The day has come! It’s Rest Easy time! Today my new book is out in the world and I’m really proud of it. Throughout the course of writing and researching and illustrating and talking about the book, I’ve gotten a few questions about how it all came to be and what to expect from it. Here’s what I’ve got to say about it!
What’s the origin story of the book?
In 2019, I was pregnant with my first child, working an emotionally draining 9-5 in a not always supportive work environment, and writing my first book, Listen Like You Mean It. At the time, I focused on putting one foot in front of the other to get it all done. Soon, the pandemic hit, and the George Floyd protests, and wildfires, and a number of collective challenges that made things that much harder. Eventually, I hit a breaking point. I burned out.
I knew that something had to change to feel better—to regain my energy and rejuvenate my spirit. But I wasn’t sure how, exactly, to recover from burnout. I didn't know where to start. I didn't know how to feel better. I didn't know how to rest.
What started as a personal crisis became the seed of my new book, Rest Easy: Discover Calm and Abundance through the Radical Power of Rest. The book tells the story of why we don't get enough rest, and how we can get more of it in a time when so many of us are feeling burned out. It is a practical and encouraging guide to getting the rest we need. It's the book I needed four years ago.
I know I am not the only one to have experienced burnout, overwhelm, and fatigue these past few years. In a time when so many of us are crunched for time and peace of mind, I hope this book helps readers as much as it’s helped me.
When does the book come out?
9/26/2023! Today! She’s a Libra and all about finding that perfect balance.
Where’s the best place to buy your book?
You are very sweet to ask. My advice is to choose the bookstore you most want to support. I gain a small commission if you use the following links:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop (sales support Indie bookstores) | Community Bookstore (signed copies!)
Can I order a signed copy?
You can! You can get signed copies online or in person at Community Bookstore. You can also get a signed copy in person at Powerhouse Books on 8th in Brooklyn, where I’ll be doing a book event tonight! If you’ve already purchased a book and would like to get it signed (thank you for preordering!), just reply to this email with proof of purchase and we’ll get a signed bookplate back to you lickety split.
Are you going to tell me what fancy sheets, scented candles, and luxury rest products to buy?
Only if you want me to. The book isn’t filled with product recommendations, so much as techniques and tactics for getting the rest you need. Think: self-reflection prompts, exercises, inspiration, and research-backed tips more than product recs. I’m always happy to share the accessories I personally use, but I think of these as extras. No amount of products will help you feel rested if you don’t pause long enough to reflect on what’s making you so stressed all the time.
Will you do a book tour?
Yes! I’ll be hosting two events in New York this fall—one in Brooklyn tonight at Powerhouse on 8th and one in Manhattan at P&T Knitwear—along with some other events that are still being scheduled. If you’d like to bring me to your team, organization, event, or retreat, get in touch.
Are you one of those authors who hates promoting her book?
Listen, do I like begging you to buy something I think is really important and spent years working on? Of course not! I’d much rather you buy it without me waving my arms frantically about pre-orders. But it’s important, so I do it.
Also, if I’m honest, I like the limelight! I grew up one of four girls, so attention was always a hot commodity in our house. I won’t shy away if someone passes me the mic or puts me in the spotlight. I did musical theater as a kid. I know how to take my cue. Places!
I love your illustrations. Are there illustrations in this book?
Why, thank you! Yes, yes there are! Here’s a sneak peek.
Did you get to choose the cover?
Yes, see this post for the behind the scenes!
Is there an audiobook?
There sure is, and it’s narrated by yours truly. I love the recording process. Here I am in the studio:
You can order your audiobook here.
What’s it like to record an audiobook?
Remember when I said I used to do musical theater? Well, here is where I get to channel my inner theater nerd. There’s no singing involved, but there is a bit of acting, even for nonfiction. For some audiobook recordings, there’s even a director involved. They’re there to catch when you start to swallow your words, help you correctly pronounce tough words and names (like rhabdomyolysis), and make sure you don’t sound too tired after hours of reading your own material. A good director will push you a bit to try reading things differently, and help you get the best “take” for the audiobook.
When a director isn’t available, a lot of that is on you to gut check: Is my energy flagging? Am I getting the cadence right for this sentence? I never read anything completely straight—I always bring a mix of playfulness, lightheartedness, earnestness, and seriousness to my reading, because I’m a blend of all these things, too. It’s how I write and narrate because it’s how I am. If you get the audiobook, that’s me!
Your book is finally out in the wild. How are you feeling?
Honestly, it’s always a surreal moment to see that the ideas you’ve been thinking through, scheming about, and grappling with are finally out in book form, years after trying to tame them into words. Right now, I’m feeling grateful that I get to keep doing what I love—writing and illustrating, and, I hope, helping others on their own journey through life. I’m feeling happy and relieved to have gotten to this moment, and also nervous about how the launch will go. Will readers like it? Will they buy it? Will I get to keep writing? I hope so, I hope so, I hope so.
💌 Thanks as always for reading along and supporting my work. If you like what you see, hit the heart button, drop a comment, or share this with someone you think will love it, too. You can order my new book or book me for a speaking event here. If you have a copy of the book already, take a pic and tag me! I love to see how far the book is traveling. 💌
‘She’s a Libra and all about finding that perfect balance.’ ❤️❤️✨✨