Printing press from 1811. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons Dream Come True: I’ve Got a Book Deal!
This time next year (give or take) I will be a published author!
This week I mailed out a signed contract for my first-ever book deal, giving me the freedom to announce it to you guys. I will be published by Hyperion, the publisher of fine titles such as the Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff series, and of course my favorite author on simplicity, Elaine St. James. Hyperion is distributed by HarperCollins.
The working title of my book right now is “The Power of Less” … I’d like to say more about it, but I’m still fine-tuning the table of contents. Suffice it to say that it will be about simplifying your work and personal life, and doing more with less. What it isn’t is a repackaging of my Zen To Done ebook or Zen Habits content … I want it to be original content, so that you’ll find value in it in addition to what you’ve already read here.
Dream Come True
I’ve dreamed of being a published author since reading Lloyd Alexander, Watership Down and other such favorites in elementary school. I always wanted to be a writer in some form, and during my years of journalism, I always told myself that even if I wasn’t writing polished prose, at least I was working as a writer, crafting words, and that my book deal would come … someday.
Today is that day. I’m living my dream.
Of course, I always thought I’d do it writing fiction, but still … the thought of seeing my name on the cover of a book … it’s still unbelievable to me. I don’t think I’ll really believe it until I see it.
The book deal has also helped me realize my dream of being a full-time blogger (and writer), giving me that extra financial security needed to quit my day job. I could have done it without the deal, but this sealed it … and now that I’ve quit, I have no excuse not to write the book.
So How Did I Get a Book Deal?
I will write more about this later, but it was done in several (not so) easy steps:
1. Build a successful blog.
2. Come up with a kick-ass idea for a book.
3. Write a proposal for it.
4. Get a kick-ass agent (thanks Holly!).
5. Well, that was about it.
OK, so that wasn’t the best step-by-step guide I’ve ever written. I’ll write a more thorough explanation soon, via my next project (to be announced next).
And Now What Does This Mean For Zen Habits?
Not much, really. I have divided my day between writing the book, writing Zen Habits posts, and working on a couple other smaller projects. My focus will be on the book and Zen Habits, because they are both my true loves (aside from Eva of course). Is it possible that I have too many true loves? Yes. I can’t help myself. The book, Zen Habits, and Eva are just too much fun and too wonderful to choose between.
My posting schedule here at Zen Habits will stay the same. Quality shouldn’t change either. Of course, I will be doing a lot of copying and pasting from last year’s posts (kidding!).
I’m very excited, guys! Can you tell? :)
Note: I highly doubt that my book will be published on a printing press like the one shown above. But wouldn’t that be cool?
- Posted on 23 January 2008 in Aboutzenhabits, Books |
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Comments (139)
Jason Says:
January 24th, 2008, 0:06 am
Congrats, Leo! I’ve been waiting to hear your big news. I had no idea, though it makes perfect sense. I can’t think of a better blogger to land a book deal.
Keep it up, man!
Edwin Z. Says:
January 24th, 2008, 0:08 am
Congratulations!
Drew Says:
January 24th, 2008, 0:08 am
I’m definitely ready to buy this book! Can’t wait for it Leo, especially if it’s new content. A whole book of new content from you is very exciting.
Great job on your success.
Brad Isaac Says:
January 24th, 2008, 0:11 am
Congratulations on your book deal Leo. That’s great news. I’m looking forward to reading it.
L.D. Says:
January 24th, 2008, 0:22 am
Congratulations! Your blog is so consistently helpful in managing my daily routine and I’m glad that you’ve got this chance to expand your reader base beyond those of us who are regular web-inclined blog readers. Good luck moving forward and I look forward to reading the book when it’s published.
Michelle Says:
January 24th, 2008, 0:24 am
That’s amazing! I can’t wait for the book to be published & thanks so much for keeping us posted on the journey. You are inspiring.
Nez Says:
January 24th, 2008, 0:27 am
More awesome news, and in true pro-blogger fashion, you’re drip-feeding it to the masses!
If you still have the dream to write fiction, you should definitely do that, too — maybe that’s one of your “small projects”, eh?
Congratulations!
Andrew Weaver Says:
January 24th, 2008, 0:28 am
That is awesome, dude! I’ll be buying it…
So when do you begin your book signing tour? :)
FekketCantenel Says:
January 24th, 2008, 0:29 am
First you quit your job, then you tell us stories of what a great dad you are, and now you’ve got a book deal. You win the “Rolemodel and Inspiration of the Year” award.
