After five and a half years of work, my memoir is done, and, amazingly, available for pre-order from the book sellers below. I say “amazingly,” because the book isn’t due out until February 21st, 2017. Now I understand a bit better why we see trailers for movies “Coming Soon!”–in eight or nine months. (I’m not sure I actually understand why the promo’s come so early, but I’m beginning to realize it’s par for the course.)
I should tell you that I was initially surprised by the cover selected by the good people at Atria. We had looked at a variety of options, and never talked about a cover with Willie’s face on it. At first I wasn’t sure; it didn’t seem quite fitting for a memoir about a woman (me) whose dog (Willie) teaches her that will power is not enough to heal from trauma and shame. But then, I found myself looking at Willie’s face, full of love and joy and hope and fear, and remembered that it’s that face, and what it represents, that gave me the courage to write the book. So, of course, my Silly-Billy-Willie boy should be on the cover.
As is usual, the publishers sent early copies of the book out for “blurbs.” (An unattractive word in my opinion, reminiscent of “blog,” which always sounded to me like something one would go to the doctor’s office to have removed.) Here is what came back:
“In The Education of Will, Patricia McConnell writes with unflinching honesty, vulnerability, and warmth. She wraps her reader in the highs and lows of a life lived beautifully, through gut-wrenching traumas, hard-won victories, unexpected romances, and tear-jerking setbacks. Through it all, McConnell depicts the natural world (and of course, dogs) with masterful reverence and passion. A tremendously winning memoir.”
Nickolas Buter, Shotgun Lovesongs
An unflinching look at trauma and how one woman grows beyond it—beside a wondrous, troubled spark of a dog who needs her help and helps her know herself. Wisdom earned in the hardest places, dog and human, brings with it a caring message of hope. The Education of Will is riveting from the first page to the last.
Susannah Charleson, author of Scent of the Missing and The Possibility Dogs
“This powerful memoir twines the lives of an extraordinary dog and an extraordinary woman. Their courageous, compelling story will profoundly deepen your understanding of people and animals, fear and shame, love and listening.”
Sy Montgomery, author of THE SOUL OF AN OCTOPUS
“Patricia McConnell may be the finest popularizer of the science of animal behavior we have today, and for many dog owners, myself included, she’s long been a wise and witty guiding light. With THE EDUCATION OF WILL, her intensely personal and frankly brave memoir, she examines her own traumatic history with characteristic insight, honesty, and intellectual tenacity. The result is a fascinating portrait of the deepest of connections being forged between one woman and one dog — and just how high the stakes are for both. Patricia McConnell is a treasure, and we’re very lucky indeed that she wrote this story.”
David Wroblewski, The Story of Edgar Sawtelle
Patricia B. McConnell’s inspirational memoir, The Education of Will, is, above all, a book about redemption. McConnell faces her own history of trauma as she tries to understand and heal her fearful and reactive border collie, Willie. This book is filled with McConnell’s fascinating and often humorous insights about working with wonderful and sometimes wounded dogs. But this isn’t a book about training dogs. It’s much more. The Education of Will engages in an intimate and challenging conversation with the reader: about saving yourself, saving others, and allowing others to save you. It is original, powerful, heartwrenching in its honesty — and filled with a comforting, gentle grace.
Cat Warren, author of What the Dog Knows
“The Education of Will delves deep into the minds of people and dogs, and into the effects of trauma, showing that healing is possible. McConnell gives a voice to those who can’t speak in words and provides hope for fearful animals everywhere.”
Temple Grandin, author of Animals Make Us Human and Animals in Translation
Patricia B. McConnell has written an inspiring and courageous book about the mysteries of the love between humans and dogs and how that love can bring healing and forgiveness after trauma. Anyone who has ever loved a pet — especially a dog — will discover new and powerful insights into how that bond can lead to liberation, even from even our most hidden and crippling shames. The Education of Will brought me to tears and laughter, amazement and admiration. Patricia B. McConnell has dramatically advanced the growing body of literature that explores post-traumatic stress syndrome and how our life force — and that of our beloved dogs — leads us to truth-telling and and a reconnection with ourselves and society.
