That Book

I've just realised that it was six years ago today that I announced to the world that my book The Mother of Beauty was available on Amazon. Looking back, I'm amazed that I managed to produce the whole thing, unaided, on Microsoft Word, and – not unaided – get it onto Amazon. Those two endeavours were far harder than writing it. As I remember, the book sold a hundred or two at a steady trickle, but then came a rave review in a certain national newspaper, my stocks disappeared over one weekend, and I found myself trying to organise a quick reprint while I was out of the country, staying with the New Zealand family. Demand was such that a Portland, Oregon, outfit with the same name as my nominal publisher was besieged with inquiries and had to put up a prominent notice declaring that it had nothing to do with my book (in fact it specialises in books on 'love, sexuality and relational ethics' – not quite my line). By the time the reprint was available, demand had of course fallen away, so the moment had gone, along with my chances of even covering the printing costs, let alone making any money. Hey ho, that's life.
Anyway, as a result of all that, I still have a couple of boxes of The Mother of Beauty under the bed. It appears to be still available on Amazon, though they tell me my account has defunged. If anyone still wants a copy, it's yours for a tenner, including postage and packaging. Just mail me at nigeandrew@gmail.com. Christmas is coming...