Purchases, Publishing , Pre-Contract and Presentation

What an eventful week. Purchases, publishing, pre-contract and presentation.

On Monday I drove to Intermarché to buy all the essentials for the week.  I took a list and as usual, didn’t look at it, so I arrived home without the one thing that I had run out of: margarine that promises to lower my cholesterol, (this product has an uphill struggle with all the other things that I am eating—in fact, is about as useful as planting one tree to offset a flight to the Bahamas). The omission of course necessitated a  walk into town to visit the small Carrefour that seems to stock everything (but doesn’t have parking).  I bought my margarine but then, couldn’t waste the opportunity to tour all the shoe shops in search of boots and take advantage of the wonderful sales that are on everywhere. I found and purchased a pair of  boots— perfect fit, the right colour, lovely soft leather, and full price! I think that this had better be my last purchase until the flat is secured…

Helen Hart, publishing director at SilverWood Books https://www.silverwoodbooks.co.uk has, for some time, been suggesting that I take over the ebook for Rude Awakening and Let’s Escape and publish through Kindle Direct Publishing.  Knowing how I am with technology, I was reluctant but this week, on Tuesday, I finally took the plunge. 

First of all a spelling mistake was found in Rude Awakening that had bypassed numerous readings by myself, a copy editor and a proof reader.  The mistake was  corrected but then, when I tried to upload  the cover that I had been sent, I was told by a big red error message that it was the wrong size.  Amazon had changed their requirements. A walk to the sea calmed my nerves and a resized picture was forwarded to me by a very patient Helen; but the same error message appeared. It became one of those projects I wish I’d never started. Fortunately, with magic performed by someone called Lucy, in the SilverWood offices, a different format of the cover was produced and Amazon deigned to accept it.  I'll tackle the process for Let's Escape another day.

Wednesday evening Stuart and I spent an hour and a half with the estate agent (Stuart via zoom, for some reason on two screens).  At the end, by the magic of modern technology, the pre-contract (compromise de vente) was signed.  It’s a detailed document: about us, the seller, the property—position, size, history; details of services, condition, risks (earthquake, flood and forest fire!) and the inevitable charges and taxes.  It was quite exhausting and as I shook hands and left the office, I hoped I didn’t look as shell shocked as I felt.

The pre contract goes to the Notaire, who does things in the background to earn his fee of 8% of the purchase price. In the meantime, all we have to do is find the deposit by 31st January and sell our property in Cambridge. 

To say I am terrified, is an understatement but at the same time I am very excited—it's a dream come true.  

(That night there was a huge thunderstorm. Listening to the massive claps of thunder, I did wonder if someone up there was trying to tell me something, but I decided to conclude that I was being applauded and went to sleep.)

On Friday, the day of the talk at St John's English library, I went to the hairdressers, before taking the now familiar route to Nice airport, to collect my lovely niece, Claire. I dropped her off at her hotel and then went back to read my talk one final time and get changed.

There was some confusion over the start time of the talk and several people  arrived for a six o'clock start, instead of six thirty. It was no problem, pots of tea were made and we all sat around chatting until the audience was complete. My talk was well received and generated quite a few questions, which I answered, before we all started on the Prosecco and wine.  It was a lovely friendly event and I hope a few people will borrow my books from the library (and perhaps even buy a copy).

Claire videoed the first part of the talk and if you are interested in seeing this video and reading the full transcript, follow this link to my website. 

https://jacquelinejames.co.uk/short-stories/talk-at-st-johns-english-library-menton/

Claire and I had a wonderful weekend and I walked her feet off, trying to show her everything that I love about Menton.

This week I have been reading (slowly): Les Vacances de Petit Nicolas by René Goscinny and illustrated by Jean-Jacques Sempé.  This is about the limit of my literary skill en Français, but it makes me laugh and I am thoroughly enjoying reading it, while at the same time, learning lots of new words —I just hope I don’t have the need to use gifler, une claque, donner un coup or embètant.

P.S. In the last two weeks, I have started drinking more and more tea. Previously I would perhaps enjoy one or two cups a week, now I can’t get enough of it.  I wonder if its my Englishness trying to assert itself...