We Want YOUR Endorsement
Last week we told you to be watching for an exciting announcement about the book in a few days. However, Christmas and family got in the way — as they should. But the time has come and we are very excited to announce an opportunity for…
Well… For pretty much anyone who is reading this.
What Are We Talking About?
One important part of a book is the endorsements (or “blurbs”). These are short recommendations written by people who agree to lend their appeal and credibility to the book’s message. Blurbs are most often written by published authors, experts, and other “famous” people. We’re hoping to get some of those for our book.
But at the same time, we want to break the mold a bit.
For Do Hard Things we want to include the kind of people who will actually read the book — ordinary teens, young adults, and parents. In other words: You.
That’s right. This movement is about the people who are taking the ideas of the Rebelution and living them out. That’s why we tried to fill the book with stories of real-life rebelutionaries — and that’s why we’d love your endorsement.
How Will It Work?
Normally we mail a spiral-bound manuscript to individual endorsers, but because of the unique nature of what we’re doing here, that won’t work.
Instead, we are releasing an early table of contents and two additional chapters online — adding to the excerpt currently available here. Access it below:
Combined with the articles on the blog and our sessions at the conferences, we hope you’ll feel confident in deciding whether or not you’d recommend Do Hard Things to other teens. If so, we’d be honored if you’d write it out and send it to us.
Writing and Submitting Your Endorsement
Don’t know how to write an endorsement? Don’t worry, it’s pretty simple. Just write what you thought about the book and why you think other people should read it. It can be a sentence, two or three sentences, or even a whole paragraph.
Here are some sample teen endorsements from two books by Sean Covey:
“It felt as if this book was made for me. It touched some nerves. It broadened my expectations and it gave me direction.” — Sherilynne Williams, age 17
“I love the way this book deals with the important things that matter to me and my friends.” — Daniel Arias, age 13
“If [this book] doesn’t help you, then you must have a perfect life already.” — Jordan McLaughlin, age 17
“This is an easy-to-understand book full of interesting stories. I really related to Sean’s personal story about the fear of performing in front of people since I am a violinist. I’m sure teenagers around the globe will be able to relate as well.” — Emily Inouye, age 14
“The inspiring examples from real-life problems that teenagers like myself deal with every day, and their experiences and situations, have helped me make lifesaving decisions. I highly recommend this book to any teenager.” — Jeremy Sommer, age 19
See? It doesn’t have to be Shakespeare. In fact, we don’t want it to be. Just share your honest thoughts on the book, the message, and the movement — or even us, the authors! When you’re done, just email your “review” to us at alex [at] therebelution [dot] com.
Finally, our publisher has asked us to remind you to include your full name, age, and state/province in your email. Also, unless you note otherwise, sending an endorsement to us implies that you agree to allow them to print it in the book if they so choose — no guarantees — and to edit it for space considerations.
We Can Do It!
This is a pretty unusual thing we’re attempting. We’re inviting everyone to submit their endorsement for Do Hard Things — including kids, teens, college students, parents, grandparents, you name it! We hope you’re as excited as we are.
We’ll be making as many endorsements as possible available here on the website — and hopefully, a lot of them will make it into the book, too. We think there will be few “blurbs” more powerful than hearing from real people — especially teens.
With your help, we are confident Do Hard Things will be a powerful tool in God’s hands to free our generation from the curse of low expectations and inspire them to do hard things for Him. As always, it’s an exciting time to be a rebelutionary.
December 28th, 2007 at 4:41 pm
Thanks for posting an excerpt. We don’t know if you will use our endorsement we sent, but know we endorse your work fully! We have already preordered our copy and can’t wait to read the book in it’s entirety. Keep up the good work.
Your friends,
Sean and Erin
December 28th, 2007 at 5:54 pm
Wow~! That is so neat! I love the book so far - and I’ll try to get an endorsement in soon.
December 28th, 2007 at 8:15 pm
I’ll be sending one soon.
Eric
December 28th, 2007 at 10:15 pm
Thank you guys for giving us this opportunity! I just sent you mine. It was so exciting to read a sneak peek of the book.
