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!
Congrats on hitting 20,000 copies sold!
I actually have not read “The Joy of Less” but I did stumble upon “Miss Minimalist” while browsing on the Kindle store. I loved it! Slowly but surely I’ll be able to declutter and free up my life.
Thanks!
Congratulations on a great milestone! I would be so excited to win a copy of your book. I actually drove to two bookstores in my neighborhood (Grand Rapids MI) and was disappointed to find neither of them carried the book. I strongly encouraged them to start carrying it. I do, however, read your blog almost every day and find great comfort in reading your posts. I am a minimalist myself and often have to “defend” my lifestyle choice. Reading your blog helps me feel more “normal”. Thanks so much!
20,000 copies! WOW!!!
I would love to win one copy. Thank you:-)
Thank you so much for all of your insight & grassroots efforts. I think it is so cool that you keep it grassroots! I would love to see more minimalism tips for artists & creative types. It is so hard to let go of art pieces, old sketches, trinkets, media, etc etc etc! Also, tiny house posts are always fun. & pictures! We all love pictures :)
thank you again!
I would like to enter the giveway.
Congratulations on 20,000 copies!
I have been so challenged by your thoughts…often inspiring, sometimes startling, and always thought-provoking! I’ve made positive changes towards minimalism since reading. Thank you!! I would love to read your book!
Congratulations! I love idea of this book and idea of this life!
Congrats!!! I’m so excited for you! I have the book & read it often, but if I won I would give to a friend who is also wanting to explore the minimalist lifestyle. I love your writing style.
The only thing I can think of for a new book would be to just dig a little deeper into things like sentimental, hand-me-down, memorabilia/photos type things or maybe cleaning supplies (simpler versions of products/tools to clean house). I was actually reading your book on Kindle while waiting to pick up my girls from school and thought you might want to address digital clutter as well since we are so often encouraged to save stuff digitally to get it physically out of our homes. But if you scan/digitize a lot of things, you’re going to need to come up with a filing method (like your Modules in the book) and also people will have to be reminded that just as you should go through your filing in your home office & clean out old outdated files, you will need to go through digital files as well or your computer will become a cluttered, dis-organized mess.
Congratulations! I love my Kindle copy of “Joy of Less”!
I’d like to read more about how to maintain the minimalist lifestyle, once things are pared down. I’d love to read practical advice on all aspects of life, such as banking, digitizing all paper, blending technology to support minimalism without maxing out on it, recycling when trying to minimize, etc.
I’m now on my minimalist journey, slowly removing the detritus from my life. Its in part thanks to you that this is happening, and I’m very grateful. You should feel immensely proud, not only of your sales (which are awesome) but also for the wisdom your words have imparted on people like myself to make better choices and to live lightly. Thank you for everything x
I didn’t realize you self published, that is awesome. Your book is on my Amazon wishlist, so winning it would make my day!!
I love your book- it has been life changing. Someone asked me the other day what my favourite 10 books were- and I included “The Joy of Less.” I am still de cluttering but already my home feels a pleasure to come into and I am appreciating what is left after my clear outs.
Having downloaded the Kindle app to my phone and surprised myself by enjoying reading on it,(goodbye some of my books!) I would love to have the Kindle version.
I have not read your book but would love to. I have become addicted to your blog which I check nearly every day. I have 4 children and so my life is not very minimalist. I keep trying to remember experiences are better than things. Letting go of stuff is sometimes emotional but always liberating. It is important to help people through the process. I loved your travelling light entries. This is something we can all do and the more children travelling the more necessary it is!. Please continue to help us through the process.
Your book was an eyeopener. I struggled with stuff for so long. Giving it up seemed like a weird thing to do, but i always wanted to. When i read your book i finally understood that i am not a freak and that i really should get rid of everything that clutters my life. It. Is. So. Liberating!
I’m on the second round of decluttering our home (me, wife, two kids) and i am totally committed to minimalism and minsumerism. We adopted the second kid only recently and we have bought only a few necessities in the store. While getting rid of our clutter we free other people (family, friends, church) of some of their clutter by making use of unused boy stuff they won’t use anymore. As soon as the boy grows out of the stuff we will gladly give it away to somebody else in need of it (chairs, rockers, bed, toys, clothing).
It is so easy to make decisions about keeping or giving away stuff now. And the things that stay make more sense.
Sorry for my rumbling, i am just so excited about minimalism :) i have even seen already results to my minivangelism – my friends are starting to dig minimalism too and they love it. Minimalism seems impossible for families with kids and hoarder-spouses (mine has like 200 bottles of perfume, oils, creams, scrubs, lotions, shampoos – drives me nuts) until you get the point that not everything must be just thrown out :)
I also posted about your book on my blog.
If i win the book i’ll loan it to friends for reading.
Let me jump on the pile and say CONGRATS on your book’s success. Please consider this as my entry for your drawing. Thanks!
I’ve been wanting to read your book ever since you published it. So I want to win it!!
I think that a great idea for you next book would be what happens after you have finished decluttering. Now that you are living the life of a minimalist how can you incoporate that into all aspects of your life and maybe help spread it. Maybe a book with a number of case studies of people living minimalistically. It should be something that contiues on from the last amazing book. Congrats by the ways!!!
Congratulations! I love to read stories of what people do in the real world to live the minimalist life. I would buy a book that was about people or examples of how others have interpreted minimalism and how they have made that work (or not made it work).
