It’s been several years since I’ve released a new book. And add to that this is my first hardback. I told an audience on the book tour that, perhaps, this is the first book I’ve ever actually been proud of. Not sure if that is because I’ve grown up or if the other books just seemed flat to me. Regardless, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years hits stores today.
I waited until today to thank you, the people who read this blog. The truth is you had remarkably influential input in the editing of this book. At least twice I posted sections of the book I wasn’t sure about, and your feedback shaped those chapters. In fact, chapter two of the book was taken out, simply because several of you spoke out and said the book was dragging. The rough draft of the book was 110k words, and the final is 54k. Much of that cutting and editing happened because you guys gave me proper feedback. I’ll never write a book without you again, I assure you.
The book is getting favorable reviews. And though only a handful of people have read it, the “thanks” that has been coming in has sounded very different than the thanks for “Blue Like Jazz.” These thank you’s feel more as though people are thankful for something I wasn’t responsible for, as a writer. Rather I was just a messenger of sorts. I am glad, because that is how I feel about this book. Somehow it’s my story, but has nothing to do with me. It’s a hard thing to explain.
We are out on a 65-city book tour, and we have fifty more cities to go. We think it may be the longest book tour in history. Nobody can think of one longer, that’s for sure. We are in Arizona tonight, and it looks like we will have a great crowd in Denver on October, 2nd. Then we will be heading to the midwest and southeast, before hitting Manhattan on October 22nd. The crowds have been terrific so far, and we are having fun. I’d love to meet you in person, if we happen to be coming near you. You can find out more at www.amillionmiles.com.
Soon, I’ll provide links for tickets for the next few shows. Until then, simply check the website. And thanks again for your support over these last several years. Many of you ordered this book from Amazon three years ago, and just got it this week. Incredible. I hope it’s worth the wait. It was for me.
Grateful,
Don Miller
*Pictured is my friend Marley, who reads the book in bed and then subsequently eats the pages as she finishes reading them.
Don, congratulations on the release of the book. Im so looking forward to reading it. I have a friend that has already read it, and he is raving! Went to B&N a few weeks ago and got “Through Painted Deserts” to hold me over. Enjoy the tour, I hope to see you in either Greenville, SC or Charlotte, NC.
Can’t wait to read it and can’t wait to see you in Melbourne, Fl. I’ve enjoyed all your writing thus far.
Peace be with you.
Don, I love this book. A friend and I have been reading through it and discussing together. It speaks so much to my current place in life. I heard a podcast awhile back that had you talking about ‘story’ and the same kind of stuff. It inspired me to re-evaluate my life, my goals…I actually ended up writing about my life changes and put it on my blog recently (www.thegoodlight.com/archives/697). REALLY appreciate your work! Hope to make it to Charlotte later this month to hear you speak!
I was one of the lucky ones who got an early manuscript and I must say I truly enjoyed it!
I’ve had multiple conversations with people who credit you with asking some life changing questions. Just thought you should know.
Don,
I read the entire book in the matter of a few hours the other night…it is profound and beautiful. You spoke many words that I needed to hear at this juncture in life. Thank you so much for your wisdom and humor and stories.
Hilary
Hey Don.
I’m halfway through your new book and am really enjoying it. The reality of living a good story is difficult! I just thought I would share that while I was reading your book, my 5 and 3-year-old sons asked me to put the book down to play chess (I have a Dodgers vs. Giants set…we are huge Dodger fans). You’re book made me realize that a much better scene would be to play chess with my boys rather than ignoring them to read your book! Next, we’re gonna ride bikes.
Thanks, Don
~matt
Can I get a free copy? I’ll give it to someone else when I’m done. We’ll see how far it travels. think about it.
Read the entire book in one sitting. Now I’ll go back and draw circles, arrows and paragraphs near the things that really spoke to me. If you ever wonder whether or not your work is reaching people. I have read all of your books. Every single one has given me things to ponder and several times I have thought-WOW-that’s exactly how I feel. God bless you!
