February 20th was the social media launch for my collection. Since I had already done some launching, and Red Focks of Alien Buddha Press had also sent a couple of mentions out, this was not earth shattering, but it did provide another opportunity for those who are curious about the book to peek inside because on the Alien Buddha Press blog, Editor Focks published a few poems from the volume. Head on over, and let me know what you think.

In related news, after the launch, I felt anxious about trying to plan readings and generally promote The Great Garbage Patch. But yesterday I visited with an old friend who was encouraging about my “book tour” plan (still only a vague dream), so now I am again looking forward to making arrangements–as soon as I can mail off copies to my wonderful blurbers. This is harder than you’d think because my husband and I are sharing one car while mine waits endlessly (since December and counting) for a part without which it might break down at any moment.

(For those of you in the civilized world, public transportation is barely a thing in the U.S., except in the largest cities. Biking is dangerous, and most people cannot easily get to necessary places, like the grocery store or the post office, by walking. Walking where we live is viewed with such suspicion that three out of four members of my family have been stopped by police while walking. My son, then middle-school age, was suspected of planning a school shooting for walking across the street from a school with a stuffed platypus under his shirt. Since I was walking with him, I too was a suspect, especially after I laughed at the officer. Later, my husband was stopped on suspicion of burglary, which is absurd, as the visual evidence here suggests. We were all interrogated on the spot and then allowed to go.)

Anyway, at some point, there will be updates regarding promotional events, and I hope to meet some interesting people. Maybe you!