A friend once pointed out to me that writing a memoir has three stages. First, you live it. Then you write about it. And then you send it out into the world and respond to it. As a writer, I usually don’t love the first part, the living-it part, because I’m in the midst of all sorts of doubts and uncertainty and struggle. The second part usually encourages me as I begin to see the story that holds all the chaotic elements together and helps me understand how even the struggles in our lives can form a narrative of hope. The third part acts as both a challenge and an encouragement because when people read and respond to my books I have the opportunity to think through the details all over again, to answer the questions I haven’t even asked myself, and to learn from the experiences of others who can relate or who have had very different stories to tell.

My latest book, Small Talk: Learning From My Children About What Matters Most (Zondervan), is about to be sent out into the world, and I hope you will join me as someone who reads and responds to this story of laughter, sadness, mundane hardship, and everyday joy.

Today I’m announcing a “pre-order” campaign that anticipates the release of Small Talk two weeks from now, on October 28th. I would love for you to participate personally or with a group of friends. You’ll be among the first to receive the book, and we’ve put together some exciting promotions available for free only during the time of this pre-order sale:

HOW IT WORKS

· LEVEL ONE: If you PRE-ORDER one (1) copy of Small Talk between 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time, on Monday, October 13, 2014, and up to Midnight Eastern Time, on Monday, October 27, 2014, you will receive:

o Three Small Talk downloadable screen savers.

o Private access to two Small Talk videos from Amy Julia:

Talking to Your Children about Disability and Difference

Talking to Your Children about Life and Loss

o A one-year free subscription to Christianity Today.

· LEVEL TWO: If you PRE-ORDER five to nine (5-9) copies of Small Talk between 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time, on Monday, October 13, 2014, and up to Midnight Eastern Time, on Monday, October 27, 2014, you will receive:

o Everything listed above PLUS:

Private access to an additional Small Talk video from Amy Julia:

How Having Children Strengthens and Challenges Faith

o Three Small Talk downloadable and printable posters to coordinate with the screensavers mentioned above.

o A deluxe Small Talk downloadable and printable discussion guide with additional reflections written by Amy Julia about parenting and family, quotations and passages from Scripture to consider, and short reflection questions for each chapter.

· LEVEL THREE: If you PRE-ORDER ten (10) or more copies of Small Talk between 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time, on Monday, October 13, 2014, and up to Midnight Eastern Time, on Friday, October 27, 2014, you will receive:

o Everything listed above PLUS:

An opportunity to schedule a Skype chat with Amy Julia for you and your group during the month of January. Limited to 20 time slots and subject to Amy Julia’s availability. Details will be specified when submission is received. When the spots have been filled, we will post here that this option is no longer available.

TWO SHORT STEPS TO RECEIVING YOUR BONUS GIFTS

This offer is only valid for purchases with receipts stamped between 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time, on Monday, October 13, 2014, and Midnight Eastern Time, on Monday, October 27, 2014. To receive your bonuses (dependent on your pre-order level), you must do the following:

1. Pre-order Small Talk from your favorite online retailer or local bookseller.

For a signed copy, order from The Hickory Stick bookstore and make a note that you want the book personalized. Amy Julia will sign it for you: http://bit.ly/1nZszwY

Amazon: http://bit.ly/1nZs7Pf

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1tAAf4U

ChristianBook.com: http://bit.ly/1qhlySn

2.Email a copy of your receipt. Simply forward an image of the paid receipt from your purchase made between 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time, on Monday, October 13, 2014, and Midnight Eastern Time, on Monday, October 27, 2014 through your online or local bookseller to smalltalkbonuses@yahoo.com. Provide your name, email address, and what you purchased.

That’s all there is to it.

Once your receipt is received, you will get an email reply acknowledging your request. Within 48 hours, you will receive another email with an attachment or attachments (depending on bonus eligibility) of your Small Talk bonus(es). If you are eligible for the Skype session with Amy Julia during the month of January further instructions will be available in the e-mail response after receiving your paid receipt. When the 20 available spots have been filled, we will post here that this option is no longer available.

Remember, this offer is only available for purchases made between 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time, on Monday, October 13, 2014, and up to Midnight Eastern Time, on Monday, October 27, 2014. However, you have 30 days after October 27 to submit your receipt to smalltalkbonuses@yahoo.com. After November 26, this email address will no longer be available.

Thank you for your support!