Did you get an advance? If so, as an unpublished author (though of fiction, and without a blog to back me up), I’m insanely curious to find out how much it was. I hope this is really the big break you’ve been looking for. Insanely-good luck to you, great sir.
Renato Says:
January 24th, 2008, 0:33 am
I have been reading your blog for three weeks now, and I can’t believe I hadn’t come across it earlier. Oftentimes you will link to previous posts, so I surfed well over a dozen of them the first night alone. I’ve been so inspired and positive over the past two weeks or so that everyone’s asked me why I am so cheerful. I mean, everyone. I hadn’t realized that your posts are slowly sinking in. Besides the great posts, your personal story is incredible, and the fact that Zen Habits is one year old, puts you so close to the rest of the mortals, and yet so far, hinting that everything is possible if you commit to your dreams and push to accomplish them. Now a book deal, wow. Congratulations, you just became my new hero! Like Leo, I want to be like Leo.
GabrielleZ Says:
January 24th, 2008, 0:36 am
Congratulations! I’ll be first in line to buy!
Amazing how much good can happen in one year…
Leo - i am so genuinely happy for you. I can only imagine how thrilled you are, and i dare say that has filled me with quite a bit of inspiration.
I hope the coming year of writing will only bring you continued success, happiness and true loves…
eliska Says:
January 24th, 2008, 0:40 am
Congrats! Your enthusiasm and success are infectious :) I loved Zen To Done, so I can’t wait to see what you come up with for this book. I will definitely buy it.
Andrew Brunelle Says:
January 24th, 2008, 0:42 am
How about that? A book deal. I can honestly say that by reading your posts and learning about you and how you live your life, I have a feeling your book will be a big success, especially if you 36,000 + subscribers buy the book. Good luck.
Working Girl Says:
January 24th, 2008, 0:43 am
Congratulations! I can say that I know just how you feel, as I recently got my own book deal.
And, like you, I’m currently dividing my time between writing the book and keeping up a blog (and doing all sorts of other things that tend to come up).
It’s a big job. But I’ve found writing a book to be tremendously rewarding.
Yay for you!
Brian Purkiss Says:
January 24th, 2008, 0:44 am
WOAH!
Awesome!
Congrats dude!
Looking forward to it!
Jake Says:
January 24th, 2008, 0:51 am
Great job man! I’ve followed you since your early days at Zen Habits and it makes me happy to see how far you’ve made it since then. The least I can do is pick up your book and suggest it to my friends.
Thanks for everything!
Max Says:
January 24th, 2008, 1:00 am
Hey man, that’s great! Congratulations! :]
Jay F.H. Says:
January 24th, 2008, 1:05 am
CONGRATS!
*gives you a clover*
Put it between the last page and the binding; it signifies perpetual luck and good favor to whomever reads the words that came before it, and renewed spirit to those who turn the last page.
YuGho Says:
January 24th, 2008, 1:08 am
congrats!
chrispian Says:
January 24th, 2008, 1:12 am
Awesome! Another friend of my has his book coming out in April. I hope to join the crowd soon myself!
Dan L Says:
January 24th, 2008, 1:26 am
I will certainly be picking up a copy when it comes out, and probably an extra copy or two for some friends. Congratulations Leo! Will you ever be in the Boston area for a book signing? :)
Zoe Winters Says:
January 24th, 2008, 1:27 am
That’s fantastic, congrats! (only been reading your blog for a week but when I hear about someone getting a book deal it makes me smile.)
Hindustani Says:
January 24th, 2008, 1:36 am
Congratulations Leo! I am a new reader and I find your blog a very refreshing read and very inspirational, and so, am eagerly waiting for your book.
Bamboo Forest Says:
January 24th, 2008, 1:49 am
Congratulations Leo. This is truly wonderful news. I’m very happy for you.
janice Says:
January 24th, 2008, 2:00 am
A thousand congrats to you leo!! It’s both amazing and inspirational. I want to thank you, not only for this awesome blog. But, for reminding me that it is possible to make your dreams come true. You are truly an inspiration!!
Marley Says:
January 24th, 2008, 2:03 am
Hey Leo
That’s fantastic news - and with the promise of more to come - nice touch!!
