Layout for book two begins tonight!

For those of you who know and enjoyed book one, I believe part of the adventure of it was the layout--maybe it was even a significant part of your experience with the book. Unfortunately, all the pictures have to be drawn, scanned, edited, photoshopped and made ready before the layout can even begin. My buddy, Bert Compton, has been busy making these elements ready for book two and so tonight we are going to begin putting it all together. This is where the fun begins--the work is nearly done.
Bert is a very gifted artist and has really shared the vision I had for this book. I am an artist. I am moderately creative and I believe a book can best be enjoyed when the design of the book is creative. I spend a lot of extra time with this and a whole lot of money, but I believe it is worth it. It helps makes my book an experience--not just a book. We are planning to have the book to the printer by next week and they have promised to have the book back to us on Monday the 23rd of November.
Also, I began writing Becoming Isaac last night--the third and most likely the final book in this series. I am only two pages into it, but it feels good. I spent all day Saturday and again today working on a giant mosaic on my kiln shed. The work has given me some time to think about the book. A lot of the story has some aspects of my own interpersonal conflicts. It is difficult for me to work through these things. I know it will all work out in the wash, but I am struggling to make sense of it--how Jake and Amy are going to respond--how I am going to respond. I know that is really vague, but I'd hate to ruin it for you. Cheers. Ben

Time breathes on and the leaves that are green turn to brown--Simon and Garfunkel

Wow, this has been a crazy month. I turned thirty-six last Friday. It's a strange thing to be thirty-six. I feel like I have done so little in my life--so many things I have yet to do. I feel like I am having a bit of a mid-life realization.

I have been signing at Costco several days a week. I have broken my record a couple of times in the past few weeks, selling as many as 82 books in Ogden last week. I don't know if it is just getting closer to Christmas and folks are looking for gifts, or if I'm getting better at selling. The thing I am most enjoying is that people are coming back to tell me how much they are enjoying the book and/or looking forward to Discovering Isaac. Nearly every day I receive emails from folks who are anxious for book two. I am very pleased the book has struck such a chord.

Speaking of Discovering Isaac, I am exhausted. The final edits have been completed and the book is now with my designer, working on layout. It is coming--a little slower than I hoped, but with any luck, the book will be done Thanksgivng weekend. I am very excited about the design and the road forward. Costco has already agreed to sell it and are waiting for the word that it is finished to place their purchase orders. Things are falling into place. I'm not sure how this all happens, but it happens. I am behind on everything else in my life, the furnace in my studio is broken, the new kiln shed has lots of work left to do, but somehow, it is all working out. I will sleep when I am dead.

Ben Behunin- 64, Richard Paul Evans-3

I know I can't really compare myself to Richard Pauld Evans, the writer of 17 Best Selling novels, or something like that, but it was fun to outsell him at the Murray Costco on Friday. He was scheduled to do a book signing there on Saturday, so maybe folks were just holding off until they could meet the royal highness himself.
This was a great week for book signings at Costco. The buzz over the new Dan Brown book is fading away and I am finding my groove. I am encouraged by a whole bunch of emails from folks who are enjoying my book and recommending it to their friends. It seems this is a book that folks of all stripes are finding relevant and important and comforting.
Book Two, Discovering Isaac, is coming along well. I am still on track to have it available on November 15th or thereabouts. If you would like to be notified, let me know via email benbehunin@comcast.net.
I spent the weekend on a much needed vacation with friends down in Moab, Utah in one of my favorite places on earth, The Fiery Furnace in Arches National Park. 20 years ago I was exposed to this very unique place and have never been the same. Lynnette and I started a guest book 11 years ago in a wonderful slot canyon we call the Fat Man's Dilemna. I looked at the guestbook yesterday and was surprised to see that probably fewer than 150 people had been through there in the last 11 years. Most who had, knew me or someone I lead through. I am costantly amazed at the beauty of this earth. Utah is an amazing place to live.
Got to get to the editing of book two. Cheers. Ben

Costco Book Signings Going Well, Kiln Shed Nearly Complete

I am tired. Exhausted is really more like it. I have been signing 3-4 days a week at Costco and in my spare time, I have been constructing a new kiln shed. This one is nearly 20' X 20'. I still have to build a new kiln too, but one step at a time.

