Oops…
In our family the news is out. My two lovely Aunts have heard from my mother that I have a book contract in the wings and one Aunt said to mum… “I want a copy of Lily’s book and I want it personally signed…”
My mother dutifully passed on this message yesterday and the conversation went like this:
“That’s great, Mum. But it’s going to be an e-book.”
Cue silent pause, which I fill. “It’s an electronic book, Mum. You need a thing called a Kindle to read it.”
“Oh. It’s not a book then?”
“It’s a book. It’s just not printed out.”
“Oh,” more pause. “How much does a Kindle thing cost?” Her voice goes a little squeaky at the end.
“You can get all types, mum, with a zillion bells and whistles, but the one I want for Christmas is about $120.”
“Oh.” Brightens. “It’s not thousands then.”
“No. Not thousands, mum.”
But I can’t imagine either of my Aunts rushing out to buy a Kindle. And my mother has yet to master the sending of a text. She is certain if she touches a computer she will break it, and the idea of using a mouse makes her look for the highest place to leap.
Make no mistake. My mother is still thrilled, but I don’t think the idea of there being an electronic book ever occurred to her, much less that her daughter might write one.
I shall have to sign my Kindle and let my Aunt read it there… 😉
Lily Malone - Author 