As everyone’s said, you deserve no less than the best deal in the world for your writing, and I’m really, really happy for you.
I hope you got a good deal out of your publisher though - you can guarantee a large number of sales for them straight away, just from your blog readership alone.
Do you have a targetted number of sales to hit?
I’m also interested to hear how this news (and eventually the launch of the book too) will affect your e-book sales? Is that something you’d be able to share with us?
Congratulations!
Marley
Kelly Rigby Says:
January 24th, 2008, 2:29 am
That is fantastic news. Wow, an author!
This is it, Leo; a childhood dream accomplished. Life doesn’t get any better than times like these. You’ve worked hard. Sit still and revel in the joy. You deserve it.
Then hurry back to write us another blog post.
:) Kelly
Mark Dowling Says:
January 24th, 2008, 2:33 am
Leo,
Well done! What incredible news!
Leo are you still working full time/ part time? Your blogging schedule would leave most of us grasping for a single original thought to write about, and you’ve found the time the write a book. Wow.
regards
Mark
Vincent Says:
January 24th, 2008, 2:38 am
Oh man, Leo, congratulations. I’m betting I’ll be a buyer of your book, for sure.
I’d be very interested to know your experiences working with a major publisher with your book vs. self-publishing with your blog. Some people blog specifically to escape the draconian practices of big publishing business, so it’s intriguing to see a person going in the other direction. (I’m not saying that you’re trying to escape from your blog.) It’d be really cool to hear how this experience goes, once all the NDA business is out of the way.
Putta Says:
January 24th, 2008, 3:40 am
Wow, another great news!!!
This is hot and special… I am so happy for you… Wish more good news to come!!!
Colleen Says:
January 24th, 2008, 3:49 am
congratulations Leo, you’re a legend!
… and an inspiration in every way
Habitual Zen Reader Says:
January 24th, 2008, 3:53 am
Ok, I’ll keep my silence no more. I’ve been reading all of your blogs, haven’t missed one for about the last 5-6 months. Yet, I never commented on any of them, even though I was very tempted to, especially when you released your content into public domain.
Habitual Zen Reader Says:
January 24th, 2008, 3:55 am
And you know what…, just about every post of yours makes me smile. But, I find myself smiling hardest, and feeling happiest when I see that hard work truly does pay off. Your life is definitely an example of this. All of your posts about your success just inspires me more and more. I definitely think you deserve every bit of the blessings and success you get, and I am so happy for you.
Good luck with all your endeavors, man!
Wyatt Song Says:
January 24th, 2008, 3:59 am
Congratulations, this is truely inspiring, could you tell by my comment i’m also excited :-) This is such a great news that brighten up things!!!
Absolutely well done dude!
William Mize, that mystery writer guy Says:
January 24th, 2008, 4:43 am
Ha! I called it! Congrats, Leo!
Eran Says:
January 24th, 2008, 4:45 am
All the best man….
If someone deserve it , it should be you…
Looking forward to read it…
Dee Says:
January 24th, 2008, 4:59 am
Congrats Leo!
kamal Says:
January 24th, 2008, 5:04 am
Leo,
I am grinning wide. I can’t tell you enough how happy I am for you.
Kamal
Leo Says:
January 24th, 2008, 5:27 am
Thanks so much guys! I knew you’d be happy for me. :)
@kamal — thanks … you’ve been there practically from the beginning!
@Habitual Zen Habits Reader … glad you came out of the woodwork. :) Comment more often — I always love to hear from you guys, even if I can’t respond to everyone. I appreciate your kind words, as I do everyone else’s here.
ThistleBerry Says:
January 24th, 2008, 6:09 am
Congratulations Leo - I just discovered Zen Habits a couple of months ago and your work is awesome. As someone who has also dreamed of being a published author since elementary school, I know what an incredible thrill this is for you.
John Says:
January 24th, 2008, 6:14 am
Leo - That is excellent news. Congratulations - and I look forward to the first book.
As we (sometimes) say in the UK :
More power to your elbow
Cheers
John
Lola Fayemi Says:
January 24th, 2008, 7:17 am
Congratulations Leo
That’s great news, I’m so pleased for you. You are a real inspiration to us fellow bloggers.
In love, light and abundance x x x
Lola Fayemi
Real World Spiritual and Personal Development
Simshi Says:
January 24th, 2008, 7:35 am
I’m so happy for you!
