cornfields to codfish

The Cover Photo!

I bumped into an Iowan several months ago. We had never met and didn’t recognize one another’s family names, even though we grew up only fifteen miles apart, with one town separating her hometown and mine.

Today, Angie Carlyle lives in western Iowa. Included among her many titles are beekeeper and photographer. We had the pleasure of chatting back and forth over a few days. Her talent with a camera is what prompted our conversations.

I spend some time every week putzing around on Facebook looking for groups who might someday be interested in what I write. “I Grew Up in Iowa” is one such group, and it’s there where I found Angie’s work.

When I visit Mom and Dad, there are a couple of times a day I disappear outside with my phone to take photos – at sunrise or about an hour before sunset. The latter being my favorite, for the light at that time is like truth serum pouring over trees, fields, buildings, equipment, dirt, and flowers. There are no purer nor more vibrant colors than from that last powerful light of the day.

I’m certain that’s why Angie’s work caught my eye. She sees Iowa light the way I do. Anyone can take pictures of silos, barns, horses, and hydrants, but when a photographer can capture those back road images in the richness of the right light, the result conveys a stunning portrayal of the spirit of place. Those images seize moments full of ambiance, character, and tone. They present a motionless scene peppered with ethereal life.

Here’s a sample of her work – mocked up with my working book cover! I’m delighted to have met this fellow Iowan and so grateful for her talents. Her cover photo and my essays make for a great team.

Now, go for a late afternoon stroll through Iowa via Angie’s camera lens on her Facebook page, Iowa Back Road Images. Enjoy her photos as you indulge in the magic of Iowa light!

Where can I buy *Cornfields to Codfish*?

On Wednesday, November 5, 2019, Cornfields to Codfish moved from the design phase to the printing phase!  After a little celebratory lunch with my husband Bill, I switched from creative writer mode to marketing author mode: How do I sell my book? 

Over the last several months marketing ideas have been simmering away on the back burner – now, it’s time to put plans into practice.  I’m writing copy for press releases, a book sell sheet, and a detailed bio for people who don’t yet know me or my writing.  Today, I’m taking a short break from that to write to you. 

I am ironing out details for selling my book. Here are some tidbits I thought I’d share with you today:

1. *Cornfields to Codfish* will be available to ship the first week of December 2019! The retail price is $16.99, before tax & shipping.

2. Soon I will start pre-selling signed copies via my website. The last day to order will be Saturday, December 14, 2019. That cut-off date will allow for packing and shipping in time for the holidays.

3. For Massachusetts locals: I’m working with a couple of shops in Wakefield and Reading, hoping they will carry *Cornfields to Codfish*. Stay tuned!

4. For those of you who live near Independence, Iowa: I’m delighted that Laree's will be selling *Cornfields to Codfish*!

5. For those of you in England: Please email or message me if you would like a book; I’m working on shipping possibilities for those of you who live across the pond in my husband Bill's old stomping grounds.

6. If you have an independent book store near you, that bookseller will be able to order *Cornfields to Codfish* for you.

7. And finally, *Cornfields to Codfish* will also be available through major online book retailers.

Exciting times! Stay tuned for updates!

 Now to answer the question, “What is Cornfields to Codfish about?”

What is *Cornfields to Codfish* about?

From milking cows on the farm in Iowa to picking up mermaid’s purses on the beach in Massachusetts, Cornfields to Codfish celebrates the Midwest and New England via short personal essays. Malcolm takes readers on a journey and entices her readers’ senses along the way.

In "Cornfields" Malcolm reflects on farm life: from milking cows in a warm winter barn and walking beans at sunrise to hunting morel mushrooms in the timber and "doing corn" picked fresh from the field.

"Codfish" explores life near the Atlantic coast through the eyes of a Midwesterner: from treasure seeking on the beaches of Massachusetts and skiing in the mountains of New England to deep-sea fishing off the fishing port of Gloucester and hiking in the Berkshires.

Finally, in "A Menagerie of Recipes," Malcolm lures readers to the kitchen with 18 diverse recipes reminiscent of essays in her book: from chicken stock and braised roast beef to grilled swordfish and mushroom risotto. Just reading the recipes livens the taste buds with textures and aromas emitted from onions and fennel on a chopping board, simmering sauces and soups on the stovetop, and desserts and rolls coming out of the oven piping hot.

Where can I buy Cornfields to Codfish?

*Cornfields to Codfish* News!

Cornfields to Codfish is now in the design phase at the publishing company!

I’ve received the first draft in a pdf file with the manuscript laid out as a book.  A book!  The copy is currently being proofread by a professional proofreading company that I found on-line.  Coincidentally, the proofreading company is located in Iowa and most of the proofreaders have a PhD in English or an MFA in Creative Writing – many from the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, a prestigious writing program at the University of Iowa.  In addition to positive online reviews of the company, I admit that I was lured a bit into the contract by their location. 

When the copy comes back from the proofreader, I will need to make line by line changes to the draft that the publishing company sent to me.  I’m teetering on an emotional fence that separates exhilarating and terrifying.  This is the last go around for changes.  I do feel better having pulled in professional perfectionists to help with this final stage.  As I don’t get paid for my perfectionist tendencies, I’m only an amateur.

Over the last several weeks, I’ve been pulling to the frontal lobe old marketing theory from my days as a business major at Luther College – and weaving that into modern day online marketing strategies.  Later this month, I will be launching a marketing campaign to promote the launch of Cornfields to Codfish.  I have some ideas simmering away on how to spread goodwill for my book before the actual launch; I will share those with you as the plan comes together. 

An aside: I had considered having a local book launch party, but it felt a bit hollow as so many of you are scattered near and far.  By having a “virtual launch,” it doesn’t matter where you live – we can celebrate together as this adventure unfolds!  We’ve been in this together for a very long time, and I have no words to fully convey my gratitude.  A few tears, but no words beyond “thank you.”

I’m confident that Cornfields to Codfish will be on the market in time for holiday shopping!  While I don’t have a definite date, I believe a November book launch is doable.  My intent is to have autographed copies available to purchase through my website for a limited time – logistically, until mid-December so that copies that I personally ship arrive in plenty of time for the holidays.  Un-autographed copies will be available by ordering through small book retailers as well as large online sellers.  Being an “Indie Author,” I have a soft spot in my heart for “Indie Booksellers.”  Where time and access allow, I hope readers order copies through their local bookstores.

The timing of publishing Cornfields to Codfish feels right: Iowa cornfields are turning gold; farm stands and orchards in Massachusetts are rich with pumpkins and apples – it’s time to harvest and glean all that’s good from a long growing period.