Nancy Venable Raine, author of After Silence
Some of these authors are such brilliant writers that I still can’t believe that they have said beautiful things about my book. I am forever grateful.
Here’s where you can pre-order the book. (I know, it seems crazy early to me too, but then, they sell the books for significantly less.)
MEANWHILE, back on the farm: Back on the farm for real after a heavenly ten day vacation. We visited Wildlife Safari Park outside of Eugene, Oregon with the kids and grandkids. Paid a little extra to feed the giraffes, resulting in perhaps my favorite giraffe photo ever.
We then traveled down to the Redwoods National Park, staying in Trinidad, Californiaon the coast. Picture four days of waking up to the sound of waves breaking on the rocky coast and the hound-like barking of sea lions. (Full disclosure: We ended up shutting the windows at night; listening to a mass of full-throated sea lions at 3 AM is a bit like trying to sleep locked inside a room with 75 excited coon hounds.)
We spent a lot of time on the coast, soaking up the gorgeous views. And oh yeah, there was eating all those scallops and clams and salmon and halibut….
During the day we hiked through one of the world’s most awesome places, mile after mile of redwood forests. If you haven’t yet had a chance to visit the Redwoods (or the thicker, but shorter, Sequoias to the east), put it on your bucket list. There are only a few places on earth that I have found more beautiful and inspiring. The trees are so massive and huge it feels like being in another world. How tragic that most of it was cut down, but how encouraging that some of it was saved. Have you been there? Did you feel like you were in a Jurassic Park movie? (You would be right, part of the first one was filmed there.)
A few more photos of a truly wonderful vacation.
And of course, although having no TO DO list for over a week was heaven on earth, it was even better to come home to the dogs, the kitties and the sheep. Here’s hoping your place feels just as good to come home to.
LisaW says
Oh my, oh my, oh my. I am beyond words to read these teasers about your memoir. Holy %*, I can’t wait. The double (or triple) entendre of the title had me from the beginning. And, I must say the blurbs did give me pause. I am already sorry for your struggle without knowing exactly what you have endured. You are one of the most positive-approach (pun intended) people I know (or feel like I know), and my role model for how I think about, interact with, look at, and live with my dogs every day. I just had a conversation the other day with someone about the notion of thresholds and over stimulation and sentient beings regarding dogs. She thought I was nuts, and I could tell she was also listening.
I do have going to the Redwoods on my life list (I’m not a fan of the bucket list terminology). Actually, I would like to spend several months exploring the northern west coast. And, from some very poignant life lessons recently learned, we should all do these things sooner rather than later.
Off to pre-order. Congrats. 🙂
Michelle says
Congrats on finally finishing it! I’m so excited for it. I’ve already pre-ordered it.
Beth says
I must admit that my reaction to reading the blurbs was a series of “Oh no!!’s” and “I never knew!!” without knowing what, exactly, I never knew or am oh-noing about. When we get to “know” and love fiction authors, their traumas often influence their earliest works and so we frequently learn about those aspects as we discover their art. But with non-fiction apparently not so much. Hence my reaction. I want to say that I’m sorry for whatever struggles but glad you’ve brought so much to so many dogs and their people. Virtual hugs and Corgi kisses.
Trisha says
First, and foremost, thank you so much for your support (is that “pre-support”? It does feel very strange having it posted on Amazon etc so early, when one can read the blurbs but not the book yet. I wouldn’t have said anything now, except it is up, on all sorts of sites, and I’d rather let blog readers know directly rather than falling into it by surprise.
Second, and with such love and appreciation to readers such as Beth and LisaW and Michelle–don’t worry, I’m really really happy. I so don’t want anyone to feel bad or sorry for me, and so many people have been through so much worse. But I have come to believe that we have to speak out, and stop hiding some of the things that we have kept quiet about for decades. Thanks more than I can say for being on the journey with me–sorry you didn’t buy a ticket for this specific destination!
