Here in New Zealand it has been a wet and gloomy July just recently. The fact that
June was the driest and supposedly warmest on record is soon forgotten as we
light the fire, and put on scarves and coats when we venture out. Everyone seems to be coughing and spluttering with all sorts of
dreaded viruses lurking about, and the hospitals are once again full to
overflowing. Oh well, spring is only a month away, and the daffodils are out,
so it can’t be all bad.
My dear mother always told me as a boy, that it is better to
give than to receive, and I must confess there is a lot of truth in that
statement. In June I put my first novel ‘Shadows In the Night’, on a Goodreads Giveaway promotional list, offering twelve as giveaways for the
lucky entrants here in New Zealand. It finished on the 19th July, and the following day I was duly
informed of the fortunate recipients. I could not but feel sorry for the
considerable number that had put their names forward, but sadly missed out.
Monday and Tuesday was spent addressing and sending the books
around the country to a varied collection of men and women, of different ethnic
origins, from the far North to the deep South of New Zealand. Naturally, I am hoping they enjoy the book, and write a
favourable review on Amazon. (PLEASE!!!)
However, I really did enjoy packing the books up and sending
them off. It gave me a pleasurable glow as I handled the books, while wondering
all the time how they would be received at the other end, as I visualized the
reader in my mind's eye. I guess only another fellow author can understand the pleasure
and pride you get from handling your own work in this way. Certainly, nothing gives you so much pleasure as when you meet a
complete stranger who tells you just how much he, or she, enjoyed your
book.
I really think that, more than anything else, keeps you writing. Now I will wait with, to be perfectly honest, a certain
impatience, to hopefully read my first review from one of the chosen twelve.
As my mother wisely said, ‘It is better to give than to
receive,’ but sometimes receiving can be almost as good.
Evan G Andrew
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