Update, Monday 5pm EDT: The giveaway is now closed. Thanks so much for all your wonderful comments and suggestions; I’m so grateful to have you as readers! Stay tuned—I’ll announce the winner in the next day or so. :)
A Milestone
I have some exciting news to share with you today: in the first year of publication, my book, The Joy of Less, has sold 20,000 copies! And I want to celebrate with you, my wonderful readers, because you made it happen.
You were the ones who bought my book, requested it from your library, and recommended it to your friends. You were the ones who reviewed it, blogged about it, and tweeted about it. You were the ones who embraced minimalist living, spread the word to others, and transformed it from a quirky lifestyle choice to a mainstream movement.
You were the ones who decided to dejunk, declutter, and live more lightly on this Earth—and used my book as a guide to do so. And for that, I’m eternally grateful to each and every one of you.
People are often surprised when I tell them I self-published The Joy of Less. Why did I choose the indie route? Because from the moment I finished it, I was so excited to share it with you—and the 12- to 18-month time frame of traditional publishing seemed a terribly long time to wait. Furthermore, minimalism was such an offbeat topic at the time, I didn’t think a publisher would touch it with a ten-foot pole (ironically, I’ve now heard from several interested in acquiring the rights). Finally, I wanted to make sure that the message stayed true—and wasn’t transformed into “buy more containers to organize your stuff.”
So this has truly been a grassroots effort. I haven’t had a public relations department, an advertising budget, or any of the marketing muscle of a traditional publisher. I’ve had virtually no coverage in major US media (just a brief mention in the Chicago Tribune). These sales weren’t driven by hype or promotional campaigns; they occurred quietly, one by one, by word of mouth (both online and off). I love that, and wish I could thank every one of you personally for your support!
Furthermore, it’s more than just the sales that make my heart sing—it’s the fact that 20,000 people are actually interested in minimalist living! 20,000 people want to reduce their clutter and consumerism, and are taking the steps to do so. How wonderful is that? It gives me great hope for a kinder, gentler, more sustainable future.
A Question
Now I have a question for you: what would you like to read next? Is there a particular aspect of minimalism you’d like to see covered in more depth? Or a topic related to minimalism that you’d love to learn more about?
If you could pick the subject of my next book, what would it be? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
A Giveaway
What would a celebration be without a giveaway? (Certainly not as much fun!) So if you haven’t yet read The Joy of Less, here’s your chance to win a copy (your choice of paperback or Kindle). Even if you’ve read it, perhaps you’d like to pick one up for a friend; it could make a great gift for the packrat in your life!
To enter, simply leave a Comment below (just one comment/entry per person, please!). If you’d like to leave a Comment, but don’t want to enter the giveaway, just note that in your post.
I’ll keep the giveaway open until this Monday, Sept 12, 5pm EDT. As always, I’ll use the random number generator at Random.org to choose the winner, and make the announcement next week. Please be sure to use a legitimate email address, so that I can contact you to obtain your mailing information.
Thank you again, from the bottom of my heart. I never dreamed I’d be able to make such an announcement (my original goal was to sell 1,000 books!), and I couldn’t have done it without you. Here’s to growing this community, this movement, and this commitment to a beautiful life with less stuff.
Best of luck to all who enter the giveaway!
Wow, great job!! I love your blog, and eagerly wait for each post!
Read it. Loved it. Have re-read parts. Have shared it. Would love to have a copy to give as a gift. Congrats on a good year!
Hi Francine!
congrats on such a huge milestone! i’m an avid reader of your blog and i want to win your book so i can further explore minimalism!!! so happy for you! keep the good work!
PAULA
Congratulations!
I purchased your book about a year ago, and since have read it twice. When i’m purging and get stuck I grab the book and read up on just that area. You have helped me downsize my home and simplified my life to a point I never thought I could ever do. THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!!
I still have a little ways to go and then I will really start living my life to the fullest!!!
I really like Bryan’s idea, mondays are like Christmas to me I can not wait to read someone else story. Congrats on the book it is life changing!!!
Francine,
Congratulations! There are so many good ideas posted… I think you have material for many books. :-) As you know, I am working through your process with a teen. I would love a book written to a teen audience about how minimalism can make their lives better… how it can help them to have a higher quality of life, etc. I would love it if my daughter got to the place where she could write this herself, but I am inspired by teens like the high school age boy who is building a tiny home he will take to college with him and others. What freeing information to have so early in life. My daughter is also inspired by stories of other teens working through this process. Thank you for all your work. We love it!
Well deserved. What about “The Spirit of Less”, exploring how our efforts might affect the larger picture/society?
Congratulations. I love your blog and would love to read your book. Your way of life is an inspiration to me!
