I bathed in the light for a moment under this wild wisteria vine and took a breath. It has been a whirlwind ever since I released my book in additional paperback form recently, and I needed to just stop.
They tell you all the things you’re supposed to do as an author. You should. You need to. You must. And you can get caught up in that. However, I increasingly have reason to believe that it’s not about the book (it was never about the book), but rather about what the experience of the book may be preparing me, or the world, for next. It has been an extraordinary five years — the hardest of my life, for reasons I’m starting to understand. My biggest challenge each and every day has been to truly, authentically, trust the journey.
Those words on paper will find their way, with or without me, during my life or not. The facts and philosophies in the book, now released in the world, are part of the world’s energy now. They are no longer my cross to carry. The reaction to them (or potential lack of) is not the measure of my worth or a judgment on the calling I still feel.
In the meantime, here’s where things stand. Whatever happens next is what is meant to be. It’s just as simple as that, and that is liberating.
Amazon page in the USA: Thanks for taking the time to read the book and, if you enjoyed it, to post reviews. Am humbled by the heartfelt 100%-5-star reviews to date.
Links to Amazon in all global markets: “Look inside” (and order the book) all over the world — or, rather, “L’eggi l’estratto” in Italy, “Feuilleter” in France, “Echa un vistazo in Mexico,” and so on. Big thanks for the review in Australia 🙂
Media release: For my media friends out there . . .
Amazon book giveaway: Thanks to the 400 folks who entered, and congrats to Brian R for winning. I hope I find out who he is someday, and what he thought of the book.
Little Free Libraries: The book is floating around at a handful of Little Free Libraries in metro Atlanta, and other sites for #FreeArtFriday. I hope to get it into actual libraries soon.
Barnes and Noble online: Am happy that B&N made my book available for you, and am hoping to make it available in indie and cause-oriented shops as well.
Book group discussion guide: This book is a quick-read memoir that covers a whole lotta ground that could make for some lively book club discussions. I’ve created a guide for your convenience.
Virtual book reading: I really liked hunkering down in my closet and reading my book out loud (yes, you’ve spotted an introvert). You can listen to the eight-minute excerpt from Chapter Two: The Bike in the Attic on the bottom of that link.
Bonus resources: Here is stuff that may be helpful to you or someone you know, from a photo album of bike infrastructure to show your city hall to seniors-on-trikes recommendations for your community center, and more.
Free classes: A portion of proceeds from the sale of all books is donated to help more women and girls ride bikes. Currently, that means funding my ability to do these classes for free.
Books-for-sale at Lemonade Days: 20 years ago this week, a tornado destroyed 3,000 homes where I live and wiped out 100,000 trees. A festival started a few years later, named Lemonade Days (to make lemonade out of lemons) aimed to raise money to replant the forest. The festival, run by the local preservation nonprofit, continues to raise money for local causes and it now boasts a local author booth, where participating authors donate $50 to the local nonprofit. The book will be available for sale there April 21-22 for $10 (while supplies last). I additionally donate a portion of my proceeds to help more women and girls ride bikes.
Twitter and Instagram: I post original content, mostly from my bike rides all over metro Atlanta and beyond, including my longitudinal photo essays tagged #TodaysNiceStranger, #ArtOfBikeRiding, #BikeNoodle, and #AStreetcarNamedAspire. I also share sustainability-related news from others as well as my daily online bike-related newspaper.
That’s it, folks. I think it’s time to just ride my bike for awhile and see what happens next.
Traveling at the Speed of Bike 