Friday, January 14, 2011

Wonderful news!

Some of you may remember, way back in early September, I alluded to a birthday surprise but could not name what it was. To my amusement, a rumor sprang up (fortunately, short lived) that I was pregnant with triplets (!!). At my age? No thanks.

But it’s very exciting news indeed. I have a book getting published!

I had to make sure certain details were wrapped up before making this announcement on my blog. In fact, the publisher (WND) was reluctant to let me spill the beans too far ahead of the book’s release date (which is June 7, by the way) lest any initial interest fizzle.

And I suppose for many people, making such an early announcement would indeed be counterproductive. But WND made an exception for you, all my darling readers, because you’re more than just readers – you’re family. You’ve shared in our successes and failures, the ups and downs, and I’m grateful.

So I’ve been given permission to invite you all on a journey with me – a journey to get a book published. It will be fun to share all the odd and strange and mundane and bothersome and exotic details. For example, did you know I have to have a headshot taken? As in, professionally? As in, with a hairdo and makeup? They’re asking a farmer to do this? Personally I think that’s trying to make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear, but whatever.

So I know the question everyone is now asking: What’s the book about?

It’s about simplicity. Specifically, it’s about how making good choices is the key to living a simple life. (Just think how complicated are the lives of those who make bad choices and you’ll see my point.) The title is The Simplicity Primer: 365 Ideas for Making Life More Livable. The book is broken into twelve sections of roughly thirty tips each (the original vision was to have it in a tip-a-day format). These sections are:

• Getting Personal (Your Personal Life)
• Getting Along (Simple Relationships)
• Teach Your Children Well (Simple Kids)
• Amazing Grace (Your Spiritual Life)
• Home is Where the Heart Is (A Simple Home)
• To Your Health (Simple Health)
• Your Daily Bread (Simple Finances)
• Nine-to-Five Simplicity (Your Professional Life)
• It’s Easy Being Green (Green Living)
• Time Off for Good Behavior (Simple Recreation)
• Nothing New Under the Sun (Ancient Words of Wisdom)
• Radical Simplicity

I’ve already turned in the galleys – the finalized format of the book – which meant I had to go over each page with a fine-toothed comb and mark any niggle or jot, any comma or extra space, that was incorrect. Those went off to the editors a couple weeks ago.

Galley of title page

Last Friday, I was required to turn in a list of people interested in reviewing the book in advance of the release date. These are people with a sufficiently large platform of readers that a book review might result in some sales. Right now Don and I are working on a list of other people who will receive an advanced copy – magazine editors, radio talk show hosts, huge bloggers, that kind of thing.

Now that I’m free to discuss the book, I’ll be posting on things that crop up on this journey toward being a published writer. I’m so glad I can invite you to come along!

33 comments:

  1. Woohoooo! Congratulations!

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  2. WOW!! That's fabulous! Congratulations are due once again. None of my business, but will you be getting paid for this work? I hope so!

    The irony is obvious - writing a book about simplifying one's life, yet book publishing is anything but simple.

    You have chosen the perfect subject at the perfect time, IMHO. If people need any advice right now, it's how to simplify our lives.

    I wish you much success with the book and I'm looking forward to learning more about the process.

    Bravo!

    Anonymous Patriot
    USA

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  3. That is awesome! Congrats!!! Looking forward to reading the journey!

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  4. Way to go, Patrice! Now I can't wait until June!

    Melody

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  5. This is great news. I think the bookworms of our nation could use such a book.

    Anyway, I know children are a blessing, but from someone who is close to your age, I can understand that the thought of triplets would not really be "good news," but reading the rumors was fun anyway.

    I'm looking forward to getting a copy of the book, it will be great to read for fun. Most of my reading involves my college classes, yes, I'm in college at "my age," so books I chose to read just for fun are selected very carefully because I just don't get this chance often. Who knows, I might find something I can get away with sharing with my students.

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  6. What an accomplishment! Congratulations to you!!!

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  7. Congratulations on not having triplets ! and congratulations on the book deal !..that's another awesome income source that you can look forward to and still hang around the homestead....

