Beerocracy!

   

        I can't believe that it's been just over a year since I started blogging about my travels.  Since then, I've had 5,000 hits on my page.  Now, I know that's not the most bad ass thing in the world, but it feels good to know I'm finally getting my name out there.  I have been carefully considering self-publishing my book for the last three weeks now, and am looking forward to getting to that point.  I have been down in Florida visiting my brother and his wife and their dog Bandit for a little over a week now.  It is cold here, for Florida, and my dogs couldn't be more content with the cool nights we've had.
       I recently have talked to a school who is excited to have an Alaskan dog handler come visit their school, and I look forward to promoting the greatest sport on Earth.  I am lucky to have good public speaking skills, it seems that whatever I end up doing down the road, talking will be the backbone of it.  As for the near future, Erin and I plan on being in North Carolina next summer, and we're both on the job hunt to make that happen.  I have talked with a company that gives bus guided brewery tours in the Triangle area.  I'm hopeful that I can work with them to get both our ventures more exposure, and am excited to promote Carolina brews.  I have to say NC has some of the best beer on the east coast, and more and more breweries seem to pop up out of nowhere!  So the goal is to shoot out west for a couple months after I leave the eastern United States.  Brad is having his bachelor party sooner than we thought, which is awesome.  I'll be able to drive out there and hang for a while because Colorado is going to be as tough as Oregon to conquer.  The mountain towns all have breweries, and I'm going to give it my best shot to go to a bunch of 'em.  I haven't quite planned the exact route for the remaining states, but I do know that North Dakota is gonna come back to haunt me.  We drove through South Dakota in the fall, and after searching online for breweries, I couldn't find anything solid and true to what I'm writing about.  Maybe by the summer they'll have a little more in the microbrew department!
       One story a day is my new goal. If I write one a day, then I'll be well on my way to the finish line in April.  I'm hoping to have everything written and documented by then, so that I can start shaping the book and have it ready to sell by Christmas 2012.  We'll see how that goes!  I'm definitely going to need support  to help pay for the cost of the printing, and am always trying to figure out how to come up with the $15,000 needed to make that happen.  I want to try Kickstarter.com, or put on an event to help raise money.  Up to this point, I have spent money out of my pocket for everything. I have been blessed to have great friends and family help me along the way, but now is the time I need to start focusing on the big picture.  I will spend the remaining time in Florida working on what it's going to cost to print and release a copy of APWATW, and go from there.
       If anyone has any ideas on how to make publishing a reality, drop me a line. I want to learn as much as possible before I climb the mountain of beerocracy and become a part of the Author's circuit.  I have spent a few days fishing and it's the best time to come up with ideas while you wait for a bite.  SO I'll be fishing in Florida while you come up with a brilliant plan to get fifteen grand as I sink my toes into the sand!  Later y'all, and if you're in Florida, give me a call!