Last year the Philadephia Eagles football team began employing the rugby-esque tactic of lining men up behind the ball carrier in goal line or fourth-and-inches situations and pushing the ball carrier across the line by the exercise of sheer mass and force. It became known as the “Tush Push” and sparked controversy around the league.
I have no opinion about the Tush Push in football, but it is a model and inspiration for me in today’s launch of Lone Dog Road. I have no vast media machine behind me. No full page ads in the New York Times, no purchased end cap or front table placements in Barnes and Noble — really, no anything other than the literary Tush Push of you, my readers, as we try to push Lone Dog Road across the line from invisibility to public awareness.
This sort of self-promotion is uncomfortable to me, but I was long ago scolded by better minds than mine for confusing myself with the book. “You’ve written the book,” they said. “Now it is apart from you and if you truly believe in it, it is incumbent upon you to make it known to the world.”
Well, I believe in Lone Dog Road. You readers have convinced me that I’ve done something special with it. As one reader said, “It is the culmination of your work. It contains all the themes that have been there over the years in your writing.”
Be that as it may, it is now time to give this new literary fledgling a push to get it over the line into the marketplace. That’s where you come in. You are Lone Dog Road’s Tush Push. Reviews on Amazon and Goodreads, “likes” and “shares” on Facebook, whatever strange things can be done in worlds I don’t understand like Instagram and TikTok — all of this and more, that’s what I need from you right now.
I have always looked upon us as partners in the life of my books. Another author once called me “a cult author”. Well, if that’s the case, you readers are my cult. We are not Hare Krishna devotees handing out copies of Lone Dog Road in airports, but we can be a growing chorus of voices telling readers to give this book a chance. We can make those algorithms take notice, we can make those talliers continue to up the count of eyeballs on the book.
If you believe in my work and, more specifically, if you have read Lone Dog Road, please write those reviews, hit those buttons on websites, do what you can. The first moments of a book’s life matter. These are those first moments.
Lone Dog Road needs a Tush Push.
This book got me to write a review on Good Reads for the first time. I’m not a social media person but I’m getting the word out there. I’ll leave a review on Amazon too.
LONE DOG ROAD is on my list of the top 10 or maybe even top 5 of the best novels I’ve ever read. I’ve sent the opening of the book out to my mailing list, and will post on a few Facebook sites… I wish you well with it, Kent. If only great writing translated into sales, your book would be a bestseller!
Hi Kent. I will absolutely promote your book. And I’ve got a debut novel, A MOON IN ALL THINGS, in the same situation. Word-of-mouth is King and reviews are queen. Question: I believe I pre-ordered Lone Dog Road. Can you take a look and see if you have my order? Either jenjencomeau@gmail.com or jen@jennifercomeau.com would be the email. Thankyou. I am very excited to read your book, after reading and loving your trilogy. (I had to order a new NEITHER WOLF NOR DOG because I loaned it out and it never came back. Thank you!!!
Haven’t ordered Lone Dog…yet. And no excuse, Kent is a prolific writer! Have all he previous books- Neither Wolf Nor Dog is my favorite!! Gonna order now.
I’d check if I could, but I have nothing to do with the ordering process. You could email kim@newworldlibrary.com and perhaps she could give you the answer. She was in charge of the Amazon promotion and would know where to send you.
Mine should be here any day! I pre-ordered early and have watched this evolve almost since birth! I feel much like the proud auntie that can hardly wait to meet my new kin….believing it will just be the most perfect niece…er book…ever!
It takes a village, and you’re part of that village. Enjoy (and review)!
Hello Kent,
I preordered the book (Kindle version) last February and it was delivered just after midnight May 20th (today). I will begin reading it this weekend and leave a review on Amazon.
I purposely did not read anything on your site regarding the book’s plot or details about it. I have many of your books in my personal library that are, and have been, vital in developing my appreciation of the many gifts in Native American culture. I didn’t want to spoil the adventure this book is certain to provide by reading bits and pieces of it beforehand! Just a personal decision!
It’s downloaded and I’m ready,
Thanks,
Noël Horn
I commend your discipline and understand it, as well. Having no preconceptions or biases should allow you to write a fresh and insightful review on Amazon and Goodreads once you’ve finished the book. I hope you enjoy the novel and find it both thoughtful and meaningful.
Dear Kent,
I was one of your advance readers. I just posted reviews on Amazon and Goodreads. Kent, I loved the book. It was different from the Neither Wolf Nor Dog, mainly because of the POV… but just as wonderful. I learned a lot from all of these books. Thoroughly enjoyed them.
I agree with the folks who have asked you to make this into a series, also. There is certainly room for it. What sort of man will Levi become? What will Reuben be like as he grows older?
BTW, I am the woman who requested permission to use a couple of passages from Neither Wolf Nor Dog in my book for educators, which you granted. Grounded in Indigenous Worldview, Restorative Justice, the book is about the journey of self reflection and change necessary for eduators to embark upon if they are going to really change education — maybe especially NOW… in these times. I haven’t found a publisher yet, but am looking.
A lineup in both of my bookclubs, have made mentions on IG and Goodreads. Love it. Congrats Kent
I preordered the book and received it on 4/25 from Bookshop.org. As soon as possible I’ll plan to leave a positive comment at appropriate locations. I have enjoyed and admired Kent’s prior books and have some still in the queue. My read will be an outbound exploration and I look forward to the journey, no matter how hard. I visited White Bird, ID several years ago (Re: Chief Joseph) as well as many points in South Dakota (Neither Wolf nor Dog).
FYI I just noticed the NFL is meeting and is considering banning the Tush-Push. We can look for another metaphor.
I am putting together a series of bookclub questions if you’re interested.
That tush push is just the upgraded version of the old Refrigerator Perry backfield. Put reviews on Amazon and Goodreads.
The book arrived in my collection today and that makes me very happy.
I’m on it!!!