So that was fun, yesterday, right? And now you're all like, but wait! Tell us the secret to being a consistent disciplinarian!
haha, Wait until next April Fool's Day… (spoiler: Military boarding school…)
So, a quick update on my book, The Little Oratory: A Beginner's Guide to Praying in the Home.
Unexpectedly, there has been a lot of pre-order activity! This amazes me. (And is thanks to you!)
And I confess, with the thrilling comes the scary, because a book is a personal thing to be putting out there for people to take into their homes. I know, that's the point. But still. So scared am I that I am afraid to talk about it until I actually have it in my own hands… and beyond…
I am really, really hoping you like it and find it helpful, and I do want to tell you about the delay.
The unique feature about this book is what is pushing the publication date back. I personally have not heard of a book of this size (304 pages!) that has full-color images that you can carefully detach and frame, making your very own icon gallery (the icons are by my co-author, David Clayton). But that is what this book has!
Being (I think) a different idea, it's taken some time for the publisher to get the samples, decide that things aren't quite right (“We have to get this part of it perfect!”), send them back, and get more samples.
So the book is now scheduled to be actually for sale and available on April 25.
I wish it could have been earlier, of course, but I am grateful that so much care is going into making it right. Believe me. In the end it will have been worth the wait!
Meanwhile, in other news, I will be speaking in Lexington, Massachusetts on Saturday, April 12, which is in a week and a half. (I have to say that in case you are like me and are thinking, “Oh, April 12, that is so far away!) The topic is teaching our children to pray. As usual, I will go on and on about all the things that are NOT teaching your children to pray, but which I think are essential if you're ever going to get there. Order, wonder, environment, connection to the past, living the liturgical year … you know!
Here is the flyer they made:
I hope you can come! It seems like a wonderful type of event for couples, with a parish supper and a family atmosphere.
Email holyfamilies@gmail.com by April 10 to reserve your seat.
See you tomorrow for {pretty, happy, funny, real}! Come join us — find your contentment and share!
Tamara says
Every time I hear that you’re giving a talk somewhere (or doing a blog reader meet-up), I entertain the thought of getting a plane ticket. Then I remember the three little ones who would also need plane tickets and I realize that it’s probably not a good idea 🙂 Oh well. Maybe someday you’ll come to Nebraska. 🙂
Tamara says
Oh! Also, I tried to pre-order (another) copy of The Book and Amazon said it was out of stock. I thought that was so great!
Rachelle says
You should come visit Utah! There are stunningly gorgeous national parks here!
Leila says
Rachelle — invite me and I will come 🙂
Jill W says
I’d love a Utah visit too!
Tori says
I’ve been thinking about pre-ordering for a while, I was so excited when you announced this book. So I finally did it today. Looking forward to it!
Anne Marie says
Would you be so kind as to bring your talk to Nebraska?!
Wanda says
Yes I received a message from Amazon that the date had been pushed back, but you are so right…..it needs to be right!
So really…if I just said,”Come for a visit”. You would come? :)))))
sibyl says
Oh, HOW I wish I could be there to hear your talk. One of these years I will. I can’t wait for the book — preordered. I’m hoping to make enough extra cash to buy one for each of my grown sisters, too.
Joy in Alabama says
This going to sound nutty because you don’t even know me IRL. But I’m SO proud of you for writing the book and now having speaking engagements! It’s like knowing a real celebrity! haha
Gwenny says
Joy, I feel the same way. I also feel a bit hipster-ish, as in, I was following Leila Lawler BEFORE she published a book and got all these speaking engagements. Speaking of, all the Lawlers have a standing invitation to come to KY and speak on anything you like. You can stay in my house, but I will be star struck the whole time.
elizabethe says
I thought your post was going to be on how to be consistent with your own discipline! Like keeping to your basic home keeping and prayers and schooling every day.
I was so upset to find out it was about disciplining children! I’m the one who needs discipline! I routinely make a schedule, follow the schedule for one day, maybe two, discover it works perfectly!! — woohoo, peace of mind, completion of tasks, fed and clothed and mentally nourished children, non-frazzled state of mind, neat home! — and then totally ditch it the next day. Why do I do that? I’m the opposite of the control freak mom.
(I also read it after April 1, so, though I got it was a joke right away, I couldn’t figure out what the joke was for, till the end.)