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
14 replies on “We’re here.”
I am so excited to read this Book Tommy. I am buying my Copy this week. An amazing story to have written. And going outside the Comfort zone to put your story out to the Public. Thank you for telling your story an how so many people can relate and how many people you will help look at themselves through your words. My Friend Tommy so excited for you and Thank you for going outside your comfort Zone and telling us your story in a very Private way. Hugs and I love you always.
Cynthia
Hi
The excerpt in The Atlantic was great, but why isn’t the book available on kindle ?
Hey, Peter! It is now available on Kindle.
Hello Mr Tomlinson, I’ve read your touching story Weight loss is a Rock fight. Like to write an article about it for our newspapers. And offcourse about your book. Can we get in touch somehow? By skype or facetime or whatever?
Kind regards,
Marja Boonstra,
Journalist at Leeuwarder Courant
Friesland-The Netherlands
Hey, Marja! Would you email tomlinsonwrites@gmail.com to connect with Tommy? He’s on the road for the tour and is keeping an eye on email. Thanks!
Just finished your book on Kindle. I can identify with the struggle in so many ways. Congratulations on your many accomplishments. You’ve given me new motivation and some tips to incorporate Just For Today, I will……
jamiejone@gmail.com
I hope this gets you a Pulitzer.
What a wonderful book and such a down to earth manner of telling your story. May it touch countless many and exceed your wildest expectations. Your mama and daddy and Brenda would be so proud. Thank you for sharing your honest vulnerabilities. In so doing, your strengths emerge. Best wishes ~
Just bought (on Amazon). Been a huge fan of your writing from afar, after reading many of your N.C. columns. Looking forward to reading about your personal story.
Finished your excellent book last night. I laughed, I cried, I missed the newsroom where I used to work. Your conclusion about not wanting to grow up feels right; I think that may keep a lot of us down. And I’m so sorry about Fred. I hope another buddy has found y’all by now. Best wishes.
Enjoyed your book “immensely” (the quality of your writing made it possible to read your book in the course of just one evening). I would still not rule out the surgery option (I’m a little biased, because it worked well enough for me) … just make sure you get the best surgeon available. You’ve got so much more to share with the world (and receive in return). Do it for your spouse, if it’s still too daunting to do it just for yourself. Your concern for her (and hers for you) is an amazing gift. Thank you for sharing it with the rest of us.
I greatly enjoyed reading your book “Elephant in the Room,” because it so clearly and cleverly articulated many of the challenges I face in my own struggle to lose weight. In particular I have a couple of thoughts about your book.
1. With some books there is a particular phrase or sentence that really sticks in your mind. While I enjoyed your entire book, the phrase, IIRC, “Telling a fat person they should exercise more and eat better is like telling a fighter not to get hit.” That so succinctly captured a key frustration that I experience.
2. BBQ: I (almost) never criticize anyone’s choice in BBQ and don’t criticize your mentions of Bridges or Lexington. I have eaten and enjoyed beef rib BBQ and brisket BBQ in Texas, burnt ends in Kansas City, dry rub pork ribs in Memphis, and mutton BBQ in Owensboro. The only BBQ I don’t like is that mustard based stuff served in the middle of South Carolina. But the BBQ that I love the best is what I grew up with, Wilbers in Goldsboro, NC. Or as Calvin Trillin said when describing his experience in eating meat cooked over an open fire all over the world, the old pit-master in his favorite BBQ joint in Kansas City would say, “That mighty good, but it’s not BBQ.” BBQ is what you grew up with.
3. Sweetened Tea: I think I have had better luck than you in switching to unsweetened tea. I chiefly backslide when I am in one of the BBQ joints back in Eastern NC and just can’t bring myself to order unsweetened. Once my sister-in-law, from California, brought shame on the whole family by ordering unsweetened tea at Wilbers. The waitress looked at her and said, “You ain’t from around here, are ya?” No, I actually made that last part up. All the waitress did was look at my sister-in-law’s trim and athletic figure and said, “Yes ma’am!” Then she looked at the rest of us and said, “I’ll bring a couple pitchers of sweetened tea for the rest of ya’ll.”
4. Fitbit: I have been using a Fitbit for several years and love it. But prior to reading your book, I just could never bring myself to log my food intake. The excuse I made was that due to my profession, I have to account for my life in six minute increments and write it all down and just could bring myself to do that with my food too. But because of your book, I am now logging my food intake on Fitbit. One unexpected benefit that has arisen is when I go grocery shopping. I will pick something up in the grocery store, look at it, and ask myself, “Will you be ashamed to log this on Fitbit? When I show my log to my wife, if this isn’t logged, will I be lying to her?” If so, I set if back on the shelf. If I am going to brag about how many steps/flights/active-minutes I average per day for a month or a year, then I have to log what I eat too. You can’t just brag about one side of the equation.
5. Taking the edge off unsweetened tea: I purchase a gallon of unsweetened tea in the grocery store and mix it with a half gallon of grape juice. I figure that cuts the calories of the grape juice by 2/3rd. And it really does take some of the edge off the tea. And sometimes I will mix the tea with 45 calories a serving low calorie grape juice. I always use Welch’s Grape Juice, because Thomas B. Welch was a Methodist preacher who invented the process for preserving unfermented grape juice. Thomas Welch believed that in American society before the Civil War, churches should not be encouraging its member to drink alcohol, regardless of the hygienic benefits of wine during the period of Jesus’ ministry. And I always take that as a lesson when reading the Scriptures to sit myself upon the three legged stool of Hope, Faith, and Love and let them guide me to the message in the Scriptures. And to not let myself get distracted by what some self-loathing closeted hypocritical translator thinks the words should be.
Keep up the good work and always remember, when you eat right and exercise regularly, there are many benefits beyond mere weight loss.
Just read several excepts, bravo, bravo, bravo. Damn well done.
I listened to it on audible and could not stop till it was finished. It was the best audible book and the most uplifting book I listened to in a very long time
Thank you so much for writing it
Arthur