A week ago, I accompanied my dad to several appointments, muting my phone to comply with the doctors’ office rules. To stay focused I left it muted all day long, so from 8:00 in the morning until 8:00 at night I was only vaguely aware of texts and notifications. I’d glance at the phone when I was able, to identify the person and level of urgency. I let calls go to voicemail and left texts unanswered. I needed to take careful notes concerning my dad’s health needs, and the day was full; everything else would have to wait.
I rolled into my driveway around 9:00 at night, greeted my family, and heated up some soup.
Then I pulled out my phone:
Texts from Charity Singleton Craig, my friend and coauthor. A phone call from her, too. A stream of emails, and on Facebook, an explosion of notifications. What happened?
SURPRISE! A virtual book release party!
Our mischievous, creative, unconventional publisher T. S. Poetry Press decided to try a mischievous, creative, unconventional approach to our book launch. Instead of sending books to the authors first and building anticipation leading up to the scheduled release date of December 1st, they quietly, secretly prepped it and made it available for purchase … without saying a word to us.
Meanwhile, as Charity and I busily moved ahead with plans for a December release, T. S. Poetry Press rounded up our friends online and invited them to a secret launch page on Facebook. I think they were waiting for a few days until either Charity or I figured out the book was available. As expected, at some point on Monday Charity found a link associated with our book and clicked through to Amazon.
There it was. Live. Available to purchase. “Our book is available right now!” Charity texted me while my phone was on mute.
Her inquiry to the publisher served as the mechanism to launch the surprise party—friends across the country and a few in other countries began congratulating us and celebrating with posts and photos that showed cupcakes and balloons! All day long, they inundated our Facebook stream with joy and affection.
“…lots of people are celebrating with us!” Charity texted.
All day long, this unfolded without my knowing it!
I almost missed my own surprise party! Thankfully, Charity kept up with all the notes on Twitter and Facebook and Google+.
Monday evening, after that long day of appointments, I opened my laptop and worked my way through the alerts, retweeting delightful tweets, clicking “like” on Facebook and thanking people and answering questions, laughing and feeling loved and celebrated in the swirl of surprise.
You got me, T. S. Poetry Press.
Thank you for the surprise. Thank you for the celebration. Thank you for making this book a reality. And thank you, Charity Singleton Craig, for sharing the pages of On Being a Writer.
Life is to be fortified by many friendships. To love and to be loved is the greatest happiness of existence.” (Sydney Smith, English clergyman from the 1800s)
Thank you everyone for fortifying my life and bringing me great “happiness of existence”!
After the day you had, it must have been double the joy. Celebration ng tube with you friend!
David, thank you for taking time to respond–and celebrate with me–in the midst of your vacation! Bless you!
You have done a fair amount of fortification in this life of mine too, Ann. I couldn’t be happier for you and Charity. Anxiously awaiting my copy.
Laura, thank you, thank you, thank you.
Oh I do love this, Ann! So wonderful!
You bring light and beauty to my life, Kelly–you probably don’t even realize how often your gifts have blessed me!
Congrats again. Wasn’t it fun. Isn’t it wonderful. And…It Is ALL Just getting started.
Elizabeth, it was LOTS of fun! Even though I was late to the party, I still joined it, and YOU were such a big, enthusiastic part of it…not only the surprise last Monday but also the initial workshop that launched this project! I appreciate you so much!
If we got you with happiness, that is enough for me 🙂
Love the retelling!
You bring happiness. You do. 🙂
You’ve fortified my life, too, Ann. And how I loved the mischievousness of this day.
Sandra, you were there at the beginning of this project, in the fall of 2013! Mischief then, mischief now, and look at you as barista at Mischief Cafe! It’s all sheer delight!
Sounds like a pretty rugged day that got a whole lot better, fast. I’m grateful for all of that, but mostly – for you. Congrats, love, best wishes!
Yes, Diana, the day ended so fun! Thank you for your friendship and support! I learn so much from you.
I think there’s “something” that says you reap what you sow. You, my dear friend, have sown seeds of grace, encouragement and love into so many lives – mine in particular. I couldn’t be happier for you.
You know, I think *you* will someday have a similar experience of joyful support, Linda. You have always been offering words–seeds–of grace, encouragement and love for YEARS. Thank you, friend.
Good for you Ann. I’m so glad you wrote this post.
Megan, thank you for hearing the longer version of the day!
I can’t imagine any other collaborator, coconspirator, or friend. It was quite a day, huh? Thanks for sharing it with me even if you didn’t even know it!
Oh, man, what a crazy ride–thank you for paying attention that day and enjoying the celebration! Much love!!
Congratulations, Ann! I am so excited for you. You have blessed my life in many ways as others have mentioned. You have encouraged me and been a stimulus for me to keep writing. You are one of my favorite writers and I can’t wait to get your book!
Blessings, Janis
One of things on my to-do list today is to buy this book! It will happen.
I just heard it’s available on Kindle, if you like electronic books! (But the cover is a really nice matte finish.)
Clearly I most definitely have been under a rock.
Congratulations…let the celebration continue.
I just ordered your book.
Excited!
Helen, it’s so great to see you here–thanks for joining the party, and I hope you enjoy the book!
Happy day after Thanksgiving!
Despite having a very full tummy, I kept the light on last night long enough
to read chapter one. Another reason to be thankful, I already know I am in
for a very timely and rich reading!
Helen, I’m thankful for you, too! I’m curious to hear more about why this is so timely. Perhaps some writing goals coming to light for you?
I love the announcement…”Congratulations! It’s a book!”
Bought it. Reading it. Feels like I’m already working with you! 🙂
I’m so glad!
Wow! That’s so cool. Congratulations!
Thanks, Jeffrey!