Welcome!
Here I am, finally sending my first newsletter to all you wonderful friends, and just over 100 days after Far Outside the Ordinary launched –April 16, 2014.
Is this a blog or a newsletter? I’m thinking “news” sounds way too important and I don’t say much important stuff. Let’s just call it a blog and park it on my website: www.prissyelrod.com. Furthermore, since I answer to both ‘Prissy’ and ‘Sassy’, I guess you’ll be getting prissy blab with a dollop of sassy. You poor things!
Wow! Where should I begin? How about with a party and a word… magical. 250 generous people were in attendance and gathered together at the Carriage House, which sits nestled on the grounds of Goodwood Plantation, in Tallahassee, Florida, It is surrounded by canopied Live Oak trees, laced with Spanish moss, and literally hundreds of years old. Our night was beautiful and breezy, but I was as nervous as a chicken running from an axe. Far Outside the Ordinary was sitting there like a queen on her throne, after four long years of really hard work. It was surreal!
Friends, even perfect strangers, were in line to buy my book. It meant they would actually be reading it — all my thoughts and words splattered under a beautiful cover. I can honestly say I felt totally exposed, almost naked, as they drove off in their cars that night. With the food tables cleared, flowers and tables broken down, lights dimmed, staff gone, I climbed into my car and felt like somebody else. My deepest and most private thoughts, carried in my heart and soul for years, were now released to the world. As a writer, one never knows what will happen once you publish. Blessings awaited me …I just wouldn’t know it yet.
The party may have ended but the dancing just started. And the music be ‘rock and roll’, let me tell you that. I’m still learning the steps but loving the rhythm.
Sweet Patina was mighty sweet and requested my book only two days after its launch, actively supporting me since that day. Soon to follow was Bedfellows, hosting a wonderful book signing event, My Favorite Things, Haute Heads, Weezie’s Country Cottage and St. Johns Bookstore, all inviting my butterfly to grace their shelves. Then along came Green Peridot in Dallas and Baskets Instead in Lakeland. Recently Kanvas opened their doors and welcomed me for a Bras, Booze and Book signing party. Heavenly!
I am excited to say Far Outside the Ordinary has been chosen as the selection for over a dozen book clubs in Florida, Alabama, Georgia, California and Maryland. Since the book was released, I have been invited for book signings at The Bookshelf in Thomasville, Bedfellows and Barnes and Noble in Tallahassee, Downtown Books & Purl in Apalachicola, Hidden Lantern Bookstore in Rosemary Beach, Sundog Books at Seaside and the Southern Authors Book Signing at the Wirick-Simmons House in Monticello, Florida. August has me really doing the cha-cha steps, traveling to Atlanta for the Seminole Booster Spear-It-Fest on August 9, then back again the very next week for a book signing at Omega Books in Peachtree City. That same night I was invited as the guest speaker for the Sister Chicks Book Club. Imagine….inviting me to talk. Hilarious!
September, October and November are already scribbled with book events: Lake City, Gainesville, Dallas and a Media Summit in New York City. Yikes!
More exciting news came this week! My graphic designer, Katie Campbell, entered my cover in one of the top Graphic Design competitions in the U.S. and she won! Get out of here, you say? I’m not messing with you, I swear. Her Far Outside the Ordinary cover won! I just had to type that again. Print Magazine is one of the most prestigious design publications and will now feature Katie and the cover in their upcoming magazine. For those of you who may not know this…..Katie is also my niece. It is like having an extra scoop of delicious ice cream. Her talent is endless.
Since its release four months ago, there have been almost 2000 books sold with a second run of 1400 books ordered and delivered. My story seems to resonate with readers from all over the country. It is inspirational, universal and true. I am humbled by the letters I have received and the five star reviews on Amazon. Honestly, I never expected such an awesome response…. not in my wildest dreams, especially since my original intent was to write this for my family.
So, now that you are up to speed and dancing along with me. And because you are so good at it –not stepping on my feet –I have a wonderful surprise.
I want to introduce each of you to Corneleus Duhart: Chapter One, Angel of Death. As you know…a picture is worth a thousand words. Most especially, a picture of ‘Duhart’.
Blessings to you all!
Prissy
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