Ayumi Big Fans Says:
January 24th, 2008, 7:36 am
i always enjoy reading ur posts Leo, i wonder if ure gonna write about how to write an articles in ‘zen style’ ;-)
n congrat for ur upcoming book !
Matt Says:
January 24th, 2008, 8:28 am
Congratulations Leo! This is definitely much deserved - keep us updated on the progress (you might want to talk to Tim Ferriss about marketing the book he did an awesome job)
Al at 7P Says:
January 24th, 2008, 8:34 am
Congratulations Leo! I bought “Zen to Done” and will be awaiting your new book.
Also subscribed to your new WriteToDone.com blog, since like you, I also am an aspiring fiction writer. What genre will you be writing, or do you even have a preferred genre to write about?
Flint Says:
January 24th, 2008, 8:36 am
Awesome Leo,
Again great stuff happening to someone that deserves it! Congratulations!
Yanik Says:
January 24th, 2008, 8:38 am
Congratulations Leo! You deserve it ALL! It’s been amazing to watch you on your journey… can’t wait to read your book!
Sending positive thoughts and energy to you and to all,
Yanik
Simple Says:
January 24th, 2008, 8:41 am
Congratulations Leo!!!
Very attractive title of the book. I am certain it will do well. I can’t wait to read it
Jesse Says:
January 24th, 2008, 8:42 am
What can I say? Hats off to you. Things are going your way. I believe you deserve every bit of it.
All the best in your new challenges.
Sam Crockett Says:
January 24th, 2008, 8:45 am
Congratulations on your book deal Leo. I bought Zen to Done and loved it. I’m really looking forward to yoru first print book. Good Luck!
Beth1016 Says:
January 24th, 2008, 8:57 am
An inspiration — it can be done! I love your Zen Habits blog and the new Write to Done — lovely!
Lee Ann Says:
January 24th, 2008, 9:02 am
Check you out! You inspire us all to get up off it and keep working! Congrats and thanks for the inspiration!
Colleen Says:
January 24th, 2008, 10:03 am
Congrats! Excited about the new blog also.
Dominic Says:
January 24th, 2008, 10:31 am
Congratulations Leo. Well done and well deserved. Consider me as a copy sold when it’s done.
Laura Says:
January 24th, 2008, 10:31 am
Congratulations!
BarbaraB Says:
January 24th, 2008, 10:31 am
Well deserved. Instead of just a little blog snack, we get a full meal - looking forward to ordering the new book Leo. Hyperion and your agent are going to be very happy to have the opportunity to provide it, methinks!
Marc Says:
January 24th, 2008, 10:37 am
It’s nice to see hard work paying off for you. :) I think with the right attitude anyone can do anything.
I definitely will buy the book when it comes out. Hope you make it to little Victoria, BC, Canada for a a book-signing. :)
Becca Says:
January 24th, 2008, 10:39 am
Congrats!! Good luck with your newest adventure!
Josh Says:
January 24th, 2008, 10:43 am
Congratulations!
Wow Leo, this is really great and couldn’t have happened to a better bloke.
I found Zenhabits.net about 6 months ago and it is the only blog on the web that I read every single post of. Your blog has also inspired me to finally start my own blog (simplicity meets diet/fitness/health), which I’ll have up in Feb.
Love the blog, you are an inspiration. Keep up the good work. I will buy a few copies of your book when it comes out and I love your new blog Write to Done.
-Josh
dpal Says:
January 24th, 2008, 10:51 am
Wow… Congratulations, Leo! I look forward to reading it when it comes out.
As with many of the other commenters above, I absolutely love Zenhabits and am not surprised at all that you have become so successful. Keep up the good work!
Kristi Says:
January 24th, 2008, 11:13 am
Congrats Leo! That really is a big deal :))
I self published my book, so not nearly as exciting as your book deal and contract signing, but I gotta tell ya, if you are excited now………..wait until you have the very first, hot off the presses, book in your hand!!! It will be a moment that you will never forget!!
I am so excited for you :) Way to go!!
deepali Says:
January 24th, 2008, 11:25 am
How exciting! Congrats. I’ll put it on my book club’s reading list. :)
Genesis Says:
January 24th, 2008, 11:31 am
Wow, you´re really celebrating the Zen Habits anniversary in style with a new blog and a book deal! Congratulations. I just bought Zen to Done last night after having spent inordinate amounts of time reading through your archives. Great book, though I`m not done yet. You are an inspiration as always and as a freelance writer, I´ll be subscribing to your Write to Done blog, too!
