now not imagine not
being a part of my life. We have now have grown to become the largest
"meeting and discussing" book club in the world! We have members and
chapters running coast to coast and also in eight foreign countries.
Now we have men in our book club too. We call them Timber Guys we just
don't have a lot of them yet! But I have hope that someday their
membership will be as strong as the women in my book club chapters. Our
sole mission is to promote literacy, get the world reading, and help
undiscovered authors get discovered in a big way.
What was the most difficult part of writing your book?
The beginning. Where do you begin on the story of your life. My
literary agent was the catalyst for that auspicious beginning. She told
me to write the ah ha moments. The times when something clicked in
my life where everything began to make sense. The moments when you knew
what direction you were suppose to go on your life's journey. The
beginning of my book was actually smack dab in the middle. I began my
book with the story of Joyce Jackson Futch who I first met when I did
her hair after her hair had grown back in from chemotherapy. The story
of The Pulpwood Queen who changed the way I looked at life and death as
you see the last time I did Joyce's hair was for her funeral.
That chapter is the one that hardly changed from when I wrote it. The
other chapters I must have rewritten thirty times.
It took me six years from start to publishing finish for my book, The
Pulpwood Queens' Tiara Wearing, Book Sharing Guide to Life. It's not a
fancy book of literary prose. I wrote my story as if I was having a
conversation with someone, someone that I was showing that reading is
just like having a conversation of sharing stories. I wrote my book so
people would understand that sharing your stories is as important to
your life as your basic needs such as, food, shelter, and water. It's
the stories that sustain us through the hard times and the stories that
lift us up even higher through times of great joy.
What are some new books by first-time authors that you'd recommend for
young readers?
The Chicken Dance by Jacques Couvillion. The book is told
from the eyes of a young boy who has moved to an island off the coast of
Louisiana. An island where everybody raises chickens.
I would also highly recommend Margaret Sartor's Miss American Pie: A
Diary of Love, Secrets, and Growing up in the 1970's. It is Margaret's actual diaries as she wrote them and her entries are funny, poignant, thought provoking,
at times hilarious, but at the same time make you think.
Another book I am currently reading aloud with my daughter is Waiting
for Normal by Leslie Connor. My daughter is 14 now and it's very
special to me that through this book we can have such wonderful
conversation. Yes, reading connects you to your teenagers, to your
friends, and to complete strangers.
I would like to end this interview with a something that I have learned
through a lifetime of reading. You know everybody has a gift, a talent,
and a story. No matter how simple, we must share it with others as that
is what separates man from beast. Tell your story. if you can't write
it down, record it. For the stories you don't share, are a library lost
to your family and friends. I will continue on my mission to promote
literacy, one book, one person, one author, one book club at a time to
ensure we are all on the same level playing field, the same page of
life's book. Reading is just that important. I encourage you to read
and read aloud. Not to just small children but your teenagers too.
Share the stories with your neighbors and their children. Volunteer to
read at schools, churches, libraries and nursing homes. Sometimes the
gift of time is the best gift of all. For books are the gift that keep
on giving, and isn't a book really just the sharing of a good story?
If you'd like to know more about Kathy and the Pulpwood Queens, visit her website:
Beauty and the Book
That’s What I Like About the South:
Family, Food, Race and Religion In Southern Novels
Saturday, April 19
2:00 p.m.
Conference Center, first floor
Nashville Public Library
615 Church Street
862-5852
If you live in the South, you grew up hearing good stories! Join Southern novelists
Darnell Arnoult, Robert Hicks, River Jordan and Michael Morris for a colorful
conversation about the themes in their work, followed by light refreshments.
The first thing I remember writing was my name. When I was in first grade, I saved my allowance to buy a Mickey Mouse Club scrapbook. (I still have it!) In the front, in my childish writing, it reads Patty Wallace. Beneath it is the word "do" with arrows pointing in front of my name and one at the end. I was imitating the symbol my teacher used to indicate when work was not good enough. It meant, “Do the indicated part over”. Age six, and trying to please my first editor!
A year later, I wrote my first book. It was a shopping guide. My grandmother was coming to see us at the Air Force base in Hawaii where my father was stationed. I overheard my mom say that my Missouri grandmother was not going to believe the prices. So, to help her out, I decided to make her a shopping guide. I tore 10 pages out of my Big Chief tablet and folded them in half. Then I studied the ads in the newspaper each evening, looking for things she might like, so she could believe the prices. Toilet paper, pack of 4 two-ply rolls and the price. Ham, bone-in, 10-15 pounds and the price.
We moved to Ohio the summer before I was in fourth grade. One of my stories was published in our little school newspaper. Rather than black ink on newsprint, our newspaper was duplicated on a Gestettner machine. The paper had a cool, chemical smell and my words were no longer lead pencil, but a sophisticated purple. The papers cost five cents each, and I was heady with the fact that people were paying to read my work.
