Kindness

It’s nearly six weeks since I published Treespeaker. What have I learned? Well, firstly that it’s not as easy as it looks to market a book. In fact, it’s  a hard slog. But by far the most important thing I’ve learned is that there are some beautiful, kind people in the world. Of course, I already knew that, but some people have been so generous in helping me with my book that I have had my knowledge reinforced. 

I’m not talking here just about the myriad other Indie authors who have opened there blogs to book reviews, interviews etc and always lend a hand or give advice when you shout ‘help’. I’m talking about individuals who have stepped forward to help me personally. There have been friends who raced to buy my book then plugged it to all their friends. Acquaintances who spread the word on the internet. A friend who looked (and is still looking) for any avenue of marketing he could find and made sure I was aware of it. Other internet acquaintances have offered me a place on their blogs (stay tuned for the latest on that).

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It’s not just people I know, though. Complete strangers have befriended me and offered advice. Complete strangers have bought my book to help me along. Complete strangers have become friends.

I only hope that somewhere in amongst all this, I can find a way to pay all this kindness forward and back. There are so many worthy books struggling to find their way to the top of the pile, so many good writers wondering if they dare take the plunge into e-publishing. It’s like struggling to the top of the barricades in a revolution. Everyone needs a hand to climb up. Not that I'm sure that there's any enemy, though. Maybe conquering Everest would be a better analogy. I dream of the view from the top, but the peak is going to have to be wide enough for a lot of other people...all those who have pulled me up and all those who have pushed! Thank you to you all. Whether I get there or not, I’m very grateful.