Della, Here We Go

Meet Della Waters the Traveling Archivist

I am struggling to find the words to describe the pages of words I have written and now published. (Yes, my book is out in the world ready to be read and shared!) Telling people about my book is very different than writing the book. While both are intended for other people, creating a world in my head and translating that world into words uses a very different set of skills. For me, the act of writing a book is intense brain work and is more fun in retrospect. Writing copy for promotion emails and my website is somewhat repetitive, but in a good way, and part of a process that is immediately fun and satisfying. Getting a good idea out in the world gives me energy.

The 3D version of my cover. I was thrilled to get this from Luminare Press, the folks I worked with to get this book out into the world.

I have worked in many jobs where good ideas were not only criticized but were often just shut down. I am excited to let my mind wander from idea to idea. How do I best utilize my website? How could I run an in person raffle? Should I print more stickers? When are those new pencils arriving? How can I use gray archival boxes as props when selling in person? I have so many ideas, many of which are not the way books are sold, so they say. I find if I follow the path that experts recommend, but that do not resonate with me, I will do a poor job executing those tasks. On the other hand, if I follow what I am passionate about and do the things that bring me joy while selling books, why not?

I LOVE having all the materials in one place. It helps me when I trying to easily send a link to someone who has asked a question.

Every time I lose my center, I refer back to my purpose and my joy.

Remember the Forgotten

Reveal the Hidden

Find the Lost

Those words put my own concerns and worries into perspective. The perspective calms my nerves and heart down. The book I wrote strives to elevate the story of the 34 Chinese gold miners massacred on the Snake River in 1887 and asks the question - what do we do with the painful and devastating stories in our own past? As per usual I have links to the archival resources and other information about the story where you can do your own research.

Just a few articles to get you started.

So here is the part of the newsletter where I tell you more about my book and make suggestions on how you can support my work. Thank you for being here!

The Traveling Archivist: Eastern Oregon - A Della Waters Archival Mystery (yes there are more to come)

Running from the aftermath of a local murder and attempting to escape the pain of betrayal and loss, professional archivist Della Waters takes a temporary job as a traveling archivist in a small town in Eastern Oregon.

An outsider in this close-knit rural community, Della immerses herself in the archives where she discovers misfiled trial documents detailing a racist massacre of thirty-four Chinese gold miners more than one hundred years ago. Her research uncovers uncomfortable truths for the local pioneer families.

Will the pillars of the community embrace their hidden past or try to destroy it and her?

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These are suggestions I sent family, friends, neighbors and other writer friends.

Buy Direct - Buy The Traveling Archivist directly from me via the links on my website via IngramSpark.

Buy the book anywhere you buy books including your local bookstore, Bookshop.org or Amazon. Local independent bookstore can usually purchase through IngramSpark (not Amazon). If they need details and specs on the book send them here for the one-sheet.

Leave a review - If you like the book think about leaving a review on GoodReads or Amazon or wherever you like to leave book reviews.

Share with your communities wherever they exist - online or in person. I am working to keep my website up to date and adding in new links as needed.

Request The Traveling Archivist at your local library - Most library systems allow library card holders to request 1- 2 books a month in whatever format you want. I mostly read eBooks on the Libby app, so I requested both hardback (more durable) and eBook formats for my local library.

Check out The Traveling Archivist from the library - If books in any format are not checked out during the year, the library most likely will weed it from the collection. There is only so much room, so please support libraries and me by checking out my book.

Ask me to join your Book Club in person in the Pacific Northwest or via Zoom elsewhere. We can work out the details.

Host a book house party - Invite your friends and neighbors and I can do a reading and talk about the book and archives in general. Sounds like a party to me!

THANK YOU!!