Publication Day!
On the eve of the official publication of Alternadad, Salon has published an excerpt from the book. This particular excerpt is about circumcision, a tender topic if ever there were one. A shit-blizzard of letters has already resulted, and I'm sure it will reach the hundreds by the time I wake up in the morning. However, unlike the last time I wrote for Salon and was mercilessly attacked on the Internet for being a bad father and a poor excuse for a man, this time I'm steeled and ready. The hilarious vitriol has already begun to flow. I just hope my wife and parents feel the same way.
For those of you who care, my relationship with my own parents has never been better. They've been remarkable grandparents and have been incredibly understanding and patient about the now-infamous Chapter 7 of Alternadad. I dedicated the book to them. Their support of my weird career, and of the book, shows that I was right to do so. Mom, dad, I love you. Please don't sue.
So now Alternadad is finally here. I've published four books, but this one is by far the most personal, and the most satisfying. The support and humor that you all have shown me over the last couple of years has gotten me through some tough days, and some sleep-deprived nights.
If you see fit, pick up a copy of Alternadad today. And if you've already done that, write a review on Amazon. Early customer recommendations can be important there. Or tell a friend. Or buy someone a gift. Or just drop me a note. You could also leave a comment here. Or don't do anything at all. No pressure from this corner.
The publication of a book is always cause for an author to celebrate, but I have extra reason to party today. In many ways, this book is my family's life, in all its mundanity, and the sometimes unflattering portrait I paint of us is almost too accurate. But it's true and funny, and today I'm floating with pride and gratitude. This really is a glorious day for me and my family, and I'm so lucky to be sharing it with friends, both real-life and virtual, around the world. Thank you all so much.
Love,
Neal
Comments
Cheers!
Posted by: GIRL'S GONE CHILD | January 9, 2007 12:56 AM
Woohoo!! Happy book release day! Hope it sells like crazy.
Posted by: Amy Davis | January 9, 2007 5:11 AM
Congrats, Neal. Can't wait to see your segment on Oprah! Just think, this year you'll sell a warehouse full of books AND the Suns will finally win the Championship! Not a bad 2007.
Posted by: Zach | January 9, 2007 7:05 AM
From your lips to David Stern's ears, pal.
Posted by: Neal Pollack | January 9, 2007 7:11 AM
It's like David Sedaris with a kid instead of sibilings.
Posted by: Foggy | January 9, 2007 7:44 AM
Congratulations, Neal. I've enjoyed reading your site for years now.
Posted by: msw | January 9, 2007 8:12 AM
Big ups, NP. Best of luck.
Posted by: troy | January 9, 2007 8:29 AM
Mazel Tov Neal. I'm excited to read it. Thanks for the day-to-day laughter (and sometimes even wisdom) you bring me, in reminding me that my 3-yr-old and I, and the things she says and does, are not that different from everyone else.
Posted by: Eric | January 9, 2007 8:36 AM
Damn. That reminded me why I stopped going to church, even though it was Mellow Presbyterian. I'm going to share a quote from my favorite theologian, Carl Mastronardi, a tomato farmer in Leamington, Ontario: "Believe in God. Don't believe in religion." My entire religious upbringing consisted of this lesson from my father, who'd been scared shitless by the Southern camp meetings his Nanny loved: "Religion's OK, as long as you don't take it too seriously." He's now a Presbyterian elder, but deep down, he's the opposite of your mother-in-law: he doesn't care what religion you are, as long as you don't really believe in it.
Posted by: Ted | January 9, 2007 9:16 AM
Congrats on the big day. I've been reading your blog on and off for a few years, since about the time Never Mind the Pollacks was published. Best of luck with Alternadad. Just be sure to tell us when you'll be appearing on Fresh Air, The Late Show, Late Night, and The Colbert Report.
Posted by: Leigh | January 9, 2007 10:00 AM
As an expectant first-time father (due in May), I have really enjoyed reading the blog. I had enjoyed your books previously, but the blog has been your best work. My copy of Alternadad is on the way from Amazon and I look forward to reading it this weekend. Best of luck and congratulations.
Posted by: NS | January 9, 2007 10:24 AM
Congrats! Man, what an excerpt. It made my neck hurt. I may have to break my no hardcovers rule.
Posted by: Tim | January 9, 2007 10:41 AM
Congradulations, Neal. Caught the reactions to your article in Salon, and there's so many to chose from, but I gotta say my favorite is the one that says:
Fiction, right? Let us hope so. This article is flip and insensitive beyond belief. This guy is supposed to care about an issue crucial to his son's well-being, when
every other paragraph indicates he doesn't take this seriously at all. He's just interested in getting laughs. Even a comedian wouldn't be this cold-hearted.
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah. I laughed and laughed. You know who the real comedian is? That shrill little douchebag.
Hope to see you in March for SXSW!
Posted by: ReTodd | January 9, 2007 12:49 PM
Congratulations! I've been looking forward to your book for a while, and my copy is now on order. If it's anywhere near as entertaining as your site, I'll be one happy customer.
And now off to read the Salon letters. I haven't read a good old-fashioned parenting flame-war on Salon in AGES. Whee!
Posted by: Tammy | January 9, 2007 2:42 PM
I will buy and read this book. I may write a review of it for Amazon or my blog. Probably my blog. More narcissistic that way.
It's actually a line-item in the budget on my Excel spreadsheet. It's listed under "special expenses." Finally, next to the shelves and shelves of my wife's Mommy books, something for me.
Posted by: Wayne | January 9, 2007 7:27 PM
Congrats on the book. I picked up a copy today at my local B&N. It was right next to Tim Russert on the shelf. Not sure what kind of sign that is.
Posted by: TW | January 9, 2007 7:32 PM
At long last! I had it pre-ordered since November. Ordered one as a gift for a new dad and one for myself. Very much looking forward to reading it.
I wish you much success with the book. Hopefully Elijah will be able to handle the fame.
Posted by: Terry | January 10, 2007 11:48 AM
Great excerpt! I laughed and cringed and laughed some more. I made the mistake of asking for opinions on circumcision on my blog- 200 comments later, I'm regretting bringing up the topic. Several readers recommended reading the Salon excerpt, which is how I found you. Can't wait to read the book now.
Posted by: Lindsay | January 14, 2007 9:13 PM