December 29th, 2007 at 9:24 am
WOW
December 29th, 2007 at 11:42 am
Ariadne: I hope that was a good “WOW” . . .
December 29th, 2007 at 12:46 pm
Oh man!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This book is going to be amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I want to applaud you guys for having the courage to stand against our culture in such a huge way!!!!!!
I have to start working on trying to get you guys to come to michigan sometime soon.
We have a huge homeschool comunity around here and we need to hear your message!!!!!!!!
December 29th, 2007 at 1:57 pm
Yes, it was! A glimpse of the book! Now I’ll finish reading the excerpt…
December 29th, 2007 at 2:47 pm
I will have to read this! Getting a sneak peek….we are so blessed
I will have to get back to you on the endorsement though! (Since I should read it first!)
December 29th, 2007 at 3:26 pm
Wow, this is incredible exciting and encouraging. Shooting you my ‘endorsement’ right now.
Thank you SO much!
God bless,
Sheila
December 29th, 2007 at 3:40 pm
When do you need the endorsement by?
December 29th, 2007 at 3:44 pm
Hey Victoria, the sooner the better… The tentative deadline is January 8th, but that could be extended.
December 29th, 2007 at 7:16 pm
That was AWESOME!!
I’d love to send in an endorsement, but my parents are not comfortable with me giving out my whole name, address, ect., but I just thought I’d say it was very interesting, well-written, and great! I can’t wait to read the entire book…
December 29th, 2007 at 7:18 pm
I want to write one!! I probably can’t get to it though, until after the first read-through for the musical (Jan 3rd). Is that okay?
December 29th, 2007 at 7:21 pm
Bekka: You can just give your first name, age and state if that’s all you’re comfortable with.
Tiffany: Of course, that’s fine!
December 29th, 2007 at 7:46 pm
I loved the excerpt!!! I’m REALLY looking forward to the book! I’ve put it on my birthday list (which is a few days after it is released I think), and I’m saving up for it, and I can’t wait!
December 29th, 2007 at 10:26 pm
Hi Alex and Brett!
I am so excited for this book. God is doing great things through you guys, and I’m seeing this spark that is quickly igniting and growing in this generation–our generation. I think it’s finally time that we stood up. Stood up to do hard things. Stood up for the highest calling that Christ has called us to, and pulled ourselves out of the sinking sand of mediocrity.
God is using you two in huge ways, and I can’t tell you how much He has spoken to me through your blog. I can’t wait for this book, and I’m expecting big things. I would love to write an endorsement for it, but I’m a little confused–do I just read that first little blurb that you posted? Or do I wait to order a copy? I would be honored to write an endorsement for it…God is really doing something here with the Rebelution, and I want to be a part of it.
In Christ,
Jamie
December 29th, 2007 at 10:43 pm
Jamie: Thanks so much! What you’ll do is read the first excerpt (if you haven’t already) that is available in the book section and download the extended excerpt that is linked in this post. Unfortunately, we can’t make the whole book available to people yet, but as long as you’re comfortable with what you read and have read here on the website, you can go ahead and write an endorsement for the book.
December 30th, 2007 at 11:36 am
Hey guys! You know this is such a huge relief to know that the book is on track to get out in April! I will add an endorsement to my to-do list, and get it sent out in time! My main prayer request until this month was for you to finish the book. So now what are the main things we should be praying for?
Many blessings!
Adrienne
December 30th, 2007 at 6:22 pm
COOL!
December 30th, 2007 at 8:46 pm
“However, Christmas and family got in the way”
I know this is a little off topic, but I so appreciate your stand on family first. I was really pleasantly shocked to see the forum shut down for Christmas so that everyone could spend more time with their family.
Anymore, for most teens, to be with their family is a “hard thing” instead of a joy.
Thank you for showing what is really important.
December 30th, 2007 at 10:37 pm
I Second The Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
December 31st, 2007 at 12:51 pm
Humph, I wish I could endorse it…
December 31st, 2007 at 1:01 pm
I haven’t read the whole PDF yet, but I already know that your book is going to be among my top favorites. Your style is easy to read and very to-the-point. You don’t mess around with the idea of Doing Hard Things.
In fact, you’re INSPIRING!