I fell off a ladder yesterday. I'm not sure how it happened. I was just standing on top of the eight foot ladder, working on the roof and the next thing I know, I was on the ground, tied in a knot around said ladder. Somehow, the fall broke the window in the studio. I missed all my vital organs, but have some bruises on my arms and legs to write home about. I thank the heavens it wasn't worse.

On Monday, I harvested my honey. I have been a beekeeper for the past three years. I got 120 pounds of honey this year which is quite impressive considering that I have only one hive. I got away cheap this year, only two stings, one on my chin which made me look pretty funny, and another on my elbow which I didn't discover until later that evening when the swelling caused my elbow to appear nearly twice the size. I'm not even allergic. My brother Abe who is highly allergic got stung on his lip a week ago when he was harvesting his honey. He looked like a cartoon character, and not a good one. The swelling usually stays for three to four days.

I just got off the phone with my friend, Mike Ramsdell, the author of the Train to Potevka. He is on his way home from San Diego where he was meeting with a literary agency to handle his book. He has pushed it hard and has been signing books at Costco for over three years. He has sold something like 150,000 books through Costco and has finally signed a contract with this agency to take his book to the big leagues in New York, to take it to auction. He kicks himself for already having sold the movie rights to another group after the agency told him he could have done better. Live and learn I suppose.

So, I have personally sold nearly three hundred books at Costco in the last two weeks. The first edition is officially sold out except for a handful I have here. The second edition is pretty cool. Nicer cover, a little more art inside, a lot less--hopefully no errors. People are starting to come back and buy copies to share with their friends and family and the Christmas season hasn't even started yet, even though you would guess it has from the looks of Costco and the early snowfall we recieved today.

I'll be in Bountiful tomorrow and Ogden on Friday. See you at Costco. Come and I'll buy lunch. Cheers. Ben

Dan Brown-32 Ben Behunin-56

Well, its not everyday I sell more books than Dan Brown, but I did today, at least at the Murray Costco. It was a good day, lots of nice folks and I had enough energy to enjoy it.
Since I wrote last, I have recieved another order for 400 books from Costco which brings my back order status to a whopping 900 books. The second edition of Volume one will be out on Tuesday next. This is starting to become fun.
I printed five copies of volume 2 on Monday. My mom asked for an early copy to read on her trip to Norway. I promised my father in law a copy. Bert Compton, my layout guy got a copy to begin working on his part. Another two copies went to friends and editors. I still hope and think I am on track to have the book ready by November 1 or soon there after.
Life is good.

Full Moon?

Last night was a full moon, I think. I didn't sleep, kept awake by the moonbeams that filtered through my shutters, painting stripes on my floor. I should have gotten up to close them, but there is something incredible about moonbeams, whatever power they have over the night.
I was up late working on edits for Remembering Isaac with Bert Compton, my layout guy and my friend. Together, we have known many late nights on this book and will know many more, I'm sure, before this series is over.
You may ask why I am editing this book now. I am back ordered 450 books with an order that has come in from Costco of Utah. Each store ordered 100 books after a good showing on Friday and Saturday at the Sandy store. I sold out of 100 books in a day and a half . I found my groove, which I suppose is like finding one's thrill on blueberry hill. I actually had a good time, too.
So, before I print my next edition of 5000 books, I thought I would clean up a few things. I spent a lot of hours making minor tweeks and fixing punctuation in the book. It feels good. I also spent some more time yesterday editing book two. I am really liking it. It is a different feel than book one. I feel like I have become a much better writer in book two which is encouraging and works well with the way Jake also progresses.
I originally printed 1500 books and hoped I would sell them all by Christmas. By September 1, I had sold them all and had the back order too. I am meeting my distributor this morning to hand over 200 books which will help is back order problem, but won't solve it for a couple of weeks until I get the books back from the printer.
I will be speaking to another book club on Tuesday. This seems to be a good book for book groups. It is clean, won't make you blush and offers a lot of good things to think about. I am also enjoying hearing about the broad appeal it has for so many people.
Yesterday, I began taking down my deck in preparation for building a new kiln shed. We hope to make some changes to our house next spring and moving my kiln will be necessary to make those changes. I figured while I'm at it, I might as well do it right. I am making the kiln smaller. I no longer need so much space because I am no longer using as much clay. The kiln shed will be functional for all my needs and make the back yard more attractive.
I also got my proposed schedule for book signings yesterday. I will be signing 3-4 days a week as soon as all the stores have their books. I dont know when I am going to make pots. I am already tired.
So, I guess I better get up. I have books to deliver, and will be signing today in Sandy at the Costco from 12-6. Wish me luck.

