It took me a long time to write this book. In the year 2000 I wrote the first short story, not knowing that more would follow. Everything and nearly everyone in the Baja inspired me to write. More stories came in 2000 and 2001. I typed them on a typewriter and stored them in a folder.
Left, But Not Forgotten
I forgot about them for a while. From time to time I remembered certain people or events, which then reminded me of those short stories, because some of them are based on real events and/or people in the Baja, Mexico. Some of it is fiction. Which is what, I will not tell you 😉
In 2018 I left my box of old manuscripts outside during a rain, albeit under an aluminium roof, but heavy winds brought the rains even there, and that box got wet. I lost many old photos, but my stories were miraculously saved. When I realized what had happened, I removed the thin plastic bag that covered the contents, checked the box, and on top of the stacked files I found the folder with my short stories which I had written so many years ago.
I took as a sign, and decided to add more stories and publish it.
It Wasn’t Quite Ready Yet
I added three additional tales from the beautiful Baja (which I wrote in 2018) and I edited my old stories and rewrote some scenes, because in eighteen years, my writing style has obviously undergone some changes. I hired an editor to edit the finished work. I took photos for the cover, and hired a graphic designer for the cover. Using Amazon’s amazing publishing services, I published Tales From Los Cabos (Kindle version) on May 7th, only a few days ago. The paperback should be out soon as well.
I am very excited about this release, because Los Cabos (and basically, the whole Baja) is close to my heart. I love the tip of this beautiful Mexican peninsula, which separates the wild Pacific Ocean from the tranquil Sea of Cortez. I love the rugged semi-desert with its giant cacti, vermillion mountains, and its incredible amount of wildlife, always reminding me that the desert is in fact full of life.
The Baja is such an inspiring place. Like I wrote on the back of my paperback: “All I have to do is sit down and start typing.” Such is the inspiration that I find in this amazing area.
What I like about this collection of short stories is not just the fact that some are based on real people and events (although not all of them), but that there are different genres.
There’s romance, adventure, mischief, surviving a hurricane, unlikely couples ending up together, even a little ghost story, a dog rescue story, nights in Cabo, and a tale about Mathilda the spider monkey who was rescued from a decrepit zoo. There’s a little bit of everything, just like Los Cabos which has so much to offer.
It was a lot of hard work to get this book published. Self-publishing means that you do everything: not just writing the stories, but also editing, formatting, creating the book cover, preparing the release, and doing lots of promotion. I was lucky to find a good editor who helped me a great deal.
All Right, I’ll Tell You a Little Bit About My Book
So, what’s in Tales From Los Cabos? Let me give you a little sneak-peek, without giving away any spoilers. No one likes spoilers.
The first story offers a glimpse into the lives of 7 young women who work for the timeshare section in a hotel. Each woman adds something to this tale of love, disastrous dates, men’s occasional mystifying behavior, periods, sex, nights in Cabo, and trouble in paradise.
Story nr. 2 takes us to an unforgettable meeting between a local woman and a young man who docked in Cabo on a navy ship. Is this a random encounter or could there be more?
In the third tale, life gets a little serious when Gustavo arrives in Cabo with his pregnant wife and he finds that not everything is as it seems.
Story nr. 4 turns spooky when ghosts block a road at night and refuse to let a young couple go home.
Nr. 5 leads us into a tale of hurt and betrayal when Vera can no longer remain in a loveless marriage and she decides to take her destiny into her own hands.
The sixth story is a tale of mischief. Like they say, “What happens in Cabo, never happened”. No more details are needed. Allow Fabio and his friends to surprise you.
Story nr. 7 describes Mathilda’s rescue from a decrepit zoo. Mathilda is a spider monkey who – along with the other zoo’s inhabitants – touches the heart of a local woman and inspires a campaign to free her and her cellmates. Based on true events (This is the only time that I’ll reveal whether a story is true or fictitious) 😉
After Mathilda’s tale (pun intended) 😉 , in story nr. 8 two women who survived tough times get ready for a night out in Cabo. It turns into quite a special evening when they realize that not everything has changed throughout the years of developing this tourist spot.
