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.
