A local book store is putting together a multi-author event, and they invited me to promote Yeshiva Girl, so I’m starting to feel the panic attacks coming on. The fact that I actually worked up the nerve to promote the book on the blog is light years ahead of what I could have managed even a year ago, so I may be expecting too much of myself. I’ve been inching towards a set of notes for a few different talks about the book: one on Orthodox Judaism, one about incest, one about self-publishing, etc., so that if I get the opportunity I may even have the nerve to go forward.
Cricket is skeptical.
When I was watching the Golden Globes recently (mostly fast-forwarding through it, but still), I had a few moments of wondering who I would want to direct the movie version of Yeshiva Girl, and how it would be cast, and if I’d be able to work on the screenplay, and where I could fit in the musical numbers. For a long time, along with assuming that I would be published right away, I took it for granted that my books would be made into movies, or TV shows. I had the guy from The Sopranos, James Gandolfini, in mind to play the father, until he died a few years back. And I kept my eye out for a young actress who could possibly play Izzy, without remaking her into a supermodel. I didn’t really think about the difficulties of making a novel about incest into a Hollywood movie, I mean, look at the stories Steven Sondheim has made into Broadway musicals!
Another thing I’ve had in mind for a long time was to do a book tour where I would focus on listening to other people’s stories of child abuse, almost like a travelling version of the Shoah Foundation, which has taken testimony from every Holocaust survivor who has been willing to speak. It would be like having pop up MeToo meetings all over the world, with my book as the excuse for us to get together.
Sometimes I think about doing an audiobook version of the book, but it scares me too much for now. Everything scares me too much at this point. I really should look into getting Ellie certified as an emotional support dog, so that she can come with me to scary events, and maybe even do the presentation herself. I think she’d sell a lot of books!
“I can do it!”
If you haven’t had a chance yet, please check out my Amazon page and consider ordering the Kindle or Paperback version (or both!) of Yeshiva Girl.
Yeshiva Girl is about a Jewish girl on Long Island named Izzy (short for Isabel). Her father has been accused of inappropriate sexual behavior with one of his students, which he denies, but Izzy implicitly believes that it’s true. Izzy’s father decides to send her to an Orthodox yeshiva for tenth grade, out of the blue, as if she’s the one who needs to be fixed. Izzy, in pain, smart, funny, and looking for people she can trust, finds that religious people are much more complicated than she had expected. Some, like her father, may use religion as a place to hide, but others search for and find comfort, and community, and even enlightenment.
(p.s. if you’re going to be on the North Shore of Long Island on Saturday March 9th, I’ll be at The Dolphin Bookstore, in Port Washington, between two and four in the afternoon. I’ll post again about this closer to the event.)
“Eek!”
rachelmankowitz 
You are making progress! You can do it….if you want to. You can do anything with those sweet, supportive canine therapists!
We’re doing our best. Thank you!
With a book like that hearing others’ stories, I think would happen. There is something healing about appreciating another’s courage.
I hope so!
This is awesome! You know you can totally do it. The hardest part is showing up. Maybe you can take Ellie just as one of your best friends. And what a wonderful thought – your book tour idea. 🙂
Thank you!
“Everything scares me too much at this point.”
And yet, look at all you’re accomplishing. Things you didn’t think yourself capable of doing just a year ago. Keep marching ahead, Rachel!
I’m trying! Thank you!
Every good wish for your book store appearance. I’m sure you will be a great success and sell a lot of books. Just remember you are the person who knows your subject – your book – the best. Of course, let us know about it.
Thank you!
Yay, Rachel! This is so darn great! You SO can do this. I think a MeToo pop-up event would be woderful. Something to think about….. and then present the idea to the book store owner/manager.
Thank you!
calm breaths,
relaxed smiles,
showtime 🙂
Eek!
hey, that’s a mouse sound!
i believe that you are
bigger than that 🙂
Cricket can be your support animal and the little stuffed toy can be Cricket’s support animal. 🙂
Hurray for your opportunity, and wishing you calmness and self-confidence.
Thank you!
Thats wonderful and I’m sure you’ll do great! Yay!!
Thank you!
How wonderful to be invited. It really is a public way of showing you are an author. The good thing about a book event is that those who attend are there because they want to be and not to be aggressive. Remember to breathe and smile. If anyone gets out of hand try to imagine Cricket or Ellie giving them a ‘friendly’ nip on the backside.
