Probably the coolest experience of my life...

[JewishHobbit]

This should probably be in the Books & Music section but most of my friends are here so I thought I'd post it here... hope that's alright.

So as many of you know I like to write novels. I've published two ebooks (linked in my sig and also available at the Kindle store under Bradford Combs) and am still working on more. I'm new at selling anything so sales aren't big but it's fun.

Anyhow, so I was at the school where I've been filling in for the past couple of months (I'm a custodian) and was talking about my books when one of the elder janitors started digging me about the children's novel I wrote: The Adventures of Flitter & Plank. I thought this was odd since he wasn't the type to be interestedin a book about fairies, talking animals, and other magical things, and then he told me about his granddaughter, who he was raising. Apparently his granddaughter is 9 and a HUGE fairy fan. So he asked if he could buy a copy of my book. Not having any paper backs made yet (though they are coming soon) I offered to print him out a copy at the library if he just paid $8 for the printing costs. This was done.

The next day I gave it to him and he took it home on his first break. By his the end of his lunch break he said his daughter was four chapters in. By the time he woke her up the next morning she was asleep with the book hidden in her blankets at the foot of her bed... sneaking night reading.

The next day at work he asked if she could meet me. So he brought her in during lunch and she was so excited to meet me. She talked and talked and talked about my book and her favorite character (Flitter the Fairy) and she was just awesome. She was about 2/3rds the way through the book and I got her excited when I hinted at what was left. Then I mentioned that I have a second book planned and will write that in time and she got really excited. She eventually suggested a fairy that she calls her "imaginary fairy" and I'm totally putting that fairy in there (black hair and purple dress with clear wings!).

Lunch came to an end and my co-worker took her home and I was just beaming. She ended the conversation with her saying the most awesome thing in relation to my book that I've ever heard. "This is a FAIRY good book!" and that is totally going on the back cover of my paper back with her name under it.

I'm excited because this is the first child (to my knowledge) that's actually read this book and it's hitting a home run with her. I was so giddy after talking with her that my co-workers made fun of how smiley I was.

That was just such an amazing experience. I loved it.

[tzarinna]

Aww, that's really sweet! Congrats on making an impression on a little girl.

[The Boy Scout]

Congratulations, man!

[redmarvel]

Well done, but I have one suggestion to make: Fix the spelling of the word "Fairy" in your post... there are a couple of other typos in it too, but that's the one that annoys me the most.

[Sensi]

Awww Congratulations! Your book has already touched a child's heart. That must be an amazing feeling.

[bullets]

Cool story bro

[JewishHobbit]

Originally Posted by redmarvel

Well done, but I have one suggestion to make: Fix the spelling of the word "Fairy" in your post... there are a couple of other typos in it too, but that's the one that annoys me the most.

Hah! I was typing quickly because the guy helping me design the cover for the paperback editions of my books showed up. I'll get right on that.

[actionavenue]

Yes, that is awesome! This will be a memory that sticks with you and will have an impact on her as well. Keep up the good work.

[hopefuldreamer]

That sounds brilliant, genuinely happy for you

[Spider-Who?]

It's always great to see your work validated. Congrats.

[mrvlknight21]

Awesome work JH.

[knowsbleed]

I was just talking about this with my friend last night. I suggested to her to start writing again because she was frustrated at her job. She is a fairly independant person and hates working in teams because she has a very high work ethic and cannot stand any laziness from her teammates... yet she wants to do the job to the best of her abilities because in the long term, it could make a lasting impact (environmental education/awareness). I told her that her writing could do the same thing, except she could do it solo (publisher aside). I asked her how many times she has been affected by a book she read and she told me a story about a book she read when she was young that she still remembers to this day, it made a very lasting impression on her. I think it is awesome that she was able to meet you and loves your work, it is something she will probably carry with her for the rest of her life.

[C. Lee]

That's sweet, glad to hear she liked it that much. I'll have to check into getting a copy when it comes out. My daughter is 5, and loves fairies too. It was also interesting to see that the book takes place in Somerset, Ky. Been awhile since I was there (I live up in Georgetown, just north of Lexington)...it's nice to see stories based in our area.

[MrWayne]

This is inspiring. Much respect and congratualtions! You have touched a childs heart and she will remember this for life.

[Hellion]

Congrats!

[terry78]

Cool, cool. Be sure to give us a cut of that revenue since I'm sure many of your characters are based on disgruntled Hypesters.

[JewishHobbit]

Originally Posted by C. Lee

That's sweet, glad to hear she liked it that much. I'll have to check into getting a copy when it comes out. My daughter is 5, and loves fairies too. It was also interesting to see that the book takes place in Somerset, Ky. Been awhile since I was there (I live up in Georgetown, just north of Lexington)...it's nice to see stories based in our area.

I've not been to Somerset since I was barely old enough to remember going. My mom's side of the family came out of there and she requested to have it take place in that area since so much of the story was coming from our family. The main characters, Paige and Kelsey, are my daughters (and they also helped come up with parts of the story), Grandma Sandy is my mom. My wife and I are in it as "Mommy" and "Daddy" though our names are used once or twice throughout the story. Our animals are all in it (and talking). Certain fairy and dryad names are local terms like school names and street names, etc.

So yeah, Somerset was my mom's recommendation.


Oh, and an update. I was out pressure washing gum off of the sidewalks at work today when a lady came up with an inter-school mail envelope for me. It was delivered to her building on accident (next door) and we got to talking. I usually work over there when I'm not filling in at the current school but I didn't recognize the lady so I asked who she was. It turns out she is the lady who is in charge of getting books for the school libraries and that they moved her to that building after I left. Well, seeing an oppertunity I told her about Flitter & Plank and my encounter with my co-worker's granddaughter and she was very impressed and wants to read it. If she likes it she would be happy to recommend it for inclusion in our local schools.

WHAT?! That would be ALL KINDS of awesome! Plus, I think my other book, Cicada Song, would work well in a highschool library, maybe even Middle and Freshmen. Oh... she and I are going to have a wonderful relationship once I get back over there.

[knowsbleed]

I'll let my daughters (7 and 11) give this a go. My 11 yr old has a tablet so I'm sure she'll breeze through it.

[enterthemadness]

I am happy for you. Hype has two up and coming authors. Probably more.

[JewishHobbit]

Originally Posted by knowsbleed

I'll let my daughters (7 and 11) give this a go. My 11 yr old has a tablet so I'm sure she'll breeze through it.

Awesome. If they like it feel free to rate it and leave a comment on smashwords or amazon. Those are the things newbie writers like me need to attract new readers.