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Beginning in 2010 with the first delivery of TSLL’s free weekly newsletter, each Friday I would share a reflection of something I had learned about life and deliver to subscribers along with the posts from that week on the blog. Fast-forward to 2020 and with the encouragement of many subscribers, the idea for a book of daily meditations on how to live a simply luxurious life, a life of true contentment, began.
The Road to Le Papillon: Daily Meditations on True Contentment is a book for readers looking to experience true contentment every single day no matter what is going on in their lives or the world. It took me 20 years to fully and consciously figure out how to do just that, and while I am still on the journey of learning, applying, growing and appreciating all that life wants to teach me, now that I have the tools and skills for finding a steadiness every single day, I wanted to share because it makes all the difference in being able to live the life you might never thought was possible, but always hoped it would be.
Preordering begins today for both the hardback and paperback copies (click here), and as I share in the accompanying video below, the paperback will ship more swiftly, but while the hardback will take more time (3-4 weeks), each will arrive on or near the official release date of March 22nd if you order today.
Book Synopsis:
The road to true contentment is a chosen journey. Our enjoyment of life expands and deepens based on being courageously open to possibility and tenaciously becoming fully human. Living mindfully in the present steadies us as we pursue true contentment and live peacefully in our everydays, engaging with love, openness, presence, and kindness.
With the story of how she arrived at her cottage home, which she calls Le Papillon (The Butterfly), Shannon Ables focuses on understanding ourselves and the world, and on living everyday with true contentment. Each person’s journey and discoveries will determine their unique destination, whether a place or something intangible.
Living a life of contentment in our everydays opens us to vast possibilities, grounding our lives, relationships, and engagement with the world in peace, starting from within and elevating the quality of our lives. We cultivate contentment by:
- Trusting our journey and engaging fully as our true selves.
- Learning to understand our minds and emotions, and to interact well with others.
- Letting go of expectations and remaining open to the unknown.
We become able to savor daily moments — sipping a hot cuppa as the sun rises; sharing loving exchanges with a partner, child, friend, colleague, or neighbor; the evanescent gems Mother Nature bestows.
If we insist on knowing how our life journey will unfold, we disrupt the potential for magic to occur. And rather than wait for something “better,” something “more,” we invest in the present moment. We participate rather than demand, celebrate rather than control. We become love rather than wait for love.
In The Road to Le Papillon, Shannon tells intimate, never-before-shared, pivotal life stories that brought her to Le Papillon. With nods to the inspiration she finds in the French and British cultures, she lays out an array of skills and ahas, many new, others shared in her first two books, Choosing the Simply Luxurious Life and Living the Simply Luxurious Life, and on her blog The Simply Luxurious Life and her podcast The Simple Sophisticate.
The book is organized by theme. Each daily entry concludes with a call to action and a petit plaisir (a simple everyday luxury). Readers are urged to explore further with suggestions for reading or listening, or tips for the amateur gardener and chef.
Join Norman and I in a short video (15 minutes) and discover exactly what is inside the book, how it is organized, AND listen to an excerpt as I read a full entry from the book. I will also share exactly why I chose and what Le Papillon means conceptually, and what I hope readers will gain by purchasing and reading The Road to Le Papillon.
~please note: the gray banner that is on each of the books in the video simply means these are proof copies. Your official purchased copy will not have this gray ribbon/banner on it. 🙂
TSLL’s 3rd book, the publisher
The publishing world has been fascinating to learn more about over the past 10 years – how it works, the options made available, the cost or lack-thereof, as well as the control and voice given to the writer depending upon who they choose to publish with.
Being a teacher and earning an income aside from my writing for the past 12 years enabled me to save up money to publish my own books. As some readers may remember, prior to my first book in 2014 being published I worked with a traditional agent and shopped my book around to traditional publishers. Many of the publishers and my agent at the time advised me to remove much of the content from my blog and had different ideas as to what the illustrations breadth should be. Needless to say, I learned I needed to trust myself, so I chose to become my own publisher, seeking out experts in their field who also understood the world of blogging and specifically, TSLL audience and what they expected upon visiting The Simply Luxurious Life. However, being my own publisher does not mean I publish on my own.
