Dear Jupiter,

So yesterday was my interview with Colourful Radio, all I can say about it is, thank God it was an Internet Radio station. Hopefully only those who love me heard the interview. The presenter hadn’t even bothered to read the book before I came on the show, I sent it to her two weeks ago. She read the press release I sent 1 minute before we went on air, talk about being prepared.

Anyway, the next interview is on Sunday, this time I’m the one who has to do some preparation. They want to talk to me about self-publishing, now that I’m the Guru. 🙂 Being the sort of person that likes to hide in the background and be one with the wall, I’m finding it extremely hard putting myself out there. However if it’s what I have to do to get my book out there, then I’ve just got to grow a backbone and keep a sick bag handy.

Every time I send an email I read it and cringe, but it’s got to be done. below is cringe worthy exhibit A, I’m going to post it here because I’m getting into making myself shudder and wince with embarrassment. It’ll help me grow a thicker skin.

Dear …
I’m writing to you because I’m trying to create an awareness campaign for my debut novel Imagine This which was self published. This is a battle of epic proportions, little me against the giants of the publishing industry and the media broadsheets who think that self-published books lack the same quality in content and finished product.
I don’t believe Imagine This falls into this category and all I want is a chance for the general public to read Lola Ogunwole’s story. It’s a great story and I’m not just saying that because I’m the author. Imagine This is the journal of Lola Ogunwole, who having just turned nine is wrenched from all that is familiar and sent to live in Idogun; a Nigerian village. It charts her journey from childhood to adulthood and those who have been fortunate enough to read a copy are saying this…
‘I picked up your book whilst I was preparing dinner and I’ve just put it down. My usual book fodder is fantasy,sci fi and anything byTerry Pratchett including his shopping list. I’ve never been so engrossed in a book for a long long while.’

‘Imagine this is a brilliant novel that made me laugth and cry. It has been a while since I read a book that could brng out such imotions (sic) in me.’

‘Wow, it made me cry and I’m not a softy, but I felt for Lola, but what I liked most about her story was her sense of humor through all her adversity.’

‘Wow, wow and wow. Imagine This is off the hook. How could you made a grown man cry? Lola’s story touched me in a way I can’t describe.’

Established publishers have a PR and marketing budget I can’t even begin to imagine, all I have is me. I’ve already been told by one literary editor, that my book doesn’t stand a chance of being reviewed by the broadsheets. Despite this, I still sent out review copies because I thought that the quality of the book would speak for itself and dispel their prejudice towards self-published books.

The stigma attached to self-publishing is quite unjustified considering great writers such as James Joyce, Virginia Woolfe, Ezra Pound and many more all self-published at some point in their careers. In modern times there has been JP Taylor and Jill Paton Walsh who was short listed for the Booker Prize; there is always an exception to a rule.
If you’d like to read a copy of Imagine This, please email me your address details and I will send a copy out to you. I would love to come on… to discuss my Herculean struggle and hopefully reach out to the general public.
Imagine this…
Best regards

I’m just trying to picture the faces of those who received my email, 11 people and not one reply yet. Maybe they’ll reply tomorrow, I know they won’t, but I’m a pessimistic optimist; so I’ll secretly hope at least one person revives my faith in people.