By high school we had moved from Ohio to Texas and were now living in Virginia. There I won a writing competition with my historical fiction about the Battle of Bull Run. In reading about the early Civil War, I discovered that people would watch from surrounding high ground as if they were at an athletic event. The bloody disaster of Bull Run cured them of that macabre practice. What would that have been like as a watcher? And so I wrote.
I returned to Texas for college, and loved my new life. However, the workload and the new freedom sometimes conflicted. When pressed for a deadline for a realistic fiction piece for Freshman English, I was able to rewrite my high school story from a different character’s point of view with only minor research needed.
As a young mother, I couldn’t fathom why my children wanted the same books over and over and over yet again. The books that made me jiggly (not that one again!) resonated with them in ways I didn’t understand. But they knew what they liked.
If you’ve been reading about writing, you’ve heard all the ways authors have found to write. They get up hours early, write on their lunch hours, talk into tape recorders as they drive, etc. Because we had three children in the space of 15 months, I found that time for myself seemed to evaporate. However, there is still bathroom time, which even the busiest people in history have made time for. Keep a writer’s magazine and a notebook with pen in your bathroom. Read on the john, write in the tub. Those minutes a day will add up!
When the kids were little, one of my luxuries was to write to my parents about what they were up to. This was before cell phones and e-mail. We couldn’t afford long distance calls, so I wrote letters. No new mother can resist telling the grandmothers what wonderful things the grandkids are doing. My mother kept all those letters and put them in a scrapbook which she waited 25 years to share with me. My first adult book—My Journal of Motherhood.
Hairdressers tell me they look at strangers and imagine them with better cuts. Interior designers remodel mentally when they visit the homes of others. There was a stage when going to dinner with my highly-trained waiter son included his critique of the presentation and service. If you have specialized training or experience, which we all do if we have survived to adulthood, you can use your writing ability to share that with others. One way to find out how and where is online. Start with Writers’ Digest—both the magazine and the site. http://www.writersdigest.com
This quote from Wild Mind by Natalie Goldberg is taped to my computer monitor.* Despite the unkind mental critic that shares my brain or the deadline monster that lives grouchily beneath my desk, I keep writing, even if it’s just to add to my online bio. I write articles, books, workshop handouts, zillions of e-mails, scrapbook journaling, and lesson plans. The need to communicate is at the core of being human, and technology makes this easier in ways we didn’t imagine even 10 years ago. I’m still trying to figure how a cell phone call locates the instrument on my desk when it is placed across the country. Now a Blackberry phone can send e-mail to my computer in an even more amazing “magical” way. It has never been easier to put one’s thoughts into words. And so, until the letters are carved on my headstone, I will continue to write.
The Pulpwood Queen Magical, Mystical "HOT PINK" Carpet Ride through Reading!
Recently, I received a call from Washington, D.C. U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison's office was calling. The Senator was going to be in my area and she very much wanted to meet me. Would I be interested in doing a book signing for her and her latest book "Leading Ladies: American Trailblazers?
Indeed, "I would love to meet Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison,", I so exclaimed. "When perhaps would this event need to take place, " I inquired. "Next week," was the answer. I did not have much time to roll out my magical, mystical "HOT PINK" carpet!
I am one that tends to fly by the seat of her skirt and somehow I managed to pull off the big event with Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison with such short notice. We had a sizable crowd and I think everybody was as thrilled as I was to meet such a powerful Texan. Meeting her was a pleasure and a privilege that I do not take lightly as a bookseller, quite frankly as an American. This is the only business that I know of where you get to meet the most interesting and incredible people in the world.
Most recently I hosted my biggest book event of the year, Girlfriend Weekend, where almost fifty authors, speakers, some celebrities, and musical artists come to East Texas for our big book loving convention. I am continually amazed by the caliber of authors I convince to travel to my often overlooked part of the state. I am the pied piper of book selling! We have had Kinky Friedman who was at the time running for Governor of Texas. Linda Bloodworth-Thomason, television writer, film director and creator of "Designing Women". National Book Award winners Kimberly Willis Holt and Mary McGarrity Morris have traveled to my shop to speak. Rue McLanahan star of stage, television and screen came for a visit. Pulitzer prize winning political cartoonist, Doug Marlette and journalist, Edward Hume graced our doors. Most recently Czech supermodel, Paulina Porizkova was a keynote author speaker.
Those are the famous authors but we have had hundreds of authors who were yet undiscovered, Michael Morris, Denise Hildreth, Charles Martin, Ron Rash, Darnell Arnoult, Lynn York, Virginia Boyd, Carolyn Turgeon, and Margaret Sartor to name just a few.
