A while back I set up a ‘Google Alert’ to let me know when ‘news’ about my book occurred over the interwebs. Every once in a while, one ends up in my inbox, almost always because a library somewhere (we love libraries) has obtained a copy. The last one I got was also library-centric but it was actually a directory of libraries which also had the unique distinction of being based in Singapore.
Singapore, for those who can’t picture exactly where it’s located, it very far away from me:
What was really neat about this was that, of the (many) libraries listed, STATE OF DECAY had been checked out of 16 of them.
That got me curious about Singapore and so I did some exhaustive research (and by ‘exhastive research’ I mean ‘I checked Wikipedia again’). There I learned that Singapore is both the name of the city and the country, because the entire country constitutes a single municipality.
Okay, so Singapore is cool. They must also have English-reading citizens since as far as I know my novel hasn’t been translated and if you have a library card you probably live there (Wikipedia, if it is to be believed, actually lists English as their first language but then again my edit on Parrots insists they can fly at 1200 mph). The main thing for me, though, is how far away it is.
Singapore is far enough away that it’s a place I may never see…I mean hell, according to my Wikipedia entry even if you go by parrot that’s still, what? Like a 172 hour flight? It’s actually a little mind-blowing to me that at least sixteen people on the other side of the planet are actually reading my book. Prior to this my reach has been fairly limited (fiction-wise…phsycially my arms are freakishly long) so I’m curious to know how it plays to an audience so far away.
So if you’re from Singapore (or anywhere, really) feel free to click the email link (I do get those) and tell me what you think…
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I have a friend from Singapore. They really do speak English, albeit with a lot of Malaysian jargon. They also generally speak Mandarin Chinese as well. It’s about a 24-hr flight, yep.
I live in Oregon. Thats pretty far away too. haha. Am on 3rd read. Have let 2 others read my copy, but then thought well hell, that’s not ok, so I bought an additional one, so only one person has read your book for free….but I berate them with the fact that they really ought to obtain their OWN copy =0)
I think it’s great that you enjoyed it so much, and I love that you’re spreading the word. Word-of-mouth means a lot to authors, especially new ones like me. You are awesome!