Photo by Savo Heleta

Savo!

Something AWSOME happened today.

After your book's success at my optometrist's office this morning (I'm getting her a copy), I decided to conduct a little expariment.

I went to Second Cup as usual, and sat at an outside table on the edge of the patio right at the corner of the sidewalk, and the parking lot. People could not enter the patio gate without seeing me sitting there.

I put a stack of books on the table with yours on top, and busied myself with something else from the stack. So there I was sitting, with a massive stack of books on the table, very noticeable. Someone walked by, and saw your book on top.

"Oh, that looks interesting...hmmm...'Not My Turn To Die'... Bosnia? Ooooh let me see that!"

"Sure! Go right ahead. It's a fabulous book, written by a friend of mine."

"What? Really?"

Someone else walked by.

"Did I hear you say you know him? Hey, let me see!!!"

These fantastic memoirs are everywhere, and you know I'm hooked on them, as are a lot of people, but to meet someone who has actually communicated with the author makes the powerful works of non-fiction even more powerful.

A few more people walked by, and leafed through your book. I think the local book store is going to have to really get on board with this one. I also gave a few people your website URL.

The lady from the variety store next door, and Iranian-Canadian, walked by and asked what I was reading. I showed her your book, along with another Middle-Eastern woman's story that I'm also reading, and that got us talking. She wondered why I, as a "fortunate Canadian" would want to busy myself with such heavy stuff, and that it was wonderful that I'd do so. We talked about how too many people can't see beyond their noses, and how it takes something special to get people really thinking.

After the random people on the sidewalk saw your book, they saw the cup of coffee I was drinking, thought it looked good, and went into Second Cup for something to drink.

Your cover is EXTREMELY EFFECTIVE!!!!! I mean EXTREMELY EXTREMELY EFFECTIVE!!! People see the two contradicting images on the cover, and the very prominently placed title, and want to read the fine print underneath. That gets them interested, and they start reading the inside of the cover jacket, and next thing you know "HEY!! Where can I get a copy?"

Pretty soon Dr. Dalziel is going to have a copy sitting on the table in her office waiting room, along with Walker's and my books. Visitors to her office keep wanting to buy our books, and we have to keep replacing them, thus our sails have sky-rocketed!! I can't wait to see what happens when YOURS gets in there!!! She told me, and I think I mentioned in the e-mail I sent you earlier today, that she treated a lot of Bosnian refugees who had vision problems, after the war. They came to Guelph, and would tell her their stories (she's the kind of lady everyone wants to talk to), and she'd love to read it, and display it in her office.

You've got a load of new fans in Guelph, now!!