My longest, and in many ways, most successful book tour ended this afternoon with a talk and signing at SUNY/Adirondack (where Frieda roamed before she was captured) in Queensbury, N.Y. It was a fascinating audience, composed of students, faculty, administrators and area residents. I talked about the life of the writer, creativity and technology, and the challenge of living lives of creative determination in a culture obsessed with warnings,  anxiety and money.

My trek through the Midwest seems a long time ago. More than 2,000 came to hear me read and talk over the course of the book tour, I gave scores of interviews, and the articles and reviews were uniformly generous and praiseworthy.  I was concerned that the tour and the talks would be depressing, but that did not happen. I said all over the country that I wasn’t really good at depressing book or talks, and I consider “Going Home” to be a gentle, healing and affirming work. From what I have been hearing, readers of the book are agreeing with me, and I am glad of that.

I don’t have clear information on sales yet, but I’ve never signed so many books on a book tour or gotten so much response. It feels good. I am happy that the book seems to be helpful to people.

I am cranking up some holiday book activity, continuing our drive to sell 1,000 signed copies of “Going Home” at Battenkill Books, and as we veer towards Christmas, I think we will make it. Connie is getting orders every day. Battenkill’s spectacular success with this book was one of the high points of the tour. I was exhausted last week, but am feeling stronger and getting anxious to finish up “Frieda and Me: Second Chances,” and to start beating the drums for “Dancing Dogs,” my first-ever short story collection, due out in October. Also my second children’s book, “Lenore Finds A Friend,” scheduled for later next year.

So far, this has been a very proud and productive year for, with m y first children’s book, “The Dogs Of Bedlam Farm,” “Going Home,” and my photos and videos (which have gone over the 300,000 view mark). I am re-designing bedlamfarm.com (or Mannix Marketing is, in Glens Falls) and I am loving every minute of the blog, my photos, my expanding work in social media,  and my life on the farm. Next year I will get to work on my book about Simon, and the many issues relating to mercy and compassion that his life and struggles have raised.

I thank all of you for your continuing support, your good words about my writing, photos and blog, and for sharing and supporting my life. We have a special thing going, this writer and the people who follow this particular life. I appreciate you very much. I promise to continue this work, and to openly sharing my own passages, good and bad. Every book tour, I learn that this is valuable work, and I re-dedicate myself to it.