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Why Launching My Book Reminded Me of My Child’s First Day At Preschool
It’s not easy to send your book baby out into the world
Last week my book, Rewriting My Happily Ever After — A memoir of divorce and discovery became available to readers everywhere.
As I unwrapped copies of my book on launch day, there was a feeling under my ribs that was a curious mixture of happy butterflies and a quiet sense of accomplishment, with a pinch of anxiety about how my book baby will be received by the world.
The feeling was not unfamiliar. I had felt this way before — as a Ph.D. student preparing for my thesis defence and on the first day of my child’s preschool when I waved to her from the window, leaving her in the hands of teachers who would mould her.
Oh, the places you will go
When I successfully defended my dissertation, it marked the completion of a long period of study and helped me embark on a long, satisfying career that brought me respect, financially supported me, and held me steady when life got tough.
When I dropped my child off that memorable day, I felt a twinge of regret as she held on to my legs begging me to not leave her with strangers. I remained upset all day as I recalled her tear-stained face. But I knew…