by jimhinckleysamerica | Mar 16, 2012 | Uncategorized
Well, here we are at the end of another week. If the weather forecast is correct, we will close out a delightful spring week of temperatures in the mid 70s with a snow storm, howling winds, and temperatures hovering just below the freezing mark.
This will serve as an illustrated lesson for those unfamiliar with Kingman weather. If you don’t think we have seasons then you haven’t lived here for a week.
As of the day before yesterday, the new Dell lives. I was understanding but frustrated to find it had a defective hard drive when we puled it from the box. I was satisfied with the customer service and the technician that made the repairs. However, I was not satisfied with the time involved as I feel a full week to repair or replace a defective product is just a bit to long.
I received another email from the marketing department at Voyageur Press today. It would seem I may have created a monster with Ghost Towns of Route 66.
The book made its debut at the International Route 66 Festival in Amarillo last June. Sales were brisk enough to warrant another print run in October and another in January. This morning I learned that out of the print run received at the warehouse about two weeks ago, there are less than 300 copies remaining.
For all who purchased the book, thank you. For those wanting to purchase the book direct, orders will be filled, either by the publisher or by me if ordered through the blog. If ordering from the publisher there may be a delay of a couple of weeks. However, I have a few dozen on hand and can fill a few orders immediately.
If you carry this title, or any of the books I have written, please let me know. A list of locations where my books are available is included with this blog and I would be pleased to add your business to that section.
Additionally, it would be my pleasure to sign books in your inventory during our travels. If a more formal engagement would benefit the promotional efforts for your business please send me an email and I will respond within 72 hours.
With each book written there is an inherent concern about how the it will be received. The sales of this particular book have alleviated that concern and have made me quite happy as I enjoy seeing a book encourage people to become adventurers, either from their armchair or on the road.
Initially I had decided to post all entries for our contest upon receipt. Instead I have decided to save that for the last week of April as a prelude to announcing the winner on the first of May.
Remember, to enter all we need is a brief essay about your first encounter with Route 66, permission to reprint your essay, and contact information. The winner will receive a copy of my latest book, the Route 66 encyclopedia upon release in October. If at all possible we will meet with the winner, buy them dinner, sign the book, and spend an hour or so discussing the magic of this amazing old highway.
Speaking of contests, don’t forget to enter the Big Palooza sponsored by 66 The Mother Road. Full details are available in the latest issue available on their website.
I am happy to announce all of the letters have been removed from the historic El Trovatore Motel tower. It looks as though the owner, Sam, is on track to relight this amazing piece of Route 66 history in time for the Route 66 Fun Run just as announced.
On a final note, I would like your input on a project. I have been asked to write an eboook, a mile by mile guide to Route 66 from Crookton Road to Topock in western Arizona. What are your thoughts, ideas, or suggestions?
by jimhinckleysamerica | Mar 16, 2012 | Uncategorized
In reading the superbly crafted David Crockett by Michael Wallis, I discovered that this famous American and I share something in common. When push comes to shove, like David Crockett, I will spend long hours in the saddle even in a pouring rain if that is what it takes to get the job done but would rather be doing something a bit more enjoyable.
For the illustrious Mr. Crockett it was hunting. For me it is the road less traveled, lost highways, empty places, sharing those places with others, and encouraging folks to become adventurers.
As a result, on occasion the old homestead will start to look a bit ragged around the edges as it takes little to encourage me to forgo painting eaves or installing a new floor if the opportunity is presented for a road trip, a chance to talk about road trips, a chance to write about road trips, or a chance to share pictures of road trips. After more than two full years of burning the candle at both ends, running the wheels off the Jeep and a rental car or two, to create the Route 66 Encyclopedia and Ghost Towns of the Southwest there is the slightest lull that seems almost unnatural.
I have three book deals pending and full scale promotion of the ones written is still weeks away. So, it would be quite easy to paint those eaves that were supposed to be painted last year, or to replace the carpet with a hard wood floor like I was going to do in 2010, or to fix the bathroom that has been on the “to do” list for the past couple of years, or to put in that garden.
Instead I find myself chomping at the bit and making all manner of plans for a very, very busy spring, summer, and fall. As of yesterday, I added camping and deer hunting to those plans that already include opportunities for filling most every weekend between the first of May and the end of October as well as all available vacation time. And that is before signing the next book deal.
Lets see, on the first weekend in May I will be signing copies of Ghost Towns of Route 66, Backroads of Arizona, Route 66 Backroads, and Ghost Towns of the Southwest in the Powerhouse Visitor Center at the Route 66 Fun Run. That will be after a half day at the office.
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Cuba Fest will provide the opportunity for another stay
at the delightful Wagon Wheel Motel and at least an
evening or two of hospitality. |
Saturday evening it will be dinner with Dale Butel, Route 66 Tours, his group from Australia, and John and Judy Springs of 66 The Mother Road. Evenings such as these are the perks and the reward for writing as that is what provides the foundation for some wonderful evenings filled with international fellowship.
Then as noted previously, I will be at Kabam, Wheels on 66 in Tucumcari on June 7, Victoville on August 9, and Cuba Fest on the 20th of October. Today I added the Chloride Old Miners Day celebration in Chloride, Arizona on the 30th of June, and initiated plans for a trip to Detroit and Chicago.
At this rate I may just have to give up the day job to free up a bit more time for the things that need to get done, and the things I like to do. Of course that would present a whole new bushel of problems.
As I told my dear wife, if were to win the lottery (she informed me that first I would have to buy a ticket) I would keep writing until a day job was a necessity. From that perspective it seems a lot like old times.
Back then my thinkng was that if, by a quirk of fate, I found the Lost Dutchmans gold chances are I would work ranches and chase rodeos until I was broke. As it turns out there is another similarity between then and now.
I am cinched down tight and can feel that horse wound up like a spring under me. Soon the chute will open and …
