Today is the pub date of the paperback version of “Saving Simon: How A Rescue Donkey Taught Me The Meaning Of Compassion,” it is available everywhere books are sold. There is a special way to get this (very inexpensive) story if you’d like. I will sign and personalize any copy of the book purchased through Battenkill Books, my local bookstore and a wonderful bookstore. They sold more than 1,000 copies of the Simon hardcover.
You can read Simon’s story, have the book personalized. Battenkill will ship it anywhere in the country. They take Paypal and major credit cards. You can call the store at 518 677-2515 or visit their website. Battenkill Books is an independent bookstore owned and operated by my friend Connie Brooks.
She has several cartons of “Saving Simon,” and anyone who orders the book from her will get a signed (by me) postcard of Simon. You can get the books quickly.
Connie has weathered the last few years of publishing upheaval, she is much loved and doing well. You can support my work and the idea of the independent bookstore, they must not all disappear under the corporate onslaught, bookstores are precious, our communities would be barren without them. If you are considering buying the paperback version of Simon, please consider getting it from Battenkill. Red and I have our own signing pens there.
“Saving Simon” is the story of our beloved donkey Simon, taken off an upstate New York farm by the police. He was found nearly dead and almost starved. He recovered from his many ailments, came to live with Maria and I and taught me much about the nature of compassion. (I will be talking about this book also on Thursday, when I speak at the Dessert Social Night to benefit the Dover, Vt., Public Library, at the Dover Town Hall, 7-9 p.m.)
The book was essentially abandoned by my publisher after I switched to a different publisher, but in Simon’s honor, we organized our own book tour all around the country and it was a wonderful experience for me and Maria. Simon had a great will to live, his story is very special to me. He died last October, shortly after the book came out, he is buried on the farm.
If you are considering buying the paperback, think about getting it from Battenkill, might make an early Christmas gift to store away, that happens in other years. You will get a signed book and a neat postcard. i will be happy to sign and personalize it for you. And you can help support a wonderful independent bookstore, and the future of individuality in America. Sometimes I think we will end up with one single giant corporation that will control everything. Don’t let it happen. And many thanks.
You can also e-mail the store: [email protected]