Congrats on your success with your book. I have your column emailed to me. While I don’t quite consider myself a minimalist (yet) I’ve begun to see the value of owning less “stuff.” I’m always evaluating my possesions to figure out what I don’t need and can give away.
I’d love to win your book if your random number generator would be so kind. ;-)
Hello my inspiration woman !
Hearty congratulations to begin with.
I would like to read more about your sort of day-to-day life, sort of ” journal of a minimalist ” diary. How you live your life each day. KNowing more about how minimalism works in your day on a sort of ” mundane ” level- not that it would be mundane at all.
I would also love to win a copy for my brother who is going through challenging times right now.
Thanks girl !
Congratulations! I would love a copy!
Congratulations!
Congratulations! I liked your posts so I got your book from the library. That was a number of months ago. By many people’s standards, I do not live a minimalist life. Yet the things I choose to keep are things I truly want and enjoy. Have learned that I both want and need less as I go through this process. I love the STREAMLING process. I’d like to read more about minimalism in terms of activities and commitments.
Best wishes for future plans. Well, actually, best wishes for the here and now.
Congrats on the 20,000 number!
Well done Francine.
Its a wonderfull book Im reading it for the second time.
Id like you to write about the quieting of the mind, you have a way of writing that is easy to use in a persons life.
Please print it in hard book form for me there is nothing better than sitting outside reading in the sun, hard to do if you have to read a screen.
Dear Francine,
Congratulations on all the sales! I would love to have a copy of the book. It is actually on my Christmas wish list for this year!
Great blog, learning heaps from it.
Ironic that to teach being a minimalist, there needs to be lots and lots of education! Guess it shows that being a minimalist isn’t all about nothing!
Mick, South Australia
Congratulations :) I would love to win a copy!
I haven’t read all your books yet, so I’m not sure about future books, but I love hearing the stories of real life minimalists very much. It is always nice to have numerous perspectives – some I feel are a lot like me, some are more advanced in their journey toward minimalism, and some really struggle. Somehow it is reassuring and even comforting to know I am not alone in the ups and downs of embracing this lifestyle.
I also love hearing about various philosophies through the ages and in different cultures that have embraced minimalism for different reasons, particularly the way the Japanese seem to integrate it into so many aspects of their lives. Wonderful stuff.
Congratulations on reaching 20,000 copies sold!
I know this was mentioned a few times already, but I would also like to read more about how to deal with sentimental, memorabilia-type things and putting together a more minimalist wardrobe. Thanks for all your advice so far–your blog is inspiring!
Yes me too!!!
Your writing has really helped shape the way I think about a lot of things, but I have yet to read your book, so I’m very happy for the opportunity to win one.
And of course, congratulations to 20,000 sold copies! :)
Your book resonated with me on so many levels. Thank you for publishing it!
Congratulations!
Congratulations! I’d love to read more of your thoughts on mental clutter, like the post a few weeks ago on keeping possessions for one’s “fantasy self”.
Congratulations! I’ve read lots of books on decluttering but your book was the ultimate catalyst in my finally detaching from my possessions. Thank you!
Started reading your site, haven’t read your book yet, but very sympathetic to the whole idea of minimalism. I hate clutter!!!!!!
I would love to read more about the benefits of minimalism. Everything from the financial and mental aspects, to the ease of moving and travel. I enjoy reading about this topic but I think having it all in one book would also help those who are opposed to the idea of minimalism simply because it means having “less stuff”.
Congratulations! Would I ever love to win your book!
Congratulations, Francine! I have
your book and love it. I can’t think
of another topic just yet, but I’m sure
you’ll come up with something just right!
Congratulations! That is so exciting. I have requested your book at my regional library, but nothing has happened yet. I haven’t read your book as I just recently discovered your blog, but it would be amazing to win it! Thanks for this opportunity.
Congratulations! I would love to win a copy of your book.
Congratulations on your 20,000 books sold!
That’s an amazing mile stone.
I’ve been enjoying your blog and I look forward to continue reading for guidence and inspiration on my path to a minimalist life.
WOW!! 20,000 copies is incredible. I have been waiting and waiting for one of the 8 copies in my local library system to come available. All 8 have been checked out for over 6 months now. At least I know that there is some serious downsizing going on here in Buffalo, NY! I would love to be able to win a copy…and share with my mom and sister =)
Congratulations!
Congratulations! I’ve just gone onto Amazon and purchased a copy (to make it 20001 cooed sold!) but would love to enter the give away do ghat I can share the minimalist love with a family member. Best of luck with future books and ventures!
Congratulations on 20,000.
Awesome!! It’s so encouraging to know there are SO many people out there interested in minimalist living! And although I have been paring down and getting rid of, YOUR book would hold a place of pride on my bookshelf! : )
I talk about “The Joy of Less” whenever I can. Your book gave me the hope and strength to begin on my minimalist path and I will be forever grateful! I already have a copy on my ipod touch. Thank you and congratulations!!
Congratulations! I can’t wait to read more of your writing!
I’m currently holed up in a hotel in Central PA, escaping our flooded home – it’d be nice to have something encouraging to read :) Thank you so much for offering this giveaway, reading your blog is one of the highlights of my day!
I have greatly enjoyed your writings & those of others you have led me to. Learning minimalists traits in all areas of my life have led me to a much simpler, enjoyable & fulfilling lifestyle. I would love to have your book, & thanks ahead for the offer. (A 67 year old grandma in Georgia who is not too old to change for the better!!)
Great job self publishing & congratulations on selling 20,000 books that is quite an achievement. You write well & I look forward to reading your book.