The writing world is filled with pleasant surprises, disappointments and moments you may want to remember and forget. Sometimes you can expect that something different will happen. Other times, when you’re doing something for the first time, you’re caught off guard by something that is done to you or something that you must do.
One of those ‘strange to me’ moments happened Monday when I hand-delivered a copy of Mystery Light in Cranberry Cove to my daughter’s school. It all began quite innocently enough. While picking her up for an appointment, I thought it’d be a great time to donate my book to her school library. The office secretary pointed me in the right direction and asked if the book she carried was of special importance to me.
“Yes,” I said with way too little confidence. I hesitated to say more, hoping I’d escape without fanfare. See, I really don’t like fanfare, being the centre of attention. I know it’s something I should get used to. After all, this business dictates that I meet others and show off what I’ve done.
Taking the plunge, I said, “I wrote it.”
That’s where a simple drop off turned into something more. I was introduced to the librarian as the author. She produced a camera and wanted to take a picture of me and my book.
Gosh, I know I said I like old photographs of me, but I really don’t like getting my picture taken. Still, I took a deep breath, pulled my daughter under my arm and smiled. I smiled as though the librarian wasn’t going to steal my soul with that digital device. I smiled as if I had just been handed an award for my book. I smiled like I was never going to see that picture . . . ever.
Librarians can make you feel great about your writing Diane. I dropped off a copy my murder mystery book, For Hire, Messenger of God, at the library in Clayton Park today. The staff couldn’t have made me feel more important if I had been a writer who always appears on the New York Times book list. Hope the kids at the school take advantage of your donation and enjoy your book.
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Hello Art,
Librarians are some of the most wonderful people in the world. I’ve donated my book to libraries in Sherbrooke, Sheet Harbour and Truro. I mailed them this week because I don’t have plans to visit the areas for a month or more.
I’m also making donations to the Elmsdale and Woodlawn Branches, and, of course, the one in Cole Harbour — my old stomping grounds. I want to deliver those in person.
They always say the first book is a ‘give away’. It’s to get your name out there. My hope is that the kids will read the library copies and look forward to the second book in the series.
Thanks for donating your book to the libraries. I’m a heavy library user, so the more books, the better for me 🙂
I assume the second library was the Elmsdale Branch.
Thanks for visiting and commenting on my blog.
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How great!! Get used to success because I have a feeling a lot more of it will be coming your way.
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Thanks, Tracy. There are many waves to this writing business. We just have to stay on the board to see it through.
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You’ll get used to the attention, Diane. It’s all part of having a book out there for others to read. Great idea dropping off a copy at your daughter’s school.
I feel as though we haven’t heard enough about this book. I was thinking it was only available in e-book form.
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Thanks, Laura. I can only hope it gets easier.
That same day, I dropped a book off at my youngest son’s elementary school. He said he wanted to be the first to sign it out. He’s so cute. And funny.
My plans are to donate a book to my old school, Caldwell Road Elementary, in Cole Harbour, too. I’m also donating copies to several public libraries, including the Sherbrooke Library since the story takes place on the Eastern Shore of Nova Scotia.
I decided to make hard copies because I realised not everyone loves to read books on the computer. I don’t.
Hard copies are more permanent than ebooks. They also confirm a copyright. And when I’m out at events, I have a book to sell.
In a future post, I’ll talk about getting a book printed. Hopefully, it will help others make that first step.
Diane
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Hi, Dianna, I didn’t know you wrote a book. I would like to have a copy to read. Jean
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Hello, Jean. The book came out in December. I mailed a copy to Brian on Monday. He probably didn’t receive it, yet. I dedicated it to him and all my cousins I grew up with.
When Brian was in Afghanistan, I mailed him chapters to read. I can’t remember if he got to read the end. Once the book was finished, it sat in a drawer until last summer when I began editing it.
I recently received a shipment of 40 books, so I have plenty on hand.
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