“Going Home: Finding Peace When Pets Die” was published the first week in October. The tour ends tomorrow at 2 p.m. at Northshire Bookstore, Manchester Center, Vt., where I will sign books for people who want to buy them as Christmas gifts for themselves, friends and family, vets, shelters and rescue groups The tour was emotional, powerful, rewarding. The reviews for the book were very generous, and I have heard from people all over the world that the book is helpful to them. A good thing for a writer to hear.
The tour had so many twists and turns. It was not depressing, quite the opposite. I saw firsthand how much people love their pets and how deep a loss it is when they go. I loved working with many of you to present the collaborative “Going Home” video which has had nearly 70,000 views on You Tube. I loved traveling through the Midwest, going through Vermont and watching Lisa Sullivan restore Bartleby’s Books in Wilmington. I am also delighted beyond words at the success of the Battenkill Books campaign, in which my local bookstore has sold more than 800 copies of “Going Home,” and we are heading for 1,000 by New Year’s (518 677-2515). I am also eagerly awaiting publication of my next book “Dancing Dogs,” my first fictional short story collection, a fun, different and offbeat kind of book, and a distinct contrast to “Going Home.”
Anyway, think of Battenkill Books if you have need of more copies for Christmas. I will probably make another appearance in the store next week to take orders and calls as we make the final push for 1,000 and make some more noise for independent bookstores, creativity and individualism.
Buy local, if you can. Support independent businesses. A number of people are ordering copies for their vets, local shelters and rescue groups. I will be tickled to go and personalize those books and this campaign gives a complete and rich dimension to “Going Home.” Couple of weeks to Christmas, and Battenkill has Paypal.Thanks for your wonderful support for this book, and for my life here on Bedlam Farm. Quite a trip, yes? And not quite over yet.