My book the Intimate Way of Zen: Effort, Surrender, and Awakening on the Spiritual Journey was officially released by Shambhala Publications on the 23rd of July!
It’s my sixth book. And the first not published by a non-profit house. Which has had small but discernible consequences. Mainly in that there is actually staff trying to get publicity for the book and arranging for me to speak here and there. There have also been nice reviews at Publisher’s Weekly and Spirituality & Practice. Additionally, Spark Zen and Tricycle have published excerpts from the book.
Sadly, because of family issues, I can’t range as far as I’d hoped. But I have a schedule and doing what I can.
Neighborhood Unitarian Universalist Church in Pasadena generously hosted the book launch the following Sunday, the 28th. I read from the book and then as a mini fundraiser for the church they sold copies and I signed those who wanted signatures. Sold twenty-five, which I’ve been told was pretty good.
Then in all my years as a writer I had my only second book signing ever at a bookstore. Book Soup is a well oiled machine so far as speakers and readers are concerned. I think they have someone every night of the month.
It was set up so that my old friend and colleague, Dr Chris Hoff would “interview” me. I’d do some reading out of the book. Take questions and provide answers. And sign books.
Chris, Jan, and I were provided with designated parking spaces. Which considering this was Hollywood and in a very upscale area, was a mercy. We had arrived early (thank goodness for the advanced planning, it took an hour and a half to drive what the google machine said would take forty-five minutes. It was about the same for Chris – thanks to LA afternoon traffic…).
The set up is one of the aisles of the store, with a podium and two high chairs and mics at one end and a row of side by side chairs down the aisle. I didn’t count, maybe a dozen chairs.
Three people ended up showing up.
Chris and I are both pros in the public speaking world, as it were, and we gave it our one hundred percent. And actually it was fun. Chris interviewed me, he was very evocative and kept it close to what I explored in the book, and I responded. With a softball throw, I responded with a brief reading from the book. Then I answered questions from all three, people. and only one used the opportunity to expound on something of deep interest to him but totally unconnected to what was going on.
Ended up selling a book to one of the three. And the event manager purchase another for her boy friend.
While the hawking of one’s book must present the odd occasion of ego gratification, I’m mainly experiencing opportunities for modesty and the odd splash of embarrassment. So far Amazon has had three reader’s reviews, and all are five stars. But I have those other five books I published in the past, and I’m waiting for the one star with the comment they’d have given it minus if that were an option. It will happen.
As a spiritual practitioner, I guess I should be grateful.
And.
I still have a bit of the tour ahead for me.
- 8/4/24 | UU Congregation of Santa Monica – Preaching and signing the book
- 8/5/24 | Empty Moon Zen Recovery Sangha – Dharma talk
- 8/18/24 | UU Church of the Desert – Preaching and signing the book
- 9/1/24 | Heart of Wisdom Zen Temple – Dharma talk and signing the book
- 9/7/24 | San Francisco Zen Center – Dharma talk and workshop
- 9/21-22/24 | Blue Cliff Zen Center – Co-lead Sesshin, give several talks. Book will be available for purchase
One or two more events might pop up. But this is basically it. My book tour.
Perhaps you’ll be in one of the areas and might want to see how it goes…
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