Ha! Thank you!
It sounds brilliant that you have been invited. But I know that feeling. It just completely shakes you, drains all your confidence. A few times I’ve taken the dog with me to things which I’ve become anxious about. When I have it’s been great. Nobody takes the slightest bit of notice in me just want to talk to the dog. It’s helped me survive. Everything I read from you is brilliant, I would love to have just a bit of your talent. I’m sure you will be just fine.
Thank you so much!
“Hello ladies and germs, I’m Rachel, let’s talk about incest!” Always a good opening line. Anyway if you need limericks for the movie soundtrack lyrics, give me a buzz.
I definitely will!
That is truly wonderful that you have been invited to promote your book! Really!! I’ve been writing and publishing for over eight years, and no bookshop proprietor has ever asked me to do likewise. Congratulations! Wow! You really are getting somewhere! And well deserved!
How can that be?!!!!
Great idea to take Ellie with you to a book signing!!
What a dynamic duo – best of luck to you!!
Thank you! Now I just need to convince Ellie not to eat the pens.
I’m so glad You took a chance on Ellie! It would be great if she could go everywhere with you, helping you through it all.
It would be awesome!
you can totally do this! I would come see you but I live like 90000 miles away and Maverick wants to play with Ellie and Cricket and he’d probably scare the pants off both of them because he’s just a little CRAZY still. Also, stop with the tours and write another book, I need to read more of your stuff cuz you write extremely well!
Thank you!
Congratulations! I am so happy for you. I can’t wait to read how much everyone loved your presentation on one of your future blogs.
Thank you!
I am sure that the book shop appearance will be rewarding, and another step on the road to progress for you.
As for an audio book version, I would suggest using a young actress the same age as Izzy. I think it should be narrated in ‘Izzy’s voice’.
Best wishes, Pete.
Thank you!
I was petrified for my first book promotion. After the reading, I was so flustered I goofed up the accounting with the book store and basically gave them my books, didn’t get paid for the copies sold (I just wanted the evening to end!) (And I was with my family, so no excuses – I was a total wimp – just completely out of my comfort zone.) But it was such a disaster it gave me the guts to do another, and the next was better, and the next was better… and now I feel (sort of) comfortable getting up and talking about my books in public. (I still need an icecream cone afterwards, lol). Anyhow, please consider doing it – maybe just start with introducing yourself, saying why you wrote the book, reading a paragraph or two and inviting questions!I hae your book on my kindle and am looking forward to reading it! 🙂
Thank you so much!
How exciting (and terrifying, right). Be ready to autograph a lot of books!
Eek!
Congratulation, again, on your book. Best of luck on the book promotion, Rachel. Will you take both of your dogs with you?
Thank you! Miss Cricket would be a menace!
Like this article. 🙂
Hi Rachel, Just take it one day at a time. You’re touching lives… like mine. I’m also a survivor and very blessed by your blog. Also, your courage to write Yeshiva Girl. I kvnow Cricket and Ellie would agree, without being given chicken treats.Thank you! Mary ❤
Thank you so much!
Take the dogs with you and let them be your support. You can do this!
Thank you!
so exciting Rachel! You got this!
Thank you!
Agree, self promotion is tough. Unfortunately even with a publisher, the marketing is pretty limited. Word of mouth is one great way to spread the message. Maybe a group of supporters who admire your writing, e.g. Rachel’s Ramblers or some such. Also good for talking up and scheduling book talks. Just a thought. Congrats on Yeshiva Girl!
Sounds like a plan! Thank you!
I’m thrilled for you Rachel! You can do this. And maybe you could take Ellie with you (the store promoters might allow it). Go for it!!!!
Thank you!
Your book is wonderful Rachel, so promoting it is a good idea. But you don’t have to do events that make you anxious. Baby steps. If you feel as though you’re ready to challenge yourself in that way however, Ellie would make an excellent companion. If that means getting her certified, do it.
Thank you so much!
I encourage you to consider the audible portion. When you record it, they may let you take Ellie. There’s no harm in asking. And the benefits that come from reading your work out loud are immense. Give it a shot.
Good idea! Thank you!
I salute your bravery in even thinking about going out in public to talk about your book. As an earlier comment says, take it slowly. I would feel too vulnerable to talk about sexual abuse in such a setting. Maybe you could be a guest in a therapy session and talk about the challenges of writing the book. On the other hand, it seems it would be pretty safe to talk about Orthodox schooling. Best of luck and peace.
