I'll be in my hometown of Jackson, Mich. doing a book signing the day after Thanksgiving from 10 a.m. to Noon. Check out the details below. If you are a Michigander, or will be in the Great Lakes state for the Thanksgiving holiday, consider coming by!

What: Cameron Conant book signing ("The Year I Got Everything I Wanted")
Date: Friday, November 23, 2007 (The day after Thanksgiving)
Time: 10 a.m. - Noon
Location: Agape Booksellers at the Jackson Crossing Shopping Center
Address: 1180 Jackson Crossing (near I-94 and 127), Jackson, Michigan 49202

At my book release party, the people from Barnes & Noble asked me to come to one of their stores and do a book signing as part of their "Local Author Day." I know there are some of you in Nashville who wanted to come to the party but were unable to make it, so here are the details on my upcoming Barnes & Noble signing.

Please come out and say hello! (It could get very lonely if you don't)

Also, for those of you haven't read "With or Without You," my first book, I'm told Barnes & Noble will have some copies of that book on hand, so come on by, pick up a book, and let's talk.

What: "The Year I Got Everything I Wanted" Book Signing (part of "Local Author Day")
When: This coming Sunday, Sept. 23, from 2-4 p.m.
Where: Barnes & Noble, Opry Mills, Nashville, Tenn.
Who: Me and nine other Nashville-area authors

To everyone who came out last night to support the release of "The Year I Got Everything I Wanted," I can only say thank you.

There must be some word or phrase beyond "thank you" to convey how I feel, but I don't know what that is; I don't know how to convey this gratitude that I feel completely immersed by (and in) this morning.

I was amazed by the turnout and blessed beyond belief by having you at my book release party last night (and Barnes & Noble was amazed by the number of books they sold).

I know I don't deserve all the kindness and love, but that's grace---this wonderful gift that is completely undeserved, but we just take it and say thank you and then try and extend that grace to someone else.

About four years ago, when my wife and I were first separated before our divorce, I was very cut off from friends and family and was living at this youth pastor's house in Grand Rapids, sleeping on a mattress on the floor of his small guest room. I had a bag of clothes and a clock radio and not much more than that. I felt very desperate and sad, and at that time, I really couldn't imagine how life would ever be fun or happy again.

I felt worthless.

If you compare that scene---sleeping on the youth pastor's floor in Grand Rapids---with the scene I saw last night, you would begin to understand how moved I was, and am, by your support.

My heart and my writing are for all those people who have been down and out---those people sleeping on someone's floor, feeling worthless. Those people who can't see how life will ever be good again. Those people who feel that they have nothing to offer. Those people who got knocked down.

Last night was an amazing example of how God makes all things new; how God surprises us sometimes, doing above and beyond what we could ever hope or imagine. Thank you for being a part of such an amazing night, and thank you for your love and support. It will never be forgotten.

With Love and Appreciation,

Cameron

For anyone who lives in the Nashville, Tenn. area---or within reasonable driving distance---I am having a book release party on Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2007, and you're invited. We'll be celebrating the release of "The Year I Got Everything I Wanted" with book readings, food, live music from two of the best bands/ performers in Nashville, and some of the people featured in the book.

Please come and celebrate with me, buy a book, and tell me your story. I'd love to hear it. Details are below!

What: "The Year I Got Everything I Wanted" Book Release Party
Who: Cameron Conant, author of "With or Without You" and "The Year I Got Everything I Wanted" (which releases late this month)
When: Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2007, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Where: The Curb Cafe, 1900 Belmont Blvd., on the campus of Belmont University (across from PM), Nashville, Tenn.
Featuring: Music from Thad Cockrell, music from Rory White and Copa, book readings by the author, a book signing, books on sale, food, drink, general mirth, down-to-earth people and an after-party at PM. This event is free and open to the public.

For the time being, I don't blog on MySpace---only on my author website, www.cameronconant.blogspot.com. A friend of mine just completed a redesign of the site, which I hope to implement by August 2007.

I started blogging in late 2005 as a way to expose people to my writing in real time (without the benefit/ disadvantage of having an editor comb through every word), and for purely cathartic purposes as well. What developed was this: a community of people who regularly visit the site and give me feedback on my life and writing.

I hope you'll become one of them soon.

For those who prefer books, look into buying one, or both, of mine. I am the author of "With or Without You" (Relevant Books, 2005) and "The Year I Got Everything I Wanted" (NavPress, September, 2007). Both are memoirs, and as such, deeply personal books.

Like a blog you can hold.

Grace and peace,

Cameron