Paradoxical? A children's book for parents to be released in June, 2011 is #1 on Amazon's best seller list!!! It's not even published yet, and the book has gone viral.
'Go the F___ to Sleep by Adam Mansbach, began its life as a joke Facebook post in June. It was a particularly trying instance of bedtime with his 2-year-old daughter, and Mansbach let off some steam in the form of a humorous status update to his friends: "Look out for my forthcoming children’s book, ‘Go the — to Sleep."'
'The response from his friends was so fierce that Mansbach decided to make his joke book a real one. Go the F___ to Sleep, which he bills as a "children's book for adults," will hit stores on June 14, published by the Brooklyn press Akashic. If it's not even due for a month, though, how did a little 32-page book already snag a film option deal with Fox 2000 and, today, reach the pinnacle of online publishing commerce world?'
One issue arising out of its amazing popularity appears to be piracy. A PDF version of the book, released to publishers and executives, has made its rounds, and now it's common knowledge on the Internet.
On the one hand, the piracy raises serious questions about copyright, but on the other, the promotion of the book reduces the need for an extensive advertising campaign.
"It's hilarious. It's honest. Humor books tend to do well in general, as do parenting books, as do short books. Not to mention it's the perfect ironic, light-hearted shower gift." It taps the common emotion of parental exhaustion and desperation.
Thanks to my son-in-law for the link to an article by Fast Company. He is proud father of an adorable five month old who has yet to inflict the parents with considerable sleep deprivation.
By the way, it's interesting to go here and peruse the list of bestsellers on Amazon which share the limelight with this featured book.