    Altho I have a feeling the traveling to promote it will end up taking you all over the place, ironically!

    Good luck with the whole process, it's another great learning opportunity as well......

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  8. So excited!!!!!!! I can't wait till June...I will buy it as an early B-Day present to me!

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  9. How exciting! What a great undertaking and accomplishment! Kudos! We can't wait to read it.

    Margaret
    CA

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  10. I KNEW IT!! I JUST KNEW IT!!

    I was sooooo hoping this would be what your big 'secret' would turn out to be!

    YAAAAAY!!

    You go girl!

    Kudos to WND for their good sense!

    This is simply wonderful news!

    A.McSp

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  11. And heads up, babies!!! This blog is about to break the 800 mark!

    As of this time, 1:09 am Pacific, the little feedburner window shows 796 readers.

    Wait 'till her new book comes out. We'll have lots of company!

    A.McSp

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  12. Congratulations! How exciting - I can't wait to get my hands on a copy. :0)

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  13. Patrice,
    That is wonderful news ! I look forward to reading your book once it is released! Any chances on buying signed copies? ;)

    Tina

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  14. Congratulations! I will certainly be on go to purchase as soon as its released.

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  15. Oh, Patrice, I am soooo excited for you and your family! What fabulous news!

    I am so glad you get to take "us" along on the publishing journey with you. What fun!

    You can count me in for a purchase, when the time comes!

    Mara :)

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  16. What wonderful news. Congratulations. I'll be purchasing a copy, and probably more to give as gifts.
    Kay

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  17. That's wonderful! I am so very happy for you, you truly are most deserving. Will they be using any of your beautiful pix in the book? If not, you may want to make your next book a coffee table version full of them. I'll buy both!

    -Nina

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  18. Patrice, that's wonderful. Congratulations. Now even more people will be able to enjoy your wit and wisdom. Count me in for a copy. And like Kay above, I for see buying several and giving them as gifts.

    Dawn

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  19. I've been a reader for a few months & am so stinkin' rotten excited for you! It is on my "absolutely" must purchase list for me & another to "lend". Can't wait, can't wait, can't wait!

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  20. Congratulations. Any chance it will be available in Kindle format? I got a Kindle2 in May for my birthday and cannot imagine reading a book any other way now. I am sure I will buy your book in any format available.

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  21. Congratulations! It must be very exciting.

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  22. Patrice, I love that YOU are writing this! It's such a natural extension of the great advice you give here. You also don't pull any punches, and there are a lot of people who could use a dose of reality. A brick wrapped in a cushion, so to speak. Best of luck on your launch!
    Lisa

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  23. Yay! Many thanks for inviting us along as you travel this new road. Jennifer

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  24. Congratulations;
    I see that it is available for pre-order on Amazon already. June 7th release date.
    How cool is that. I like the cover if that's a final.
    Steve

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  25. Congratulations! Even though the rumor of triplets was false, this book is still your "baby"
    You put so much of yourself into it, sweat and labor over it.
    Then when the time is right you are able to introduce it to the world.
    But, since the rumor was for triplets....does that mean there are two more sequals after this book?
    I really look forward to reading your book.
    Again, congratulations.

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  26. What a thrill for you! What a boon for us! Hooray!!!

    Birdy

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  27. I love it and I am not surprised that this would happen for you Patrice. Hold fast to the truth and good things will happen. I am thrilled for your success!

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  28. Congratulations!
    Way better than triplets.

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  29. Congratulations on the book! Really looks great! I hope I get to read it!

    Kinda a shame you are not pregnant with triplets! Both you and Don seem like great parents, and we all know the country needs more well-adjusted, common sense children that grow up into responsible, level-headed adults!

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  30. Honestly I don't know how you do it, but I'm glad you do! Some how Patrice I think if you were to have triplets you'd be able to do that just as well! :) Congratulations on your book!
    Tricia A.

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  31. Sounds like an interesting book! Nice cover, too!

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  32. Patrice,

    Congratulations. I will be plugging the book and your personal blog in one of tomorrow's posts.

    Best wishes,
    Rich Kozovich

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