I wrote an unschooling book called Curious Unschoolers. I published it. Then I told everyone about my book. I received many wonderfully supportive comments.
A few days ago, I posted the following words on Instagram:
I was telling my husband Andy about my brilliant friends: “It was wonderful how everyone got excited when they heard I was about to publish my unschooling book. Then I announced the book is available and they ordered copies and couldn’t wait for them to arrive. Now they’re reading my book.”
“Are they enjoying your book? Are they still excited?” asked Andy. He grinned and added, “Or is it now time for you to delete your account and disappear?” I do hope I won’t have to make a quick getaway. I rather like connecting with my friends here on IG.
Writing a book is a bit nerve-wracking. Will my book live up to everyone’s expectations? Will people like it? Selling words is totally different from giving them away for free. But it’s more adventurous. We have to be brave, don’t we? Go out there and do daring things. Live life fully. Use our talents. Follow our dreams. Be an example for our kids. I guess writing a book about unschooling is a very unschooling thing to do!
Yes, my friends are brilliant! I do hope they like my book. I hope it lives up to their expectations. I know at least one person enjoyed reading it. Lauren left this review on Goodreads:
If you’re a progressive mom but the word “unschooling” still makes you cringe… THIS is the book for you. SO SO SO SO GOOD. I will read this again and again.
Isn’t that a kind review? I smiled for hours after reading it.
A few people asked me if there’ll be an audio version of Curious Unschoolers. If I produced one, I’d have to narrate the stories myself, and I don’t know if I have the necessary skills. But what I have done is narrated the first three parts of my unschooling book as a podcast.
In podcast episode 151, I’m sharing the first 12 stories from my book. I hope they will give you an idea of what Curious Unschoolers is all about. Perhaps after listening to them, you’d like to read the whole book. Well, I hope you will!
Here’s a summary of what you’ll hear in episode 151: Stories from Curious Unschoolers:
6:27 Curious Unschoolers
7:06 Part 1: An Introduction
7:10 Something Important
10:33 The Friend Who Comes to Tea
13:08 Just in Case We’re Not Already Friends
14:53 A Book of Stories
17:22 Part 2: An Introduction to Unschooling
17:28 What is unschooling?
20:48 Why Unschooling Isn’t a Method of Homeschooling
32:01 Does Unschooling Work?
38:04 Part 3: What Unschooling Looks Like
38:10 What is Unschooling All About?
48:12 Is Unschooling Just Living Life?
54:08 The Curriculum of Life
1:03:07 A Typical Unschooling Day
You can also find these stories in the Kindle Sample which you can download for free. Even though I’ve shared quite a few of my stories, there are lots more to read. Curious Unschoolers has 22 parts and 117 stories (if I’ve counted correctly!). It’s a big, fat, orange book!
Show Notes
My Unschooling Book
Curious Unschoolers – Kindle
Curious Unschoolers – Print
Youtube
Photo:
This is my daughter Charlotte. She turned my rough design into a real book cover. It looks like Charlotte is enjoying Curious Unschoolers: She’s smiling. Has she found a story about herself? Perhaps she’s reading about independent Charlotte who gave herself a good education and her mother who yearned to feel needed. (That story has a happy ending!)
Thank you for listening to this episode. If you enjoy my podcast, please consider sharing the link so that we can spread the word about unschooling. A quick review or rating on Apple Podcasts or any podcast app would help too!
Please feel welcome to leave a comment about this episode. Did you enjoy my stories? Are you interested in reading Curious Unschoolers? Perhaps you have already ordered a copy? If you have, thank you. I hope you enjoy reading it!
If you do like my book, would you be willing to write a review of it for Amazon or Goodreads?
Even if you haven’t got anything to say about this week’s podcast, you could still stop by and say hello.
You have the skills to narrate your own book. I’m trying to start my own voice over business from home and have and still am learning a lot. My biggest suggestion would be to move your brand new mic into your closet for sound delusion, and tell puppy dog to be quite when you’re narrating, lol. I couldn’t imagine listening to your book in any other voice. But of course I’m a little biased. I enjoy your podcasts!
Delusion, sorry about that typo.
James,
I appreciate your encouraging comment very much. Thank you! Yes, I realised that the dog was barking. It was frustrating. I couldn’t do anything about it because it was our neighbour’s dog. I suppose I could have waited until the dog was quiet. I’ll have to do that if I narrate the whole book! And the closet is a good idea. I’m going to hide away inside my wardrobe next time I record a podcast. (I might have to clear some space first!) Thank you so much for listening to my podcasts. It’s good to hear you enjoy them!
I would love to hear your audio version of the book!!! It would be like a retreat podcast version! Authors reading their own work is the best in my opinion. Thanks for sharing your stories and thoughts!
Kim,
A retreat podcast version? That sounds good! Thank you so much for your confidence in my ability to record my book. I might head into my closet and give it a go!
I’m planning to order your book at well as Imogen’s “The Crystal Tree” tomorrow, Sue! Looking forward to delving into “Curious Unschoolers” myself and am looking for another shared reading book for my younger teens and me so “The Crystal Tree” it is!
I don’t usually get through books quickly but when I do, I will gladly review “Curious Unschoolers.”
Erin,
How wonderful! I’m so pleased you’d like to read our books. (Imogen will be happy too!) Thank you for ordering copies. I appreciate your offer to review Curious Unschoolers. I do hope you like it!
Yes, I enjoyed it! I had trouble putting it down, actually. I appreciated such a thorough book with the many sections, organized in a practical way.
My only regret is that my review on Goodreads shows 4 stars ( still a great rating) when I am sure I pressed 5!
Thanks to you for such a beautiful book and to your family for allowing their wonderful stories to be shared:). It will be helpful to many.
Erin,
I’m so pleased you enjoyed my book! Big smiles! Thank you for your kind words and for writing a Goodreads review. How frustrating for you that your 5 stars turned into 4. Thank you for explaining!
I appreciate your encouraging words very much. I’m glad you stopped by!