Some authors who came have become New York Times bestseller list famous: Cassandra King, Jeanette Walls, Lalita Tademy, and Debbie Rodriguez.
So as I was sitting shaking my head at disbelief at WHY these authors do come to my Beauty and the Book, I realized something. Anything is possible if you become a real reader!
I was as a child invisible. I was so painfully shy that I escaped into books to get away from life that seemed to frightening for me to bear. Through those books I became brave, braver, and bravest. I am fearless now that I have become a real reader! Nothing can stop me from sharing my message that reading is important. In fact, I do believe that reading is the one tool that can help us attain the knowledge that can empower us to attain our goals and dreams.
As a child, I never dreamed I would meet the people that I have met today. I would have told people they were crazy if they told me a U.S. Senator would want to meet me in person. I also realize that the power of the Pulpwood Queens is growing and this queen knows that with power comes temptations. But the one thing that keeps me grounded is the fact that I come from humble beginnings. I will always be that little kid from Kansas who dreamed of somewhere over the rainbow. Now that I have landed in the Land of Oz it is time for me to say that I also have learned that Dorothy would never had as much of adventure without her friends, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Lion. I call my friends, the Pulpwood Queen Posse'. They are my book club members. These are the women and yes, men, (Timber Guys) who help run my events while I am in the limelight! I may be center stage right now but to all my Pulpwood Queens and Timber Guys out there, I know that I could never be where I am right now without all of you. AND the authors too! My goodness, what authors have done for me is pretty incredible. I have always held authors in the highest esteem, up on a pedestal, but what I never dreamed possible is that they would lift me even higher.
So this blog today is a thank you to all the people who I have not properly thanked. My Pulpwood Queen Book Club members, my author friends, and their publishers who help support this small independent bookseller. This is a thank you to the independent bookstore owners and chain bookstore managers and event coordinators who rolled out the "hot pink" carpet for me while I was on my book tour. The many radio stations, newspapers and television stations who helped me spread the word that reading is indeed important
If I had one wish this bright, sunny, spring day is that each of you would get your day in the sun! I am convinced that there is no real money in books. I have worked on just about every side of the table from lowly bookseller, to children's book buyer and manager, to book publisher's representative, to bookstore owner, book club facilitator's, to published author. The only thing I have not done yet is be a literary agent or publisher but hey, I'm only 51, I have half my life ahead of me. And even though I have not seen much money in books personally, I have received a wealth way beyond something as tangible as cold, hard cash. I have a book family that loves me as I love them. I watched an amazing film last night, (besides being a book buff, I adore film too). The film was "Across the Universe" starring Evan Rachel Wood, Jim Sturgess, Dana Fuchs, Martin Luther McCoy, Bono, Joe Cocker, and Eddie Izzard. The film was a musical based on the songs and songwriting of The Beatles. If Margaret Sartor's nonfiction book of the diary of her life from 13 to 18, "Miss American Pie" was a mirror reflection of my life at that same age, then "Across the Universe" was the musical reflection of my era. We are a product of "our times" and just like the film "we all want to change the world". I just happen to think one person can, in my case, one book, one person, one book club at a time will lead this world to world peace. Yes, this "beauty within" queen declares her biggest desire is "world peace" and I happen to believe that it can be attained by reading!
Just like the film, "All We Need Is Love". The message was love will take you anywhere and for me love of reading will take you everywhere. Won't you join me and we too can have a book "REVOLUTION!" As always, I look forward to your responses and replies.
Tiara wearing and Book and Film sharing,
Kathy L. Patrick
Founder of the Pulpwood Queens Book Clubs
www.beautyandthebook.com, official website!
www.pulpwoodqueen.com, official daily blog site!
www.ReadingGroupGuides.com of where I am now contributing to their blog site!
P.S. Psst! What the Pulpwood Queen is Reading! or Five Diamonds in my Pulpwood Queen Tiara!
"same kind of different as me" by Ron Hall and Denver Moore with authors to speak at T.G. Field auditorium, April 9th as a fund raiser for the homeless shelter in Longview, Texas. I'm taking the Pulpwood Queen Posse' and my church. You have to read this book and it will change your life. It did mine! I discovered this book at yes, Wal-mart as I always check out the competition. I am glad I did.
The Chicken Dance by Jacques Couvillion is a book we read aloud on book tour that captured our hearts and I have the author coming hopefully this June! I'm making deviled eggs, ha ha ha! Thank you to the mysterious woman who gave this book to one of my Pulpwood Queens at my booksigning in Nashville. I would like to thank you personally so please come forward to be recognized. And to Elizabeth Grant-Gibson of Windows, a bookshop, who also told me this was a great read and brought me some of her signed copies for my shop. Sold out my friend and had to order more!
