What if we can rest in the possibility of joy?

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What if we can rest in the possibility of joy? 〰️

What is The Joy Refuge?

Unlike the joy-mania mantra that chants “choose joy,” The Joy Refuge is an opportunity to rest in joy as an ever-present possibility.

The Backstory

I want to help others live closer to the threshold of joy.

I know how elusive joy can be.

I've faced long seasons of depression and joylessness, which led me to explore why joy was missing from my life. After over a decade of research, including earning a doctorate, my perspective has shifted. I'm more joyful now, though I don't experience joy constantly. I believe in a holistic approach where a fuller life embraces joy along with every other emotion.

Alastair Sterne
Author & Joy Enthusiast

What we’ll do

The Joy Refuge is a four-week book club starting September 30, 2024 that works through my new book Longing for Joy: An Invitation into the Goodness and Beauty of Life.

It’s easy! Each week, a simple email will arrive in your inbox to guide you through my book. You’ll even have opportunities to ask me questions along the way. Together, we’ll explore why joy is so elusive, the story of joy, and practices of joy.

It’s almost free!

The Joy Refuge is part of the strategy to launch my new book, Longing for Joy. To sign up, you only need to pre-order my book. (If you’re on Vancouver Island, the cheapest and quickest option is to order from Christian Book & Music). But you get so much more than the book. Since you’ll help me launch my book, I also want to help you.

Here’s what you will get:

  • A digital pre-release copy of Longing for Joy. You get to read the book before anyone else!

  • You’ll receive weekly email in your inbox with guidance for reading the book.

  • Each week, I’ll host an optional 30 minute virtual Q&A session.

… and how about a few more perks?

  • A prayer written by Isaac of Stella designed by Kreg Yingst of Prayer Psalms. You’ll receive a digital version and I’ll also mail you a 4x6” print!

  • A six-month paid subscription to Ordinary Matters. Paid subscribers will have exclusive access to articles that will become part of my next book.

I can’t do this without you

I don’t like it, but Amazon has a lot of control in the world of publishing. When the algorithm notices a book getting 100+ pre-orders, it begins to feature and promote the book. But the algorithm is greedy and hungry for more: when the book releases, it wants at least 100 reviews to keep it’s attention. Egads! Don’t worry, you can help me tame this modern day Leviathan and win a prize too!

In addition to all the perks, you can be one of three people who will win a gift basket of my favourite things that spark joy:

  • Coffee beans from Drumroaster, my favourite roaster in British Columbia

  • A beautiful ceramic Joy Refuge mug hand crafted by YassPots

  • The gratitude journal I swear by, designed by Tamara Shopsin

Here’s how you enter:

During the first week of the book launch (starting October 29, 2024), you’ll be entered into a giveaway for each of the following actions:

  • Write a review on Amazon

  • Write a review on Goodreads

  • Write a review on Barnes and Noble.

  • Talk about Longing for Joy on social media.

  • Purchase a second copy of the book to give as a gift.

These things are easy and I’ll share instructions along the way. The three winners will be announced and contacted on Friday November 8th.

You made it this far. Thank you! Time to sign up!

My hope is for 250 people to sign up for The Joy Refuge. This is a big goal for me. But I believe in this book and want to get it in people’s hands and hearts. I want to reach the not-so elusive minimum target of 100 pre-orders, and then 100 reviews within the first week of the book launch (again, the hungry algorithm).

Did you know that helping others cultivates joy? So, let’s help each other and discover the joy in doing so. And, if you’re going to sign up, why not invite a friend to join you in The Joy Refuge? It’ll help them, help me, and I’ll help you: a triple whammy of joy!

The Joy Refuge starts September 30, 2024 and registration will close afterwards.

Questions?

  • Of course! You can buy the book from Barnes and Noble, Bookshop.org, or your preferred vendor. If you're on Vancouver Island, you can order it from Christian Book & Music (which is also the cheapest and quickest option).

    But the hard-truth is that Amazon gives more weight to "verified purchases." So, while I would prefer to support a local bookshop, I am working within the constraints of launching a book well in today's market.

  • Bless you! If you'd rather not take part in The Joy Refuge but would still like to help launch my book by pre-ordering my book and writing a review, well, Thank you! That would be incredibly helpful.

  • If you share an Amazon account, you can only write one review per account. If other people in your household would rather not create other accounts, that's okay! But it will limit how many times each person can enter the draw.

  • Of course! Reach out to me and let's see if we can make it work.