Thank you!
God is sooooo good!
Go for it, Rachel! Ellie is not the only one who can do it!
Thank you!
This is wonderful. I know that it’s easier said than done, but have fun!
Thank you!
It’s a wonderful idea! You go girl is what Cricket is saying! Best of luck Rachel.
Thank you!
You can do it Rachel. Look at the stuff you’re doing that you never thought you could.
Thank you so much!
Congrats on your book event!
Thank you!
At a reading, you have no lines to remember. Read a bit that will make them want to know more. People will have things to say and will have questions. You will crush this. And a little nip on the ankle from Cricket will effectively herd the crowd exactly where you want them. Yes, you will be nervous. But you might actually enjoy the experience. And you will want to bring home every person who buys a book and asks for an inscription.
I hope you’re right! Thank you!
Remember, booksellers are more frightened of you than you are of them. I’m a bookseller, I know.
That’s awesome, if it’s true.
Definitely true, a shy lot in general. You just have to watch out for the oddballs, the ones that seem gregarious.
Uh oh!
I am writing my book, which still has no title. The book is a children’s fantasy.
Good luck!
Plot: Sparkle, a 12-year-old Fairy Frog, befriends a Marge, Sarge’s cousin. Sparkle starts a cycle of friendship when Sparkle and Marge see when if they Fairy Frogs can befriend they toads. Who happens when Sarge tries to break up both friendships?
This is an extraordinary time for you, Rachel; so exciting and well-deserved. To have produced a novel is amazing. We all wish you every bit of luck promoting it! Pip and the boys
Thank you so much!
Are you allowed to take your number one four legged best fan with you when you present? You are going to do a great job. You are passionate about the book so it will flow. Thanks for always making time to stop by my blog and click the like button. I appreciate your visits.
Thank you! If the girls can’t come with me in person, maybe I’ll bring one of their toys with me for comfort.
Good idea
p.s. Rachel, I just went and bought your book and will now read it! All the best from Pittsburgh.Ruth
Thank you so much!
Good for you!! You go, girl!
Thank you!
I am very happy and excited for you! There are so many ways to promote today that it is probaly hard to choose from. I understand the fear… I had read in our new is Israel – There was an article about people – women and even children being abuised in the “haredim” you know one of the strictly orthodox comunities. Your book – well – I can`t tell before I read it – can give them some hope? Previously religious jews and other religiouns can probably indentify with the dilema you bring…this is a very moral question…This is ahot topic you are touching and you know it. This is the power you have and from here promoting the book can be easier…and more…efficient…When you talk about traveling around the world… do you consider Israel?
Thank you! I would love to go to Israel to promote the book!
You know I live there let me know if you come 😉
I will!
You will enjoy the bookstore experience.
I hope so! Thank you!
Not quite on topic for this thread, but I had to let you know I just finished reading Yeshiva Girl. What a good book! The story was well-crafted, the characters engaging and real. You conveyed a sensitive and real understanding of the abuse issues from various angles – which is very affirming. Thoroughly enjoyed it and appreciated it! 🙂
Thank you so much!!!!!!
Hi Rachel. I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed Yeshiva Girl. It read so much like a memoir I couldn’t help wondering if it was based on someone you know. It seemed so personal and I mean that as a compliment. The characters all touched me, regardless of their shortcomings. I also appreciated learning more about Orthodox traditions. I’ve always been fascinated and curious what it’s like to be a young girl in an Orthodox home. Having grown up Methodist I always envied the strong community my Jewish friends belonged to and wondered what life was like in their homes. I always enjoy your posts and look forward to your next book.
Thank you so much!
You will be great. You can ask the bookstore if you can bring Ellie even though she is not an emotional support doggie yet.
Thank you!
Congratulations on your book! I just ordered it and will read it as soon as possible. Books like yours are hard for me to read since I was a sexually abused child – my father – and was threatened with death if I told anyone. But I will read your book. God bless.
Thank you so much! And I totally get it. Take care of yourself.
Congratulations and as they say just remain calm and promote your book. Put a chair beside you for Cricket who will be more than grateful and a very calming influence and you know how people react to adorable dogs. Then the rest will just be super easy.
Thank you!