Finally, something nice happened. Really nice.

When I checked my local library’s OverDrive site today, I found my book there, with eight holds on it. I’m considered a local author, so my library always buys a copy of my books.

Okay, I work there, true, but it only means I don’t need to e-mail the librarians with the request to add my book into the collection. Instead,  I walk across the room and talk to them.

What I want to say is that my library is certainly not the only one with such a policy regarding local authors. And you don’t need to be a library employee to have your book included in the collection, so give it a try.

Why did I say finally? Because Amazon has been playing hard, refusing to post the reviews for my book. Yes, I gave advanced copies to my friends who read or edited or proofed the book, and I asked them to write reviews.

But who else could I ask? How else can I get them?

I don’t feel guilty about it.

Well, Amazon didn’t like it. One of my never-to-be-reviewers was told to post the review after she bought $50 worth of something; the other friend wrote a review, posted it, received the confirmation–and it has never appeared.

I think we underestimate the power of libraries. I might not have more than eight readers, but those eight people found my book, thought it was worth reading and now they’re willing to wait to download their copy.

For me, it’s huge, and I thank them from the bottom of my heart.

P.S. In order to get my book into the collection, I had to publish it on Smashwords so that it could appear on OverDrive, the platform that many public libraries in North America use for their electronic book collection.