Leading Ladies: American Trailblazers by Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, (I have signed first edition copies, great gift book and planning to give to all my daughters friends upon their high school graduation! Thank you Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison for bringing your book to my attention.
The Shadow and the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafo'n and on of the best books I have ever read. I wish I had written this book, it's just that good and THE book for rabid book lovers as it will get you from the get-go with the visit to the Cementery of Forgotten Books. How magical and mystical is that? For the life of me I cannot remember the bookseller's name at the Davis-Kidd store who forced me to buy this book. If you would please come forward and let me know, I will thank you personally.
Women of Magdalene by Rosemary Poole Carter, I have the author coming for our Pilgrimage weekend and since the book is set in civil war times, she is even bringing this incredible musical artist, Wava Everton, who specializes in the songs of civil war times. Incredible and will haunt you like "Cold Mountain" by Charles Frazier. I invited Rosemary and Wava here for my Girlfriend Weekend and bringing them back for a command performance the first weekend in May.
Better: A Surgeon's Notes on Performance by Atul Gawande is one book that will make you understand the medical profession in such a way that Khaled Hussein made us understand the people and culture of Afghanistan. This book was handed to me and recommended by my minister, Allison Byerley of The First United Methodist Church of Jefferson, Texas.
Last I would like to recommend you watch the film "Blood Diamond" starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Connelly, and Djimon Hounsou. One of the most powerful films I have ever seen as I watched on the edge of my seat, heart wrenching. The story of an ex-mercenary turned smuggler (DiCaprio),a Mende fisherman (Hounsou), and a journalist (Connelly) set in Sierra Leone during a 1999 civil war involving two desperate missions: recovering a rare pink diamond and rescuing a the fisherman's son who was kidnapped and brainwashed into being a child soldier. Then read: A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Child Soldier by Ishmael Beah. A "Book and a Movie" make a perfect combination for book club discussion. Thank you Pulpwood Queen Jean Wright who brought me this book and told me it was a must read. So now you know how I discover such great reads!
Monday, March 24, 2008
The Book Club Queen Hits The Road --- As An Author: Part Two
As we pick up with Kathy L. Patrick and her Pulpwood Queens Book Tour they are driving onto Memphis, home of THE King to continue their adventures. Here's more about their glamorous life on the road as the tour starts to blur!
So I am up to my ears in weather, driving, having the time of my life with my girlfriends and now headed to Memphis.We all said hey to Elvis at Graceland and then drove the most incredible drive of my life to Nashville. We stayed with my good friend and author, Denise Hildreth. She gave us the fastest tour of Nashville ever and I vaguely remember driving the wrong way on the circle drive that led to the Parthenon.
Wait, weren't we in Tennessee. Yep, it was the Parthenon. Of course, I took pictures. Supreme southern dining that night at The Loveless Cafe with another author friend joining us, River Jordan. Now I think we did Atlanta next, in Georgia. Then we stayed with my author brother, Michael Morris and his wife Melanie in Birmingham, Alabama. I adopted them as they are the perfect brother and sister. You see I make up the rules as I go. You want a perfect brother and sister, adopt them. I did and it works.
Every thing after that eveining started to blur. Were we in Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi! I know we crossed the Mississippi River a couple times.
Now I know I visited bookstores in Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and then a grand tour through Texas. I know as I blogged everyday from the road and you can read all about it at my Pulpwood Queens Blog. You'll have to scroll back for quite a ways as I got in the habit of blogging every day and now no one can stop me. Thank God I have another venue to get all of these book adventures out of my system.
We had a blast on my book tour. I started almost fifty more chapters of the Pulpwood Queens and met a kazillion book lovers along the way.
Did I also mention that besides the bookstore talks, the big hair makeovers, we also did radio, print, and television shows from start to finish. I have finally figured out why Brittany Spears went whack ---- too much fun and hardly any sleep. I guess, I have reached the age though where I have attained the maturity to realize that shaving my head bald is not a good look for a 51-year-old mom turned author.
So what did I learn from my own book tour?
First when an author arrives at my bookstore, I not only roll out the hot pink carpet, I kiss their feet. I'll rub them too. Well, if they have time to get a pedicure. But I have a scathingly brilliant idea, wouldn't it be cool if an author could take her publisher with her on book tour. Think of the fun. Think of the bonding. Think they would get it that we kill ourselves out there on the road and for what? Why in the world do we put ourselves in that kind of position? I will tell you why, because reading is just that important. I would climb the highest mountain, ford the widest river, all to promote literacy Just have that hot tub jacuzzi ready and waiting, okay?
