University Bookstore

The University Bookstore is the latest retailer who has agreed to carry Driven to Espresso. Look for it at any of their 5 locations in the near future.

The book's publication date is July 20th and to celebrate, I held a small party at Espresso Vivace on Yale Ave in Seattle. Sadly, it was not well attended, but at least all the many people who were invited now know about the book and that was the main point. One of the folks who attended was Gabe Berg, whose family owns the Hotspot Coffee stand shown on the cover. Here's a photo of his father, Michael Berg, and Gunther (the dog), who helped me get the great shot I ultimately put on the cover.

Here's a flash news item! Hotspot Coffee is moving. The new location will be somewhere in Seattle, but the date and exact location is not known at this time. This is an example of the ephemeral nature of drive-throughs and points out why I did not make my book a guide book. It is accepted that the book will be dated in short order. This is not a bad thing. I have always viewed my book as a sort of historical snapshot.

By the way, the Bergs have just opened an ice cream shop in the University District called Pretty Kitty. They serve excellent organic ice cream (and of course espresso)! Look for them in the Cedars restaurant building next to Walgreens on 50th St.

Thanks to all those who have purchased Driven to Espresso!

It's starting to happen

Word seems to be getting out about my book. In the Pure Coffee blog written by Bill (doesn't give his last name) on June 1, he refers to my book: "... I would have preferred a more coffee-related book like Driven to Espresso." Also I have found it mentioned in a few websites as a link to coffee-related resources. One coffee stand has it listed on their Friends page.

I'm also making progress in getting the book on retailers' shelves. It is now available at Elliott Bay Book Company at 101 South Main Street in Seattle, and Peter Miller Books at 1930 First Avenue in Seattle. There have been several coffee stands that have purchased copies in order to sell them to customers.

Also, I was pleasantly surprised to see it was purchased by the Everett Public Library.

Driven to Espresso now available

Here are the latest activities at 1 by 1 Publishing:

Besides Atlas Books, my distributor, who warehouses the bulk of my books, I now have a few hundred books in my garage. This will be handy when someone wants an autographed copy. It will also be useful for selling directly to coffee stands, or other nonconventional retailers in the area.

I added an Order button to my website so I can accept PayPal or credit card orders that way. The website, by the way, underwent big improvements recently, so it now has sample pages, reviewer comments, misc. coffee links, and more.

I've added "Look Inside" pages to the book's listing on amazon.com.

I'm finding possible places to hold a release event. Ideally, it will be held at a place that serves espresso and has some room for a small crowd. If you're reading this, you're automatically invited! Just check back to see where and when it will be.

Support Coffee Kids!

Naturally, in the process of writing a book about the coffee culture, I have visited a lot of coffee-related websites. One of the ones that has me really thinking is Coffee Kids. I think the work they are doing for the coffee-producing families in Latin America is supremely worthy of our support. If you love coffee, I think you'll appreciate a visit to their website.

They have a very active blog about their activities and events in the coffee world and some interesting facts about coffee. There are several ways you can support them, both as an individual and as a business.

When will the books arrive?

I received 4 advance copies of the printed book on April 15. They look great, so I sent final approval for shipping and they are now on their way to my distributor, Atlas Books, in Ohio. The schedule indicates they will arrive there on May 27. At that point, orders can be fulfilled. I am having a few hundred copies shipped to myself so I can sell them directly, and to send out review copies.

If you are interested in getting a signed copy directly from me, that will be possible around June 5.

I also want to announce that I have redesigned my website to include more information. Check it out!