I’m happy to share the good news that “Second Chance Dog: A Love Story,” has just gone into it’s third printing, an affirmation of the book and also of the possibilities inherent in the new kind of book tour. I don’t have the exact figures, but I believe we are closing in on 20,000 books, that is a lot, especially just a few weeks after publication and heading right into Christmas. I gave up a traditional book tour to create a different kind of tour, and I think it is beginning to work.

Doing the farm chores this morning in the first snow, I looked at Red, dug in and purposeful, and I was reminded to be focused, to be clear, to stand in my truth, do my work, stay with it. I am not backing off “Second Chance Dog.”

I believe the blog and it’s followers are a huge – dominant –  factor in the book’s success, so are the Facebook contests, promotions and topics. As a writer, I can now reach many more people using new technology than I could ever reach flying around the country going to bookstores, many of whom no longer know how to bring people into their stores. Technology is not my enemy, it is my friend. I think most of these sales have been e-books, the rest paper books, I suspect it is close to 50-50. At the same time, one old-fashioned relationship – me and Battenkill Books – has been remarkably successful, we are closing in on 1,000 books sold there (Maria and I will personalize and sign them, we are giving away dog food, photos, potholders, books.)

Publishing is different for me, publicity is harder to come by, there are fewer reviewers, fewer bookstores,  the competition is ferocious. I am competing with Danielle Steel and her mouse dog, Cesar Millan, 101 Dog Tricks and Cute Dog Calendars and about a million free books on all possible subjects, including dogs and animals. I am butting heads with books that sell for $1.99 and $3.00. Even though my books are not only about dogs – they are never just about dogs – it is harder to reach that wider audience, publishing likes to tag books in genres, and although many people think I am famous, I know quite well that most people have never heard of me.

Although the marketing and new marketing ideas are fascinating and important, I believe that the most powerful element in selling the book is the book itself, something that never ought to be forgotten in all of the hype. I wrote my heart out on this book, the subject matter is my heart. I am touched by the heartfelt reviews of the book that have been appearing and one in particular, from Myrna, in Texas, on Amazon, caught my eye and reflected what I hope was the spirit of “Second Chance Dog.” Myrna wrote that she thought “Second Chance Dog” was a story of triumph over the earthly demons “who try to destroy our peace and try to make us believe what we are of no value. Katz’s triumph – Frieda and Maria –  “gives us all hope that our demons and second chance dogs can truly be mastered with patience and love.”

Everyone in publishing knows what really sells books is word of mouth – someone telling someone else they read a book and recommending it. I suspect that is beginning to happen here, we are getting it started, the rest is up to the fates.

I like that review (I like all good reviews) it captured the spirit of the book for me, it is a true Christmas story of hope and promise. Maria and Frieda and I were lost, we got our second chance, we fought for it with love and patience and commitment. I am going to keep this book tour going, right into Christmas, I hope you will all consider buying it from Battenkill Books, another way to buy a book and do good. You can order it on her website, or call the store at 518 677-2515. There are lots of other places to buy the book as well, you can find them here.

I thank you all for getting this book tour off to such a dazzling start, we are moving into the new world together, with open eyes and open hearts and minds, learning together and from each other. Somehow, miraculously, a community has formed around bedlamfarm.com and I suspect it will have an impact far beyond this place. An editor at Random House asked me how long I was going to keep this book tour going, I told them I was just getting started. Stay tuned.