Archive for category: Bits & Pieces

Indie Author Day at the Brampton Public Library

On October 8, Virginia and I attended the Indie Author Day event held at the Brampton Public Library. This event started in the United States and on this day, nearly 300 libraries across North America invited thousands of local writers in their communities to join them for a day of celebration and inspiration devoted to indie authors like me.

There were a dozen of us—poetry, non-fiction and fiction writers—all anticipating the chance to share our work at the Four Corners Branch. The library staff has wonderfully and professionally prepared the space for us. Each of us sat behind a desk displaying our books and these simple yet lovely-designed place cards with our names. Our desks surrounded a few rows of audience chairs facing the front where a sturdy dark brown lectern, microphone and projector were ready for author presentations.  Just like a postcard, the backdrop was a wall of windows that displayed magnificent maple trees colourfully smiled under the blue sky 🙂

It was a charming set up although only a handful of people showed up. The organizers in the states probably didn’t take into consideration that it was Thanksgiving weekend in Canada. Yet this somehow did not deter us authors from sharing with the tiny audience and among ourselves. Some amazing spontaneous things happened that day—something that wouldn’t have happened if the crowd had been bigger. We shared our experiences as writers/publishers and these interactions may lead to different workshops that Virginia and I will do in the future to help other Indie authors. It’s amazing how many different publishing ideas are out there!

We took turn to talk about our books and publishing journeys. When it was my turn I told the story I often tell in my workshops. It’s about the word ‘PASSION’—that it is our opportunity to PASS-I-ON whenever we do something with a passion in life and as authors, we have created a wonderful legacy of passing ourselves on forever.

Before we left, Virginia took me by the hand, led me to a shelf and then told me to look down. That was truly something I never thought I would see in my life. When I looked down and there it was: my book on a shelf in the library! Laughingly, of course, I said I’d be happier to know someone had checked it out to read. Truthfully though, I was so very very proud to see my book in the library since getting it into libraries meant that the book’s quality fit the collection. I also remembered my grade 12 English teacher telling me to never choose a career in literature. I wondered what he’d say if he saw this!

It was a good day, so much to feel thankful for.

It’s here. It’s finally here!

It’s been quite an exciting month so far.

First it started with this wonderful surprise we had this morning. There was this e-mail from our Chinese translators. Not really saying anything but just providing a link. We clicked it and there it was: because—well, it’s now 缘由.

As you know, we started the translation process for because back in January 2015 and now the Chinese version is available on Amazon.cn (and soon to be released to other retailers in China). It is so cool to see Chinese characters tell the story of Robert Sanchez. (Even though I can’t understand but my wife does, so now maybe her mother and some of her family can read it.) And it already has been reviewed by a Chinese reader (happily 5 stars as well). Man, how grateful and fortunate I am!

It was quite a learning-full and such an interesting process working with these editors and translators. The thing that made me feel most grateful was working with these individuals who showed such  incredible passion about their work: translating the book with such integrity as if they were writing the book themselves.

So thank you to the folks over at fiberead.com, especially to Habby (project manger), Huang Zhi (editor) and translators Xujing, Amy, Li Qiu and Daisy. Without the team, because wouldn’t have been available in the most populated country on earth.

The next thing that happened comes from the amazing work my wife has been doing at getting our book into libraries across the country (and a few outside of Canada), including those in Toronto, Ottawa and Vancouver! Next Saturday, October 8 at the Brampton Public Library, I will be doing my first public talk as an author, celebrating the 2016 Indie Author Day. It’s funny how nervous I feel. Even though I’ve performed on some of the biggest stages but this feels more raw and real than any of those experiences. I’ll tell you how it goes.

Two years after…

It is true how time just doesn’t stop for anyone as no matter how hard you try to live in the moment and cherish each day, it still becomes yesterday.  And so it has now been two years since I ventured—hand and hand with my incredibly gifted loving wife, Virginia—into the publishing world. Since last year, I’ve been very fortunate to have experienced more wonderful and exciting adventures: Like getting closer to having the book translated into the language of the most populated country on earth. Like seeing my book comes up on the searches in libraries. Like getting raving reviews from readers and supportive messages from friends…I’ve been blessed to have had so many new doors opening up for me—just because I wrote a book.

It has been another fruitful year. Virginia has been busy creating contents for our web site visitors and members. You can see some of her work here and here. We worked together (but really, she was the one who brought my vision to life) to produce the ‘because I listen’ workbook, which has been an invaluable tool to many participants in my workshops. Now you can sign up for a free copy here.

We have also organized a number of promotional opportunities to help other authors to gain a bit more visibility for their books. These activities required a lot of time to do and gave us tons of fun too. But more importantly, it was our way of paying forward to the indie publishing community that guides and supports us.

As every artist knows that without an audience, we are just singing alone in the wind. We all need that someone to hear, to see, to read, to share our creations. In saying that, I just wanted you to know how much I appreciate you all—whether you are a family member, a friend, a reader, a site visitor, a fellow author or someone who re-tweet my messages occasionally, like/share my posts or participate in my book giveaways. I really wanted to show my gratitude to so so so many of you that have been incredibly supportive. Please let me say thank you—thank you for making me feel it was all worth it. May you all feel that same blessing you’ve given me.

2001

because all the sound of music in my life

Young Voices