Costco book signing

Well, today was my first of what I hope will become many book signings at Costco. My distributor set this up for me down at the Sandy store. I signed from noon to 6 and sold 51 copies. It was a lot of work. I am used to having people walk into my booth at a festival and walk out carrying something they like. Selling books is not such an easy sell. I had several people tell me they would look for my book at the library. I've always been a book buyer, eventhough I do have a library card that I use frequently. There is something about a book, the way it smells, the way it feels in your hand. I buy books because I often take a while to read them. I buy books because I like to revisit them. I buy books because they look good on my shelf. I buy books because I like to mark them up and reference them later. But, I guess some people don't like to buy books. For those that do and especially those that have bought one of mine, thanks. You have made it possible for me to continue to write books, even if you do share the book you bought with all your friends and neighbors. Thanks.
While at Costco today, I saw the Stephanee Meyer collection. Maybe if I ever sell a million books, I'll do the collection set too. Seems like a good way to sell four books at a time.
So, I guess what I wanted to say is that I am realizing that today was not a book signing like you see on tv where people are ligned up to get your autograph. I didnt really expect that, and that's a good thing because it was not that at all. For starters, no one has heard of my book. I have sold 1000 copies and maybe as many as 2000 people in the world have read it, but you have to start somewhere near the bottom. I am revising my pitch. Today I said a lot of really stupid things, but someday in the next ten years, I hope to figure this out. I feel like I am starting from scratch with this business. People have loved my pots for years and frankly, that has probably made me a little lazy, as they sell themselves. Not so with books. I didnt have to tackle anyone and hogtie them to listen to my pitch, at least not yet, but I am trying to figure out how sell my book. Without action, vampires and sex, my book may not appeal to everyone, but I believe the book has a broad appeal and the folks that are reading it seem to agree, at least the ones that are related to me.
So, I should be on a date with my wife, but we are both exhausted. She is reading volume two next to me on her laptap while I write this blog. Really romantic, eh. I'll do better next week. If you're reading this on Friday, drop by costco tomorrow for lunch and book.

Wow, its been a crazy week. I finished writing volume 2 at 12:30 am yesterday morning. I will be editing this week and next and then passing it on to my editor for her review. I am very excited. If you like volume one, I really think you're going to love volume two. It is exciting and very unpredictable. I wont spoil it for you. The process of creating a book, especially one as visually complicated at mine requires a lot of time. I am not anticipating that I will see a completed version of volume 2, Discovering Isaac, until mid-November.

On Friday and Saturday of this week, I will be signing books at the Sandy, Utah Costco, located at 11100 South, just off I-15. I will be there from 12-5 each day, unless I run out of books. I am excited that things are rolling forward; sometimes slowere than I hoped, but forward motion is always inspring. I have put together an assortment of cards to give away. These are old photos Jake and Amy recently stumbled upon in the archives at the Niederbipp Public Library. Apparently the Niederbipp Travel Council once planned to use these to help promote Niederbipp, but the plans fell through. As is reported in the next Volume 2, Jake and Amy become involved with the council to try and breath some new life into it. Look soon for the Niederbipp website. For the time being, enjoy the postcards from Niederbipp. Cheers.

So, My goal was to publish a post every week and it makes me happy to be doing just that. I have some news to report. I spent three days last week working on volume two and made some great progress. Shipping pots, participating in service projects and attending an overnight scout activity kept me from writing more, but I am pleased with the progress I was able to make and also pleased with the ideas that came to me while participating in the other activities.

On Friday, I received a call from my distributor informing me that Costco is interested in my book. They want to begin with one store and see how it goes, so next Friday at the Sandy store, Remembering Isaac will be debuting at Costco!!!!!!

If you are in the neighborhood, stop by. I'd love to sign a copy for you. I have no idea how much they will be retailing for, but I am excited the book is finally going to be reaching a broader audience. I hope to be doing a few signings a week in the coming months. Keep spreading the word.

If you liked the first book, you are going to love the second. I am really pleased with the way this one is coming together and the inspiration that is coming. Very exciting. I will try to blog again soon. Cheers.

I have been meaning to update this blog for several weeks, but I have been so busy writing book two, Discovering Isaac, that I have been putting it off. There is much to say though so I will get to it so I can get back to my writing.

