My two favorite renditions of this song for ambiance: Celtic Thunder—Caledonia and Celtic Woman—Caledonia.
This past week has been quite a whirlwind. My books are in a school library in Scotland as of Monday, and as of Tuesday, the door has been opened to a possible author event. Tuesday evening, I started a GoFundMe, and now I already nearly have enough in donations to cover the plane ticket.
This is all in the preliminary stages, but after the past few days, there is a very real possibility that I will be doing a few author events in Scotland in a few months. For those of you who haven’t read the lengthy About the Author on the website, when I was sixteen, I was an exchange student in Scotland. I stayed in Kirriemuir for five months and two days nearly twelve years ago. I sat atop Kirrie Hill and draw the map of Ambergrove. I spent hours in the school library working on worldbuilding. Scotland is a huge part of Ambergrove, and I love it so dearly.
I have always wanted to go back just to see those places I love, but now I have the chance to do it as an author. I cannot describe how progressively giddy and humbled I have felt since Tuesday, especially at the unbelievable generosity of so many—friends, coworkers, former students, fellow writers, and even a total stranger!
I will be renewing my passport next week, due to the lengthy processing time, and in the next few weeks, I will be dreaming of Scotland and preparing for the possibility of contacting additional locations for author events (I’m thinking perhaps a bookstore and another school in the surrounding towns).
If you enjoy Ambergrove and have something to spare, please check out my GoFundMe. Details below as well.
From the fundraiser page:
My pen name is H. T. Martineau, and as an author I’ve written and published a full book series. I’m working on my second series of nine set in a world called Ambergrove. I created Ambergrove in Kirriemuir, Scotland, when I was sixteen. I spent a lot of time in the school library or in Neverland playpark drawing up the maps and building the foundations of the world my readers know today. The map is largely the same draft I did way back then. Scotland is a part of my books as much as it is a part of me. I lived in Kirriemuir for five months as an exchange student, after raising the money for that trip with scholarships, donations, and odd jobs.
I have always wanted to go back and never had the chance, but now, twelve years later, I have a good reason to try. I want to go back to Kirriemuir as an author who was molded by that town in Scotland. I have participated in many author events and have planned more still for this year. I don’t know if I’ll ever be conventionally successful as an author, nor do I know how many places would want me to do events with them if I can find my way back there instead of doing a Zoom meeting, but my measurements for success as an author are different from the conventional.
- I wanted my books to be read and enjoyed. As such, I have donated dozens of copies to libraries and organizations throughout the US. I barely break even because I give away way too much, but every new reader is a joy for me.
- I wanted at least one kid to be so interested in my book that they put off something else they should be doing just to read it. A teacher told me about a student nearly missing his bus because he just wanted to finish the last chapter before he left for the day, and that reminded me of young me who got in trouble for putting things off to read a book.
- I wanted my books to be in Scotland.
They are now in the school library, and I can imagine kids going up to the top of Kirrie Hill, sitting in the Peter Pan swing, and reading my books. But to go there myself and hold one of my published books in my hands while I look out over Kirriemuir would be the epitome of my journey as an author, no matter how the future shakes out. If I can go there for events as I hope, I’d want to be able to show the kids of Kirrie what their town meant to me and that dreams can come true if you work for them.
Aside from Scotland, the greatest catalyst is my dear husband. I can hold my books in my hand because he supports me every day and pushed me to write again after life kept getting in the way. If I can raise enough to go myself, I’ll go and treasure every moment. But I was on my own when I went as a kid. I would love to bring him with me and show him those places I love so dearly, and if I exceed my goal I’ll raise it to see if I can do that.
I know GoFundMe is full of worthy causes, but if you have chosen to donate to this one, I am so grateful to you. Thank you.
I hope my next blog is to share event locations in beautiful Scotland. Only time will tell. Until next time, adventurers!
Tales of Ambergrove 