Unexpected, Um, Celebration

 Twelve days ago, my book - You Say - was released. 

I didn’t plan a launch. 

I was speaking at a church in Kent the next day, and couldn’t have sensibly managed both anyway. 

 

A couple of days before going to Kent, I messaged my host and asked if it would be ok to have a book-cake, to mark the release of You Say.

She said it would, so I - thanks to people in ACW for the idea of photo cakes - went to Asda on the Saturday afternoon. 

 

Note:

Sainsbury’s do not sell photo cakes. 

Asdas that only sell electronics and clothes do not sell photo cakes. 

I’ll leave you to work out how I know this. 

 

Photo correctly downloaded at the machine, receipt printed, I carried a blank cake and my receipt to the Bakery section. 

The lady took them with a smile, “your cake will be ready in 10 minutes.”

Less than one minute later, she was back:

“Sorry, but we can’t print this cake.”

 

Me, very surprised: “Um, why not?”

Her: “Because it’s a book.”

I was not sure what to say, knowing that book cakes happen (see above). 

Me: “Um, why can’t you print a book?”

Her: “Because we don’t have permission, and it’s plagiarism.”

Me: “Um (yes, I believe I said ‘um’ again, given the situation) it’s my book. I wrote it.”

Her: “Did you? Well, do you give yourself permission to print it?”

Me: “Um…let me think…..!”

 

Margaret (photo and name used with permission) was so happy to make this cake for me. 

She was delighted to celebrate the book. 

As was the person at the checkout. 

I was incredibly touched. 

 

The next day, I arrived at the church and left the cake in the kitchen, to be shared after the morning service. 

The cake did not stay in the kitchen. 

Some of the ladies took it and arranged it at the front of the church.  

At the end of the service, I was encouraged to have a cake cutting. 

People came and took photos of the cake. 

Many of them had met me at most the day before, if at all. 

Yet they celebrated with me. 

 

The Bible passage that morning was Luke 11, the Lost Son: 

‘Let’s celebrate!’

 

What aspect of your writing could you celebrate this week?

Blog posted?

Contract signed?

Encouraged another writer?

A sentence completed?

Wrote a review?

Took a needed break from writing?

Read a book?

 

I know writing is not (necessarily) one long celebration.

I know it can be tough.

Let’s not forget to celebrate, as well….

 

‘…a time to weep and a time to laugh…’

Ecclesiastes 3:4