Xtine Says:
January 24th, 2008, 12:04 pm
Congratulations on the book deal!!!
Dave Says:
January 24th, 2008, 12:18 pm
Congratulations! I enjoy your blog and look forward to the book!
Mad Scribbler Says:
January 24th, 2008, 12:30 pm
Congratulations Leo!
I’ve been reading the blog for the last six months and am happy to see your successes over the year:
* Building an outstanding blog that inspires and helps many other people (I for one benefitted as people are amazed at how organized and focused I am now - kind of like an internal makeover)
*Quitting your 9 - 5 and now able to focus on things where you are great
* Abolishing debt. What an accomplishment (especially after quitting your job) and what a sense of freedom. I know I will accelerate myself to that point as a result of the related post.
* Releasing material to the public domain - what a bold move to challenge tried and true models to pioneer yet another true model!
* Becoming a published author - I know what living the childhood dream is like. It does not get any sweeter.
What a great year! You done more than what many people done in their lives!
All success!
gayle Says:
January 24th, 2008, 12:33 pm
Most awesome.
I love the ZTD book, I’m sure this will be more of the same wonderfulness.
Congrats, congrats.
gayle
Victoria E Says:
January 24th, 2008, 12:43 pm
That is such fantastic news! Big congrats Leo - I can’t express how excited I am for you. Once it hits the shelves, I’ll be one of the first to buy it. :)
Liz @ Creative Liberty Says:
January 24th, 2008, 12:45 pm
Your story is an inspiration to all of us in the blogosphere! Good luck with your book.Y
ou have a great message, one that IS simple, yet nuanced enough to provide you plenty of material to cover in a blog and in a book! Your dedication to your blog, and how quickly you’ve built it into something that supports you, is definitely worthy of study by the rest of us…
Nan Says:
January 24th, 2008, 12:46 pm
Congratulations on Living Your Dream!
I have been reading your blog for a few months now and I am completely addicted. I am just embarking on my own GTD and Living Simply journey. I work full time, have 2 businesses, home, husband and 3 kids. I am taking baby steps to to living much more simply and living my dream :)
Thank you for the inspiration.
Can’t wait to read your book!
Nan
Becky Says:
January 24th, 2008, 12:51 pm
Congratulations, Leo! Good job! I enjoy your blog and I hope your book brings a little happiness into many more lives.
sd Says:
January 24th, 2008, 12:51 pm
congratulations, that is such awesome news! i love reading your blog and im really looking forward to your book! my delicious and google reader are getting a bit flooded with all my saving of your posts, hopefully ill be able to remove some now haha.
oyun Says:
January 24th, 2008, 13:37 pm
Congratulations, Leo! Good job! I enjoy your blog and I hope your book brings a little happiness into many more lives
Chryselle Says:
January 24th, 2008, 13:48 pm
Congratulations! Looking forward to the book and to reading your new blog.
Chryselle
Infonote Says:
January 24th, 2008, 14:29 pm
Congratulations,
This is the power of democracy. If you have something to say you can say it.
A strange world. They once said the internet will destroy the book, when in fact blogs are used for deals.
Keep up the good work.
Kyle Says:
January 24th, 2008, 14:37 pm
I just found your blog and you have some good stuff here. Congrats on the book deal!
Mario Says:
January 24th, 2008, 14:40 pm
Congratulations! You´ve earned it. I really love your blog and your articles are always inspiring, educational and on the point. I´ll definitely buy some copies of your book :-)
Dumitru Says:
January 24th, 2008, 14:45 pm
Congratulations :D
James Says:
January 24th, 2008, 15:42 pm
Congratulations (again)! I’ve barely started my own e-book (after you releasing one gave me the push I needed) and you are onto a book deal! When I see your book on the shelves I will be able to say, “I know who that guy is!”
James, Organize IT
Asha Dornfest Says:
January 24th, 2008, 16:19 pm
Congrats, Leo! Boy, the good news just keeps coming!
Karly Pitman Says:
January 24th, 2008, 16:40 pm
Leo,
I celebrate with you in your success. (Although I wasn’t surprised!) I look forward to reading your book, and seeing more of your goals manifest.