The cost to publish books, and why many writers need a publisher is not a small amount. From paying for a high quality editor which the process can take between 6 months to a year depending upon the length and content of the book, to paying for template design and layout, as well as inputting the manuscript into the printable template, to selecting and hiring an illustrator and then the final book cover design. Each of these experts are worth the investment, which is primarily why it is far more preferable for not only one’s budget but stress to leave these responsibilities and the cost to your publisher. With that said, the publisher weighs the cost as well. And it is important to note, even though the term ‘self-publish’ implies entire control, each book has to go through a review process by the international publisher who makes the book available around the world. This review process ensures quality as well as making sure the book is void of any copyright infringement, etc. Needless to say, it takes a team and all of the rules still apply as they do for those publishing through the traditional approach.
I am grateful to have found a trusted editor who has worked with me on all of my books. I began working with my editor on TSLL’s 3rd book in June 2021 officially, but even a year prior, 2020, we began talking simply to organize my thoughts on what the book would look like and how it would be organized. We just now (mid-February) have wrapped up the editing process, so 8-9 months for hands-on editing. The inputting of the book into the template, also a cost to budget, and in my case, both my editor and the template designer worked with me. The other part of choosing to self-publish was being able to hand-pick my illustrator to ensure the blog and the book worked together and I wanted someone who understood what the blog was all about. If I were to have worked with a traditional publisher, this decision would not be entirely in my hands. Finally, the cover design and layout has been entrusted to my web design team Dash Creative who dependably deliver a layout incorporating the illustrations and necessary text in a professional presentation.
All of this is to say, you invest without a guarantee when you take on the choice of self-publishing, but I was fortunate to have my teaching income to take the risk on publishing my books and most importantly, experts in their field of expertise who I feel most fortunate to work with to bring a book I am proud of to readers. You, the readers of TSLL, are the audience I am writing for, and I am and was listening to what you hoped to find inside the covers of this book. I do hope you find this book to be a resource, a tranquil space in your day each time you sit down to read and the reassurance you are looking for to trust your journey as you ground yourself in true contentment and live the amazing life that is possible, sharing your awesome, unique gifts with the world and with yourself.
Preordering
Find The Road to Le Papillon: Daily Meditations on True Contentment on Amazon now. When you order today, you will be guaranteed to receive your copy (paperback or hardback) by March 22nd.
Formats available:
- Hardback
- Paperback
- eBook
- Audio (on Audible), coming March 22nd
~You may also order signed copies directly from TSLL. Place your order here.
Super excited! Just ordered on Amazon!
Thank you for your interest in the book Carrie!! I cannot wait for it to arrive at your home! I (with Norman’s help) will be busy this week shipping out the bookplates and other goodies to readers. Cannot wait for those to arrive as well. Take care and thank you again for stopping by and saying hello! 🙂
I hopped on Amazon first thing this morning (early) to order, but the pre-order wasn’t up yet. Just ordered and I cannot wait for it to arrive! Thank you, Shannon!!
Kim,
Thank you for your persistence!!! Yes, I have been staring at my computer since 2 am waiting for the books to become available. :)?☺️ So tickled the hardback is now and the paperback will be here shortly. Thank you for your interest in the book! I cannot wait for it to arrive later this month. I do hope you enjoy. Have a wonderful day!
Can we order directly from you yet? I just tried but there was no shipping option and it didn’t go through. I’m sure it’s part of the pre-order thing, but wanted to know if it was best to order from you or Amazon. Thanks!
Stephanie,
Thank you for letting me know! I went in and fixed it (I think! ?). Go ahead and try again.
Perfect, it works now 🙂 Just ordered and will enjoy the anticipation of the release.
Awesome!! Thank you for your order ☺️
Fabulous Shannon. Tried to order on Amazon but delivery to France not an option. Help! Xx
Kameela,
Don’t worry, it is a gradual roll-out and will be available in all countries over the next 1-3 days and on the respective country’s Amazon site. I know that is frustrating that it’s not available in France when it is elsewhere, but it will be. Soon. ?
I should have shared this in the post. Thank you for your comment. And it’s coming. ☺️
Congrats Shannon on your 3rd book! Just ordered on Amazon. I can’t wait to read it!
