UPDATE: This promotion was so successful, I've extended it through March 31, 2011!

Dear Readers,

I'm not comfortable asking for favors but this one is too important not to ask. Thank you so much in advance for your understanding....

This is a personal request for your support. It would mean the world to me if you are considering buying a copy of my book, Savvy Auntie: The Ultimate Guide for Cool Aunts, Great-Aunts, Godmothers and All Women Who Love Kids (Morrow/HarperCollins) to consider pre-ordering it on Amazon.com on Tuesday, March 15th. http://bit.ly/bJ1Af7

The book will officially be released on April 26th.

It’s not just a book. It’s a movement.

Nearly 50 percent of American women don’t have children of their own but just about every woman has a child she loves and adores.  Aunthood is a selfless and loving role that’s vital in today’s American Family Village. This book is dedicated to all the aunts and godmothers. Aunthood is a gift. This book is theirs.

On Tuesday, March 15th, I’m asking everyone I know and the Savvy Auntourage to help me swell pre-sales of my book to the top of Amazon.com rankings. Here’s why:

•    Pre-sales are noted by booksellers and the media as a strong preview of the popularity of the book once released. The more pre-sales, the more sales and media once the book is released. Pre-sales are vital to the health of the book.

•    I’ve put my heart and soul into this book. I spent the better part of a year writing it, interviewing experts in their fields, from Dr. Rosemarie Truglio, VP Education and Research, Sesame Workshop to Dr. Christiane Northrup, #1 New York Times Best Selling author of Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom.  I want aunts to feel valued and honored when they read this book, and excitement around pre-sales will help them know it exists.

In case that’s not enough reason, here’s more:

•    March 15th is my birthday! Pre-sales are best gift I could ask for.

•    I will donate $1 for every book pre-ordered to Project Ladybug, a fund dedicated to enriching the lives of children with life threatening conditions, co-founded by Dina Manzo, (former Real Housewife of New Jersey) a close friend who I honor for her dedication to children in need.

Here’s how to participate on Tuesday, March 15th:

•    Pre-order your copy of Savvy Auntie on Amazon.com here: http://bit.ly/bJ1Af7

•    Send an email to book@SavvyAuntie.com with “Pre-Ordered” in the subject line so I can add another $1 to Project Ladybug, or Tweet me @SavvyAuntie that you pre-ordered with #SABook

•    Share the campaign with your social network. Here are samples to make it easy:

Twitter: I pre-ordered the Savvy Auntie Book. Join the movement & @SavvyAuntie will give $1 @projectladybug http://bit.ly/bJ1Af7 #SABook

Facebook Status: I just pre-ordered the  Savvy Auntie Book! http://bit.ly/bJ1Af7 Join the movement and author Melanie Notkin will donate $1 to Project Ladybug. Just email her at Book@SavvyAuntie.com to say you pre-ordered!

•    Pre-order a copy of Savvy Auntie for all the women who are ABRs (Aunties by Relation) and ABCs (Aunties by Choice) in your life for all that they do for the children they love. PLEASE NOTE: Amazon.com counts each purchase as only one book, so if you were to pre-order multiple copies in one order, they will only count as one book purchased, so please consider pre-ordering each copy separately to help with Amazon rankings. Sorry – I don’t like putting you through that trouble.

Not sure if you really want to pre-order my book? Here’s some early praise for Savvy Auntie from Elizabeth Gilbert, Tori Spelling and more…

“What a wonderful gift this book is for aunties of all of ages, backgrounds, shapes and varieties! This world is full of child-loving childless women (myself included) and finally we have been given a clever and thoughtful voice of our own. Read this book, embrace it, pass it along: ‘Savvy Auntie’, like the women it celebrates, is destined to be dearly loved.”
Elizabeth Gilbert, bestselling author of Eat, Pray, Love and Committed

“Melanie’s book is invaluable to me as a mom – and as a Savvy Auntie and godmommy myself – because I understand what a gift it is for a child to be loved by so many adoring grownups. On behalf of the kids and moms, thank you, Savvy Auntie!  We love you!”
Tori Spelling, Bestselling author and Actress

“Nothing makes people happier than loving relationships — and in this marvelous celebration of Savvy Aunties’ love for their nieces and nephews, Melanie Notkin shines a much-needed spotlight on a bond that brings so much happiness to so many people.”
Gretchen Rubin, Bestselling author of The Happiness Project

“Savvy Auntie celebrates one of the most precious—and heretofore unsung—relationships on the planet.   I love this book.”
Christiane Northrup, M.D., ob/gyn physician and author of the New York Times bestsellers: Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom and The Wisdom of Menopause.