Cheers,
Karly Pitman
kazu Says:
January 24th, 2008, 17:11 pm
Congratulations!! What a wonderful news!!
Jean Says:
January 24th, 2008, 17:32 pm
Go, Leo, Go!
:-)
CatherineL Says:
January 24th, 2008, 17:50 pm
Well done. You make it sound so easy, but I’m guessing it wasn’t.
It just goes to show that people are taking bloggers seriously. And they should. You’ve already proved you can write well and you blog regularly, so they know you have the stamina to write a book.
I’m looking forward to reading it.
jpickett1968 Says:
January 24th, 2008, 18:14 pm
Congratulations Leo!
Congrats on this and on your recent decision to go it on your own!
Warren Says:
January 24th, 2008, 18:44 pm
Congratulations! You have every right to be as excited as you are. Publishing a book is my dream too. I am so happy for you.
TheSpinningDonut Says:
January 24th, 2008, 18:53 pm
Congrats. That’s Rick Diculous!! You’ve acquired too much success too quickly. :) I see it coming Leo:
Everybody Loves Leo Television series.
(Everybody Loves Raymond)
Good to see Write to Done as well.
Good Job,
Bill
Cecilia T. Says:
January 24th, 2008, 19:20 pm
Congratulations from Brazil! By the way, I love your blog!
sunny Says:
January 24th, 2008, 22:13 pm
Congratulations!
Kristy Says:
January 24th, 2008, 22:39 pm
So many wonderful things you are receiving right now! I am so happy for you; and a little bit selfishly happy for me, too, knowing I will be gifted with your writings for a long time to come! Woohoo! You go Leo and Eva and kids!!
Andreas Rilinger Says:
January 24th, 2008, 22:41 pm
Wonderfull. I myself want to publish a book (in german) someday. Yeah, fiction. So i know how it is to have a dream. And your dream is coming true. I think your book will be a great success with all thouse readers of your blog behind you. And tell you what? Your blog will benefit from it to. Great deal. :-)
Scott Carpenter Says:
January 25th, 2008, 0:14 am
Congratulations Leo!! Just goes to show how hard work and persistence pays off. :)
Eugene (Editor, Varsity Blah) Says:
January 25th, 2008, 1:18 am
I knew it would happen! Congrats! Really looking forward to reading it and all the articles coming up as well.
A book that really helped me while I was writing mine was Getting Your Book Published for Dummies. It’s a must!
PainterWoman Says:
January 25th, 2008, 4:44 am
Bravo! Funny, you don’t write like Lloyd Alexander!
I’ve had similar thoughts… but am realizing that they have as much to do with making pictures as stringing words together.
Flint Says:
January 25th, 2008, 8:41 am
Awesome Leo, congrats on this and on a year of Zen Habits. As I said before, it’s wonderful seeing good stuff happen to good people :)
Dcrad Says:
January 25th, 2008, 22:59 pm
Congrats on your book, made up for you, I’ll buy it when it comes out :o)
Mrs S | A pocketful of pixiedust Says:
January 26th, 2008, 4:46 am
Just wanted to stop by and say *congratulations* can’t wait to read it!
Maryann McFadden Says:
January 26th, 2008, 8:35 am
Congratulations! Just read your news in PW. I can feel your joy, as I also got a nice deal w/ Hyperion after self-publishing my first novel because I’d given up on ever getting it taken.
It was a six year saga, what I’m now blogging about and calling “The Story of a Novel.”
I am also totally a morning writer and believer in simplicity etc. You are a kindred spirit, my friend.
“Bask in the glow!” as someone said to me after I signed.
Christopher Says:
January 26th, 2008, 14:47 pm
You made it! Well done Leo!
I’d appreciate more on how to write a book proposal. Would you please share your thoughts? Thanks.
jesssala Says:
January 26th, 2008, 15:51 pm
Congratulations! I can’t wait to read your book.
you are a true inspiration, your joy touches each of us.
Thanks for your blog, I love it!
Tom Gallinipper Says:
January 26th, 2008, 23:54 pm
I’m confused. I don’t get it. This blogger got a book deal to write a book with tips such as “wash each dish right after you use it.” Okay, I’m glad this man is supporting his family. But I’m just stunned that people will shell out hard cash for such advice when it is packaged inside the mysterious, mystical “Zen” wrapper! I feel like I am living on that island depicted in the ABC television (U.S.A.) show called “Lost,” where the rules of the normal universe do not apply! Help! Hey–don’t take this as a negative comment. I am just practicing honest Zen simplicity. I am speaking what is in my heart and mind.
