Well I bit the bullet and approached the shops on my own to ask would they like to stock my collection, A Baker’s Dozen, on their shelves. I must tell you I couldn’t sell water in a drought. So having got the ball rolling by my terrific brother-in-law Ken who approached the first two shops, I had to do my part. First things first, I prayed. I was as nervous as a cat cornered in an alley full of dogs. Got my bag of books and posters and into the car and I set off. Oscar and I chatted the whole way on how I would open my sales pitch. Well, Oscar listened and I spoke.
My knees weren’t knocking like I thought they would, the worst the shopkeepers can do is say no and I would smile politely, thank them for their time and then curse when I got outside. Okay so I had strategy, this put me in a positive position.
“Hi, my name is Mary Bradford and would you be interested in stocking some of my books please?”
“Sure, let me have a look”
It was now my knees went wobbly because I hadn’t prepared for them saying yes!!
So I went from town to town and all I met were kindness and smiles. So on the way home, I thanked Oscar over and over and again he listened. My books are now in Charleville, Mallow, Newcastlewest, Doneraile and Limerick newsagents and bookshops. So thank you Oscar, he’s my Guardian Angel and never lets me down, and we shall be on the road again this week.
I have not been active here lately due to getting my novel, A Thorn in my Side, up to a polished standard ready for submitting. I found it an exhausting task but an enjoyable one. I have completed my fifth draft and I am very happy with it. As I ploughed through it I found myself cheering myself for writing such great characters and other times I thought this is tiring as I know how it ends! But that is what writing is all about. It is in the rewriting that you learn how to cut and edit and other times expand a bit. There are highs and lows to experience. Of course I have been writing other bits in between the editing of the novel and this provided a welcome breaks on occasions. So now I am back in the saddle to get up to date with my blog and catch up with other writing pieces. I have even been dabbling in poetry so watch this space. Now for the next step, to continue submitting my manuscript to the waiting agents/publishers and wait for the offers to roll in. It’s all about being positive. 