So next time you hear of an author on book tour, go. Go and support this book adventurer. Lend them your support, an arm or hey, even a wheelchair will do. I blogged somewhere on the book tour, "Has any author every died from touring for their book?" I had no idea it was the Boston Marathon, the Ironman competition and a NASCAR race all rolled into trying to look glamorous and fashionable. Thank God for clip on hair dos and a Pulpwood Queen Posse.
I did joke with the girls that if I croaked from the book tour, think of the book sales! Take that Margaret Jones, talk about book love and consequences.
Seriously, when my menopausal brain hot flashes back to my first ever book tour, I can assure you, I'll never forget the good times and the bad. But it is just like they always say, "Life is not about the destination, but the ride." And I say "If I'm riding the road on book tour, somebody better be reading to me something." The Pulpwood Queen Posse sure did and these are the books that were either handed to us to read or recommended to us from the road. I gave them five diamonds in my Pulpwood Queen Tiara and made them official Pulpwood Queen Book Club Selections too!
The Chicken Dance by Jacques Couvillion
Serena by Ron Rash (not yet published)
The Shadow and the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Same Kind of Different As Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore
Last, I would like to say that I believe that I am probably the only author who brought more books back with them from book tour than they left with, (if you remember, I mentioned two cases in my previous post). I just counted my stash. I returned home with 52 books. So bye for now, I have got to get back to reading! But I will check back with you really soon!
---Kathy L. Patrick
posted by Carol Fitzgerald at 9:20 AM 0 Comments
My favorite part of Easter has always been sunrise service. When I was a kid we would bundle up back in Kansas and head on out to Christian Hills, the church camp set outside of my hometown, Eureka, in the Flint Hills of southeast Kansas. We would walk from the main church camp lodge out to this cross on the hill when it was still dark. Blue jeaned with rollers in our hair, I can still remember dawns first light and the gathering of mostly youth, some parents as we huddled to hear Reverend Daniel's begin that Easter Day's first service.
Out in the Flint Hills the wind blows and the whippoorwill's call. Cattle sometimes will bawl. Some feel that it is a lonesome, desolate place. But the sounds, the smell of the grass and prairie always remind me of home. Then the cross on the hill reminds of Jesus ultimate sacrifice for us.
After the service, we all trucked back to the main lodge, chilled for hot chocolate, coffee and donuts. As we all shared our thoughts on the first service we then left for the more formal church services. I, personally, love the intimacy and the aloneness of the service with the cross on the hill.
As a child, Easter too, was all about the basket. The bunny who visited our house ever year with eggs, chocolate treats, and toys. I remember that once I thought I saw the real Easter bunny in the wild rose bushes that grew in the far corner of my grandparents yard. I was especially fond of the wind up metal rabbit who rode the bike that was nestled down in the green artificial grass of that year. Once it was a top to spin or the fuzzy yellow toy chick that hopped when pushed. One year we had colored chicks that were hot pink, turquoise blue, and green. We raised those chicks in a fenced in circle of a cage in the backyard in town on St. Nicolas street. They green to be the meanest chickens ever. I remember the day we loaded those grown chickens and rooster into the truck of my mommas car to take out to my grandparents, Mudd and Dirt, as they had gotten too mean to keep. For years, they terrorized us as children. I will never forget the time the rooster tried to spur my little sister. I threw a metal bucket on the top of him and pounded it with a broom. Not long after that my grandmother, Mudd, wrung it's neck and we had it for Sunday Dinner. She remarked, "It was tough ole bird even cooked in the pressure cooker".
We visited my grandparents on both sides on Easter. My grandmother Murphy made us Easter dresses in sherbert colors of cotton. Layers of ruffles in pink, blue, and yellow. We went to either Zenisheck's department store of Frock and Bonnet for my mother to purchase our Easter hats and gloves. Grigg's, I believe, Shoe Store for our Easter shoes which I fought one year for pink crocodile print Mary Janes. I loved those shoes.
Mother would line us up on the church stairs for the Easter photo. Or in either of grandparents yards with Easter baskets in tow. Grandma Murphy always made us Easter baskets out of recycled Clorox bottles. We would love to eat the peeps, chocolate marshmellow eggs but we never ate the jelly beans and candy colored sugar eggs. They were yuck!
Hunting for eggs at Mudd and Dirts was always so much fun. Afterwards we would take turn rehiding the boiled colored eggs and hunt again and again. One time, about six months later we found a colored egg hidden in the end of a stack of metal pipes. Boy, did it smell bad when we threw and broke it!
I was received my first Bible when I was in the third grade around Easter. It was white leather with Kathy Louise Murphy stamped in gold on the front cover. I still have it with all my years of Sunday School notes. I was baptized with my sisters around that time too.
For me Easter is very special. As my daughters, almost grown, slowly amble into our living room to discover their Easter baskets, I too, am filled with the wonder of Easter. As you celebrate your day and all of the happy memories don't forget exactly why we celebrate this day. As I now get ready to go to church this Easter morning, I remember the cross. Gather with those you love and share the stories. Share the story of Jesus.
