Before anything else, let me just say thank you to all of you who have purchased my book – wow! Just fantastic.

Yesterday on Facebook I got a wonderful message from an American couple who found out about my blog and book before their (already scheduled) trip to Romania – and now they’re here! And the message was that they recognized the Religious Playing Card Salesman from my writings. Awesome!

Vezi? Step by step, person by person, people are visiting (and living) here with a new perspective on this country, all thanks to Yours Truly. Seeing it happen is just an amazing thrill, I can’t even begin to describe it.

Speaking of readers of my book, I sent a copy to Mr. Adrian Vierita, the current Romanian ambassador to the United States. Can’t wait to see what kind of response I get!

As always, all the information about how to get ahold of my book is at the top of the page, including how to download the digital versions (in a variety of formats). Last time I checked Amazon, they still had the paperback marked down to 7.99 and I honestly have no control over that (or how long it will last).

If you’re in Romania, Daciana has a few copies left I believe, so contact her. If you live in Cluj-Napoca, there’s a copy of my book on display at my friends’ bar (Cleo Pub, 35 Str. Cliniciilor) which you can thumb through to your heart’s content.

Other channels of distribution (bookstores, etc) are still being worked on. I know it seems like “nothing” is happening but it’s coming, I promise.

And now for some big news – yes I am almost done with my new book!

When I was writing The Complete Insider’s Guide to Romania, I did it mostly “in secret”, not telling anyone until it was published. Hey, it was my first book and I wasn’t sure how it would go!

My new book will be entirely in the Romanian language (and no, there won’t be an English version). It is called Balada Supravieţuitorului a lui Sam cel Român.

The new book will be a collection of short stories. A few of them (like the 37 steps) are from my blog and you (should!) know them in the English version. Other stories are brand new and will only be in the book.

The overall theme of the book is a collection of stories about my life here, from the very beginning when I knew nothing right up to the present day. It was a ton of fun to write and I really think all you Romanian speakers are really going to like it.

I’m proud of The Complete Insider’s Guide to Romania but it’s a very dense, factual book (albeit written in an accessible, light-hearted way) while the Balada Supravietuitorului book is stories from my own life, a lot “lighter” in tone and written in really fun style. The book has funny stories, touching stories and even one to make you think.

The book isn’t done quite yet though. I’m shooting for February 1 for it to be completely ready. Of course I’ll definitely make a big announcement here when it’s published.

A partial list of the stories in the book:

• Banii vorbesc
• Deschide gura şi spune â
• Basme de odinioară
• Cum am învăţat limba română în 37 de paşi simpli
• Doamna Pop şi Domnul Proper
• Eu sunt mai ortodox decât tine!
• Nu-i om ca ardeleanu
• Teatru pe caile ferate
• Aşa beau oamenii buni
• Cum ţuică de prune aproape m-a făcut să încep al 3-lea Razboi Mondial absolut accidental şi în nici un caz din vina mea

I think the last one is my favorite, just based on the title alone :P

I am definitely excited! There are just so many Romanians I know in my life who don’t speak/read English very well and I cannot wait to give them something written in their language.

The publishing plan for the Romanian book will be a little different than my guidebook as obviously it’s written for a different audience. My guidebook is largely for foreigners (who speak English, natch) and buy and read their books in a different way than Romanians do.

The guidebook is a heavy, fact-filled book while the Romanian one will be fun, light and a quick read. It’ll also be a lot cheaper. I’m not sure of the exact price at the moment but I’d definitely like it to be 25 lei or less in paperback and maybe just $1.99 for the digital download. We’ll see as that’s not set in stone just yet.

Anyway, there you go! Now you know what I’m working on.

Oh and in case you’re wondering, yes some “real” Romanians will be proofing and editing the book. I’m doing my best to write it in “my” Romanian but I want this to be 100% perfect in every way.

Gosh I can’t wait to see what all of you think of it.

AND NOW YOU KNOW!