First, I have had a chance to speak to two book clubs about my book so far. Both of these have been a lot of fun. Since these were my first experiences talking about the book, I wasnt really sure how to proceed, what to talk about, but in both cases, the women were interested in learning more about where the book came from, the prelude to the prelude- if you will. Maybe I will spend some time in the near future laying that all out on my blog, but it may take a while. In both cases, the ladies kept me busy with questions and the hour long visit turned into nearly two hours. It was great. I hope they enjoyed it too. I was surprised that in both cases, I sold several additional books at the book club meetings. Many of them bought books for friends and family members I have made these books available for $15 for book club members. That's 25% off the suggested retail price. If you have a book club that might be interested in reading my book, give me a call 801-883-0146 for books. If you are interested in me attending your book club and speaking to the group, I still have a few days left in late fall., Just kidding, I have a lot of time to come and speak to your group. I have a few others set up for September and October, but I'm still pretty flexible.

I am pleased that I have written a book that seems to be reaching people of all ages. These book clubs have been attended by women whose ages range 50 years or more, but they are all connecting to it somehow. I hope your book club will too. If you are looking for a book filled with mystery, high adventure or hot passionate love, this is probably not the book for you, but if you want a book with a charming love story, moral messages, and a book that makes you feel good, Remembering Isaac is a great read. Viva Niederbipp!

Second, I went into Deseret Book yesterday and to my great surprise, they had my book! My distributor, Brigham Distributing, got my book into 11 stores just this last week. It feels good to see my book on the shelf. While I was there, I looked at the Deseret Book top ten list. I was surprised that for an LDS bookstore, there were no religious books on the top ten bestsellers list. They were all fantasy books! Maybe I missed the boat. Maybe I need to be writing about elves and minataurs and vampires. I wouldnt know how to begin with that, but maybe I'll think about it for the next series. I've never really been into fantasy. I liked Harry Potter, but that's all I've ever read in the genre. What am I missing?

Third, my distributor asked me to attend the LDSBA this last Wednesday, a convention for independent LDS booksellers. I never wanted my book to be classified as a "Mormon Book", but there are lots of messages in the book that would resonate with the LDS audience. It was fun to meet lots of different booksellers from all over the country and rub shoulders with other authors. Its weird for me to realize I'm a published author.

Fourth, Georgia, a woman who works for Brigham Distributing introduced herself to me at the show. She had just finished reading Remembering Isaac while on vacation at the beach and told me it was one of the best ten books she had ever read. Then she asked me what my schedule was so she could start signing me up for book signings. I laughed and told her that I probably ought to get into a few stores before I begin signing books. I didn't realize she is the one in charge of getting my book into Costco. She told me she didnt think there would be any problem getting it into the stores this fall and told me that she would keep me as busy as possible doing signings. Zippideedoodah. I guess I might just have something here.

Fifth, I have now sold over 900 copies of the book! That means I have finally recouped all of my costs for my first printing and I have a few books left to maybe make a very small profit. It feels good. Thanks to everyone who has read it and passed it on to their friends and neighbors. I would rather have them each buy a copy, but we have to start somewhere. I am glad the book is finally more easily accessable and hope with better accessability more sales will come too.

I am not quitting my day job. I have to rebuild a kiln this fall and so while I am at it, I have decided to make some other changes to my studio. I am building a kiln shed in my back yard that will enable me to do my welding and metal work under a covering. This is all in preparation for some other changes to our house; a long overdue new kitchen, a new front porch and some new landscaping. Most of that won't begin until next spring.

Many people have asked why we don't just move. Financially it may make more sense, but as it turns out, there is a lot more to life than money. We love our neighbors, love the ecclectic nature of our neighborhood, love living downtown and feel needed in our community and congregation. These changes mean we'll probably be here for another twenty years or more, but Lynnette and I both feel like this is where we are supposed to be.

I would like to start updating this more often, maybe make a tradition of doing it on Sunday afternoons since I don't ever get a nap anyway. Thanks for reading.

Ben

PS, The Park City Arts Festival was off this year, 30%+ down from normal, but it was fun to do. Irene, the woman with whom I apprenticed fifteen years ago was here with here gradson to help me. She and her husband and grandson spent a week with us at a time share in Park City. Now they're off to discover Utah's Canyon Country on their way to Orange County.