Dear Friends,
What do artists do in hard times? Painters, poets, musicians, authors—we create.
Six years ago, as so many people released their energies to support, entertain, and connect with one another, I considered what I could do. I can write. That’s what I can do. And I had this collection of notes, funny stories I heard while sitting at a bar in a warm and wonderful place.
Okay, it took a while. But I turned those notes into a book, A Gritty Little Tourist Town, to be released from the warehouses of Simon&Schuster in the first week of April. I am humbled and thrilled by the positive reviews and reception it has already received. Whenever I hand an advanced copy to somebody, they hold on to it, don’t want to put it down.
If you’re willing and able, I would be grateful if you could help support my book launch in whatever way strikes your fancy. I’d love for you to buy a copy. Whether you want to learn about Costa Rica or my family, think about how people handle change, be reminded of the basic humanity of humanity, or simply enjoy some rollicking good fun, I wrote this book to bring a bit of joy into your world.
I have come up with six easy ways you can help me spread the word about A Gritty Little Tourist Town. Do just one of them, and you will bring joy to me! Do one more, and you will make my day.
How you can help support A Gritty Little Tourist Town:
1. PREORDER THE BOOK: Please consider buying the book if you can! Preorders and the first few days it’s on sale are VERY important for a new book launch like this. You can pre-order my book from several sources on my website (willagoodfellow.com) including Bookshop, Amazon, or Barnes & Noble. Using the Bookshop site will support your local independent bookstore
The rest of these involve no money on your part.
2. SOCIAL MEDIA: Check out my Facebook (facebook.com/wgoodfellow) and Instagram (instagram.com/willagoodfellow/) accounts, and share news about the book via social media (tag me when you do, so I can thank you!). By the way, my Instagram has been focused on my spiritual writing on Substack lately. I will be pivoting that account to include more about my time in Costa Rica.
Pro tip: once you have the book, posting a photo of you reading it adds pizzazz!
3. REVIEW: After you’ve read the book, post a review/rating of the book in as many places as you can. Amazon, if you purchased it from there, or on your social media platforms. Reviews like yours will help potential readers decide whether to buy the book, and the more reviews, the better.
**Telling your friends about it is the best kind of review.**
4. GOODREADS: Add A Gritty Little Tourist Town to your shelf on Goodreads and rate it. It matters not in the least to me how many stars you give it.
5. BOOK CLUB: Does your book club like to lighten up in the spring/summer? A Gritty Little Tourist Town might fit the bill.
6. LIBRARY: This last one is the easiest – ask your local library to buy a copy. Share the joy!
Whatever you decide to do, however big or small, it helps and it means so much. Thank you for your continued support and encouragement, and please let me know how I can pay it forward.
As they say in Costa Rica, Pura vida! Pure life!