God Bless You all this Easter morn and may we remember that today is a day to rejoice!
Tiara Wearing and Book Sharing,
Kathy L. Patrick
Founder of the Pulpwood Queens Book Clubs
Beauty and the Book
608 North Polk
Jefferson, Texas 75657
903-665-7520
www.beautyandthebook.com
www.pulpwoodqueen.com
www.southernauthors.blogspot.com and posting my next feature March 25th
www.ReadingGroupGuides.com and featured on the Blog page with the second part Monday!
posted by Carol Fitzgerald at 4:42 PM 0 Comments 
Dear Readers,
Yesterday I was lucky enough to have one of the most fascinating and gracious authors to grace my door, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison. Grace is the word as for the life of me I could not figure out who the Senator reminded me of. Then my sister told me, "Doesn't she remind you of Diane Sawyer!" My sister, Karen is always right. Yes she did. Never have I met someone as kind, someone who really listens, intelligent and yes, gracious sum up both Diane Sawyer and Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison.
Now I am still pinching myself at such good fortune to have such a powerful legislator and yes, woman visit my shop. She certainly fit the title of her book, "Leading Ladies"!
Now here are links (see below) to photos available to purchase through the Marshall News Messenger or go to www.marshallnewsmessenger.com to view front page story. Also I have posted photos by my friend and Jeffersonian photographer, Mike Weber that are also available for purchase. Please contact Mike at spanishmossbayou@hotmail.com or call 903-930-9992. Mike brought copies to me today to see and they are just fantastic! I ordered them all and he even brought in some incredible close-up photos on when former President Bill Clinton spoke in Marshall. It's amazing to me that we have such important and incredible people come to our part of the state and Mike has captured them perfectly.
Also do note I have signed first edition copies of Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison's book, "Leading Ladies: American Trailblazers" for purchase while supplies last. Please contact me at kathy@beautyandthebook.com if you wish to purchase a copy or call me at 903-665-7520. We accept all major credit cards and the book is $25.95 + tax + $5.95 for shipping and handling. This book would make an excellent gift for a graduate, for Mother's Day or the special woman in your life, maybe YOU! I plan to do just that was the book is very inspiring and hope her next one features THE PULPWOOD QUEENS! Talk about literary trailblazing leading ladies!
"Leading Ladies", I am also making an Official Pulpwood Queen Bonus Book Club Selection and give it five diamonds in our Pulpwood Queen tiara! So read this book and be inspired to lead in your God given talent!
I can hardly wait to see who calls me next to do a book signing but I assure you we have an all-star line up of authors coming up!
Tiara wearing and Book sharing,
Kathy L. Patrick
Founder of the Pulpwood Queens Book Clubs
Beauty and the Book
608 North Polk
Jefferson, Texas 75657
903-665-7520
www.beautyandthebook.com
www.pulpwoodqueen.com
Kathy,
Here are the links to purchase photos if you have a pop-up blocker turned
on. Each photo has a separate link, so they are listed by their number in
the slideshow.
1.
http://marshallnewsmessenger.mycapture.com/mycapture/enlarge_remote.asp?remoteimageid=649786
2.
http://marshallnewsmessenger.mycapture.com/mycapture/enlarge_remote.asp?remoteimageid=649789
3.
http://marshallnewsmessenger.mycapture.com/mycapture/enlarge_remote.asp?remoteimageid=649803
4.
http://marshallnewsmessenger.mycapture.com/mycapture/enlarge_remote.asp?remoteimageid=649804
5.
http://marshallnewsmessenger.mycapture.com/mycapture/enlarge_remote.asp?remoteimageid=649805
6.
http://marshallnewsmessenger.mycapture.com/mycapture/enlarge_remote.asp?remoteimageid=649806
7.
http://marshallnewsmessenger.mycapture.com/mycapture/enlarge_remote.asp?remoteimageid=649807
8.
http://marshallnewsmessenger.mycapture.com/mycapture/enlarge_remote.asp?remoteimageid=649808
9.
http://marshallnewsmessenger.mycapture.com/mycapture/enlarge_remote.asp?remoteimageid=649809
10.
http://marshallnewsmessenger.mycapture.com/mycapture/enlarge_remote.asp?remoteimageid=649810
I hope that helps!!
Amber Guffey
Night Editor
Marshall News Messenger
(903) 927-5962
Dear Readers!
Today is the day for our big event with Kay Bailey Hutchison! Sure hope you can make it as her book "Leading Ladies: America's Trailblazers" which was custom made for the Pulpwood Queens! I mean we could be the poster children for this book!
