It’s a pretty incredible feeling to see something that you have worked so hard on for so long come to fruition. That moment came earlier last week for all of us who have poured ourselves into the development of Rhythm in the Rain: Jazz in the Pacific Northwest, when a shipment of advanced reader copies arrived here at the Ooligan Press office. The feeling of cracking open the box, peeling away the bubblewrap, and finally holding in my hands a physical book—that up until that moment had been nothing more than countless computer files and a dream—was one that I will not soon forget. It was a feeling that reminded me of why I got into the business of bookmaking in the first place.

It was a real treat to take a few moments with the Rhythm in the Rain team and leaf through the pages of a book that has been so long in the making, but just as soon as we had all taken some time to admire the fruits of our labors, we were reminded that our work is far from over. In just a few short months we will be receiving not advanced reader copies, but bonafide final versions of the book that will be ready to hit bookstores throughout the region. The coming of this highly anticipated publication, which will happen just in time to help Portland celebrate its annual jazz festival, will be accompanied by an extremely ambitious social media campaign, as well as what is sure to be a busy schedule for author Lynn Darroch. Everyone should be sure to mark their calendars for February 8 and be prepared to join Darroch and all of Ooligan Press in celebrating the much anticipated release of this exciting and informative new title.

For those lovers of jazz, writing, and history who simply can’t wait until February to get their fix, be sure to catch Darroch’s weekly radio show, Bright Moments, which airs every Friday at 1–4 p.m. on 89.1 FM KMHD. Darroch speaks the same way that he writes, and with his poetic style of storytelling it is all but impossible not to become immersed in the narrative.