A heartfelt thank you.
When my first book was published, the silence was … not exactly deafening, but… I got a hug from a friend, which I remember because it was unexpected and welcome, but nothing else happened. No streamers, no party, no ‘welcome to the world post-publication’. I hadn’t expected anything else, really; and when another friend offered to host a book launch in my usual venue – the Quaker Meeting House in Edinburgh – I had to decline her kind offer, because I was unable to source any copies of my books at that time, and ordering from my publisher would have taken perhaps six weeks and cost a fortune in postage.
It’s amazing how much there is to learn about the practicalities of publishing, and by dint of noticing the gaps in expectations, in the last three years I’ve learned a great deal about the challenges and the politics of this process. I am still learning – do we ever stop? – and I am very grateful to have acquired what little knowledge I have; and relieved to have avoided most – but not all – of the pitfalls waiting to catch the unwary. (Though pitfalls bring their own lessons…)
So when Rachael Cloughton Editor of Scottish Art News Magazine and events co-ordinator at Thistle suggested that we have a book launch for my latest book, Happiness Matters – which goes on extended distribution today – I was moved almost to tears. Her enthusiasm is amazing. She encourages me always to also do my best; and her belief in me feeds my own self-belief.
We are having a launch at Thistle this evening, starting at six, and anyone who would like to, is most welcome to come along. I look forward to the evening, and to sharing with you all, our diverse experiences of what it means to be happy, and how we can achieve that in today’s challenging world.
Thanks Rachael, and thanks to Diana and everyone at Thistle who make Thistle such a welcoming, wonderful place to be. If you haven’t already discovered the work that Thistle do, now would be a good time.
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June 20, 2017
Where would I be without my friends
Fran Macilvey Fran Macilvey, Happiness Matters, Path To Publication, Thistle Foundation 4 Comments
Where would I be without my friends?
When I sit to think about how my life has changed in the last ten years, I am almost overcome with gratitude. My friends…are everywhere. I go to Meeting, I go to church, I go out for a walk, and always, someone will stop and say hello, and nice to see you. It is a pleasure to stroll, admiring the flowers, watching the little kids and their parents; and doing such things as this, the joys of friendship are like a gift.
I used to be so embarrassed by the way I walk, that I would sit for hours, for days, in a chair, or about a room, I would wonder what other people were doing, but not be doing much of that myself. I missed chances, I missed the opportunity to feel part of something.
But now, when I am sitting, it’s usually because I’m doing something fun, or on the web, replying to emails, sending encouragement, feeling part of a bigger story worldwide. I have friends everywhere, and can even phone them using the Facebook phone. (Thanks for that tip, Gaston, I’m glad I was wearing headphones when you rang.) To think I can phone my friends on FB, and I can speak to someone in Australia or America in seconds. Amazing.
Last night we had our book launch at the Thistle Foundation and it was a great success. I wasn’t counting, but we probably had about fifty people who came, some we know through our church links, and some from Thistle and from our neighbourhoods. Thank you so much (!!) to everyone who came and made it such a lovely, happy event. I am more grateful and pleased than I can express. And thanks again to Thistle Foundation for their generous hospitality and organisation. It’s so lovely to be the beneficiary of such kindnesses from all over Edinburgh and beyond.
Many thanks for reading.
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