Last but not least, Nathalie and her good friend Danny discover that a roadtrip to Todos Santos can be a challenge if it’s badly prepared. The quest to take Kiki, a rescue dog, to her new adoptive home turns out to be more than they bargained for.
I cannot end this book without adding some quotes. I asked friends for quotes about Los Cabos or life here in general, and I also came up with a few as well.
I enjoyed working on this book, and I am happy to finalle be able to share it with you all.
Much love,
Lila C. Duville
Lila,
I first want to start off saying congratulations! Publishing a book is not easy, and to be able to achieve that, is incredible and you deserve a pat on your back. I know because I recently published a book on Amazon Kindle, and it is definitely not easy. I am really interested in your story, you added just enough allure to make me want to know more! Again awesome job in publishing your book; would love to know when you will have it in paperback!
Thank you very much ? and congratulations on your published book as well!
The paperback version is still going through some revisions and I’ll let you know , on this blog, when it will be ready ?
Have a great day!
Lila,
First I want to congratulate you on publishing Tales From Los Cabos. I always wanted to publish a book, but never got around to it. Now I am 68 and doubt I ever will.
Second, congratulations on inspiring me to read your book. I love to read, but I am choosey at what I spend time reading. Your excellent article has me ready to stick my nose in the gutter of Tales From Los Cabos and begin a great journey.
Thank you very much! It’s never too late to publish a book, you know? Although it is a lot of work, you can also hire people to edit and format ?
I hope you like my book ?
Have a great day!
Thank you very much! It’s never too late to publish a book, you know? Although it is a lot of work, you can also hire people to edit and format ?
I hope you like my book ?
Have a great day!
Hello Lila, I must say that this article is very helpful and informative. Congrats on publishing your book, I can see that you really have a talent for writing, I can’t wait to read it. I have a written book, I wrote 2 years ago but I don’t know how to make it public to the people, now you motivated me to continue working on my other book. can’t wait to see more of you!
Hello Danijel,
You should continue working on your book and publish it. Don’t lose your motivation 🙂 Amazon KDP offers great self publishing tools, You can check more information here in this link if you decide to continue your writing project.
It is wonderful that you have published this book. That is no easy feat. In the late 90’s, I published a compilation of stories about characters I have known. Writing seemed like the easiest part of the process. Even in this brief article, your passion for the Baja comes through. I am going to purchase the Kindle edition of the book. I may never get to Baja, but I can enjoy it through your words.
Hi Anastazja,
Is your compilation of stories on Amazon? I’d like to see it 🙂
Thank you for purchasing my book! The Baja is very present in every story.
Congratulations. I hope someday i will have your courage and i will finish my book. You make such an amazing description about your work. I can see that you put a lot of efforts and it wasn’t easy for you to publish it.
I have this fear that if i will publish a book i will be judged. It is about my country and the communism that killed thousands of people since 1989. What do you think about that feeling ? Do you have it ?
All the best and keep in touch!
Hello,
I think that every writer has a certain fear of putting his or her work out there, because people will judge it, and everyone has different expectations, criticisms, opinions, experiences, etc. You put your soul into your book and now you are exposing your soul to the world. It’s pretty scary. At the same time it is also very gratifying and exciting to see your work out there.
You should publish your book. People should read about what happened in your country and how communism affected it and ripped families apart. What country are you from?
These stories sound so wonderful! I’ve myself been wanting to publish a fiction book but never had the chance to finish it. I read more than I write, lol.. and because I’ve been through it, I know that it’s not always easy to write books. It is time consuming to put the right words on paper and it isn’t easy to actually do the publishing.
But you’ve just inspired me to keep writing! And I will definitely pick up your book too because your sneak peaks have given me a hunger to know more.
