#14 WORD SERIES -- "HELP!"
It’s 2:15pm. Saturday
I’ve been avoiding the keyboard since 5:00am. I’ve been mind-wandering around a word like I wandered one summer’s dawn down a neighborhood street, my three-year-old self marching off to see the world in jammies and white majorette boots. My mother was not please once woken by a neighbor’s call, and I fear you may not be pleased with the word that’s kept me wandering: “Help.”
I use the verb not the noun. It comes from the German helfan, through Old Norse, Old Frisian, Dutch, and finally to the Old English, helpan, “to support, succor, benefit, etc.” It can be intransitive, “Help!” or transitive, as in “She will help them.” It’s a word people have always needed. An archaic past tense of this verb was holp. Who doesn’t like the sound of “He was holped”? I’m sure there is more to learn about the word, but that isn’t my purpose. I’m using the transitive verb asking for some. “Help!”
If you are a regular follower of my blog, you know that I have recently self-published a fantasy book for children in which four very badly behaved tree-part creatures work to prevent the escape of three young sisters from a terribly rude land buried in the roots of a massive oak. (perfect for ages of 4-10). Here, meet Ronnie Rude Root, always tripping up people and plans.
Clearly, self-publishing should be done only by people with personalities like Robin Williams or Pam Bondi. You know, those who love being noticed, or who have great connections, or agents. Being without those things, I’m appealing to the 200+ of you who read my blog. There are ways you can help me market my book.
Still reading? I hope.
Helping can cost you $12.00 and a bit of time. (according to those who advise self-publishing writers).
1. Purchase the book on Amazon, and most Importantly, LEAVE A REVIEW. I don’t know why that is important but apparently, important reviews are. If you do this today, it will get done. We all know about Intentions. if we don’t do things we mean to do now, we might never do them. Did I mention? Leave a review.
2. Please do take a copy to your local bookstore, local toy store, and recommend that they carry it; take a copy to your local library, or to the corner Free Library box, to a grade-school principal, schoolteacher, a Saturday or Sunday school teacher, a child-care teacher, music, swimming, gymnastics, art teachers, or the dad at the park with a kindergartner.
3. Recommend the book to family and friends. Read it aloud to someone. It is so fun to read aloud.
Are you on Facebook, Instagram, TicTok, or X? I’m not. My on-line outreach beyond a text is pathetic. Maybe yours isn’t. Post a picture of the book cover wherever you do decent on-line socializing. Direct your friends to Amazon, or best, to an independent bookstore where it can be ordered. For those readers who tuned in this month from China, Netherlands, Norway, Germany, Mexico, and Columbia (who are you?), I say, ask for a translation!
I have boldly asked for help in launching this story. As a toddler, my ventures were full of positive anticipation but I am so not hopeful here. I’m such a realist. Here’s a truth. Statistically, from an appeal to 200 people, “1 to 5 responses” can be expected. Sob.
But hey, sometime the unexpected occurs. Several days ago, someone placed a copy of this small book in a Gig Harbor Free Library box (thank you, whomever). Another person, out walking his dog, picked it up, took it home, and contacted me. He is a coordinator of a Gig Harbor children’s summer reading program. A Buried Land of Very Bad Behavior will be featured in that program’s wrap-up celebration at the end of this month. Now, how nice is that?
I’ve never used the blog to beg before, and I promise not to make it a habit, but here’s a healthy intransitive (look it up) verb for you: “Help!”
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