I feel like I should write a list of the things I want to tell you. That way you can peruse and decide what interests you. So let’s do that.
July 4th was not only Independence Day, it was also My New Book Release Day! Oh, it’s the oddest thing, writing books. So much effort goes into it, (not including the time with the proposal and the agent and the editors until you get a contract!) months and months of research and writing and editing and reading and cutting and pasting. And then it goes away. Radio silence as it’s being bound and turned into a book somewhere else in the world. Months later it makes its way back to you. And you hold this thing in your hands and it’s so pretty. And it has your name on it and your picture on the back. It’s out there in the world of millions of books and a whole new thing begins: marketing. Promises made to the publisher and by the publisher and it all comes together right now. I gotta sell the thing!
So WHY you should buy this book? (not just because you know me but that’s a good reason!) The Beginner’s Guide to Ayurvedic Home Remedies: Ancient Healing for Modern Life. ←—- It's all here. (I even made a TikTok) Everything you need to know to take care of yourself at every age. Common ailments. Setbacks. Lifestyle changes and challenges. It’s a reference guide to get you back on track and help you stay there based on the ancient healing science of Ayurveda. Many of the remedies you can find in your kitchen! As in all my books, you’ll find yummy new healing recipes for food and drink. You don't have to know anything about Ayurveda to use this book. I reached into my 60 years on this planet to offer you the wisdom that has been taught to me and benefited me for decades.
So, I’ll tell you this — Before I found Ayurveda, I weighed as much as 237 pounds. I was 32 at the time and I carried much of that weight around, on and off, for another dozen years.
Ayurveda and only Ayurveda (along with her sister sciences yoga and meditation) helped me lose the weight - over 60 pounds - in 2007. It’s now 2023 and I’m one of those 5%’s who has lost more than 50 pounds and kept it off. Ayurveda was THE ONLY lifestyle plan that EVER worked for me (and hundreds of my clients). So while it’s not really about weight, it’s not not about weight. So there’s that.
I hope you will love the book and use it forever. You can buy it everywhere today. Check your local bookstore first! Which brings me to number 2.
BOOK SIGNING! Please come out to the fantastic Ivy Bookshop to say hi and learn more about the book on Saturday, July 22 at 10 am. I’ll chat, we’ll chat and it will be so much fun. I haven’t seen many of you for such a long time, it would be great to see your shiny beautiful faces.
Write with me. I’ve been learning and teaching creative writing since 2020 and I’ve got notebooks of scratch to prove it! I’m turning much of that into my next book (oh it’s gonna be good!). The participants have been amazing! Here’s a little testimonial:
“I. LOVE. SUSAN'S. WRITING. CLASS and the Gateless method. This class allowed me to discover my writer. If you've ever had an inkling to write, then this is where you can discover your voice. It's encouraging and supportive, inviting your writer to come out and explore. Susan provides a safe environment to express yourself whether it's a list of words, phrases, or sentences.” MR
My writing salons are based on the Gateless Method which focuses on the positive, supportive aspects of craft and creativity. No judgment, criticism, or workshopping. The method allows the words to flow onto the page from deep inside, without self-censorship or fear of the written word. We celebrate you and your writing! The upcoming 4-week session at Manor Mill is full, but you can be the first to find out about upcoming classes if you are a paid subscriber to this newsletter. Unpaid subscribers can have access to classes a few days later. You can always visit my website for more: www.susanweisbohlen.com
and 4) Iceland. When I got this idea of doing Destination Writing Retreats, of course my first thoughts were India, as I have been taking groups there since 2007. Oh I love India! But I’m still a bit covid shy and the thought of someone getting sick that far away from home was daunting. So I thought about it - exotic, awe-inspiring, incredible nature, and close to home. Iceland was the first place that came to mind. I had visited twice before in 1996 and 2001. Ease of travel along with unparalleled nature was so enticing to me. And I had a new friend there, Heiða Björk Sturludóttir contacted me during covid to translate one of my books on Ayurveda. In the end, she wrote her own! But a friendship was born. Heiða and I hung out in Iceland in March, with her husband Þröstur, and planned a beautiful trip for this fall.
The journey will take us into our writing, along with yoga, meditation, and travel to geysers, volcanoes, geothermal hot springs, the Northern Lights, local restaurants, shops, and more. We will write in the morning and rest in the hot tub in the evening (hoping the Northern Lights will appear). Here’s the itinerary. The trip filled up so fast that I had to add another week. I have space for THREE more people, Oct. 31- Nov. 6. Take a LOOK and Venmo me (@susan-weis-bohlen, last four of cell are 2096) $500 to hold your spot!
Ok. I think that’s it. Oh - one more thing! I’ll send out details soon about meditation classes and writing salons I will be leading at Roland Park Country School in the fall and winter. YES! Meditation classes are back!
I hope you all are well and enjoying summer. Stay safe and love each other,
Susan