Hi Reyhana,
True, writing a book is a long process, and self publishing is a lot of work, but it is worth it and very rewarding when your book is finally listed online, on Amazon for example. Keep on writing! 🙂
Wow, that’s amazing! You started the book in 2000 and ended up publishing it in 2019. Kudos to you for not giving it up. I know I can have a hard time believing that I can create something that does my ideas justice. In fact, I wrote the first draft of an entire short novel in 2016, but it has been untouched since then. Maybe I’ll have to pull it out again and see if I can’t get it published. Of course, I’ll probably end up putting if off for a few more years.
Anyways, thanks for sharing this story. That’s crazy how your documents were untouched by that rain even though some of the photos got ruined. I hope your book is a success!
-Isaac
Hi Isaac,
I know, it was just crazy that the photos were ruined in the rain, but not the stories, it was so weird … and definitely a sign 🙂
Hopefully one day you’ll get to work on that novel you wrote in 2016 and get it published.
From a first glance at the stories you explained I was excited. Your book really contains appealing stories. It is very nice that you were involved in writing a book. It will definitely take you a lot of time and effort, but the results will certainly reward you for what you deserve. Congratulations.
Thank you!
I find it amazing, Lila, that you published your own book all on your own. I think it’s a great accomplishment in one’s life and dream of many people to have their own book written and published.
When I was reading your short description of the book, a question came to my mind if the tales i.e. the main characters are somehow intertwined. Or is every tale a separate story with new characters?
I would like to read all the book. Where can I buy it?
Hi Lenka,
Every tale is a separate story with new characters. However, I am planning a follow up book with new short stories, and some characters from book 1 will return in book 2. Tales from Los Cabos is available on Amazon, as kindle and paperback.
Thank you for visiting 🙂
That’s nice, I’m looking forward to the follow-up book then. I’ll keep an eye on your site.
Thank you! 🙂 I’ll work on the follow up book.
Hi Lila:
I applaud you for taking the step to self-publish and preserving all your beautiful writings throughout the years. That rain could not dampen your spirit, nor did it destroy your work. It’s a miracle and sure sign for you to take your writing to the next level.
Your post about “Tales from Los Cabos” shows the authentic and captivating author that you are.
All the best in sharing your stories with the world and your life in Baja!
Veron
Hello Veron,
It was indeed a miracle that that rain didn’t get to those stories, but it instead went for the photos 😉 I am glad the stories survived and that I finally got them published.
Thank you for your kind comment!
I’m really happy for you and i want use this medium to congratulate you on your publishing of this book. Its a very good thing to device and get inspiration particularly from nature and surrounding occurrences, such inspirations last long and they always produce something sensible. I’ve really been moved by your story, thanksfor sharing it with us
Hello!
Thank you for your comment!
Well done on your perseverance to get published. Your description of that area of Mexico paints an idyllic scene of it. As for the book itself, I’m intrigued to know the details of each tale but particularly of the women in story one. Can hardly wait to read it.
Thank you! I’m happy you’re getting my book 🙂
Hey Lila; your book seemed to be full of life and entertainment? My lady, your writing style is amazing. The little information you have given about your book caused me to believe It is naturally entertaining and fun-filled. My first book has some of your writing style.
I hope you will continue to write even when sometimes the money doesn’t come fast. But you will feel accomplished knowing that someone somewhere is feeling refreshed after reading your book.
Do keep up your writing skill, it can only get better.
DorcasW
Hello Dorcas,
I will continue writing, always 🙂
Thank you for the compliment!
Just by reading through the glimpse of the book, Tales from Los Cabos, I can’t wait to lay my hands on it and read through it. Publishing a book isn’t an easy task, it takes time and a lot of stress to make it a worthwhile and I wish you all the best in your future works. It’s a great opportunity for me to come across this article.
Hello again 🙂
Thank you for your kind comment. I’m happy you’re going to get my book 🙂