A brief moment of interaction, yet a memorable one!
On the 20th of February 2022, my Ebook “Enchanting Moments & Beyond” went live on the Amazon website. It is my maiden book, yet no celebrations, no pompous, just another regular Sunday routine. I should have been excited about this milestone achievement, but on the contrary, I was feeling low and lost.
The previous day the paperback version of my book went out of stock! No, it was not because I had 100’s of copies sold. It was just because I didn’t go for bulk printing but opted for the print on demand due to narrow pockets. The distributor had shelved a few copies since I was a first-time author. I don’t blame them for not believing in my book the way I believe in it.
To have a sneak peek of how my creation was doing, I decided to pay a visit to my Ebook on the Amazon book page. Aah! She looked so immaculate and fresh. I blessed her and wished her the best as all mothers do. But, before returning from the digital world, I decided to scan more details that Amazon had linked to her. My eyes popped out when the Amazon ranking showed #2 in Anthologies. I was curious to know more.
I followed the link, and what I saw will be inked in my memory forever. I couldn’t believe my eyes! My baby stood confident next to the book of a veteran and a bestseller author, our very own Sudha Murthy. Now, the effort of 365 days and the journey of writing and self-publishing seemed to be worth it!
It was a moment of bliss for some time. Then, I felt gloomy all over again.
“It must have been so easy for you.” my thoughts probed Sudhaji, who was smiling at me through the window of her book cover.
She did not answer me, but I got the answer from her gleaming smile and simplicity.
The unspoken piece of advice instantly humbled and grounded me. Yes, I don’t have that courage yet, to be myself, like Sudhaji. Nor am I yet ready to go bare face like her. I understood; it sure does take a lot to be ‘her’. I happily acknowledged the fact that I still had my life lessons to learn. I geared up and opened myself to failures.
As I held my phone close to my chest for a virtual hug to the motherly figure, my heart clung to a wish of having it real someday.
I ran to my birth mother and announced, “Look, Ma, my book sits next to Sudha Murthy’s.” As I toured her on my mobile, she emitted the same emotions for her creation as I did for mine!