“Savvy Auntie not only celebrates Aunties, it validates the unique and important role Aunts play in the lives of children who they ADORE.  I highly recommend this book for all Aunties. It provides sage advice and guidance from preparing for the arrival of the baby and safety tips to building nurturing relationships with nieces and nephews throughout their young lives!”
Rosemarie T. Truglio, Ph.D., Vice President, Education & Research, Sesame Workshop

“You’ll be blown away by Melanie Notkin’s expertise on America’s cool aunts, who are over-loved yet overlooked by marketers. If you want to gain the hearts and dollars of these kid-loving, high-spending women, SAVVY AUNTIE is a must read.”
Mary Lou Quinlan, CEO, Just Ask a Woman, author, What She’s Not Telling You

“Here’s a Jewish mother’s secret: having aunties around to love our kids and give us the support we need is priceless. Melanie’s book honors our sisters and friends and I can’t think of anyone more deserving.”
Jill Zarin, Real Housewife of New York and Co-author, Secrets of a Jewish Mother

“Savvy Auntie is not only hugely informative, it’s great fun to read. Give it to all to your girlfriends–they’ll thank you, and so will all their lucky nieces and nephews. A great gift for anyone who loves kids.”
Melissa Kirsch, author The Girl’s Guide to Absolutely Everything

“A joy to read. Savvy Auntie is a fun, comprehensive guide that no Auntie (of any kind) should be without! We can’t wait to buy it for our friends.”
“The Guncles” – Bill Horn & Scout Masterson

“With this savvy guide, Melanie has changed the way we will begin to look at women and family in America. She’s identified the one thing all women – straight, gay, married, single, or partnered – have in common: an unconditional love for the children in our lives. What a gift she’s given her Auntourage.”
Jenny Stewart — Entertainment Journalist, Voted “10 Amazing Gay Women in Showbiz”

Reviews

Kirkus Reviews:

“A chic guide for new and experienced aunts that establishes their valuable family role.

Challenging the cultural stigma associated with childless women, Notkin creates a distinctive voice that draws attention to the value of an aunt’s role in families. She addresses “every Savvy Auntie—or really, any grown woman—whose life doesn’t fit the two-kids-one-husband-two-car-garage mold,” and cursorily lists all the different types of aunt in an attempt at inclusion. The author addresses an audience that has ample time and resources, most evident in the sections “Gift-Giving Savvy” and “Money and Legal Savvy.” Generous advice on how to cope with pregnancy envy and suggestions on how to increase fertility speaks to a particular group of women. Notkin does, however, include practical information, such as lists of birthing methods, infant care and safety tips. No matter what kind of aunt readers might be, the author urges them to think outside the box when she suggests that new aunts throw a party, “the DebutAunt Ball,” to celebrate their unique role in the family. Advice and lists are sprinkled with witty puns that encompass the evolving role of the aunt and the changing nature of family in the modern era. Notkin ends with discussion points that can be used to bring together a supportive community of Savvy Aunties.

Communal childrearing at its finest.”

Better Homes and Gardens, March 2011 issue:

“After realizing there were few resources for the non-moms who still share their lives with children, new aunt Melanie Notkin founded SavvyAuntie.com, a community of what she’s dubbed “PANKs:” Professional Aunts No Kids. Her site and new book are filled with smart, frank advice about being a positive aunt for kids. And with guidelines for gift-giving, clothing and size  charts, and fun but healthful foods (wontons, potstickers!), we think they’re great resources for anyone with little ones in their lives –parents, grandparents, you name it.”

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your support. This is one of the most important days for me and Savvy Auntie and your pre-orders mean the world to me. I can’t thank you enough!

Love,
Melanie