LisaW says
Trisha, once I hitched my wagon to your star, I bought a ticket for whatever journey came to be. Please don’t apologize. And, I don’t feel sorry for you, but I do know I will empathize (and there is a difference). And your happiness shines through because of your story (that we can’t read yet 🙂
Greetje Lubbi says
I cannot wait until your memoirs are out. During the last year I have read your books and enjoyed every page of them. Also your reference to other authors is very useful for me. I co-own two wonderful Malinois, and reading your books is so helpful and inspiring. Please continue writing your blog and keep us posted about your dogs and life on the farm. Warm greetings from a farm in The Netherlands.
Chris Wells says
I am very excited about this book! So as soon as I finish this comment, I am off to pre-order. And February is a great time to get a book in the mail.
I appreciate the time you spend on this blog, it can’t be easy to get it all done!
Looking forward to your memoir.
Mary Beth Stevens says
Pre-ordered (and I never do that!)
Something to look forward to during the long, winter days of February. Thank you in advance for writing this book, and all your others. We often wonder what sort of dog we would have (and what sort of people we would be,) had we NOT been blessed with a good local trainer and your books. Your influence stretches far and wide, Patricia.
Suzanne Bryner says
How exciting! Isn’t Trinidad and area one of the best places on earth?! I lived there for a number of years over 20 years ago and I find I still miss it!
Lori Kracoff says
I can’t wait!
Kristin Watson says
Patricia, How incredible for an early release! I will bounce over to Amazon and order mine!
From one Wisconsin girl to another!
Paw’s up!
Kristin Watson
Aliesha Shepherd says
Very excited to read your book! (I have loved all your others) and I laughed when I saw your pic of Seal Rock, I was just there last week and took a very similar shot!
Ann Sheets says
Congratulations. It couldn’t have been easy to write but I, for one, am looking forward to it. And a February release date is perfect for the end of winter blahs. It’s on order.
Barbara Briggs says
Can’t wait, can’t wait, can’t wait. Have already ordered, and I just know that this will be a keeper! (As all your books are!) Your words are always so inspiring, warm and funny and easy to read, just like listening to speak in person, which I have had the joy of doing several times. Sounds like this is a real personal journey you are sharing, and we are honored to receive the gift. Thanks for being you!
Christy Paxton says
I can’t wait! Pre-ordering now! And yes, I have been to the redwoods — truly awe-inspiring. I noticed I couldn’t hear any birds and wondered if it was because the trees were so tall. Little did I know that the very next day the 1989 earthquake would devastate the area, and that I was standing near where the epicenter would split the earth. No wonder the birds were gone!!
Lindsay Mann says
This sounds amazing and I can’t wait to read it, Patricia. I think it’s so brave of anyone to write about their lives and what they’ve been through.
Denise says
Oh my goodness! This sounds like something I need to read right now. I look forward to reading about your experiences and what you’ve learned through your love of your dog. Thank you for speaking up for those that are weary. ❤
Gayla says
Thank you for letting us know! First book I’ve ever pre-ordered, – and I’m OLD…
Candy Unger says
I am very thrilled to read of your upcoming book release! I am so looking forward to reading it. Among my happiest memories are sitting in the car listening to your radio broadcast, and then cuddling up reading about your end of the leash….now I know I will enjoy the depths of your heart in my favorite genre, the memoir…thank you for sharing all of these aspects of your life with me!
Wanda says
Decisions, decisions. Should I order the Kindle version and the hard copy???? I like the Kindle because I can read it in the dark anywhere, but there’s nothing like holding a “real” book and turning the pages. I am so looking forward to reading all about you and your wonderful Willie.
Keep doing all what you do for dogs and people. Thank you so much.
Trisha says
Thanks everyone! (And Wanda, I feel your pain! I love being able to take 5 books with me on a trip, all enclosed in my iPad. But I too love the physicality of printed books. I also remember them better, which makes sense give that sensory input of all kinds, including smell and touch, are vital to long-term memory storage and retrieval. I finally have settled on buying books I’ll read again, or ones with information I want in printed form, while buying what I call “popcorn books,”–page turners that engage and entertain me at the time, but are easily forgotten–from Kindle. My gratitude for considering buying the book in any form!)