I really look forward to getting the book in April!
With that said, I’d better get back to Doing a Hard Thing: math.
Congratulations!
~ Kyle
December 31st, 2007 at 1:59 pm
Kyle: Thanks so much! That’s really encouraging to hear. Come to think of it — you’ve already almost written an endorsement for us. =)
December 31st, 2007 at 2:02 pm
[…] The Rebelution: Alex and Brett Harris, co-founders of The Rebelution, are asking for anyone’s endorsement of their upcoming book, Do Hard Things. Click here for a PDF sample and information about sending in your endorsement. […]
December 31st, 2007 at 3:22 pm
Wow, I can’t wait to read it! Thank you for blessing us with this great opportunity!
Every blessing,
~Camille
January 1st, 2008 at 1:49 am
Wow!It’s wonderful! I can’t wait to read the rest.
January 2nd, 2008 at 7:50 pm
Great job with the new book! I read the two chapters and thoroughy appreciated your insights and goals. I work as a Family Nurse Practitioner in a large medical practice, and know a number of teens who would benefit from reading such a book. I have observed too many parents with low expectations for their kids, and quite a number of teens who appear to be drifing aimlessly through their highschool years with few aspirations and sadly for some, even a sense of despair. Rather than eventually becoming physiologically one with the ear buds of their ipods, these kids (that I’ve seen) should read your book, hopefully be empowered and perhaps forever changed! Well done, and thank you for your efforts!
PS — my niece speaks very highly about your website and concepts. She’s been talking about the Rebelution now for what seems like at least a year. Considering her great intellect (I’m biased) and discriminating tastes, you all must be doing a great job. Keep up the good work!
January 3rd, 2008 at 9:51 am
Endorsement on the way… I am SO excited to read the whole book!
January 3rd, 2008 at 10:47 am
This book is saturated with valuable information and ideas that can be applied to everyday life. But it’s about more than just helpful ideas. It’s about a new lifestyle.
January 4th, 2008 at 5:37 am
I read the PDF, (and LOVED it,) and I think I wrote a suitable endorsment for your wonderful book!!!
How long is it supposed to be though? I don’t want to exceed whatever limit there may be!
January 5th, 2008 at 9:58 am
Just read over the text for your book, and LOVED it. I’m a mom of 4, with two of them currently teens. My prayers are always for all of my children to experience God in exciting ways throughout their lives, starting now. Sent in a “mom” endorsement for ya!
January 6th, 2008 at 1:38 am
[…] From that video, I learned about The Rebelution, an excellent Christian website for teens. Talk about appealing to young people! Chuck Norris heard about Mike Huckabee from two teenage kids who sent him an email. If you’re a young person unsure of whether you can make a difference, just consider this.Chuck Norris needs no introduction, but the Chuck Norris posts on my blog are some of the most popular ever. They have more comments than any other, and comments continue to pour in. One YouTube commenter wrote: “I don’t care about Huckabee, but if Chuck Norris endorses him, you can be sure he’s the right guy.”The Rebelution is truly a fantastic website. I’m currently reading the draft of their book, Do Hard Things, and I’m very impressed. I was even compelled to apply for membership on their exclusive forum. […]
January 8th, 2008 at 9:19 am
Are the sample chapters in order? “Hard Thing” begins with “remember George from the previous chapter?” Yet I cannot find George or Clarissa in the previous chapter.
January 8th, 2008 at 11:53 am
Ennis: The chapters are in order, but not consecutive (i.e. Chapter 4 and Chapter 7).
January 12th, 2008 at 9:05 am
Oh stink.
I just saw this today and am reading the pdf. One word: AMAZING!
Has the deadline for endorsements already passed? Or did it get extended?
January 12th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
Diddo the last question, is it too late?
January 17th, 2008 at 2:11 am
I am asking along with Ana and Jonelle. When is the deadline for submitting endorsements? Year-end activities and year-start warm-ups have kept me away.
January 17th, 2008 at 9:47 pm
Yes. When is the deadline?
January 25th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
I can wait to read it…
January 26th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
Quick question, where is the distinction between the endorsements being published in the book, and the endorsements being published here on the website?