The long and the short of it

A year ago, I had my maiden book Purple Shades published. To everybody’s surprise (me, foremost), it enjoyed such a brisk and steady sale that the entire inventory was sold before the year was up. You cannot imagine how grateful that made me feel. It dismissed my apprehension that the book would be a flop and that I might end up giving them away as Christmas presents. Not that it was a bad alternative. I was sure at least of 150 relatives who wouldn’t mind getting a book, but what would I do with the rest of the stock? Give them away for the next five Christmases to come, what else? IN SHORT, this was my consolation, my pampalubag loob.

The printer delivered the books shortly before I left for an overseas trip. “Hey!” I said, “We can finalize the date of the launch.” IN SHORT, we blocked an afternoon repast to introduce the book with a brief program followed by book signing.

But typhoon Ondoy happened. “Are the books safe and dry?” I asked the publisher. His response was complete silence. That set my antennae blinking. “I’m sorry, we could not do anything; every piece has been damaged by the flood,” he said. IN SHORT, it was time to panic!

 “What are we going to do?” I squeaked. The launch had been announced and invitations already issued. We had no choice but to order reprints. But the printer closed the shop for major repair and overhauling. I had no choice but to get the yellow pages out and find an alternate printer.

We called a total of nine printers before we found one who was willing to reprint our panic edition. However, the lady owner gave a condition: “Only if the new machine would have been installed by the end of this week.” IN SHORT, you’re not out of the woods yet, Leticia!

And so we waited…until the lady printer called. “Yes!” she said. “The machine is here and we’re actually running some random copies to test it.”

My next question was, “You mean we can have the books by November?” Complete silence. That set my antennae blinking — the second time. “No,” she said curtly. “The machine is brand new and we need to run a safe capacity to break it in. Barring any hiccups, we’d be lucky to finish printing them three days before the launch.” IN SHORT, you’re cutting it close, Letty!

When I shared this dilemma with my niece, she said, “Poor Tita! You’re like Sylvester climbing the wall and scratching it because Granny is back and Twitty is missing from his cage!”   Not only that, my teeth continued to rattle as if I was chomping on an invisible ear of corn made out of metal. IN SHORT, I was skating on thin ice, and in all probability, I would sink.

More kinks and hitches followed — the ink was not printing evenly, the machine jammed and there were unscheduled brownouts, etc. After several agonizing days, my phone rang at 4 a.m. “We’re delivering the books by 7 a.m. today. Good morning!” IN SHORT, Sylvester and I were off the hook.

At the launch, 230 invitees came. When pretty Jackie Lou Blanco handed me the microphone, all that I could say was, “IN SHORT, It took a purple book to gather the people I’ve long wanted to hold my hand.”   The verdict came soon enough. 

 “I started reading your book. Nakaka-addict! This will be my gift all year round,” said Rita Dy.

 “Your article ‘On the street where we lived’ brought back warm memories of Grace Park, Caloocan. My mother and my relatives will love this book,” said Marfina Teodoro.

 “If the eyes are the windows of the soul, written words are the windows of the heart. Letty’s heart is definitely pumping with rich shades of purple,” said Rosalinda Orosa.

 “I’m bringing your book everywhere with me. Am now with your Herbie, the Volkswagen. So much fun!” Carleen Reyes said.

 “I read the book and felt that my friends should read it too.   It will help them as it opened my mind and heart,” Sara Soliven-de Guzman said.

 “Thank you for sharing your insights and thoughts in this book. I enjoyed reading several chapters already last night,” Marivic Rufino said.

 “Your book is not only charming, it is very truly in spirit,” Ricky Soler said.

 “I am inspired by your book and will begin serious writing, as a tribute to you,” said Geegee Gonzalez.

 “Your book is beautiful and so interesting. I don’t know why you spent your time in WHO!” said Dr. S.T. Han, regional director emeritus, Korea.

 “I should have known the book wasn’t going to be just any ordinary one-dimensional publication. The beads were a nice touch, loved the cover and loved the stories more!” said Michelle Modelo.

 “I sat down and started to read it at once. I laughed and found myself nodding in agreement so often. Your books touched me in many levels. Life itself comes through with every story and absolutely resonates with me,” said Maxine Davie of Australia.

 “I enjoyed being a part of your exciting memories, dear purple mate and fellow Nonna!” Mary Anne Ojeda said.

 “My 18-year old daughter should learn a lot from ‘Oh Promise me’. To be in love, 18 and confused again!” said Monina Valencia.

 “Reading your stories made me feel young again, now you got me thinking, what did I give for love?” said Elsie Arce-Romero.

“Funny how I remembered ‘Ol Blue Eyes’ the most. You hit the spot,” said Fr. David Halstead, OP, of New Zealand.

I am lost for words. IN SHORT, thank you all you dear people for holding my hand.