Rebecca,
Thank you for your interest in the book! I cannot wait for it to arrive at your home. So tickled you stopped by and said hello. ☺️ Thank you and bonne journée!!
Dear Shannon,
Congratulation on your new book! It is really there now, in the world… 🙂
Just like Kameela, in France, I found out that there was no delivery option to Germany – oops. Only the Kindle version would be available, but nope, I want paper, so…
I will wait patiently – or not so patiently… 😉
I was also at the Cuppa Moments – so interesting – and will be back later (or tomorrow) to participate with more time on my hands.
Thanks for everything you do. I am glad it elevates your life because certainly it elevates mine… 🙂
I am very excited but a bit confused! It says the hardback is a couple weeks behind, but the paperback is ready now to order for shipping on the 22nd. I went to Amazon and it doesn’t have the paperback? I tend to steer toward paperback because I tend to read in bed and have kitties that like to snuggle and it’s easier to manage turning the pages! I only see hardback and kindle on Amazon. Any idea if the paperback will go on amazon to preorder? Thanks, and very excited to read it!
Had a similar question! I’d love to get paperback but don’t see it as an option.
Sydney, It will be available shortly! Both books (hardback and paperback) were submitted at the same time. Give it about a day or so and the paperback will show up! Thank you for your interest in the book!
Michelle,
The paperback will be available shortly! Both books (hardback and paperback) were submitted at the same time. Give it about a day or so and the paperback will show up! Thank you for your interest in the book!
The eBook is released on March 22nd.
WOO-HOO!! I ordered first thing this morning after turning on my computer!! Thank you Shannon, HUGE congratulations, I can’t WAIT to receive my copy–and bookplate, bookmark, and notepad!! XOXO + ear-rubs to Gentleman Norman?
I was able to order the E-book yesterday and I ordered the hardback this morning. Looks like I’m covered no matter what my situation will be when I’m reading. Can’t wait!
HUGE congratulations, Shannon! Je l’attends avec impatience! I just pre-ordered it on Amazon and genuinely look forward to diving into it as soon as I receive it! Bonne Journee! 🙂
Hi Shannon, I also just went on to order the paperback because I am that crazy person that wants it to match your other books on my shelf. Now I know from the above comments that I will have to be patient and try again. Congratulations on your newest ‘baby’! Can’t wait to meet her!
Thank you Hildred for your patience! ☺️ And I completely understand! You are not alone. ? It should be available shortly. I suspect by the end of the day tomorrow at the latest (but likely sooner). I will post on IG as soon as it is available and the same link will work.
Thank you for your interest in the book!
Congratulations! I have my order in as well, I can’t wait to see the new book.
Thank you Patricia ☺️ I cannot wait for it to arrive so you can begin to explore. ?
Congratulations on Book #3 Shannon!
Kindle version ordered ! (For when I’m on holiday and need a dose of inspiration) and I patiently await my hardback copy with all your other readers and supporters. I can’t wait to receive it!
Sarah x
Just ordered on Amazon. Excited. Happy weekend. OLB
Thank you for your interest in the book!! Thank you for stopping by and have a wonderful weekend. ??
Congratulations Shannon! Placing my order now. Are bookplates still available to top tier members? Thank you.
Kris, Good morning! The free gifts were offered only through February 14th. However, you can still purchase a signed bookplate for $2 to place inside any of TSLL’s books (here’s the link). $2 covers the cost of postage. 🙂 Thank you for your interest. If you have any other questions, do let me know. Have a wonderful weekend!
https://thesimplyluxuriouslife.com/product/signed-bookplate/
Shannon-I just received your new book from Amazon. I love the format. One day at a time is always an easy read and it gives the reader( if read in the morning time) to savor the message throughout the day. Thank you!
So happy it arrived! Thank you for sharing what you appreciated about the format. Wishing you many mornings of lovely reading and contemplation that lifts your days. ?
My book arrived today! I will retire to my hardly ever used formal living room where I have a reading corner, with my tea, and begin the study. I am looking forward to this time, this book, and learning more about how to live the TSLL! Thank you, Shannon, your other books were thoroughly enjoyed as well.!
Wonderful news! Thank you for sharing. ☺️ Your reading nook sounds oh so cozy. Wishing you many moments of tranquil and inspired reading.