And gratitude to you all for your kind words. I’ll write more about the book as the release gets closer, probably in January and early February. But thanks especially for your early orders, music to an author’s ears!
Laura says
Tricia,
Once your book comes out for Kindle, consider it downloaded. I can’t wait to read it and ‘ve loved all of your other books. I’ve been to the red woods. It’s the final walk we take with our dogs the day before we graduate. The instructors have offered to take us other places, but Muir woods is always the most popular choice. I remember walking through there the last time I was out. The quiet and the cool of the forest was amazing and just what I needed. I love going with each of my dogs. Finally, thank you for all that you do. Your blog and books and sunny personality have done more to make me aware of my dogs, how they’re feeling and what they need in our relationship than anyone else. Congratulations on the book’s release and give those dogs and cats snuggles from the neighbors in MN.
Steven Bishop, Cert.DT says
I read A LOT, fiction and non-fiction, and “For the Love of a Dog: is hands down my favorite book. I expect this one will be a contender for the top spot. Can’t wait to read it.
Sharon says
Any idea if it will be turned into an audio book? I love listening to books while commuting.
Meg says
I have the biggest smile on my face! I loved reading these amazing blurbs! In fact, I think I’ll read them again and again! xoxo
Meg
Kat says
Pre-ordering this book is a win all the way around. I started at amazon smile so a small donation will be made to a local animal rescue and education non-profit (fitting don’t you think?), I’ll get to read a book I’ve been looking forward to since you first mentioned writing it, and Amazon estimates it will arrive in my mailbox on my birthday so a delightful birthday present to myself. And, of course, you have one more person purchasing and looking forward to reading your book; like I said, a win all the way around.
I adore your giraffe photo. It’s fabulous.
Debra Moody says
I am so happy for you for publishing your memoir and so happy for me that I get to read it soon! Thank you, thank you, thank you for all that you do and all that you are.
Between stimulus and response
there is a space.
In that space is our power to
choose our response.
In our response
lies our growth and our freedom.
Viktor E. Frankl
Rebecca Rice says
I am also trying to decide between ebook and paper. I have the basic black-and-white e-reader, so are there a lot of color photos and graphs in the book? That could sway my decision to paper. Thanks!
lee says
Pre-ordered and can’t wait, as with the rest of your fans who love you and your excellent writing–intellect and humor, yes, but your writing style transports us. I hear your voice speaking while reading and, when referring to what you’ve taught us, I find myself saying, “Trisha told me” or “Trisha said” instead of “Trisha wrote…”
February is so long to wait but something to look forward to during the cold, winter months.
Kind regards,
lee
Trisha says
Rebecca: No photos or graphs, it’s just a memoir, all words. 🙂 Hope that helps you decide!
Karen says
Tricia,
PLEASE, PLEASE HELP US!!!
We have the sweetest boarder collie, named Star, 6 year old female and we are being forced to euthanize her for behavior issues. I’m desperately trying to find another solution. Would you be willing to speak with me?
Trisha says
Karen: I’m so sorry to hear about your situation with Star. I don’t see clients now and don’t know where you live, but a great resource is the Animal Behavior Society website’s applied behaviorist’s directory. Here’s the website: http://www.animalbehaviorsociety.org/web/applied-behavior-caab-directory.php. Many of them do phone consulations, so call one of them right away. All paws crossed.
Sue says
Love the photo of the giraffe! Oh, … and looking forward to the book too…
HFR says
So happy for you! And you don’t need to tell us how happy you are, your posts are a testament to a life well-lived. Pre-ordered and anxiously awaiting its arrival (I’m a print person all the way).
Rosemary Teetor says
Well done, Willie and Patricia! I read all the “blurb”, also. Aren’t blurbs where you go to get away from busy cities?
I felt a heart connection when I first started reading your blogs. Now I know why. I have high hopes for my Sally, who started out life in great difficulty and who has been with me for 2 & 1/2 years now. I’ve worked through much of my childhood “stuff”. She has a way to go yet with reactivity to people being top of the list. We plug along. I’m looking forward to reading the book asap.
