Seven years ago, I first spoke to my agent about writing a book on my life as a fat man.
Four years ago — after three years of being afraid to write it — I signed a contract.
Three years ago, a first draft.
A year and a half ago, a second draft.
A year ago, a version we were all happy with.
(On the left in the photo above is all the working drafts stacked together.)
A few months ago, advance copies in my hands.
A couple of weeks ago, the first hardbacks arrived.
And finally, today, “The Elephant in the Room” lands out in the world.
So many people have been so kind in the days leading up to publication, as excerpts have come out and I’ve done a bunch of interviews about the book. (If you want to catch up on the coverage, we’ve gathered it here.)
I’m also doing a book tour, mostly through the Carolinas but also a couple of other places. We start tonight at Park Road Books in Charlotte. Here’s the current list of dates. If you can come out, I’d love to see you.
Beyond that, I have three favors to ask.
- If you’re planning on buying the book, it would be great if you did it this week. Bookstores count all sales through Saturday as part of the first week’s sales, and the first week is crucial for any book — it’s the best chance to get noticed, and often the best chance to make any best-seller lists. (All preorders also count toward first-week sales). My homepage has buttons where you can buy the book through your local independent store, on Amazon, or wherever else you choose. It’s available as a traditional book, an ebook and an audiobook.
- Please spread the word. If you spend time on social media, tweet or post on Facebook or whatever you normally do to let people know that the book is out. (We’re using #TheElephantInTheRoom as a hashtag, if you do hashtags.) But also just tell your friends, co-workers, and so on. Word of mouth is the best advertising there is.
- I want to see your photos — if you’ve bought the book, if you’re reading it in some exotic location (or just in your living room), if you see it out in the world somewhere. Send any photos to tomlinsonwrites@gmail.com. I’ll post some along the way.
Today is both a finish line (we published a book!) and the start of a new race (now we need people to read it!). Thank you for the incredible boost so far. This moment has been a long time coming — I know some of you have been hearing me talk about this book for so long that you might have figured it was just my imagination. Well, nope. It’s real. It’s here. And I’m thrilled for you to have a chance to read it.
— TT