My friend Liz and I have had the good fortune to publish memoirs at the same time, which means we’ve been able to lean on each other for support–and it’s the kind of support only another memoir writer can offer. There are several layers of weirdness to publishing a memoir: First, there’s the reaction of family and friends. Then you have to deal with public perception (reviews, bizarre questions at readings). Lastly, there’s sales and marketing, something you never think about when you’re writing in your pajamas, but which becomes critically important once you put it out into the world. Liz is one of the few people I’ve shared this experience with from A to Z. So it was thrilling to sit in the audience at Half King last night and watch her read to a packed house. Actually, there were four readers, since the book was written by Liz and her sister Diana, and told in the voices of all four siblings. Liz read her own parts; Sean Wilsey read for her brother, Dan; Heidi Julavits read on behalf of Amanda; and Daphne Beal read for Diana. It’s a gut-wrenching, beautifully told, completely compelling story about the Welch children losing both of their parents while still minors, and being split up into four different households. I bought a copy for myself and another one for my mother. Get your own copy here; I promise you’ll come back to buy more for friends. 
Sean Wilsey reads for Dan Welch
December 1st, 2009 at 10:31 am
Thanks Laurie! I only wish I could have been there. Liz said it was a GREAT experience and a packed house. I’m reading your book now and enjoying it, good luck!
Amanda
December 1st, 2009 at 10:38 am
Hey Amanda,
How cool to hear from you. I wish you could have been there; the crowd loved your teen observations!
Laurie
December 2nd, 2009 at 8:28 am
Hello Laurie,
Since discovering your wonderful book on a “New Books” table in the Art & Media Dept. at my local library, I have recommended it to at least a dozen people and suggested what a perfect gift it would make for others. As soon as I finished reading it, I logged on to your blog and signed up for an email subscription. I had no idea what literary niblets would be arriving in my ebox every morning! Such fun to read about your public readings, other authors you know, and their stories. I follow the links and live the NYC writers’ life from miles away. Thanks for the ride!
December 2nd, 2009 at 12:10 pm
Hi Lisa,
That’s so wonderful! I always wonder if anyone is actually reading my blog posts. And I’m thrilled that you liked my book. Let me know if you ever lead a book group discussion about it; I’m happy to call or Skype in.
Best,
Laurie
December 10th, 2009 at 3:05 am
I wish I could have been there!!!