On May 7, Elizabeth Langtree, a Santa Ynez Valley resident of long standing, released her self-published collection of non-fiction memoirs titled “Rexfield: A Coal Mining Town Nature Reclaimed.”

The book contains 98 vivid childhood vignettes, from her birth to George and Mary Olsasky on Halloween, 1932, in Rexfield, Iowa, through the Great Depression, World War II and beyond. Langtree, writing with a graceful mix of pathos and humor, chronicles the hard life of her family (father, mother and six children) living in Iowa during that extremely difficult period in America’s history.

Her vignettes run from the poignant to the whimsical. For example, an excerpt from “Dad is Turned Down for a $5 Loan,” reads: “Another time Dad needed money badly. He and I went to Ottumwa to see his sister Mary Love and ask for a $5 loan. ... Aunt Mary seemed like she was happy to see us and fixed us a nice lunch. ... About this time, Dad got up enough courage to ask Aunt Mary for a $5 loan. Aunt Mary said, ‘George, you would not be able to pay it back, so I can’t loan you the money.’ … I had never seen Dad cry before that day.”

This from “The Bull Chases Me in the Red Snowsuit”: “ ... I was out playing in the fenced area near the chicken coops with the gang making a snowman when all at once we heard a noise. When we looked up, we saw our neighbor’s bull in our yard. Apparently he jumped the fence. He began to snort and run toward me. I was screaming. ... Dad ran and grabbed me just in time, throwing me on top of the chicken coop roof, while the mad bull looked up at me shifting his feet in the snow. ... I was afraid to wear that red snowsuit after that, but it was all I had to wear.”

Photographs, restored and reproduced in the original black and white, are sprinkled throughout and embellish the reader’s ability to internalize the visuals Langtree’s writing creates. The hardcover edition contains 336 easy-to-read pages, printed in very clean and clear type with wide spaces between the lines, further enticing the reader to continue to share Langtree’s heartfelt memories from start to finish.

I interviewed Elizabeth Langtree to congratulate her on the completion of her book and to gather information on her writing process, as well as any pitfalls of self-publishing she might care to share.

 

DW: At our age, Elizabeth, many of us reminisce about our childhood but don’t have the necessary sustained passion to write about it. Obviously, you do. When did you begin writing “Rexfield”?

EL: In 2003. However, I went through the thinking process off and on for a long time before that. I also spent time reviewing old family photographs to remind me of some specific events, names and places.

DW: A number of the pictures mirror the tone of your written childhood memories and — as they say — are worth a thousand words. You are able to describe most incidents in great detail. Do you relive the experiences as you write about them?

EL: Yes, usually in my mind’s eye. As the fifth of six children, my brothers and sister and I shared many of the same experiences. I had one younger and two older living siblings to validate my memories during the writing process, which was very helpful.

DW: How long did it take to complete the writing and find a publisher and distributor?

EL: I took some time off every now and again, perhaps a year in total. I finished the manuscript in 2006 and began the search for a self-publishing publisher and a distributor. I received over the years what became a very large stack of information from various sources.

DW: You settled for Xlibris as the publisher and Ingram as the distributor. On what basis did you make those choices from the many available?

EL: I picked Xlibris Book Publishing Company because they were a Random House subsidiary at the time I contracted with them. Ingram is a very well known book and magazine distributor, with a world-wide track record.

DW: Aside from the actual printing and distribution, as a self-publisher you have to do everything else, such as pay the up-front costs, select the design elements, write press releases, give interviews, arrange for book signings and get your book accepted by bookstores, libraries and schools. How much have you spent out-of-pocket so far?

EL: From $4,700 to $5,000, including the restoration charges for the old photographs. Actually, every time you make a decision on the production elements of your book that the publisher does not usually offer, someone has their hand out. It can be a frustrating, time consuming and costly experience, but when your book is finally in your hands, it’s all worth it.

DW: The paperback and hardcover editions were both released on May 7. Where are they available, how much do they cost, and do you have any book signings lined-up?

EL: I’m still in the initial process of letting people know “Rexfield” exists. I have sold 75 author’s copies to family, friends and associates in the Santa Barbara area and have made copies available to buyers at Borders in Santa Barbara. The Book Loft in Solvang has it on order from the publisher and should have it available within two weeks.

Prices are $29.99 for hardcover and $19.99 for paperback. El Rancho Market in Santa Ynez has offered to sell “Rexfield” and has 10 author’s copies shelved next to their magazines. I will make a few copies available to the library in Solvang.

I hope to have book signings at all the local bookstores and have an August signing planned for Albia, Iowa, a community of 7,000 residents in the general vicinity of Rexfield.

DW: Last question: How many books do you have to sell before you recoup your initial publishing expenses?

EL: My contract with Xlibris guarantees me a royalty of $5 per book purchased from them. So at least 1,000 people will have to buy “Rexfield” for me to get reimbursed for the money I spent. That does not pay me for my time, telephone or gas, but, as I said, it’s all worth it.

DW: Thank you, Elizabeth, for a perfect example of what we used to call “a labor of love.”

You may respond directly to Diane Willee at dianewillee@yahoo.com.