My new book “Talking To Animals,” to be published tomorrow by Simon and Schuster, just popped up as No. 1 on Amazon’s “Hot New Releases/ Animals and Essays/Pet Care” category. Like Fate, this book is off to a good running start.

That’s sweet  before publication. Book publishing has changed radically, there is really no publicity in advance of publication for writers who are not huge best sellers, so this Amazon thing is all word of mouth. It’s a good start, something that has not happened to me before, even for my best-selling books.

Most newspapers and magazines don’t have book reviewers any longer, and our new President is sucking up most of the media on the earth. So this was good news for my book.

I’m guardedly excited about it and wanted to share it with you. In the new publishing world, authors are called upon to find ways to promote their own books or perish. I accept that challenge, and I’m still here.

Fortunately, I have my blog. I would have to be a book writer without it. If you want to jump on this train, I’d urge you to consider ordering or pre-ordering the book from Battenkill Books, my local bookstore. I will sign and personalize it for you and you will also receive a free and very classy tote-bag aimed at literary dogs and their owners.

You get the book and tote-bag but you also get to support a wonderful independent bookstore in a small upstate New York town. The world needs books and independent bookstores, much as I appreciate Amazon.

I began the blog in part because I saw what was happening to the book publishing world and I wanted to have my own way of reaching my readers. The blog has evolved into something much bigger than that, but Connie has already taken 700 pre-orders and we are shooting for 1,000 this week.

A great way to launch a book in the new world, come aboard of you wish, and thank you.

Connie takes Paypal and major credit cards and you can call the store at 518 677 7136 if you prefer. You can order this “hot new release” here.