It is 4:26 in the morning as I type this blog. I am so sorry for who I am. lol. But luckily, it will probably take me an hour or two to finish it -- and true to myself, it is now 5:06, because I completely forgot I was writing a blog. So I think there's a good chance it'll be a reasonable time when this hits your inbox, lol.

Anyway!

Four weeks ago, we released a book together. Our third, in fact. And our most politically charged. Buzzard hit shelves on September 22nd, and indie booksellers have been truly championing this book in ways I have never seen before.

I have talked a few times about what it takes to sell a book like this. While we know Buzzard to be a next-level book and we know Inez to be an undeniably talented writer, at the end of the day, this is still a book about abortion and that is a scary conversation for a lot of people. And we knew that going in. In fact, it is a part of what excited me most about Buzzard. Because friends...I am not afraid of a fight. Especially when I think it matters.

That said, watching indie booksellers take the fight for Buzzard to the streets has been unbelievably rewarding. Almost daily, I am being tagged by booksellers who are championing this story. I am watching as they put the book on front display tables, as they report selling out, ordering bigger stocks, and convincing regulars to give it a try even if it wasn't already on their radar. I even saw a video of a store that had an entire window display, filled with copies of Buzzard, in the front window of their store.

We went in knowing that fighting for a book about abortion was going to take real effort. And I just want to make sure I take this moment to thank indie bookstores for being THE REASON we are winning it.

Yes, I have used my platform to fight for this book. As has Inez, Bindery and many of you! But there is no denying that indie booksellers are the ones putting Buzzard on the map. And I could not be more grateful. Truly. I have never seen bookstores fight for a book the way we have watched them fight for this book, and booksellers out there reading, you are making the difference.

Thank you to every single bookseller, librarian, reviewer and reader in this community who has done the work to make Buzzard a real contender. The book is doing great and it is literally because of you. THANK YOU.

And to everyone in the community who is not already plugged in, I would love if you would join us in shouting about this book everywhere you can. Buzzard is the kind of book you only come across a few times a generation. It is our Parable of the Sower. Our Handmaid's Tale. And over and over again, Inez is being recognized as a rising voice in our generation of feminist writers. I truly believe that the work we have done so far has ensured that Buzzard goes on to be recognized for its importance and impact. But if we want it to take its place as a notable challenge to this administration's rising efforts to push society toward cosigning its puritanical agenda, we are going to have to fight like hell to push it past every barrier that exists to stop conversations like this from growing.

Here's the truth: Despite how loud pro-lifers are about their hatred of autonomy, the majority of Americans believe Abortion should be a fundamental right. Even many Americans who don't like the idea of abortion are against telling people what to do with their bodies. But their voices are drowned out by the concerted effort of a minority who are united by a very passionate cause.

If we want to disrupt their message and challenge those who are following it blindly, our voices need to be just as concerted and fueled by a passion that is just as intense. And stories like Buzzard help us to rally. That is why it matters and it is why I continue to remind you that we are in an uphill battle, even while you can see us making progress.

Keep pushing. Keep talking about the book. If you have read it, please go drop a review on Goodreads. Share your experience with it on your social media. Recommend it for future bookclub picks. Buy a copy for the moderates in your life who can be challenged and the young women in your life who need to be reminded that there is hope for the future.

And if you are here from an external link and you resonate with our fight and want to help us to continue fighting for stories just like Buzzard, consider subscribing to this community for $5 a month to help grow our budget so we can invest in more fights that matter.

One thing about Left Unread: We are not just publishing books. We are investing in fights that matter.

And we intend to win them.

Love y'all, and until next time: Happy reading.

Oh, and update... I finished at 6:04. LOL!!!