July 10, 2006 7:21 PM
Live from Denver at ICRS
I'm in Denver at the International Christian Retailers show. Got here yesterday. Love my room, which is lovely and quiet. Got settled and wrote my column for the Times- Mirror last night. This morning I had a pre-interview (on film) for a possible spot on the LifeToday (James Robison) show. It went well.
I'd been worried because I'm so immersed in writing the Mommy, Teach Me! books and it's been over a year since I finished Reaching the Left. Could I talk about it? But it did come back to me and the interview went well. I had a book signing at 11:00, then wandered around the show - which is just so huge and overwhelming I don't know how these bookstore owners can take it all in. That's who the ICRS is for. Bookstore owners come from all over to preview and order books, music and Christian doodads. So it's fun when I'm signing to meet them and talk to them about my book.
But after a few hours of wandering around, I'm pretty exhausted just from the over-stimulation of it all. I can't imagine how they focus and make decisions and place orders.
Anyway, here are pictures of my day - with a few surprises.
This is me with Judi Perry, my editor at Beacon Hill.
Me with Dr. Hardy Weathers, who is the president of Beacon Hill and a very sweet man.
This is Chad, the artist who designed the cover of my book. When I said it reminded me of political manifestoes from the 60's and 70's, he said he'd researched and that was what he was trying to achieve. Cool. He is working on the cover for my next book, The Mommy Survival Guide.
This is Jen, who works on marketing and publicity for all my books with Beacon Hill.
Next are random shots of the sales floor, which must be 20 acres and makes my feet hurt just remembering walking around. Wish I had my red flip flops. I think next year I'll go for comfort in the foot department. What the heck (am I allowed to say that?) I'm probably the only woman here without a manicure or pedicure. I will only go so far with this image thing. I am noticing my hair looks a little too big, though - I'm gonna have to rethink the 'do.
This is J. I. Packer, who wrote the classic Knowing God and who was signing books on his 80th birthday.
This is John Ashcroft, who was also here to sign books.
This is Stephen Baldwin, brother of Alec Baldwin, the notorious and very angry leftist actor. There are four Baldwin brothers. Stephen was an actor also, and was in a movie called The Usual Suspects . The big boys and Tripp and I love that movie - it rates 90% at Rotten Tomatoes - although it's very violent and grim. It's a classic film noir with excellent acting (all males, including Kevin Spacey) and the twist at the end is unforgettable. Because of our familiarity with the film, it caught our attention when Stephen became a Christian a couple years ago. Now he has a book out called Unusual Suspect. I got an autographed copy and gave him one of mine, telling him to never stop reaching for Alec. Unfortunately, I blinked for the picture. The next one is good of me and lousy of him. Anyone want to photoshop it for me?
One good thing I've noticed is that Christian publishers have begun being honest about books written by other people for celebrities who don't know how to write (and why would they? They're busy doing whatever they do to become celebrities). I know many authors who've written books that never had their names on them. Now the publishers are putting the names of the professional writers in smaller letters on the cover - as in Stephen Baldwin with Mark Tabb. This is progress. It's still difficult to see how celebrity-driven Christian publishing is.
Tomorrow morning I have a live interview with American Family Radio "Today's Issues," a TV interview with "It's Time for Herman and Sharron," and an interview for Today's Christian magazine.
I call home several times a day. Things are going well, but I'll be happy to see everyone Wednesday. Pray for Tripp and the kids!
Comments
Barbara, you look absolutely beautiful!
Posted by: Shannon @ Rocks in my Dryer | July 10, 2006 9:14 PM
Barbara! You look so good! Wow!
Posted by: Christa | July 10, 2006 10:19 PM
Barbara: you look amazing!!! And I don't think your hair looks too big; although I can relate because I have the same hair style as you and my cousins keep telling me that straight hair is in and puffy is out...I just like volume in my hair.
Anyway, one of such cousins is a profesional photo retouching/restoring; if you like I can ask her if she can fix your picture.
I'm trying to figure out how to send you money thru paypal; I signed up a few days ago and now I'm ready to send you money for the two books I ordered; do I just type your e-mail address and the money will be delivered? Does it work just as with e-bay?
Hope everything else goes well with all your other interviews and with your family at home.
Blessings.
Nilda
Posted by: LadyLovas | July 10, 2006 11:08 PM
Wow, that place looks like a gigantic cavern!! Back in my pre-child days I worked in the marketing department for a company where part of my responsibilities was to organize the company's presence at trade shows. I certainly never attended one that big though!!
I enjoyed the pictures, thanks for posting them. And you look great - including your hair :-)
Posted by: Amber | July 11, 2006 12:17 AM
I'll join the chorus and say how fabulous you look! Wow!
Posted by: Mel | July 11, 2006 1:44 AM
You really do look gorgeous.
Posted by: paigeu | July 11, 2006 2:19 AM
I think your hair looks lovely. It looks full and lush, not big.
Posted by: Jennie C. | July 11, 2006 6:17 AM
Barbara! you look amazin, and i like your hair. I could not live without a pedicure but know what you mean re: your observation.
Yay for Chad's vision and research. Cant wait to see what he does with your preschool.
Those pics bring back memories of when I worked in Christian publishing in late 80s. My "Christian Celebrity" (what an oxymoron) sighting was Donna Douglas, who used to play Ellie Mae Clampett : ) And I also met Joni Ericson, which was SO great, and Tim LaHaye saw me struggling with setup and helped me carry a ton of books -- his parting comment was "see what feminism did to women" !
Hey, if you get this in time, look up Mission City Press from Franklin TN, who publish historical novel series for girls and also have dolls and clothes to go with. My daughter loves their books & audiobooks.
Have fun, enjoy your interviews.
Posted by: floorplan | July 11, 2006 6:21 AM
Oh how I wish I were there with someone else's Visa card...(hahaha) Looks like you're having fun and reaching people! And how cool that you met John Ashcroft and Stephen Baldwin. I love that movie "The Usual Suspects" always have. So dark and scary but good film.
I am looking forward to your book being available!
Posted by: Suzanne | July 11, 2006 7:39 AM
Wow, looks like fun. Tiring too though. I hope you enjoy it and it is beneficial to you.
Posted by: Faith | July 11, 2006 8:51 AM
Barbara, thanks for sharing your world with us today. Good luck on all of your interviews and appearances...you look great!
Posted by: Jane Payne | July 11, 2006 10:29 AM
I just heard your interview on American Family Radio, and loved it! It seemed you had just the right amount of time to say what you needed to say. So smooth! I am experiencing something now where a leftist neighbor has "gone over the top" in a conflict, so I know what you meant in that part of the interview. Your book comes at just the right time for me.
:)
Posted by: Valerie | July 11, 2006 11:56 AM
Barbara,
I heard you this morning on AFR!!!! I was on my way to the library with the kids....we circled around town during the entire interview as I didn't want to miss any of it - it made my day! You did a great job, have a super sweet voice and also look fab in the pics! I wish I was there!
Posted by: Jenifer | July 11, 2006 3:37 PM
I heard you on the interview this morning and you did a great job sharing your testimony. I really do want to read your book. We on the right need to love those on the left and see them as Jesus saw the lost. Thanks for the testimony.
Posted by: Miki | July 11, 2006 5:02 PM
Barbara,
It's amazing that you got to see J.I.Packer in person.
And that's good news about Stephen Baldwin. We saw it in the theater, back when we still got to the theater. It was a fascinating story.
Posted by: Julana | July 12, 2006 1:07 PM