Timber Guys, this would be a great gift for you wife, sister, mother, or girlfriend! I'm thinking Mother's Day for my women friends as so inspiring! I also plan on giving a copy to my local Jefferson Carnegie Library and Jefferson High School Library as a great book to inspire those to reach for the stars and go for their dream. How about as "THE" graduation gift!
So see you at the shop and here again is the official press release below!
Tiara wearing and Book sharing,
Kathy L. Patrick
Founder of the Pulpwood Queens Book Clubs
Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison to do a Book Signing at Beauty and the Book!
March 12, 2008
Press Release for Immediate Release:
Jefferson,
"Leading Ladies: American Trailblazers”, published by Harper Collins, $25.95.
The event will be as follows:
Thursday, March 20th, 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Beauty and the Book
608 North Polk Street
Jefferson, Texas 75657
903-665-7520
In a series of skillfully drawn biographical portraits, United States senator and bestselling author Kay Bailey Hutchison examines the lives of sixty-three pioneers in military service, journalism, public health, social reform, science, and politics—all American women. From the courtroom to the halls of Congress, these female trailblazers have battled tremendous odds to achieve success—if not always recognition—in their respective fields. Senator Hutchison, a trailblazer herself, became the first woman from the state of
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| I see trees of green, red roses too I see them bloom for me and you And i think to myself: "What a wonderful world!" I see skies of blue and clouds of white The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night And I think to my self: "What a wonderful world!" The colors of the rainbow so pretty in the sky Are also on the faces of people going by I see friends shaking hands saying "How do you do." Thay really say: "I love you!" I hear babies crying I watch them grow They'll learn much more than I'll ever know And I think to myself: "What a wonderful world!" Yes, I think to myself: "What a wonderful world!" |
Years ago I read this book, the name escapes me. The book was about how everyday we go through our basic routines and never really see the daily happenings right before us. I began to really look when I drove to work. I noticed the birds on the telephone wire, the squirrels scampering to avoid getting hit by cars. Nature in particular was my interest. But then I began to see and read others things that most skimmed over as they went through the doldrums of every day living.
Today I read that Eliot Spritzer used to meet his call girl at The Mayflower Hotel. I laughed my head off. You see that is where we all use to stay in New York City when I was a book publishers representative. I wondered if this was The Mayflower Hotel they were referring to you see as my roommate, Angie, another one of the reps from North Carolina and I use to see some really weird things go down at The Mayflower. At the time I was thinking, this just must be the way it is in New York.
Jack Hanna always stayed there around the same time as we did in the spring as he was always booked to go on the Johnny Carson late night show. Once the room across the hall was broke into by the managers as we watched from the peep hole. All we viewed when they got inside was an empty room and a huge bouquet of roses. Another time one of the rooms was crisscrossed with yellow tape declaring crime scene. Our imaginations went wild.
So I notice things most people don't like did you know a beauty shop gets broke into or driven into on a daily basis. I have this thing called Google Alert and you can plug in words that are your topic of interest. For me beauty shop is one of them. Not a day goes by I hear of a beauty shop robbed at gun point or someone has driven accidently into the shop. What are the odds!
I also notice the side line characters in films. You know, like Steven Buscemi. He played the drunken brother of Adam Sandlin in The Wedding Singer. I love that guy. Or the girl who tried to shoot the mockingbird in the Jennifer Aniston/Matthew McConaughy film "Failure to Launch" who also starred in "Tin Man", Zoey Deschanel. I find these actors and actresses the most interesting.
So as I go through my day to day dealings, I notice the little things. Things that in the big picture may not seem important but are. Spring has sprung in East Texas so may I suggest that for those of you reading this column really look out today. Look at everything and then report on what you find. I once felt a presence running beside my car as I was driving to work one day. I could have been busy and not looked, but I did. Running beside my car was a big black lab and a big black pig. I am not making this up. They looked like buddies and they were having some fun!
With the release of "Horton Hears a Who", the book written by Dr. Seuss, we too could find a whole new world. I look forward to seeing what I will find today. I may just chuckle to myself over the whole deal, like at The Mayflower Hotel or I may ponder the wonder. Once my three year old nephew riding in the carseat with his mom hollared as he pointed at the sky, "Look mom, there's God!"
Have a blessed spring and be ready for some new awakenings and surprises. I would love to hear what you find!
Tiara wearing and Book sharing,
Kathy L. Patrick
Founder of the Pulpwood Queens Book Clubs
www.beautyandthebook.com
www.pulpwoodqueen.com
www.southernauthors.blogspot.com
www.ReadingGroupGuides.com
Dear Readers,
Just got this amazing blog from Timber Guy, Dana Howard, and ooh, am I jealous. Not for long you all, because I have a Pulpwood Queen Big Book Adventure this fall, so stay tuned. In the meantime, enjoy Dana's blog!
