Bonnie Bing: Collecting columns into a book was a trip down memory lane
If more than 10 people tell you to do something, perhaps it’s a good idea.
Here’s my personal example. Some faithful readers of the column I wrote for the Wichita Eagle for more than three decades insisted I should put some in a book. And I just kept saying no. Then, when I retired more than a decade ago the suggestions to do a book increased. I heard many times: “You’ve already written it, so it would be easy.”
Finally, I caved in and was semi-convinced by my pal Lisa Corbin that it might be a good idea. Bless the people at Blue Cedar Press right here in Wichita. In late June they went out on a limb and said they’d take my book.
That was the good news. When Lisa and I had lunch with Gretchen, of BCP, she explained we should have it ready for Christmas shopping. That meant she would have to have the complete manuscript by the last day of August. I looked down in my Cobb salad and muttered, “Take me now, Jesus.” But Lisa, didn’t miss a beat and quickly said, “That makes sense, we can do that.”
And we did it; and I will tell you, it was fun. We worked out of my office, which is located in our basement, but at least it has a big window. I made a cardboard sign for Lisa that said, “Lisa Corbin Book Agent.” We read columns until we were blurry eyed. It made me so happy when I would hear her laugh. Not so much when she’d say, “Must have been on a tight deadline that day.”
Going through columns, some written as early as 1980, was interesting and truly a trip down memory lane. I would remember the editors and their comments. We put the hard copies in stacks of yes, no and maybe. The ones in the “no” pile didn’t have a chance of getting in the book and very few maybes were chosen. The selection process reminded me of my dear friend and editor, the late Fran Kentling, who said, “You can’t hit it out of the park every time.”
Columns that got a lot of comments from readers were on top of the “yes” pile.
When it came time to order books I suggested 100. I didn’t want to end up with boxes of books to use for firewood. With insistence from a few people I ordered 300. To say I am stunned with the sales so far is an understatement. And when so many showed up at Watermark Books for a signing on a cold rainy evening, I couldn’t believe it. Boy, do I love Wichitans.
Another plus was getting in touch with former Eagle columnist Bob Getz. He wrote a nice blurb for my book. He was the person who made me want to write a column in the first place. I am still in awe of the fact he had a column in the paper four times a week. At times I struggled doing one column a week. When I told him that at his retirement party, he said, “Yes, but I didn’t have to write about fashion and parties and features and all that.”
When I’ve talked to people who have published a book they all told me no matter how many times it’s edited, there will still be typos or a mistake here or there. Yep. True that.
One thing that didn’t get in the book was the dedication. It read “For my amazing husband of 40 years.”
When someone asked me what makes him amazing, I said, “Can you imagine being married to me for 40 years?” Geez. He is fun, kind and very patient. Amazing.
I’ve been asked the reason for the title, “Wait…Now What?” If I read something or hear something or just see something that makes me say to myself, ‘wait, now what,’ I wonder if it could be the inspiration for a column.
Also, when I would enthusiastically pitch what I thought would be a great idea for a column or a story, most editors would make their eyebrows scrunch close together and say, “Wait, now what?”
One of the many things I discovered working on the book. I want to start writing more columns again for the Eagle. I hope my editor will allow me to do that — and if so, I hope you’ll keep reading!
So there you have it. Except for the following self-serving ad: If you need a last minute $25 gift, you can get my book online at Blue Cedar Press, at Watermark Books or on Amazon. Happy Holidays.
Reach Bonnie Bing at bingbylines@gmail.com