Every one of the first 2,000 people who order a copy of my new book, “Saving Simon: How A Rescue Donkey Taught Me The Meaning Of Compassion” will received a free signed photo postcard (above) of Simon in his famous Red Hat. They will also be eligible to win a free book, potholders, Fromm dog food, notecards or photos.
“Saving Simon” is my 27th book, my last book with Random House, you can read one of the first reviews here. The book is available everywhere books are sold, but in recent years, we have linked the book closely to a wonderful independent bookstore, my bookstore, Battenkill Books in Cambridge, N.Y. Two years ago, we sold 1,000 copies of “Going Home: Finding Peace When Pets Die,” last year we sold !,500 copies of “Second Chance Dog,” and this year we’re shooting for 2,000 copies of “Saving Simon.” I will sign and personalize any book ordered from Battenkill.
As happened last year, many people chose to buy my book as a Christmas present, and I think this story – heartwarming and uplifting I believe – is a good choice for Christmas. So we are upping the give-a-ways, as is the trend in publishing. Instead of Ipads, we’re offering signed photo postcards, notecards, potholders, dog and cat food, good stuff.
Every one of the first 2,000 buyers will get a photo postcards, we can’t offer the other incentives to everyone, they will be chosen by the bookstore staff as the orders come in. You can order the books online. Publishers don’t do much promotion for authors anymore, especially when they are moving on to other publishers, so my blog and Facebook pages are pretty much it for me and Simon. I am up to the challenge, and more determined than ever to use the book to support the idea of local business, of the independent bookstore, and to support the idea of the individual in American life. This has become a big tradition in my writing life.
You can also call the store at 518 677-2515, e-mail Connie Brooks at [email protected]. The store takes Paypal and ships anywhere in the world.
The book is important to me. There is much talk of animal abuse these days, but Simon reminds us what real abuse is, and how animals survive it and forgive, and move on to rich and loving lives. Simon is an inspiration to me every day, donkeys and strange men have been wandering around together for centuries, that is our story. Simon will be at the Bedlam Farm Open House on Columbus Day Weekend (Saturday 11 to 4 and Sunday noon to 5). The famed photographer George Forss will be at the farm to take portraits of people who wish that, and Maria and her fellow artists will be selling some wonderful and inexpensive art in the Schoolhouse Studio. Details on Maria’s events page.
Come and meet Maria and me, Simon, see Red herd sheep, visit our wonderful town of Cambridge: Battenkill Books, the Round House Cafe, the Cambridge Diner, the funky Over The Moon Bead Shop, George Forss’s Ginofor Gallery. I am also planning a book signing at Battenkill Books at 7 p.m., October 7, pub date, and then Sunday, October 12th at 9 a.m. for people coming to the Open House. I’m excited to show the publishing world what a blog can do to support a book. And a noble donkey.