I recently found about about Buck Brannamen. He does for horses what you have done with dogs. Between your work and his, I finally have hope for us two-legged creatures. Keep up your great work and THANK YOU!
Robin Bennett says
I’m so excited to read your book. Thanks for having the courage to write it! I’m ordering mine! And..on another note…I admit I usually skip to the farm pictures and my initial reaction was “oh my gosh..she has a giraffe on her farm” HAHAHAHA Good thing I went back to read what you said about that photo!
Diane says
I am definitely ordering this book. The cover selection is great! It’s a beautiful picture of Willie showing depth of character, and even though I have no doubt the words will inspire as well, based on your past work, I can hardly wait to read them. Congratulations on a completed project and thank you so much for sharing your insights.
Susan says
I’m also looking forward to reading your memoir. i’ ve loved your other books and learned so much. i hope to learn from this one how to use trauma as a stepping stone to growth. I also love my dog more than anything but find my broken places get in my way more than launch me into being a better person. My dog and cat are tolerant of me, but they deserve better.
Anne Ramey says
So glad you enjoyed your visit to Oregon and Northern Cal – wonderful country, isn’t it? I’ve lived in Portland for 15 years now and really love the wild coast as well as the Willamette Valley farm country. I came to your daylong seminar in Corvallis about five years ago – it was wonderful. Someday when you are out here (maybe for a book tour???) in spring or summer, you might check out the Oregon Garden in Silverton, OR – it’s only about an hour south of Portland (northeast of Salem) – and is a large wonderful garden, beautiful to walk through, with a comfortable resort with pet-friendly lodge-type rooms and a nice spa. Just the place for a respite from endless travel and talking to crowds – no giraffes though.
I’m so excited about your new book – I too have a reactive dog (an Australian Shepherd), whom I’ve been working with for about 2 years now, and I was so surprised what his behavior brought out in me when he was new – a self-consciousness, embarrassment, and the impulse to engage in punitive behavior with him. Which I quickly corrected with some wonderful classes for reactive dogs, with two fabulous teachers at the Oregon Humane Society – a real godsend, as once I had techniques to work with him, I could more easily notice and face my internal reactions to his behavior. It’s been a revelatory journey in learning how much I seek approval and to please those around me, even anonymous neighbors behind their windows as my pooch barks and lunges on leash at 7 a.m. I feel I’ve become more of a grownup with him.
So, I’m now very curious to learn what your process was around Will’s behavior and your backstory. I’m sure it will be written wonderfully – you and Susannah Charleson are my two favorite writers in the dogs-as-catalysts-for-life’s-learnings genre – better known as memoir! Many thanks for your wonderful books and blog – you are definitely making the world a better place for both dogs and their people.
Susanne Bark says
I just ordered copy of your book! So excited. Thank you for writing it 🙂
Michelle Nashleanas says
Tricia
Your book deeply moved me and brought me so much gratitude that you could share your life journey. Being guardian to a fearful, anxious dog brought me into fear free training and to your writing and philosophy. I use what I learn from you not only for myself but for my dog and for my patients in my practice of family medicine. Thank you so much for being vulnerable and sharing so much of yourself.
Michelle N
Denise Fenzi says
A significant process which turned out a lovely book; congratulations :).
Janie Hartley says
I read your book in early 2016 I had been retired for 1 year but was dealing with my sister and her health issues. I loved my sister but my time was mostly spent taking care of her and being supportive. I always had cats during my 38 career but was mind set that when I retired I would have a dog. I love both equally. Shortly after my sister passed I went into a Toyota dealership and saw the most adorable puppy on a girls lap. “Is that a Bernese puppy” no mini Australian shepherd and King Charles spaniel. I phoned the contact and pleaded my case retired live in Tsawwassen want your dog will be good mom and she and her daughter were coming next day to our new Mall. My dog Mitchell arrived on my doorstep. He has been the addition to my life much needed at 65. I often think of your book and how well it relates to women in later life mid 50 or 60, not all women are lacking but some of us are. This dog has brought me the happiness I craved. We are happy