Monti grand to share book in TV network

     Monticello High School graduate (Class of 2001) Tony Digmann will be appearing on national television to discuss his book, “Sign of Contradiction: Contraception, Family Planning, and Catholicism.”

     Tune in to EWTN’s “At Home with Jim and Joy” on Monday, Jan. 16 for the live show at 1 p.m. It will also re-air on Saturday, Jan. 21, at 9:30 a.m.

     For those without a subscription television, EWTN (Eternal Word Television Network) broadcasts live through via the Internet for free from www.ewtn.com/multimedia/live.asp. Be sure to click on the “EWTN United States” feed.

     Digmann explained one of the missionaries who works for EWTN is a native of Worthington, as well as a classmate of Digmann’s brother, Craig Digmann. He sent Fr. Joseph Mary Wolfe a copy of his book, who then forwarded it onto some producers at EWTN.

     Known as “the Catholic channel,” explained Digmann, EWTN felt their mission and Digmann’s message in his book was a goof fit.

     The program Digmann is scheduled to appear on is an hour-long Q&A-type of show.

     “They begin with some reflections and information, then welcome their guest for the show and (converse) with them for about 35 minutes, and finally they talk to one of the missionaries of EWTN and get a report from the EWTN correspondent in the Vatican,” offered Digmann.

     For those who have read Digmann’s book “Sign of Contradiction,” he said the feedback has been quite positive thus far.

     “I was browsing online last week and stumbled across a review of the book from a woman in Syracuse, N.Y.,” he said. “Some of the most positive reception has been from pro-life groups in Dubuque, Cedar Rapids, and Iowa City who understand the connections between contraceptive use (especially hormonal contraceptives like the Pill) and abortion.”

     Digmann admitted he knows his book is years away from being known as a “best seller.” He said that was never his intention or ultimate goal, “especially with a book on a fairly sensitive topic and limited audience.”

     Since his book came out in 2016, he’s sold roughly 300 copies.

     “I’m little above the average,” he said, quoting Berrett-Koehler Publishers’ data stating the average nonfiction book sells less than 250 copies a year.

     “Having sold more than average with a smaller niche publisher specializing in the topic of the book I feel is better than I could have wished,” said Digmann.

     He prefaces by saying that the idea behind writing this book was to offer information about the damage contraceptives can have not only from a moral standpoint, but on one’s marriage, on society, crime rates, divorces, the environment, feminism, and to open the door to discussion.

     “This is clearly not just a Catholic issue, or a religious issue,” he said, “as more and more people are realizing; it affects us all.”

     Copies of Digmann’s book are available via anthonydigmann.com. You can download a digital copy on Amazon.

     Digmann resides in Dyersville with his wife and two young children. He teaches at Beckman Catholic High School.