with a little help from my friends

November 28th, 2016

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The other day my friend Tim dropped by after work with four brand new copies of Paradise in Plain Sight for me to sign. He had two friends in mind to give them to, and he would think of others for the rest.

I need more friends like Tim. We all do.

Soon you will be thinking of friends and family for holiday gifts and I’d really like you to give people this book. First, it’s cheap: $12.01 for a paperback on Amazon.* For that price, it will give a good amount of peace and comfort. Second, the story it tells is true. It’s not a big or important story. Nothing shocking or scintillating happens in it. But it’s deeply honest and real. As honest as sunlight. As real as a tree, rock, or pond that you can see with your own eyes.

Lastly, and this is the most important reason, it will really help if more people buy the book. The truth is, it hasn’t sold as well as my other books, and it’s easily twice as good.

People keep asking me when I will write another book. The answer is that I can’t publish another unless this little book sells better. That’s the way it works. Sometimes I’ll say that I’ve lost my ambition, but the truth is that I can’t afford to have ambition. This year I’ve made $156 in book royalties, and that wasn’t even for this book. So you get the picture.

Maybe even buy four or six or ten! (I have some amazing friends who have actually done this.) And if you don’t have anyone to give it to, buy one to give to your library. Some people tell me they haven’t read any of my books because their library doesn’t have them. So a single copy could enrich a lot of people.

I don’t like to ask for help—not many people do. But I’ve reached a point where I can. So I’ll say it again: I need your help.

Thank you.

*It helps if you buy it on Amazon or from another bookseller because it doesn’t cost me anything.

From a reader: how this book changed her life

13 Comments »

  1. I have to get more….I sent one copy to
    my cousin that just lost her husband, who I asked you to say a service for. The other one to my friend of 50 years.:)

    Comment by Marcea — November 28, 2016 @ 2:13 pm

  2. Mama Zen and Hand Wash Cold are 2 books I give to new moms. Their gentle wisdom is wonderful. Thank you

    Comment by DEBRA BURES — November 28, 2016 @ 4:12 pm

  3. O Karen, I can’t make any promisses I can’t keep, but I promiss to see what I can do.
    About this “Second, the story it tells is true. It’s not a big or important story.” we need more truth. I think that one of the problems in the world today is that we suffer from “hyperbole-overdose” (I think it’s called hyperbole) and that culture makes it feel as if a simple life lead in truth and honesty, respect and love is trivial and meaningless, when in reality it is the jewel in the crown.
    I read an interview with Derek Jarman about his new movie starring Adam Driver that touches on that subject. Very interesting.

    Comment by Simone — November 29, 2016 @ 12:49 am

  4. I checked my local library in a tiny upstate NY town and found they have Paradise and Hand Wash, but not Momma Zen.

    I will be pleased to buy multiple copies of Paradise in order to spread the joy (and to give Momma Zen to the library).

    _()_

    Comment by Jude Smith — November 29, 2016 @ 5:44 am

  5. I discovered today that my public library system and my university library system don’t have copies, so I am going to donate to both. All of your books, including this one, have meant so much to me. I would like more people to experience the peace and joy.

    Comment by Angela — November 29, 2016 @ 5:45 am

  6. Thanks to others comments, I too just checked our local library and realized they don’t have your books! They will soon. 🙂 Love you, dear Maezen.

    Comment by Rivkeh — November 29, 2016 @ 6:02 am

  7. Dear Maezen,
    Headed into Rohatsu, I’ll see you there.
    ❤️
    Mary

    Comment by Mary Sherman — December 1, 2016 @ 1:57 pm

  8. I just finished this book and immediately went back to page one to start again… that’s what happens when you read a book filled with wisdom: you need to read it more than once.
    I had planned to buy a few copies, one for my mom, boyfriend and close friend but will buy a few more… The world needs your insight ~ and your next book!
    So grateful for you!
    xox

    Comment by Barbara Mendez — December 2, 2016 @ 5:08 pm

  9. Thanks for responding and also reaching out to me in a special way.
    Already have received my copy of “Paradise…….”
    Will probably never give up my reading of “Hand Wash…..” in the middle of the night.
    Blessings,
    Ellen

    Comment by Ellen — December 3, 2016 @ 6:24 pm

  10. I’ve just ordered a copy of Paradise in Plain Site, after reading the article in AARP (again—I had torn it out of the magazine and saved for re-reading). I’m almost 63, still working but looking for more out of the rest of my life. I love stories of lives re-born, re-worked, re-created—I don’t want to ever give up on life, but am still searching for my place (if that makes any sense). Thanks for the AARP article and I look forward to reading your book. Peace and all good!

    Comment by Anne Paulson — December 4, 2016 @ 6:42 pm

  11. Paradise is one of my favorite books. I’ve read it twice all the way through, and pick it up sometimes and just open to a page when I need inspiration or an answer to something on my mind. I had no idea it wasn’t selling well.

    Thank you for asking for, and allowing us to help. I will definitely buy copies to give as gifts this Christmas. And I’ll promote it on my blog. <3

    Comment by Shawne Taylor — December 11, 2016 @ 2:23 pm

  12. I will buy this book for my libraries in town. Right….now! xoxo

    Comment by Kirsten — December 16, 2016 @ 6:59 am

  13. […] with a little help from my friends on Karen Maezen Miller’s blog Cheerio Road […]

    Pingback by superpower — August 16, 2018 @ 10:25 am

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