I’ve been quiet about my “Saving Simon” orphans book tour in the past week or so, I guess I have been a bit flummoxed by it. The reviews of the book have been wonderful, the reaction very positive, but I’ve never – not in my whole career – had a book so thoroughly abandoned by a publisher. I’m leaving Random House for Simon & Schuster, and I suppose that’s part of what happened. The other part has been relationship fatigue – I think we were both just sick of one another after 30 years together, a sad thing to say but true. I keep reading that publishers are doing less and less for books, so I guess I’m living it, the money budget for my book tour and the marketing for the book is zero.

And I have it a lot better than most writers, I have my blog.

The message of Simon and his life is to not quit on life, to move forward, and that is what I want to do with my book. I’m organizing a fun and patchwork tour for the book going to the Petersburgh, N.Y., Library at 7 p.m. this Thursday and have plans to go support the Troy, N.Y. Library and speak at the Wilton, Conn., library in the coming weeks. In the Spring, I’m going to Des Moines and Iowa City, getting some other nice offers as well.

And there is good news from my humble little book tour. The book is in its second printing, thanks to the blog and my exciting relationship with Battenkill Books, which has already sold close to 1,000 copies of the book. We’re shooting for 2,000 by Christmas, and the Xmas season is stirring, so I’m resuming my campaign for “Saving Simon: How A Rescue Donkey Taught Me The Meaning Of Compassion.”

Everyone who buys a book at Battenkill Books, my local bookstore, gets a signed photo Simon postcard, we are also giving away coupons for Fromm dog and cat food, notecards, potholders and other stuff, everyone who buys a book from Battenkill is eligible for these give-a-aways as long as the supplies last. You can order the book from Battenkill right here.

Connie Brooks takes Paypal and ships anywhere in the world, you can also call the store at 518 677-2515. I will sign and personalize every book purchased there (within reason, I reserve the right to edit for space and authenticity). So here we go again the big run to Christmas, I think this is a good Xmas book, a lot about compassion and healing, in the Christmas spirit. Thanks for your support, I’m not quitting on my book.