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!