My book is officially released into the world today!
TODAY IS THE DAY.
My book— Body Neutral: A Revolutionary Guide to Overcoming Body Image Issues— is officially released today!!
If you’ve been reading these emails for the last few years, you know I poured my heart and soul (and some of my mental health lol) into this book. It was one of the most challenging things I’ve ever done, and also one of the most rewarding, because I care so deeply about getting this material out into the world, and changing the cultural conversation around body image.
So while I am excited today, I’m also something else… relieved.
I’ve been waiting so long for this day; carrying this tension inside me, like my book was a secret known only to a select few. I’ve been wondering what it’ll feel like to have it out there in people’s hands, knowing people are finally reading it, and wondering what they’ll think. I’ve been bouncing between anxiety and eagerness as I wait, carefully resisting the urge both to set my expectations too high, and to grieve its failure in advance.
All this holding.
Wondering.
Waiting.
And now it’s done. The book is out of my hands, and into yours, and I couldn’t be happier about it.
Everyone warned me that this part would be hard, because authors always have a hard time “letting go” of their book. But I have to say this is probably the most at peace I’ve felt since getting the book deal nearly two years ago.
Why? Because this is a book about collective liberation, and came from my experience working with clients. I had to write it alone, but it was never meant to exist that way. It was never supposed to be “mine,” and now that it’s where it belongs (out in the world for all of us—all of you), I can finally take a deep breath again.
Speaking of which, my guest for today’s This Is (Not) About Your Body podcast episode is my book editor at Penguin, Amy Sun!
Listen to the full episode here, or watch the video on my YouTube channel, to get a behind-the-scenes look at the publishing process, the book-writing journey, and how this book came to be.
Now for a request!
Because the first week of book sales is really important for the long-term health of the book, I urge you to buy a copy this week, if you haven’t yet! Better yet, buy a few copies to give to friends, family members, or your local gym or library!
You can purchase Body Neutral at your local bookstore, or anywhere you buy books online. (This includes Amazon, although I try to avoid using them whenever possible). You can also buy the audiobook version on Audible, narrated by yours truly!
Then, help me spread the love far and wide!!
I want this book to get in as many hands as possible, and you can help by:
Posting a picture of yourself with the book or sharing your favorite passages on social media (be sure to tag me in it so I can see, @JessiKneeland!).
Talking about what you’re learning, or sharing the book with friends, family members, or co-workers.
Leaving a rating and review once you’ve read it, on Goodreads, Google books, Amazon, or wherever you bought it!
This book belongs to all of us now, and I can’t wait to hear what you think.
Yours in personal healing and collective liberation,
Jessi