This week I had a moment of awe.
One of those moments where you just stop in your tracks as you realise something.
This is what I realised.
I am living my younger self's Big Dream.
About four years ago I went into a big bookstore (Exclusive Books) to ask them about book launches and whether I might be able to have one in their store. They were kind but said they don't usually deal directly with self-published authors. I'd need a distributor.
Now I'd heard about distributors...
Not that they're bad. Not at all. It's just that after the bookshop takes their cut, and the distributor takes their share, and after the editing and setup and design and printing costs are taken into account...
Well let's say it turns out that the self-publishing author is actually paying people to read their book.
I'm not joking. It goes into the minus per book.
So I walked away from the dream of being a 'real' author who has 'real' launches in bookshops.
So silly to have these preconceptions of what makes us legitimate and what doesn't, but just because it's silly, doesn't make us not have them.
I organised my own amazing launch with lots of beloveds and book sales and it was wonderful.
I let the bookstore thing go.
Fast forward four years, my second book is out, I've figured things out a bit more and have a distributor...
I was walking past that same bookshop and thought, why don't I just ask...
So I took a deep breath and held my own hand and asked.
And they said yes!
And I'm so happy about it because it flows as part of what I'm doing now...
And that's when I realised it.
My younger self gazed at authors like me with big hungry eyes and it felt so far away...
But now here I am BEING that author and having a launch in the bookstore I wanted.
It's become real because my younger self made choices that turned towards her truth and her dreams.
I have so much love and gratitude for her. She made this life I am now living.
I want to say to you now, don't give up on your dreams.
They come true, choice by choice by choice.
Just ask yourself, 'If I loved myself, what would I choose to do now?' and follow the guidance you get.
AND JOIN ME AT MY LAUNCH IN EXCLUSIVE BOOKS CAVENDISH SQUARE!
Tuesday 28th February at 6pm.
I’ll answer your questions, read sections from the book and take you through an If I Loved Myself process… It's going to be FABULOUS!
Put it in your calendar right now, invite all your friends and join!
RSVP for catering and seating here events@exclusivebooks.co.za