I saw the book on a display table near the door of a local bookstore. I wanted to buy it and dive right in, because I’m the buyer/diver-type. But, I plan to be at one of your book tour events, so I sorta figured I’d wait and purchase a copy there for you to sign.
Of course, I anticipate your recommendation to buy three now and another dozen then — but, my budget isn’t cooperating.
Hi Don –
It happens that my requested copy of your book arrived at my local book store at the same time I was trying to figure out why I was feeling a massive hole in my life. I am active in my church, dedicated to my faith and have a great job but kept feeling that I had left something important behind – I read the intro and first few pages of your book right after praying for insight into what I was missing. I could see I had become one of those people in danger of having the climax of my life be the acquisition of a Volvo – well, actually I already have a Volvo. But I realized that I used to be very imaginative at creating my own story. Unfortunately at that time, I didn’t have a good foundation for my story, and it kept turning out all wrong. Now that I have a foundation in faith, it is time to begin working on my ‘story’ again. I was so happy to have found the answer in those first few paragraphs, I am not sure I need to read the rest -(?!) -you have no idea how relieved I am to have the answer and to have found the missing puzzle piece.
Yes, I will finish the book. Aren’t you glad I already paid for it? –
My immediate thought was that I must share my joy with you.
Have a great tour!
Hey Don,
I just wanted to tell you that your book has me such clarity and renewed strength that I feel like you have saved my sanity today and my hope for what is to come. My family is in the middle of a great adventure with God! At the beginning of it he asked me to trust him and enjoy my time with him. Things have been really difficult lately but your book reminded me to enjoy my time with God. Thank you.
Grace and peace:)
Saw you in Wichita. During the q & a session you said you would take one more question. I wanted to ask, “Don, will you marry me?” ah, but alas, I could not find my voice
Can you tell Jordan that I am training poodles to be cage fighters?
Not quite done with the book, but so far I am loving it. Kudos…
I think the chapter on Jason saving his family may just change my life…if I let it. Thank you.
I have the book, I’m freaking excited, now I just need time to read it.
Don,
thank you for wrestling your pain and frustrations into this book. Im only halfway through but it’s deeply ministering to me. Thank you for writing a book that is putting a fire in my heart.
Another great book, Don. Your word pictures are phenomenal. Thank you for sharing your profound experiences with us.
Always remembering your kindness and generosity!
The Apothekers’ in Kalamazoo
For the claim you make that this is a book you are proud of; this is a book that I am proud to read. Because it’s going to bring about change in my life, a change that is wanted, needed, and there is not turning back. So thanks for writing it. Thanks for coming to Mariners. Thanks for writing it down. See you at Story in Chicago in a couple weeks; I hope to thank you in person.
i knew this book was great in the middle of the second chapter when i had to force myself to put it down and really think, otherwise all your knowledge would have been swallowed within the hour.
thank you for writing with honesty and truth, this book has inspired me to figure out my own story! i can’t wait for the rest of it to play out, but thank you for providing me with a beginning to my own story.
-paige
Don- just finished the book, and I am loving you more (well, your writing) every time I read you. In all sincerity, this book has changed my life, the way I look at life, and the way I will approach life in the future. I am taking steps to make a better stories for me and others around me. I started yesterday by calling up a friend and telling him I felt like climbing trees and getting muddy. I climbed a tree. I got a little muddy. We tramped around in the bush and found an incredible waterfall. I wrote a whole bunch of stuff down, but think I’m going to start over and read it again. I love that you wrote “These thank you’s feel more as though people are thankful for something I wasn’t responsible for, as a writer. Rather I was just a messenger of sorts.” This book was a divine appointment… thank you for being the medium for the message.
Ps. Maybe come to New Zealand some time? We’d be glad to have you.
Thank you for your book and honesty. I have NEVER finished a book and then immediately begun reading it again…until this one. It speaks to the human soul – to me. Combined with Nice Girls Don’t Change the World by Lynne Hybels, I have some challenges to seek. Thank you for inspiring this almost 50 year old woman to overcome fear and do that which I have longed to do!