Really hope to win! Haven’t been able to buy the book yet :(
Have not had a chance yet to read this, but would love to. I am still at the early stages of embracing minimalism and could use a little more motivation. Congratulations on selling 20,000 copies!
I have been reading your blog for over a year and would love to be able to read your book. Thanks for the opportunity and congratulations on your book sales!
Congratulations!
Hey, great job!
Congratulations! Though, having read the book, I’m not surprised – that is high quality thought you are putting out.
Congratulations on the milestone!
I do love the success stories. I’d like a “before and after” book with stories of how different people have improved their lives with minimalism–with before-and-after pictures, too.
Congratulations! I’m desperate to read your book as your blog is so clear and well-written (and never poncy on a topic that could become so poncy!)
What I’d like to read next from you. Hmm… Tricky. I enjoy practical posts most – those that give advice and SHOW how you live your life. Not having read your first book yet, I’m just assuming that it was quite practical so where to go next…
I guess I’d like to know more detail.
Socialising: What do you do when guests come over to stay? To eat? Do guests resent (mildly) not having a decent couch to sit on? Would your parents/family resent having to bring their own quilts/towels etc if they stay over (I know they’re from the US but you know what I mean.) How do you deal with “hospitality” issues. I know I don’t NEED two extra quilts but it does make life more pleasant for my guests if they don’t have to bring linen when they travel from Holland.
Limited in comfort: I know you have a lot of freedom to travel but do you feel restricted in any way other way at all? Do you miss cushions and a couch to snuggle up with your hubby? Yes, you can sit on your Poang or on the floor with your laptop but do you never just slouch?!
OK, that’s the sort of thing that springs to mind – not deep or meaningful but the “compromise” factor.
karen (Scotland)
So many of the minimalist blogs seem very self righteous and extremely condescending. Yours isn’t, which I greatly appreciate. I agree with Katie’s idea about aesthetic minimalism. White walls make me sad. I’m an artist and I need color (preferably pale blue/green). I would also love to see more kitchen ideas. Paring down the kitchen when you want to cook healthy, gorgeous meals is so very difficult.
Congratulations on selling 20,000 copies! I’ve started dipping my toes into minimalism, and would love to read your book for its insights.
20,000, wow! That’s an accomplishment to be proud of!
Congratulations Francine, thank you for writing your blog! As for topic I would love to read about next, how minimalism has affected you in the workplace (choice of career, how you structure your workday) and how you have influenced your places of employment. Do they waste less or become more streamlined? You are clearly intelligent and able to influence others in a good way, with your book, with your blog, and your ideas are is well thought out so I would be curious to hear if it what impact it has had on those around you in a professional context. Would also like to hear your thoughts on how you see minimalism benefiting society and the environment as a whole,less debt, less damage to planet, less obesity… It’s so easy to get caught up in the microcosms of our own lives. But it is an inspiration to think that you have been able to bring minimalist to over 20K people!
I love your blog and eagerly wait for next post! congrats from Sweden!
I haven’t had the opportunity to read The Joy of Less yet and am just starting my minimalist journey. I’m thinking of doing The Compact in 2012.
That is an awesome accomplishment, Francine. Congratulations! Do you think you’ll self-publish your next book as well or just stick with digital formats?
Congratulations!!! That’s great you’ve sold that many copies. I haven’t bought the book yet, but hopefully I’ll get a chance to read it soon. :)
That’s wonderful and inspiring to hear of your success. I’ve been reading your blog for awhile now. I don’t read many. Some come and go. But yours continues to be a source of inspiration.
I faced some challenging circumstances over the past 10 years and relocated several times. My experiences during this period taught me that stuff is not as important as the dominant culture encourages us to believe. I began feeling a strong compulsion to lighten up in terms of belongings. It’s taken time but I now own less than half of what I did five years ago. I continue to refine my life-style and the improvement in how I feel is the priceless reward.
Thanks for being a part of my journey. Wishing you continued success! – Sandra
Congratulations, Francine; that’s great!! It’s so nice to see minimalism making inroads into people’s lives. Reading your blog has certainly made me more mindful not only of maximizing my space at home to better enjoy it with my kids – and when I do, it’s such a gift!! – but also of watching my consumption. The amount of packaging involved in prepared meals and take-out food is astounding, and it ends up in landfills when it’s not recyclable. Now that I’m more conscious of it, time to cook some more at home, using more fresh vegetables (less frozen and canned = less packaging). Another goal to set for myself. Thank you so much for the inspiration!!
Congrats! I love your blog and would love to read your book :)
I would love to see an expansion of your concept of minsumerism.
Congratulations! I’ve been following your blog for quite a while now, and have borrowed your book from my library, but would love to have my own copy.
