thanks for your book, Johnrobison!!

nancy sv · Sep 27, 2007

I just started teaching a new class this week, and I introduced myself to the class like usual. Then one of my students asked to introduce himself and he started going on about how he had Asperger's and ADD and ..... I knew it was going to quickly degenerate into one of those, "Poor me, pity me" types of introductions where he wants to set the stage so that I know the kid has problems (this is a Special Ed class) and will maybe go easy on him.

Anyway,I was able to turn the situation around by cutting him off and saying, "You know what?? That's great that you know what the issues are and that you know what you are facing. But the real exciting part of it is that you can make a choice. You can choose to let your Asperger's destroy you, or you can choose to accept it and live with it and make the most of it. You can choose to go on to do great things. And - there is a book that was just released - Look Me In the Eye - about a man with Asperger's. It's all about how he dealt with his issues and didn't let them get him down. You can choose to do the same - if you want to!"

And guess what?!?! Today this kid came up to me and said that he had told his mom about the book, and she ordered it for him.

So - THANK YOU!!! I have a feeling you saved me a whole lot of grief this year!! Now whenever this kid gets on his pity party - I can point to you and say, "Deal with it!"

Shwebb · Oct 2, 2007

That's an awesome story, Nancy. The greatest compliment I think someone can get is that his/her story helped someone.

Way to go, John!

benbradley · Oct 2, 2007

I just bought this book last week, Barnes and Noble has a five-foot-high display right in the middle of the main aisle with a double-sized pic of the cover. I just got through reading it last night, and I need to write a review for my blog (along with Augusten Burrough's "Running With Scissors" and "Dry" which I recently read). Long story short, I can relate to a lot of "Look Me In The Eye."

A few months back (and anticipating Robison's book) I read some of Atwood's "The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome" but I had a hard time going through it - there were repeated references to those with Asperger's being victims of bullying, and it kept bringing back bad memories throughout elementary and high school.

I was in an "Emotionally Disturbed" class for several years of elementary school, back in the '60's. I didn't have any labels for myself back then (and of course the current labels this kid used didn't exist back then), though I knew I wasn't like most other kids. I "found a label" for myself at age 30, but now I prefer to eschew such labels, as I find they can often be as limiting as the "problem" the label describes. My own memoir is upcoming...

johnrobison · Oct 2, 2007

I'm glad to hear people are enjoying Look Me in the Eye. I've been busy with book tour and media apearances . . . 14 hour days. But it's wonderful to see how people are touched by my story.

best wishes
John

nancy sv · Oct 3, 2007

The boy told me today that his book arrived, but he only had a chance to read the introductory part. He is excited about reading it - hope it gives him strength and encouragement!

SHBueche · Oct 8, 2007

Great book, just finished it!

PattiTheWicked · Oct 8, 2007

I was in the orthodontist's waiting room this morning and was leafing through a few-weeks old copy of People magazine... and in the book review section towards the front, there's Robison and "Look Me In the Eye"!

People magazine. I feel like I should genuflect or something.

johnrobison · Oct 9, 2007

I don't know if you need to genuflect . . . perhaps buy the book instead.

The People story was certainly one of the more effective publicity pieces for my new book.

nancy sv · Oct 10, 2007

You've really gotten a lot of press coverage with this book - congrats! I bet it feels strange huh??

Perks · Oct 10, 2007

I saw the book in People magazine at the chiropractor's office! It was quite exciting!

johnrobison · Oct 10, 2007

You know . . . as much press as my book has . . . most all the books around me on the bestseller lists have even more. It really takes a lot of mass media help to get a book moving today, at least in a big way.

It's really kind of scary, for someone unknown like me.

I'm holding my own, even gaining against the big boys. Climbing a bit for my second week on the bestseller lists.

Perks · Oct 10, 2007

That's really fantastic, John. Thanks for sharing it with us.

johnrobison · Oct 10, 2007

At some point word of mouth takes over but mass media is really needed to drive a book into the public's eye in the first place. That's especially true for new authors. Readers are already waiting for the next Grisham or King book. Hence the media blitz you see for Look Me in the Eye.

Stew21 · Oct 10, 2007

I haven't read it yet, but a woman I work with has a grandson with Asperger's. She was talking about some difficulties they are having (she wasn't specific) but I recommended your book to her.
She said she was going to buy it.
You have another reader!

johnrobison · Oct 10, 2007

That's what we need! Books are sold one by one by one.

And there are so few readers in this country.

This is the big season for selling books. Right now, to hit the bestseller lists you need sales of perhaps 10,000 copies a week. To top the lists, perhaps 40,000 copies a week. But when you break that down, looking at market share in the different stores, that means ONE COPY A WEEK in many independent bookstores and ONE COPY A DAY in every B&N. On average.

That's how few readers there are out there, and they are widely scattered. It's a very tough market.

aussiedee · Oct 13, 2007

Congratulations John Robinson...you are living the dream!

