Thursday, August 4, 2011

The Most Annoying Phone Call That Made Me Smile!

I received a phone call today from an unknown number. Now I normally don't pick up the phone for numbers that I am not familiar with, so what prompted me to answer this number, not sure??

Anyway, the person on the other end asked if I was T Clary, I said "yes" and he proceeded to tell me that he was from Xlibris Publishing and proceeded to tell me about ALL the benefits of self-pubbing with them.

I kindly remarked that I was not interested...

And if I may digress for a moment here to provide you with a little background, I had provided my contact information (phone and email) via the web to Xlibris prior to me publishing on Kindle. This was in my early research days of finding the best publishing place for my books. Of course they sent me an immediate email to contact them, but I never responded. They proceeded to send me more emails, and more emails, and phone calls...never responded! I thought they would take the hint that I was NOT interested. Finally after countless emails and messages, one in particular was a little rude, I finally decided to respond with the "Thank you, but no thanks!" email. Well, you would think that the contact would have stopped...NO!!! I guess my "file" was assigned to a new person, now I have a new person that continues to contact me via email and phone.

OK, so back to the phone call of today (which I'm still wondering why I answered). I once again remarked that I was not interested in their services I have decided on another publisher to print my books (right now they are only available in eBook format). He asked me who was I publishing with? GREAT! NOW I HAVE ENGAGED HIM!!  DON'T RESPOND--DON'T RESPOND--DON'T RESPOND. I responded... "I've decided to publish with Createspace" digress again, I really hadn't decided yet, but that is what I am leaning towards. So of course he proceeded to tell me ALL the benefits of publishing with them, completely trashing Createspace and letting me know that I will not find success with them, they are not well known worldwide, have litte distribution outlets, Blah Blah Blah.

Now I was already annoyed that I even answered the phone, even more annoyed that he trashed Createspace/Amazon, but was the most annoyed of his remarks of how my books will not be successful by choosing the path that I have chosen. Wow, REALLY? What kind of marketing strategy is that?? Any hopes that they had of me EVEN considering them were DASHED!! I advised the person that I am not worried about my path because I am guided by the Holy Spirit so I don't worry about those things. Well, he still proceeded on and on and on...

And when he was finished with himself, he snarkly remarked "good luck with your book, I'll call you in 6 months to see how it's going" and hung up.

WOW, am I glad I know the Lord!!! The phone call actually made me smile a little because I am confident the Lord knows what He is doing. Did that phone call discourage me? NO! Did it phase me? NO! There are distractions out in the world that can sometimes cause you to get off track and discourage you. Don't allow that to happen! Keep your eye on God and His promises!! The Lord knows your thoughts, your desires, your DREAMS!! Don't allow those doubters to discourage you! Keep your eye on the Lord and on your dreams!!

Remember: "A man's mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure." Proverbs 16:9 (AMP)

God Bless!
T Denise Clary