Congratulations! I have read and re-read Miss Minimalist on my Kindle multiple times. I enjoy your message and am slowly transforming my household to one free of clutter. As I work room to room, I find that I feel better, healthier if you will, in that room. My husband and I have been interested in living green and reducing our footprint on the Earth. He too is on board with the Minimalist Movement. :)
An icon to your website is on my desktop and I look forward to a new Real Life Minimalist each Monday. Keep writing Francine, you are an inspiration to MANY!!!
Just the sort of book I need at this moment in my life!
After all the advertising messages about how buying things will make us happy, it turns out that NOT buying things makes us happier. And I used to be a copywriter in an advertising agency who spewed out the consumerism messages. Now I’m a nomadic blogger and live out of one suitcase. YA!
Congratulations, that’s such exciting news! I would love to own a copy of your book, thanks for the chance to win!
Congratulations. Read the book. Would love to get the kindle version and pass along my hard copy.
Congratulations! 20,000 is a hell of a lot of books, but I’m sure you’ll sell double that in no time :) One thing I would love to read more about in minimalism is just what do we really need to live? There is probably so much stuff we all have that we don’t need but have always been told it’s essential to our everyday life, and you make it seem so easy to live with so little and without things deemed necessary to others who require hoards of things or to those just starting out in minimalism. So it would be great to hear more about things that have multiple uses and how you can move so frequently and seemingly have nothing but a small suitcase full of your possessions with you. It baffles me how even with the little furniture you’ve described owning you don’t need a removals truck each time. But anyway well done on you success! :D
Wow Congrats! That’s great news! :) Keep it up, you’re an inspiration!
Congratulations! That’s quite a milestone!
Hi, I just stumbled across your blog recently and am really enjoying catching up on all your posts! I share a 400-sq ft flat with my husband, so I’m always looking for tips on living a minimalist life.
I’ve definitely been embracing minimalism, enjoy reading your blog and been waiting for your book from the library. Thanks!
Francine,
Congratulations! I hope that you continue writing, as so many people draw strength and inspiration from your books and posts.
Warmly,
James
Congratulations! Love your blog, especially reading about real life minimalists. It inspires me to keep on purging. Would love to win a copy of your book. Keep up the good work.
I’d love to win the Kindle edition. I just spent the last couple of weeks de-cluttering, resulting in 3 truckloads of donations to Goodwill. :) I still have trouble weeding out books. So many favorites aren’t yet available for Kindle. I’d love to read more about others’ clutter “sticking points” & strategies for dealing with them. Thanks!
Francine,
Ha! I put your name in the NAME field instead of mine. (laughs)
Warmly,
JAMES
I would like to see more about minimizing our lifestyles. I know you address it in the book but expand on it. Also, a little more on families and possibly being a minimalist and home schooling. I read most of your book in a matter of days and have donated about $400 worth of stuff to Good Will, and that’s according to their valuation of each item. Getting rid of stuff is addictive. Each time I am in a room I look for at least 5 things I can get rid of, even if its a piece of paper or a broken rubber band I get rid of it. Wish I had 2 solid weeks to completely purge our stuff but with kids and work its all little steps.
I loved your recent post about living in a fantasy world. I thought it was a huge eye-opener and definately a really perceptive slant on why we keep collecting, saving, stockpiling.
I was pleased to share your thoughts and website with the readers in my world!
http://creeksideministries.blogspot.com/2011/08/are-you-living-in-fantasy-world.html
I’d like to read about how minimalism and mindfulness work together – I know they do, but can’t always stop my busy cluttered mind from chattering away instead of enjoying the moment…
And I’d LOVE a copy of the book!
I read and enjoyed your book! It was very inspiring. I’m a visual person and I would love to see images of minimalist homes, living, etc. I bought the e-book version of your book and I have a color Nook to read on now (ipad before), and an e-coffeetable book with lots of pictures to drool over and be inspired by would be amazing. Thanks for you awesome blog, book and insight. Keep it coming!
Congratulations and thank you for the inspiration! It would be interesting to read more about how to incorporate minimalism into life with teenage girls! Shopping seems to be so important to them and it is not so easy anymore to replace it with “let”s just have fun on a walk with the dog…”
I began my journey of downsizing the clutter and reducing my purchasing many years ago – I have a long way to go yet for my satisfaction. I am overwhelmed by the excessive mentality of our modern cultures. It is shocking how many people don’t understand the difference between excess and abundance and how we live in an abundant world but consume in excess. I found your website this summer when I googled minimalism. I have enjoyed reading thru past postings on your website for inspiration. I haven’t read your books yet but I have them on my wish list. And as I am new to the minimalist information I don’t have a suggestion for your next book but I look forward to reading them.
I love your desire to self publish in order to keep the message pure. Thanks for your inspiration.