On my way into town on Saturday my daughter called to say she had overheard someone at work mentioning my book. She of course spoke up and said the person who wrote the book was her mom. Although the lady won’t be able to make it to the launch she would like an autographed copy. This prompted me to drop into the local bookstore to see it by chance they had any copies in yet. I immediately headed for the children’s book section and there they were— copies of “Bitter, Sweet” for everyone to see— oh, and buy too. (Mustn’t forget that buying part!) A pretty cool feeling I have to admit! I wasn’t sure if Nimbus had sent any copies out yet but I guess they don’t waste any time and since the folks at the bookstore know me they would have put them out as soon as they arrived.
I also checked the local Coles store and wasn’t at all surprised to see that they didn’t have any copies in yet although I’m sure they’ll eventually get around to it. Hey, they have to go some place. Right? And no, I’m not going to check out all the bookstores from here to BC but if you happen to catch sight of my book by all means let me know.
Sunday we celebrated Thanksgiving as my husband and I both had to work today. I gave copies of the book to two of my three children and mailed one to my oldest daughter who wasn’t able to make it down for the weekend. She won’t get it until later in the week since today was a holiday. I love being able to share this with them. I don’t think I mentioned that my complimentary copies also had a small stack of bookmarks enclosed. As silly as it sounds the bookmarks thrilled me almost (I did say almost) as much as the books. I made sure to give the kids each one as well.
Well I guess there’s no denying it now. I’ve finally have a book published. Do I feel any different? Happy, yes. Satisfied, yes. Thrilled in every way imaginable. But to tell the truth I’m no different now then I was before. Just me, take me or leave me. Having a book published really doesn’t change who you are, although I have to say that I’m totally in awe over the fact that someone (other than family) would want to read my book. How cool is that?
Laura Best 
owlandsparrow
/ October 12, 2009SO COOL! 🙂 How fun is that?!
Okay, so I totally learned something new from your blog – having grown up in Texas all my life (except for those two summers I spent in Shanghai), not once have I thought about if/how other countries celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday. I had zero idea that Canadians celebrated it on the second Monday of October (but now, thanks to you…and Wikipedia…I do). Sweet.
So, Happy Canadian Thanksgiving! What a lot you have to be thankful for – book in print, book in stores, bookmarks, and children to give bookmarks to. Not to mention, probably, a whole slew of other awesome things. Like people who want to read your book and have autographed copies. 😉
YAY! I’m excited for you. Can you tell?
LikeLike
Laura Best
/ October 13, 2009Thanks so much, Kayla. Yes, there is so much to be thankful for this year.
Here in Canada it always seems as though the United States celebrates so late. It is strange that there is such a difference and I’m glad you learned something, too.
LikeLike
newtowritinggirl
/ October 13, 2009Congrats. That must be an awesome feeling. Are there any plans to release it over her in the UK?
LikeLike
Laura Best
/ October 13, 2009I haven’t heard about any plans to release it in the UK. Not sure that Nimbus has a market there. But if I catch wind of it I’ll let you know for sure.
LikeLike
newtowritinggirl
/ October 13, 2009‘here’ sorry!
LikeLike
Carol J. Garvin
/ October 13, 2009Cool indeed!! I’ll be sure to watch our local BC bookstores for it. It’s exciting enough to get me moving ahead on my current w-i-p with renewed determination. 😀
LikeLike
Laura Best
/ October 13, 2009I’m not even sure if copies will make it out that far but of course let me know if you spot any. That would be extra cool!!!
LikeLike
donthangupthequill
/ October 13, 2009AWESOME. I think I’d be standing in the book store and after I was done squealing, I’d show everyone who walked by that I wrote a book. Hee. You’re handling it with much more grace than I could muster. 🙂
LikeLike
Laura Best
/ October 13, 2009Well, I’m not sure you’d ever hear me squeal in public but I haven’t made it through the launch yet.. Perhaps there will be some squealing there.
LikeLike
Linda
/ October 14, 2009Sorry, I just got here to read this, Laura. Congratulations! I can’t imagine how you felt seeing your book displayed there in the store. Surreal, I imagine.
LikeLike
Laura Best
/ October 14, 2009Thanks Linda! It was a pretty special moment…
LikeLike
Tricia
/ October 14, 2009How cool is that, you say? Totally cool. I always imagined my life would be complete if I got that far. Congratulations. I imagine if we readers in the US or UK want a copy we can get it on Amazon. I’ll be checking that out. I would love to read it.
LikeLike
Laura Best
/ October 15, 2009Thanks Tricia. I do know the book is on Amazon.ca and also that Wozzles, a children’s bookstore ships internationally. Let me know what you find out.
LikeLike
Tricia
/ October 15, 2009I had no luck in either of those places. I’ll check back, maybe it takes longer to reach the US. But I assume Amazon.ca is Canadian Amazon so I don’t know why I can’t fine it.
LikeLike
Laura Best
/ October 15, 2009Tricia, I can always check with Nimbus… Actually I’ll send off an email tonight. See what they tell me.
LikeLike
Elizabeth Lewis
/ October 16, 2009I’ll certainly be keeping an eye open for your book from here on out. Just seeing it on a shelf in a store will certainly bring a smile to my face 🙂 I can’t wait to get a copy! If I can’t make it to the book signing, I’d definitely like a signed copy, & maybe a bookmark too? 😉
LikeLike
Laura Best
/ October 16, 2009Hi Elizabeth
I’m not sure where you are living but I’ve been told the book in at Chisholm’s in Kentiville. As far as I know I’ll be at Coles in New Minas on Nov. 21st. I may also be at The Inside Story later on although I haven’t received confirmation. I’ll save you a bookmark for sure…
LikeLike
jenniferneri
/ October 20, 2009I thought the launch was October 31? Did things change?
LikeLike
Laura Best
/ October 20, 2009Nope..the release date was Oct.31 but the launch is set for the 25th. The book has actually been in the stores for a weeks or so now..
LikeLike
jenniferneri
/ October 20, 2009I always thought they were one and the same. oops.
I didn’t realize that your novel was already out there, I thought it was coming at the end of the month – all the best with it! Congratulations, and I’ll let you know as soon as I read it. I look forward to it!
LikeLike