Alonzo and Molly the Mermaid
I have been within the welcoming bosom of WordWatchers for just over a year now, and my goodness, what a year it has been.When I joined I had delusions of grandeur of having a book published, but never in my wildest dreams, did I believe it would become a reality.My story is this.....I have a nephew called William, and a couple of years ago he asked me for a bedtime story. 'Not a problem.' I replied.'Which book would you like me to read?''No, no. I want you to make one up.' was his reply.And that, ladies and gentleman, was how Alonzo the chicken was born.I made up a story about a magic super-hero chicken called Alonzo, and quite frankly, I thought the story really wasn't any good. William, however, thought it was fabulous!'Tell me another Aunty Debbie. He was great!'The pressure was on.I was was overwhelmed by the realisation that William thought my story was good, even though he may have been slightly biased. The next day at work I asked my team what kind of adventure Alonzo should have next. 'Underwater' was the response.And that was how Alonzo and Molly the Mermaid was born.After going to a couple of WordWatchers meetings, and feeling completely and utterly overawed by the talent in the group, I took a 'brave tablet' and asked them to critique my book. This they did, and in their words, 'they tore it apart with velvet-clad claws and loving words'.Thank goodness for their honesty as my book is all the better for it.Through the people in the group I found my illustrator, Monika Filipina Trzpil. She is amazing, and I am truly blessed in meeting her.We talked via email, and then finally met up in a coffe shop in Trafalgar Square. It was just like a blind date!! I didn't know what she looked like, and visa versa! After a great couple of hours, she agreed to illustrate my, what was going to become a book. This was a surreal moment. Me? A book? With proper illustrations? Really?What she said next blew me away. ' Why don't you contact a small publishing company called Digital Leaf? I think they would love Alonzo. Give them a call.'So I did. One year on, and not only did I call them, but they had enough confidence in me and Alonzo to publish our first book In December 2012. I was, and quite honestly still am, staggered.After 6 months, not only has Alonzo and Molly the Mermaid been downloaded (albeit free), 1500 times in Australia in January, but wehave sold over 500 books and 140 of those were in the US. Alonzo is truly global! Whatever is next? Well apart from school visits and book signings, book two, Alonzo and the Meteorite will be released 1st October 2013.Who'd have thought it? I never dreamed this could become a reality, but it has. If it can happen to me, it could happen to you.Never say never.
Debbie signs another book
Debbie signs another book
Debbie