When we got off the plane from Seattle today, my Ipad and cellphone were nearly vibrating. The New York Times,  said Jennifer Doerr, publicity director for Macmillion Children’s Publishing group, was running a lovely review praising the book and its depiction of the dog’s different personalities. It called the book “great fun” and a good lesson for dog lovers and dog fearers. All week, I’ve seen firsthand how much kids loved the stories and photos of Lenore, Frieda, Izzy and Rose, and seeing 500 kids all oooh-and-aaaah at the photos and videos was a great heart lifter. They loved the differences in the dog’s personalities and the great impact Lenore has had on the farm and the animals here.

Then as I got off the plane I got a voicemail and  message from Andy Barzvhi of ICM, my agent: “Jon, Meet The Dogs made the NY Times Best Seller list (debuting May 22 at #9). That’s such good news!” Nobody does that without much help. It’s the second time for me and especially sweet that this is my first children’s book. My dogs are just amazing, in their loving natures, their personalities, and their understanding of me and my work. It is such a joy to write about them and take their photos. Tomorrow I’ll read the news to them and put up a video. Maria’s love and encouragement have just transformed my life, and our relationship is, at the core, one of creative encouragement. It matters.

Books and publishing is complex these days, and I am struggling to figure it out all the time.  Andy masterminded the children’s book idea from the beginning. And my editor Sally Doherty – nobody told her that editors don’t edit anymore – bludgeoned and guided me into a structure for the photos and stories that kids would grasp. Not something I could have done. Macmillan just sent me on a book tour (two weeks to go) all over the country and that isn’t something publishers do much anymore either. The photos and the blog and Facebook have all done to some measure what I imagined they might do – connect a writer to his readers in new and very critical ways. Thanks again to Sara Friedman of Social Momentum for jogging me into using videos to spread the word. And Dave Bigler for giving me lessons. All across the country, bookstores were delighted by the book tour blogs and photos. It was just a great opportunity to show that these new technological tools can advance writing and creativity.

The book to me is an affirmation of the farm and the ideas spawned here, and of my photography as well as my writing. I don’t know why I started taking photos – I think they were love letters to Maria – but what riches they have brought to my life.

So I’ll do some video tomorrow and then I’m off for a 3 day meditation retreat, a significant step, I believe on the spiritual path. It is a guided meditation so I will have help and encouragement. I can’t wait to get back and resume the book tour for “Meet The Dogs Of Bedlam Farm.” I feel good about the message of this book, and very pleased that kids picked it up. If these very different dogs can live together so peacefully and come together as a family, so, perhaps can the rest of us. Lenore for Congress.