On Wednesday evening I collected a package from the local drop off point for one of the leading courier firms. The box contained copies of my book, “Dalliance: A Collection of Poetry and Prose” (http://www.amazon.com/Dalliance-collection-poetry-prose-Morris-ebook/dp/B00QQVJC7E). The parcel should have been delivered while I was at home to receive it. However, the courier company having the laudable desire to enhance my physical fitness chose to leave it at the drop off point thereby necessitating the use of Shanks Pony. I am eternally grateful to this philanthropic firm for their efforts in improving my physical health – thank you unnamed courier company!
Leaving aside the public spirited actions of the courier firm, I was delighted, on reaching home to open my parcel and see “Dalliance” nestling in amongst assorted packaging. It felt great to hold the product of my labour and know that I had created something which will, I hope provide pleasure and entertainment to readers.
I have been distributing copies of “Dalliance” to family, friends and one neighbour who had expressed an interest in reading my writing. In addition I left a copy on the book shelves in my local station’s waiting room. Casually I approached the shelves and unobtrusively placed “Dalliance” on the top shelf. I then sauntered towards the door intent on catching my train.
“Is this your poetry?” a gentleman said.
So much for my cunningly designed plan to unobtrusively leave copies of “Dalliance” in public places for people to find and (hopefully) read!
“Yes. If you read it, I hope you enjoy doing so”, I said exiting the waiting room.
Have any fellow authors left copies of their books in public places? Have any of this blog’s readers found a book which you know or believe was left by a writer for you to find?
Kevin
K Morris - Poet 
This is great news! I imagine it is a wonderful feeling to have a physical copy of your writing to hold and share. The biggest congrats to you, dear chap.
Many thanks! Yes it is wonderful to hold a physical copy of my book. All the best. Kevin
I copy the above reply; it has to be a wonderful thing to hold a book in your hands of your work.Congratulations!
Thank you so much for your comment. Yes it is a great feeling to hold a copy of my book in my hands. All the best. Kevin
Well done for thinking of your local station waiting room Kevin 😀
Tips:
DO leave it in your local Library.
DO NOT leave it in your local Public Conveniences – it’s WAY to good for that…
Thanks Chris. My favourite local pub has a small selection of books which people can borrow. On the way home yesterday evening I popped in there and left a copy. I must confess to having partaken of a pint before leaving. It would, I feel sure you will agree have been rude to have done otherwise …! Its a good suggestion re my local library. I will pop in there tomorrow and ask about donating a copy. As regards public conveniences, in my experience the good old public loo is conspicuous by it’s absence and when one is lucky enough to find this rarest of commodities its usual to have to pay a penny to spend a penny so to speak! Best, Kevin
😀 I admire your adherence to good manners in partaking of a beer in exchange for leaving a copy of your book in the local hostelry Kevin 😀
If you’re determined to give your books away instead of selling them – Doctor and Dentist waiting rooms are recommended as well.
If you have any independent book stores, they might buy some copies from you 😀
Thanks Chris. Great minds think alike! I dropped off a copy of “Dalliance” at my doctor’s earlier today and I’ve also left one with the owner of my local book store, an independent business called Bookseller Crow. I’m a bit worried about the dentist though. Out of politeness would I need to have a tooth extracted in return for leaving a copy of my book (LOL)! I guess part of giving away free copies is getting one’s name out there so, in future people will purchase more of my work, (speculate to accumulate if you will).
Kevin
Exactly Kevin – regards the Dentist, maybe not a good idea – Your local Vet instead?
I KNOW pussycats and doggies don’t read much, but their owners might LOL
I had considered dropping off a copy at my vets and (unusually for a dog or any animal Trigger would have no objection. He likes the vets because of all the interesting smells and the presence of other animals, although the cats don’t always appreciate his friendly interest in them). Kevin
Awesome to hold your printed book. Congratulations.
Yes, I have found a book and left one here and there. I just checked and the practice is still in existence. It called BookCrossing.com. It’s an interesting concept and fun. I haven’t contributed for a few years but thanks to your questions, this is a good way to unload some books off my many shelves.
Thanks Tess. Its interesting that you have had experience of book crossing. Having done some reading on the concept I understand that some authors are fans while others believe that giving books away for free reduces the profits of writers. I am not sure that I agree with the latter view. If I hear a song which I like on Youtube or the radio I’m likely to purchase it and even if someone “gets a book for free” I would imagine many of them will (assuming they enjoyed it) recommend the author’s work to friends who will, hopefully purchase their own copies. Kevin
With BookCrossing.com, I had a hard time with parting with books on my shelves, I have thousands too many (and now Kindle). It was a nice way of passing books on in the hope the person picking it up would post that they had and I could track where it went. Not sure authors would want to do this (maybe one book, come on). Fun to track so long everyone plays by the rules. I only used surplus books.
Did people let you know on the Book Crossing site what had happend to the books you donated? Kevin
Congratulations on getting your book! I think it’s a good idea to leave the book out there for people to find and enjoy. You probably made someones day. And you got your poetry out to someone who might not have read it otherwise.
Thank you. I hope I did make someone’s day. For me giving pleasure through my words is one of the things which keeps me writing together with my love of expressing myself. Best. Kevin
Those are two very good reasons to write!
Indeed they are! Many thanks for your comment and have a lovely weekend. The sun is shining here although there is a bit of a chill in the air. Kevin
At the moment we have the same weather! Hope you have a lovely weekend.
Reblogged this on theowlladyblog.
The rain is falling heavily today, whatever happened to that old fashioned feeling of good at the weekend? I look forward to seeing your book and purchasing a copy. Well done Kevin.
Many thanks for your congratulations David. I am delighted that you want to read “Dalliance”. The ebook is available from Amazon. If you are interested in the print edition please email me at newauthoronline (at) gmail dot com and I will be delighted to send you a copy. Kind regards. Kevin
Thank you for the information, email will be on its way soon Kevin.
You are very welcome David. Kind regards. Kevin
Email has left my iPad on its way to you.
Many thanks Dave. I have received and replied. Kevin