I had coffee with a friend today (it appears that I have been doing quite a bit eating and drinking in Hong Kong).

One suggestion is to send Chinese manuscript of my book to publishers via referral that I may have.  First, it will solve the sales and marketing issue which will be more acute in Mainland China since I am not there physically and have very limited contacts there. Second, the sunk costs of self-publishing are too higher in China.  For example, the registration of ISBN serial number is close to 1,500 USD in China vs. free in the UK.

Promise Yourself:
To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
To talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person you meet.
To make all our friends feel that there is something in them.
To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.
To think only of the best,to work only for the best, and to expect only the best.
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.
To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to to greater achievements of the future.
To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.
To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.
To be too large for worry,too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.
To think well of yourself and to the world, not in loud words but in great deeds.
To live in the faith that the whole world is on your side so long as you are true to the best that is in you.
— Your Forces and How to Use Them by Christian D. Larson, 1912

I had lunch with a good friend from high school who is a successful businessman living in Mainland China. He gave some sound business advice that is worth further consideration.

1) Since making a profit is not my primary goal, to reach out to a wider audience I probably need to step up my marketing effort and budget. I need to accept the fact that I may have to incur a loss initially in order to stand a chance for a greater success.

2) The printing cost is too high. I should try to reduce it because it limits how many promotional copies of my book I can offer.

I had breakfast with a childhood friend this morning. “Naturally”, my book came up in our conversation.  He commented that in general, the locals don’t have the habit of reading books, in particular the younger generation.  He added that the English standard has deteriorated drastically in the decades of my absence.  He pointed me to a recent survey of English language proficiency among 63 non-English speaking countries conducted by Education First.

I am more concerned about the lack of interest in reading than the English standard. Perhaps after all, there is a need for an audio and/or you-tube version of my book.

It may sound a bit odd, but perhaps a point of clarification is needed.
English is my primary language but not my mother tongue. What is the difference? It is my strongest language but it is not my mother tongue. I was born and raised in Hong Kong which back then was a British colony. Throughout my entire education, all subjects were taught in English except 2 subjects, the Chinese language and Chinese History. Therefore, my book is written in English and not Chinese as I can express myself the best in English when it comes to writing (The Chinese translation is still under consideration).

I am going to Hong Kong tonight and stay for 2 weeks. I will be catching up with friends and family and promote the book on the side (Yes, family and friendship come first despite what it may seem!). I have already received orders of close 40 copies in total. In addition, I will discuss some people regarding the Chinese translation of my book.

Will report progress and watch this space.

 

Yes, I was once 24 years old as well (not so long ago :>) Tonight I was invited to a French colleague’s 24-year old birthday drink.

As a birthday gift, I gave him an autographed copy of my book. I added that my book is actually suitable for learners of all ages, not just for more mature people. Please refer to my previous blog on this subject.

Later I suggested him to give the book to his mother in France during Christmas after reading it himself. He said his mother does not know English well. I told him that he should read the book to her and/or encourage her to learn English. I elaborated that I actually read my book in Chinese to my parents last year when I visited them. Hard Sell – No, Never :>

I am going to Hong Kong this Friday for a 2-week vacation.
I usually only offer complimentary copies of my book to journalists and the like.
However, for this trip, I will make an exception to my childhood friends in Hong Kong.
Each time when I go there, they usually generously treat me for dinner or lunch.
Therefore as a reciprocal gesture, I will make a buy-one-get-one-free offer to them (a modified version). I will give them an autographed copy of my book and subtly suggest them to PURCHASE an additional copy for their friends and family.

A high school friend of mine in Hong Kong has already taken this offer and I hope that more will come!

I would like to share my thoughts on this topic which is close to home as I have been living in London for over 10 years. Let me try to apply the basic framework of my book on this.
1) Psych yourself up for the challenge (section one)
Londoners need to accept the fact that the average number of rainy days is close to 13 days a month statistically. As powerful as we human beings are, there is no much we can do to stop the rain (the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics was an exception!) Expectation management is needed to avoid disappointment.
2) The practical side (section two)
Please carry a foldable umbrella with you at all times. It is nasty being caught in the rain without it.
3) Know your enemy (section three)
If you know you will be feeling “down” when it rains, arrange fun indoor activities such as dinner, drink and/or movie with friends. Plan and fight hard against the rainy “blue”.

Don’t let the rain get you down. It does not need to be that way.

Christmas has arrived in London. Look at the picture showing seasonal decoration at Oxford Circus.

Speaking of Christmas, may I gently suggest that my book can be a great gift to your friends and family (not enemies obviously).
These are a few reasons:
1) My book on adult learning is relevant for people pondering on new year resolution at the turn of the year.
2) It is an easy-to-read, concise, to-the-point book with examples and exercises. Not a time-waster.
3) It is of a reasonable price, 8 pounds only.
4) It is light and easy to carry. Perfect to be read on the plane, train or bus.
5) I can personalize it for you with an autograph.

 No more reasons needed, right?