Leo Says:
January 27th, 2008, 1:09 am
Thanks for the great comments everyone! I appreciate your encouragement - it means a lot.
@Tom Gallinipper: I appreciate your feedback, but in my defense, a lot of people have actually found some use in some of my posts. Mileage varies, of course, so you might not find it as useful. Everyone’s different, so it’s impossible to write stuff that will fit every reader.
Also, I think the value in my book won’t be that it’s packaged in a Zen wrapper, but that it will help people find simplicity in a world of chaos. Many people feel overwhelmed by their tasks, projects, emails, and never-ending flow of information and stuff … and my book will present a method of keeping that to a minimum while finding peace and power at the same time.
Of course, you may be one of the few that have already found simplicity, and won’t need my book, and if so, I congratulate you. :)
mercurial scribe Says:
January 27th, 2008, 6:11 am
Congratulations! Things are definitely on the up-and-up for you!
Stephen Hopson/Adversity University Says:
January 27th, 2008, 10:56 am
Wow! That is incredibly impressive. I also have dreams of being published by a mainstream publishing house - don’t we all?
I am very grateful to hear of your inspiring story. Thanks for sharing it with the rest of the world.
Jeniffer Says:
January 27th, 2008, 11:10 am
Congratulations!
I can’t wait until it comes out, so I can read it!
Shiraz Says:
January 27th, 2008, 14:35 pm
At the risk of sounding like someone from the year 2000, you da man!
Tabatha Says:
January 27th, 2008, 16:43 pm
Congratulations, Leo! I can’t wait for it to be published. How exciting!
Tom Gallinipper Says:
January 27th, 2008, 19:34 pm
Hey Leo (author of this blog), thanks for your response to my post. Actually, you DID help me understand what your blog, and your service to others via your blog, is all about. It DOES make sense to me now. I see that you ARE providing a valuable service. Many people who are smart and well educated nevertheless feel overwhelmed by modern life. Those people are your readers and your fans. Also I regret the jab I made about the term “Zen.” I realize that “Zen” really has come to mean, for many people, the qualities of inner centeredness, inner strength, inner serenity, inner peace, inner stillness, inner benevolence, inner harmony, inner purpose, inner self-direction, inner self-reliance, and inner order. People want those qualities. You have been, and are learning, how to attain those qualities yourself, and you are showing other how to attain them too. So, in sum, I think you are not only a smart guy, I think you are a good guy. I think you are an honest fellow. I think you are not anything like L. Ron Hubbard or Joseph Smith, Jr. I can say that I have ACTUALLY learned something from this blog. Best wishes to you.
Randomguru Says:
January 27th, 2008, 19:36 pm
Congratulations on getting the book deal! I’m somewhat of a new reader to your blog, but I am very impressed and enjoy your writing style and find your posts very useful and inspiring.
Darryl Heron Says:
January 28th, 2008, 2:45 am
Leo:
I’m so happy for you. It is great to see people dong something that they love and making a living at it.
Darryl Heron
http://systems-overload.blogspot.com/
Tom Gallinipper Says:
January 28th, 2008, 2:59 am
Hey Leo, would it not be a superb excercise of Zen and simplicity to tell us some of the details of your book contract? Oh! I mean, everyone here is celebrating your success. I am too. And it was YOU who announced to the world that you go a booki deal. It would not be unprecedented for you to reveal some facts about your book deal. Quite often the details of book deals are announced in the mainstream media. For example, it was announced that author Ricard Paul Evans got $4.25 million for his first book, which was titled “The Christmas Box.” The advance Hillary Clinton got for her autobiography was also widely reported on in the mainstream media. So, if you would care to share some details, we your fans would be interested. For example, how many copies is your publisher going to print initially? What sort of royalty per book will you get? Are you going to be paid an advance? How long do you get to complete the book? How much will you publisher be spending on promoting your book, if anything? How many pages long is your book required to be? How can we your students learn about publishing if you won’t teach us? Why shouldn’t you share with us? Your readers and fans made your book deal possible in the first place, right, in a certain sense?
