I've got something for you...
Why you should buy my book
You can order at Barnes & Noble and Amazon
I actually have no ego about hitting that particular list, or any of the other ones. But what I do care about is seeing books about fixing democracy thrive, especially books by women. Publishers care about numbers above almost everything else and if a book like this doesn’t deliver those numbers other women who want to find ways to increase civic engagement and keep democracy safe for all of us will have a hard time getting those books out into the world.
We also see so many more of these kinds of books being published and sold in insane numbers by the right. Almost all of those books are published by traditional publishers and they keep publishing them because their audience is buying them.
So please help me keep these numbers high. I want this book to succeed to set a precedent for the kind of movement we are ALL TRYING TO CREATE.
Here’s 10 reasons why you should order now (for you and a couple of friends so you can read it together):
It will make you hopeful for the country: Most political things on the internet and in the news are created with the intention of making you upset - because this is the best way to get engagement and views. A good news story every Friday is not sufficient to unwind the will of dread in your soul, but this book will give you a totally new perspective on our political system and your role in it.
It is a kind deed you can do for your Internet friend: I went from proposal to publication in less than a year, the entire time of which I had cancer. This was a labor of love because Democracy is truly on the line. At the end of the day, the success of the book (and my ability to continue this career) is dependent on all of you buying it!
Everyone loves a personality quiz: I say get the book and immediately open to page 91, where you will find the civic personality quiz. I immediately want to know everyone’s answer and talk about why that is and it’s so interesting. It will get you thinking and talking and I can’t wait to hear about it!
You will learn the answer to the question, are we a Democracy or a Republic: The MAGA trolls are unhinged with their dedication to telling everyone that America is not a democracy. If you’ve ever given a second of credence to their statement, the book will give you a foundation to disregard their idiocracy.
You can gift it to your friends who say there’s nothing they can do: This book is the perfect gift for that person in your life who genuinely believes, with their entire soul, that there is absolutely nothing that can be done to change anything. This book will take them from stuck in the mud to action plan ready.
We have a loneliness epidemic in this country and this book offers a solution to that: A lot of ink has been spilled about the problem, but what’s the solution? The pandemic only heightened the growing loneliness problem in this country, but pundit after pundit only waxes poetic about the issue. We put on paper a way forward.
If you love Robert Putnam (author of Bowling Alone), you will find a kindred spirit: This is niche but IYKYK. I love him so much and let's talk about it. (metaphorically)
Because social media is rupturing our social fabric and who better to ring the alarm than influencers: Everyone is obsessed with taking phones away from kids - but the rest of us aren’t doing so well either. We need to talk about how social media has really morphed politics, not in a way that is distinct from larger forces but as a part of it.
Even if you feel super informed, the exercises, journaling prompts and quizzes will help you probe your own values and interests: I have been working in politics for 20 years but to be honest I actually learned some new things about myself when I tested out the exercises in the book. Sometimes we need structure to step back and consider our own interest and lives - this book does just that.
Let’s get democracy on the bestseller list: I hear all the time that we need to change the public discourse on politics. To move from outrage to action. To amplify reasonable voices. And to focus on the importance of Democracy. I’m trying to do just that with this book - but I need your help.
In Democracy in Retrograde we try to take your hopelessness and channel that into civic engagement that is authentic and sustainable for you. My political philosophy is that a rising tide lifts all boats, but that tide only rises with thousands of raindrops. It requires all of us to do a little.
And just a reminder that Democracy in Retrograde is available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble! Thank you for supporting my work and for pre-ordering the book - it means a lot.
I was in (and ordered my copy) before the Robert Putnam reference, but now I am more excited!
Done! Happy Publication day!