This afternoon, I had the pleasure of meeting Rosemary Herbert, my publicist at Down East Books. Down East is the publisher that put out my little non-fiction book, DOES A LOBSTERMAN WEAR PANTS? Last spring. Rosemary was in town and wanted me to sign books for a lobstering event in Illinois, which I was delighted to do. But I also loved meeting her. Believe it or not, she is the first person from Down East Books that I've met in person. Mind you, I feel as though my editor is a good friend, and I've had wonderful talks on the phone with members of the sales force. But we've never met. Our relationship has been strictly electronic until now.

Surprised? Don't be. People assume that I'm in New York often, though the fact is that I can do all of the work on my novels via electronics as well. I do touch base with my publisher there every so often, but only every so often. I also love seeing my agent. We shop.

I met Rosemary at a cafe one town over, and we sat talking for an hour. I particularly enjoyed hearing her talk of the Maine she has discovered since joining Down East Books last summer. Maine is one of my favorite places. If you've read either THE SUMMER I DARED or FOR MY DAUGHTERS, you'll know that. Hopefully, the next time I see Rosemary, it'll be up there.