It’s been three decades since I last saw Karl. More than thirty years since I decided I wanted to be a writer. In that time, I’ve gone through I can’t even guess how many wallets, but each time I get a new one, I remove the wrapper from the old and slip into the new. And whenever I feel discouraged or on the verge of quitting, I reach into my wallet, carefully unfold the now brittle paper, and remind myself of the journey I embarked on more than thirty years ago.

But now that my book is out, now that the anticipation and initial celebrations are over, what comes next? Where do I go from here?

My fear was that no one would show up. Kati promised me that wouldn’t happen. That people would want to be there to support me, and she was absolutely right.

I celebrated my birthday. It only took me fifty-one years to achieve my dream—but I did it.

Luria's writing is witty and engaging. She brings the Japanese culture alive for the reader.

Pickrell’s poetry pays homage to the ordinary, the daily events that so many of us ignore. She takes the time to appreciate the small things and her devotion to the Oakland A’s reminded me of my dad’s devotion to the New York Mets.

The term pre-order irks me. It's along the same lines as preheating the oven. The prefix “pre” means “prior to” or “before.” So...