Tiara wearing and Book sharing,
Kathy L. Patrick
Founder of the Pulpwood Queens Book Club
www.beautyandthebook.com
www.pulpwoodqueen.com
Hello Everybody,
This is my attempt to do a blog-like e-mail travelogue on a recent trip I have made. I am back at work in Afghanistan for about a week now where the most exciting thing that has happens all week was when I got a hair cut. I have just completed the Great Wine and Dine Southeast Asia Tour that has carried me to Bangkok for 5 days, a train trip thought Malaysia for 5 days (nearly spring my ankle jumping off a train and chasing after another moving train. More on that later), and ended up in Singapore for 5 days. It had been a 15 day trip and it seems way too short. I wish that I had the time to go see Anchor Wat in Cambodia and Ho Chi Min City (Saigon) in Viet Nam. I was at a Internet cafe down the street in Singapore with a very high speed service and I am taking advantage of that service and am up loading some photos of the trip for all of y’all to enjoy.
Planning the Great Wine and Dine Southeast Asia Tour before the trip
I have decided to do one of those Lonely Planet backpacking trips and try to save some money this time around. On the first day, I flew into Bangkok at their brand new, state of the arts airport and took a taxi to the hotel by the river in Bangkok’s China town. Bangkok seems to be 1st world and 3rd world coexisting together, sometime side by side.
At the Grand Palace in Bangkok
They will not let me in on the grounds of the Grand Palace (home of the current King) because I was wearing shorts. After putting down a deposit, they let me borrow those pants. Near the Grand Palace is the Great Golden Temple where the Golden Buddha resides.
River View in Bangkok from my hotel balcony
Being in that part of the world where you are not that far from the equator, that is topical, the weather is hot and humid pretty well year round. But at this time of the year, it is quiet pleasant in the mornings sitting on the balcony watching the boat traffic on the river below me. The food? This is a hit and miss sort of thing. There are Chinese, Thai, Indian, and Western varieties. The Chinese is always good. There are Thai and Indian curries. I love Thai curry; I don’t think all that much for Indian curry. I think that curry is like Cajun gumbo; it can be just about anything. Southeast Asia is not known for their wines (good wines need hot, dry climates, etc.), but there was Tiger beer all over the place.
At Jim Thompson’s Place
Mr. Thompson was a quiet a character who was a American expatriate who have discovered Thai silk after the end of WWII and made millions exporting that silk to the West. (He later came up missing in Malaysia in the 1960’s, and was never seen again) He had 6 Thai houses and had them moved to Bangkok, restored, and filled them with Asian antiques of all kinds. You can read more about him on Wikipedia.com.
At the Twin Towers in Karla Lumpra, Malaysia (the World’s Trade Center in New York City was the tallest in the world until these Twin Towers were built)
I made some train stops in Malaysia on my way down to Singapore. It was at the border between Thailand and Malaysia where I had that little incident with the train. I was in the diner car when the train stopped. When I was leaving the diner and going back to my sleeper car, I open the door of the diner and to my horror, the cars were uncoupled and the cars ahead of me were moving down the tracks. I panic and jump out of the diner car, got close in hurting myself (I think that I am little too old for such nonsense), and started running to chase down the moving train (the one I suppose to be on). I was told that train will be coming back and I didn’t want to believe them. What happen is; they were changing the Thailand locomotive to a Malaysia one and I didn’t know that; nobody didn’t tell me dilly squat about it. (Maybe they did but I didn’t understand their language). It did make a good story to write home about and it did made the trip a little less boring.
My Home in Singapore
It was good to hear English spoken again when I got to Singapore. Now, that is a city (or city state) like no city I have seen before. It is so clean and organized. It is a social welfare state that actually works. There are Buddhist, Muslins, Hindus, Christians, and others who all are living here together in harmony. I really think that Obama, Hillary, Mr. McCann, or whoever going to be our next president, can learn a great deal from these people here.
Over looking Singapore (at it’s highest point)
I have put a many miles on those pair of shoes. Do you think that I need a hair cut?
Checking out some flowers
Now, here is a landscaper’s dream. I believe that just about anybody will really fall in love with this place with all kinds of trees, flowers, and other plant life with many birds you may have never seen before.
Well, everybody, I hope that y,all enjoy my little slide show and presentation. Overall, it was a good trip and I got 3 more stamps on my passport. I will say the only downside of the trip (besides chasing trains) was the incredible loneliness I have experienced that one evening. It was a fear (of that loneliness) like I have never experienced before. Having the right traveling companion will have made all the different in the world, in my opinion. Now, I am back at work and I just don’t know have much longer I will be staying over here. I may be leaving before it starts to get really hot again. Happy trails. Dana
