tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130421352415377273.post8957084764191314341..comments2024-03-26T03:46:04.937-07:00Comments on Books in Northport: He Decided to Make a DifferenceP. J. Grathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12693462910472164289noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130421352415377273.post-79081454578389979362010-08-31T10:41:10.830-07:002010-08-31T10:41:10.830-07:00Ellen's husband's name is Rick! It's R...Ellen's husband's name is Rick! It's Rick and Ellen who own and run the West Bay Diner in Grand Marais. There is also another young woman, Jenna, who waits on tables. Great Up North place to go!P. J. Grathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12693462910472164289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130421352415377273.post-42608988037065117962010-08-31T06:03:30.087-07:002010-08-31T06:03:30.087-07:00Ah, yes, Ellen's husband, the one who cooks al...Ah, yes, Ellen's husband, the one who cooks all those wonderful meals at the West Bay Diner. Excuse me while I go shake up my head until his name falls back out. He's usually behind the scenes, and we have most of our conversations with Ellen.P. J. Grathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12693462910472164289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130421352415377273.post-37562057932577662712010-08-30T15:38:36.162-07:002010-08-30T15:38:36.162-07:00Pamela...Actually, it was a man, around our same a...Pamela...Actually, it was a man, around our same age range, that we met. I cannot remember his name, but it seems that it began with a D, such as Devon, or Darren, or ??? Sorry, but that piece escapes me. KarenKaren Casebeerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14002150769292672779noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130421352415377273.post-40522406639466657252010-08-30T13:44:08.208-07:002010-08-30T13:44:08.208-07:00Actually, there are whole categories of books I ap...Actually, there are whole categories of books I approach warily, but I don't think I'll open another can of worms by listing the categories. I'd rather the attention today go to Jack Orchard's life and legacy.P. J. Grathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12693462910472164289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130421352415377273.post-29563105771730731232010-08-30T13:41:24.807-07:002010-08-30T13:41:24.807-07:00Peace, peace! Excerpts from Jack Orchard's boo...Peace, peace! Excerpts from Jack Orchard's book on new post....P. J. Grathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12693462910472164289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130421352415377273.post-66736633510416085422010-08-30T13:30:13.354-07:002010-08-30T13:30:13.354-07:00First of all, thank you for drawing Jack Orchard&#...First of all, thank you for drawing Jack Orchard's book to my attention. Independent booksellers are invaluable.<br /><br />Now then. While I concede that many "self-published" books are in serious need of professional editing, design, printing and marketing, there isn't any way I can think of to prevent bad stuff from being published by "traditional methods" either. And apparently there's no end to the twaddle that some academic presses will impose on students.<br /><br />It is wonderful when a worthy writer lands a contract with a mainstream publishing house, but it is also wonderful when a worthy and entrepreneurial sort of writer manages to make a living independently. <br /><br />I don't think of independent writers as amateurs any more than I think of the farmers at the weekly markets as amateurs. Big publishing houses, like agribusinesses, are sophisticated and efficient. But they'll never sell you an heirloom tomato . . . :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130421352415377273.post-71292294135052491052010-08-30T10:01:15.044-07:002010-08-30T10:01:15.044-07:00You're undoubtedly right, Karen, that more and...You're undoubtedly right, Karen, that more and better writers are now self-publishing their work. And/but (logically equivalent!) there isn't any way I can think of to prevent bad stuff from being self-published, which is where the traditional methods still offer an advantage to booksellers, buyers and readers.<br /><br />You met Ellen Airgood! Yes, indeed, we know her. Did you know she is to have a book published by Viking Penguin? Last I heard (a few weeks ago), the title was still up in the air. Did she mention it, by any chance?<br /><br />Michigan writers! Small, RICH world!P. J. Grathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12693462910472164289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130421352415377273.post-35183196396554883642010-08-30T07:12:45.241-07:002010-08-30T07:12:45.241-07:00Interesting post, Pamela. I think self-publishing...Interesting post, Pamela. I think self-publishing is changing with more and more respectable writers getting a start through that process, especially with first books. It's becoming increasingly difficult for authors to get picked up nowadays through mainstream publishers. BTW, just returned from a week long trip to the UP and when we visited the Diner for ice cream in Grand Marais, wearing our Northport t-shirts, of course, the owner knew you. Small world, indeed.Karen Casebeerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14002150769292672779noreply@blogger.com