Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Introducing the real McCoy!!!


Look what arrived in the mail!

I So Don't Do Mysteries. The book. The actual printed book. The real McCoy.

With a pretty bow and a beautiful letter from my editor.

Sigh.

I'm practically speechless.

Tuesday, December 9 is almost here. When she launches into the world. Wow.

Here she is without the bow.               And without the dust jacket.


A now for a little trivia....Where does the expression "the real McCoy" come from?

According to http://www.phrases.org.uk/bulletin_board/17/messages/32.html:
"Elijah McCoy was the son of former slaves who had fled from Kentucky before the U.S. Civil War. Educated in Scotland as a mechanical engineer, Elijah McCoy returned to the United States and settled in Detroit, Michigan. He began experimenting with a cup that would regulate the flow of oil onto moving parts of industrial machines.

His first invention was a lubricator for steam engines, U.S. 129,843, which issued on July 12, 1872. The invention allowed machines to remain in motion to be oiled; his new oiling device revolutionized the industrial machine industry. Elijah McCoy established his own firm and was responsible for a total of 57 patents.

The term "real McCoy" refers to the oiling device used for industrial machinery. His contribution to the lubricating device became so popular that people inspecting new equipment would ask is the device contained the real McCoy. This helped popularize the American expression, meaning the real thing. His other inventions included an ironing board and lawn sprinkler."


FOURTEEN DAYS until I So Don't Do Mysteries hits the shelves! The countdown is almost over!

I may perhaps have mentioned you can pre-order the book? I know, I'm subtle that way.

To pre-order online, you go here for the US and here for Canada.

25 comments:

  1. Congratulations Barrie. I can't imagine how thrilling it must be to see your own words bound so beautifully. Two weeks to go - don't forget to savour every moment of it. Thank you for making us all part of the journey.

    (Also I love The Real McCoy trivia. Clever guy!

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  2. Congrats! It must be a wonderful feeling.

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  3. Congratulations Barrie!!! I know how you feel. My book is printed an on its way. Since it is a rather dark book we will be launching in the new year. I'm chewing my fingernails...the waiting is such agony.

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  4. How exciting!!! I'm going from here to pre-order! It looks fantastic and I can just guess how thrilled you were when you received it... was that YOU I heard squealing? lol.

    Loved the info about the 'real McCoy. I love learning the origin of words and phrases. Too cool.

    ~Debbie

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  5. Congrats, Barrie! Your excitement is palpable. I've told my son about your book and will enjoy reading it. Plus, I'm going to request that Houston and Harris County libraries acquire the book as well. Spread the joy around, you know.

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  6. it's funny, i always want to know what a book looks like without the jacket. take it off! and yay you and your bowed up book...makes me smile.

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  7. that is SO great! congrats! i'm sure it feels even "more" real now that you physically have it in your possession! :)

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  8. Uhhh, yeah...that bit about the lubricator Mccoy thingy....I knew that.

    Can't wait to buy your book!

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  9. Even without the dust jacket it's gorgeous!

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  10. Wow! Barrie... it's really real! I'm so excited for you. It looks absolutely beautiful.

    Are those tongue smudges on the cover? Ew! It's okay to give it a peck, but geez!!!!

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  11. I am SO DAMNED happy for you!!! (jealous, yes, and very, very happy.)

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  12. ::SQUEE::

    I adore the cover, but without it?
    I love the ice-cream colors of the book, sans dust jacket! I'm yearning for some Neopolitan ice cream right now...

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  13. It's beautiful! Hurray you! What perfect timing for Christmas :)

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  14. That beautiful book deserves to be the centerpiece on your Thanksgiving table. Cheers!

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  15. Congratulations Barrie!!! How exciting for you! I am so ordering this book for my niece, although I may have to borrow it back to read it!!

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  16. That's so cool. You must be flying. congrats!!

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  17. I remember the day my book arrived and I got to hold it. I get chills just thinking about it! Congratulations and enjoy the ride. :)

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  18. What a sweet editor you have. To think that
    Sherry, your baby conceived through imagination, is finally entering the real world must be almost as exciting as becoming a mommy. Thanks for sharing!
    Your blog is fun and informative, as always.

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  19. It's beautiful. And I love the touch of the bow on the book. Your editor sounds lovely.

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  20. Your book must have felt awesome in your hands.

    Remember let me know when you have audio
    Smiles!

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  21. Congratulations! What a feeling it must be to hold your COMPLETED AND PUBLISHED book in your hands.

    It looks like a really fun read and I love that it takes place in San Diego.

    You are living my dream. I'm working on a middle grade novel and now I have a real-life local role model to look up to (that'd be you).

    All the best and can't wait to read your book on 12/9.

    Deb
    p.s. Found you from Vodka Mom. :)

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  22. So exciting Barrie! Congratulations!

    I was just looking at your book again the other day and wishing that I could get my hands on the next one...

    Here's hoping LOTS of readers get I So Don't Do Mysteries for Christmas.

    Kerry
    (Shelf Elf)

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Comments are always welcome!