Good Deed

I feel like I did a good deed recently. I got talking to someone at a party a few weeks ago, and he mentioned that when he was a child, his mother and father wrote a series of fairly successful children’s books. As these things tend to go sometimes, the books are no longer in print, the rights are firmly back with the family, and the manuscripts are sitting, mouldering in the attic. His father had passed away and his mother is now very elderly.

He was bemoaning the fact that he often got asked by people he met, who had grown up with the series, what had happened to them, and if they could buy them anywhere. It was clear that the family would like to get them back into print again, but no publishing house is interested.

He had never heard of self-publishing. So, we had a long and illuminating conversation about Kindle, about CreateSpace, about Smashwords and the various other ebook options. He was absolutely thrilled, and he went on his way buoyed up with ideas. I heard from him the following week to say that he had discussed matters with his mother who loved the idea of being able to get her books out there again. The family is unlikely to do much in the way of actively marketing the series, but for them, the idea that they can get a once successful series back out there again gives a sentimental pleasure.

It’s not all about the money. Sometimes, it’s about the love. I’m thrilled to have been a part of that, even if it was just a small part.

Let’s hope they follow through - I’ll let you know what comes of this.