People outside of publishing are always surprised to learn how little publishers talk to writers anymore, almost all communications are through e-mail messages or agents. Writers are not generally considered sane or clear-headed enough to be entrusted with too many decisions, even about their own work. And the marketers who make many decisions about books and titles and covers never talk to writers, that’s a good thing in some ways, a bad thing in others.

One month into my book tour for “Second Chance Dog,” I’m moving towards stepping back and letting my book make it’s way into the world. We got it started here with a bang, the tour has had a lot of energy, it is out there and making some waves and now it is between “Second Chance Dog” and the people who buy books. Word of mouth is the best sales tool there is, everyone in publishing knows that, and I feel like I did when my daughter Emma went off to Yale – time to let her stand on her own, time for my book to make it’s own way in the world. There just isn’t more I can do.

I have some ideas about how the book is doing, but can’t say I know for sure. This weekend, reviews of “Second Chance Dog” began popping up all over the Internet, and they were plentiful and good. I guess people are just getting the book and just reading it. There is time left for the book to be purchased as a Christmas gift, online, at bookstores or at Battenkill Books here in Cambridge, if you want me and/or Maria to sign and personalize it. We are close to the 1,000 book mark sold there, not there yet. You can call the store at 518 677-2515 or buy the book online at Battenkill’s website. Plenty of time to get it shipped in time for Christmas.

I will continue to share news of the book and progress. I learned years ago that while Amazon number’s are a great marketing idea, they are not  reliable indicator of book sales, I do not check them constantly, that is as bad a habit as liking stuff on Facebook all day. Some of the dog people are upset that there are people in this story as well as Frieda, and that is an interesting marketing sidelight. The book is a memoir that focuses on the life of two humans and a dog, but it is marketed under the “dog” or animal books. Publishers love those niches but it has always frustrated me. I write about dogs and animals, but more than that and the challenge is for me to reach animal lovers but also people interested in broader subjects of memoir and life. This labeling problem is perhaps not soluble and some of the reviewers are outraged that the book has people in it at all. But I am not complaining, the reviews have been overwhelmingly wonderful, the best any book of mine has ever had, you can see them for yourself.

I consider the book a success, it is in it’s third printing, the book and my new book tour have completely reversed the downslide in my recent sales. This is my best-selling book since the recession, I believe it is a turn-around book for me. That is a big deal. My goal was to remain relevant as a writer, I just might do i. I expect it will have a long and fruitful life and help set the table for my next book, tentatively titled “Saving Simon: How A Rescue Donkey Taught Me The Meaning Of Compassion.” My contests and give-aways have been  very successful, drawing thousands of people to my Facebook Page. So have the daily topics relating to the book, which have sparked several thousand comments and replies.

Giving things away is part of the new book. A strong and authentic blog is essential, so are my 17,000 likes on Facebook, I have worked for every one of them. Giving readers a role is another. Sharing the process is one more. Building a platform around which readers and supporters can gather is another. The future of writers is increasingly in their hands, I accept this challenge. I’ll keep you posted. I hope the newcomers approaching the blog will consider subscribing, that is part of my future as well.

My remaining goals are to let the book stand on it’s own for a bit, I want to hit the 1,000 book mark at Battenkill, I will push for two or three more printings. Publishers these days would rather have smaller print runs that sell out than bigger ones that bring books back to the warehouse. I will keep the heat on, and the most important part of the book tour, of course, is you. Thanks, thanks for supporting me and for loving this book. It was obviously written from the heart, it is my heart. That will forever be a part of my books.