In Our Fail-a-Bration Era

You are part of the party

The countdown is on— just one week until Fail-a-bration officially releases. As we approach launch week, I feel this is a safe place to share something personal with you . . .

Book promotion is not my favorite part of the process.

Yes, I am proud of this little book. Yes, I am really looking forward to connecting with real readers, young and old. Yes, I’m excited to share this new offering.

But …

Promoting your work requires vulnerability. You put yourself out there. People decide to purchase it— or not. Reviews are written. You share your stuff, sometimes feeling you’ve overshared, only to hear someone say, “Hey, I didn’t know you had a book coming out!” It’s just the way of things, I suppose.

This time, though, I made it my goal to embrace and enjoy the process. The book is, after all, a party.

My wife showed me a thing saying that people were more likely to watch a video for longer if the person in the clip was holding something in their hands. So, here I am holding a giant pencil as a microphone.

I’ve been creating short videos. For the longest time, I resisted regularly creating reels for Instagram or sharing on TikTok. The time it takes to write, film, edit, re-edit, re-film … doesn’t often align with the results or view count. You’re up against attention spans, algorithms, and the whims of whatever platform you’re sharing on.

This go-round, though, I decided just to post and have fun anyway. I’ve played around with new animation techniques, edited curated vintage clips, used home video footage, and even appeared on camera way more than I’m generally comfortable with.

Some of the promotional videos I created for Fail-a-bration were only seen by a few dozen people. A couple of them, though, are currently at more than 1 million views. I am still unsure as to why or how, but just embracing the journey.

I’ve been getting personal. Fail-a-bration is about courage and community. It didn’t seem fair that I’ve been encouraging others to risk failure without doing so myself. One of my own perceived failures is that I used to perform music regularly. I love music, but long ago, abandoned performing original material in front of an audience.

Here’s a video of my song:

The song lit the internet on fire with a rousing 43 views on YouTube. 😂

It fared a bit better over on Instagram, though. People have been sending me their own stage-fright stories or pointing me toward music I might enjoy. Honestly, the response has been a relief and a joy. It’s gently nudging me to continue leaning into discomfort. That’s where the most interesting discoveries seem to happen — even if they don’t always resonate on YouTube.

One of many choice still frames from videos Kristi and I recorded for classrooms and party planners

Thankfully, I’m not doing any of this alone. Kristi, my wife and co-illustrator/author, has been an enormous help and support. Together, we’re also lucky to have great support from our publishing team at Penguin Kids/Dial Books and our intrepid agent Erin at WME.

What truly blows my mind, though, is the support from all of you.

HOW WILD IS THIS!? —-To celebrate the release, people are throwing Fail-a-brations in 20+ countries and 48 states!!! (come on Rhode Island and New Hampshire!)

Because of this incredible support, we’re getting to do a tour! Check out the schedule:

If you’re anywhere near us during those dates, let me know. We’re so excited to be bringing this party to schools and bookstores. The school visits have been pre-arranged with the bookstores in those cities, but we plan to do pop-up book signings at the bookstores as time allows, and we’d love to see you.

VIRTUAL EVENT!

Not anywhere near our tour stops? Don’t fret! Join us for the big live virtual event:

Can you tell every educator you know about this? It’s a free event. It can be viewed LIVE or later. This interactive, engaging experience is designed for students of all ages. If you'd like to join or know a classroom that would benefit:

Just register to be part of it here.

During this vulnerable but vital time of book promotion, I think I’ve remained motivated because it’s an idea I believe in. 1 in 3 kids deals with extreme anxiety. Young people are growing up in what feels like a pressure cooker of perfection. Stifled creativity and lack of joy are no way to live. Failure is an experience, not an identity. I want every person— young and old—to know this. Reframing how we view and respond to setbacks can help us all live more authentically, build stronger relationships, and unlock our collective potential. It’s time to grow and help each other grow.

THREE WAYS YOU CAN HELP RIGHT NOW: 

1. Pre-order the book. 

   It is available wherever great books are sold. Click here to see a few options.

2. Get a pin.

   Once you’ve pre-ordered, sign up to receive your limited-edition enamel pin!

3. Plan a party.

   We need Fail-A-Brations happening in all 50 states the week of release. (September 8-14) You can sign up to throw your own party! You’ll get free resources and party tips emailed to you!

Whether you’re hosting a party, sharing the book with friends, or simply reflecting on your own journey, you are part of this party.

If you believe in this message as much as I do, I’d be so grateful if you could help spread the word. Share the book, the events, and your own stories of learning from failure on social media. Every post, tweet, share, or conversation helps us reach more people.

May we all fail better.