I picked your book up at Borders here in L.A. Can't wait to read it as my five year old daughter has Aspergers..amazing child, been reading since three and a half.

Anyway, just in awe of you and in a bit star struck that we are lucky enough to have your priceless input on this board.

Good luck to you!
with love
dee

Kudra · Oct 13, 2007

Wow, thanks for sharing the numbers, John. And a huge congratulations once again. You've been really helpful around the boards in the past year, and it's been great sharing your experiences as you've gone down this road. Much success to you.

CatMuse33 · Oct 30, 2007

How cool!! I was just in B&N today, and saw John's book on a new release table. I was able to tell my husband, "This author is on the same forum I'm always on!" Now I can't wait to read it.

CONGRATS, John!!

Dawn

Ritergal · Oct 31, 2007

Let's all give it another boost by recommending it to our libraries. There are tens of thousands of libraries around the country, and libraries are a writer's best friend!

SHBueche · Nov 3, 2007

Book sales question?

John, I am wondering how your book sales are going? I ordered your book, read your book, and loved it. Just yesterday I was in my local bookstore and saw your book prominently displayed among recent titles.

johnrobison · Nov 3, 2007

Well, Shelley, it's been reprinted nine times in two countries, and it hit the bestseller lists both here and in Australia. In another week Look Me in the Eye will have spent two months as an Amazon bestseller.

There are a bit over 150,000 copies in circulation right now, between the two editions.

In addition, we have foreign editions in production, and you'll see those appear beginning next summer and continuing into spring 2009. Translation can be slow.

The co-op period has ended, so whenever you see my book in the front of a bookstore, it's earned that placement, by virtue of strong sales or impressing the staff or whatever.

The reader response to my story continues to be remarkable. I'm touched beyond words by the way people are moved by Look Me in the Eye. I had no idea when I wrote it. I'm just so glad it ends up as a happy, inspirational work. So many stories of growing up turn dark and foreboding at the end. And it's all up to the author, really. Do you focus on the good things that happen, or the bad things? All of us have the making of both kinds of story in us, all the time. When writing a memoir, there's the temptation to look for the ugliest most shocking elements, but my book is really proof that a PG rated story with no graphic sex or violence can still be well received.

Ritergal · Nov 4, 2007

Another reader checking in with thanks. What's not to love about this book? It flows, and goes through truly awful scenes without tearing our hearts and guts out. It's written with compassion, and yet sounds "true." The part about the hanging and fire was so hilarious I had to read it aloud, which was difficult because I was laughing so hard I had tears in my eyes. Perhaps it was especially poignant about then because I had a friend of sorts in high school who stored dynamite (and who knows what else) under the family bathtub. He is probably Aspergian. And you named your son Cubby. My loveable grandfather's name was Cub (Cubby when he was little), because "he was fat as a little bear cub" when he was a tot. He went by Cub all his life; even Richard Nixon knew this. Your explanations shed light on the behavior and quirks of a couple of family members.

And then it ended on such a happy note. Awesome!

Well done, John Robison. Now what? Will you continue to write, or was this a one-shot thing?

BTW, I don't generally read memoirs about abuse. They are too painful. I'd heard of your brother's book and deliberately opted not to read it. I've changed my mind!

johnrobison · Nov 4, 2007

Well, Ritergal, I certainly don't think of my book as a story of abuse. The main theme is growing up different and learning how to fit in.

And yes, I am working on a second book right now. Look for more from me in early 2009.

I will have news here and on my blog as soon it's it's more defined.

SHBueche · Nov 8, 2007

I have a couple of comments about John Robison this morning,

I did notice his book in my local branch library, Austin Public Library.

Also, in the current events section of AW, the moderator posted that Rosie O'Donnell (rosie.com) recommends "Look Me in the Eye," wow, John this is sure to mean more book sales.

Last, I can't wait for your next book, keep up the great work!

PattiTheWicked · Jan 8, 2008

John, I just bought and read "Look Me In the Eye." An absolutely amazing story. There were times when I laughed out loud -- you're a delightful storyteller -- and times when it really made me stop to think about people I know, and how we all interact with one another. I've already recommended it to a number of people. Thanks so much for sharing such a personal journey with all of us.

thanks for your book, Johnrobison!!

30 months on a bicycle...

She's the creepy-looking dude

It's a doggy dog world

A Free Range Aspergian

30 months on a bicycle...

What happened to my LIFE?!

Unleashing Hell.

A Free Range Aspergian

30 months on a bicycle...

delicate #!&@*#! flower

A Free Range Aspergian

delicate #!&@*#! flower

A Free Range Aspergian

A Free Range Aspergian

Back and on track

Just hitting send

What happened to my LIFE?!

A Free Range Aspergian

A Free Range Aspergian

What happened to my LIFE?!

Unleashing Hell.