Double Happiness

As I write this, the “Storm of the Decade” is apparently brewing directly over Marin County, California. Assuming the city of Corte Madera survives, I’ll be appearing at the wonderful Book Passage bookstore and cafe this Saturday afternoon at 4pm.

I would be delighted to see you there, to share storm survival stories, and to read a story to you about a wild journey through China.

Food and drink available for purchase in the cafe.

Saturday, December 13 (MARIN)
4pm : Reading & Signing
Book Passage
51 Tamal Vista Blvd, Corte Madera
Full Event Info >

After taking me to the Midwest, the East Coast, the Northwest, and down to LA (twice), the Double Happy Tour, this journey to share a journey sponsored by my generous Kickstarter backers, is now taking me home. It’s a warm and delightful feeling, as the cold winter air blows in, to be able to share Double Happiness in person with readers and friends close to home.

After an event at the truly wonderful Changing Hands Books in the Phoenix area on Nov. 30, I’ll be in Marin County, reading at the Bay Area’s famous Book Passage in Corte Madera on Dec. 13. I look forward to sharing Double Happiness with you soon if you’ll meet me in Arizona or in the Bay Area.

I’m also planning another Bay Area event after the first of the year as well. Check this space soon for further details.

Sunday, November 30 (PHOENIX)
2pm : Book Signing
Changing Hands Books
6428 S McClintock Drive, Tempe
Full Event Info >

Saturday, December 13 (MARIN)
4pm : Reading & Signing
Book Passage
51 Tamal Vista Blvd, Corte Madera
Full Event Info >

It’s a delight and an honor to report that Double Happiness has received recognition at two more book awards ceremonies.

In addition to the awards it won earlier this year, Double Happiness has been recognized with these book awards:

• The Living Now Book Awards
  Silver Winner
  (INSPIRATIONAL MEMOIR – MALE)
  “Books For Better Living.” “Celebrating the innovation and creativity of newly published books that can help us improve the quality of our lives.”

• Readers’ Favorite Award
  Honorable Mention (TRAVEL)
  “Readers’ Favorite is the fastest growing book review and award contest… receiving thousands of entries from all over the world.”

As I’ve mentioned before, Double Happiness has been blessed to win several book awards.

Most book awards have decals that can be placed on the cover of the book, and this is a very good problem to have, obviously, but my question for you is: Should I acquire and attach decals for each award? Or just one award? Or none? Which looks best?

I want to present a great image to attract the people who would enjoy and benefit from the story of Double Happiness — as well as to sway some who might, you know, judge a book by its…

Some people have said they can’t really read the awards on the decals below. You can see the awards up close here.

Vote below. To vote for your favorite, just click on it. To vote for more than one, tick the boxes and click ‘Vote.’

[[POLL]]

There are more prestigious awards out there; none of these decals is yet for a Nobel Prize or a Pulitzer (one can always dream). Nevertheless I think including one or more of these awards helps potential readers and indicates a distinction about the book: professionals who spend a lot of time reading books have recognized Double Happiness as exceptional.

Another option is to have my wonderful cover designer add the award decal to the cover image itself, so that there’s no need to attach actual stickers.

What are your thoughts? Comment below; I’ve moved to social media commenting too. Do you like?

Thank you for your thoughts!

ps: You can still get Double Happiness for free or very reasonably priced during August and September.

Dragonfly Press is a great small press here in California. One of their staff, Pushpa MacFarlane, has just published a perceptive review of Double Happiness.

Many thanks Dragonfly and Ms. MacFarlane.

Read the review >

Meanwhile, you can still get Double Happiness for free during August.

Wow, that was fun. Over 2,000 copies of the e-book of Double Happiness flew off the shelves in 48 hours.

My deepest wish has always been to share the story with as many people as possible. May the story be read and shared far and wide.

I’m happy to keep giving it away, but I have heard that sometimes recipients of free books don’t actually read them, so I’m going to try earmarking the free books now for those who will commit to read it. Put simply:

For the rest of this month and the next month, the e-book will be free for those who will commit to reading it. The e-book will be $.99 for everyone else. At the end of September, the e-book will return to its normal price of $4.99.

Two ways to receive the e-book free in September:

• Pledge to read it and review it. (Check the box for a free e-book).
• Pledge to read it and share it with your friends via email (write to tony@tonybrasunas.com).

How to receive $5 off the print version:

• The paperback and gorgeous hardcover are also available of course, and there will be a $5 discount for anyone who pledges to read and review. I’ll also sign your book before it’s mailed and stamp it with my red Chinese zhang name stamp.

Thank you. I’m extraordinarily grateful I’ve been able to publish Double Happiness and share it with so many readers.