I set myself a few goals this January. One of them was to write a book to encourage people to slow down and notice what's on their own doorstep.
OK, I've written the book. It's only small, roughly 7x5 inches and 24 pages long, but it's full of suggestions of ways to get to know where you live slowly and intimately. There's space to doodle and make notes too.
That was the easy part. The hard part is how to promote and sell it.
I've done some craft fairs, standing smiling behind a table of books not knowing whether to make eye contact as people approach or if it will put them off. Is it better to just let them browse or get in there and start talking? I hope the book and the blurb on the back speaks for itself but maybe people want to hear from me. It's all a great learning curve. The lovely shop at Theatre Clwyd agreed to take some books and the writing magazine I subscribe to is going to do a review (Writing Magazine). But I find it hard to sell myself. Confidence, that's the thing to have, and I don't have much.
Writing the book was the easy part. Will I be 'big' enough to sell it? If anyone's got any tips, I'd love to hear them. I'll let you know how I get on!
I used www.blurb.co.uk (Bookwright) and the free software is great. The process has been interesting and fun and I loved doing my own art work - some collage, some photographs, some doodles.
I would recommend anyone thinking of creating a book to -
DO IT!
You can see a preview of my book in blurb.co.uk's bookshop, search for The Slow Tourist at home.
If you'd like a copy for £5, including UK postage, let me know!
sleepysparrow@yahoo.co.uk