#32 Book birthdays

Books & babies arrive early sometimes

Books, like babies, have “expected arrival dates.”

This date may or may not be the same as when they actually arrive into the world, into someone’s hands.

For babies, we call that “due dates.”

For books, we call it “book launch” or “pub date” or “book birthday.”

I like to imagine my book launching into the world, flapping its wings as it takes off.

My book’s official launch date is April 15.

My book started making its way into the world last Tuesday. Friends texted pictures.

If you’d like to get your own copy, indiepubs compensates authors the most. One of my favorite DC bookstores is Little District Books, which centers LGBTQ+ authors and literature. You can also acquire it from elsewhere on the internets.

I’ve been enjoying this delightful surprise and finding myself flurrying about, metaphorically gathering book baby supplies that I didn’t anticipate needing quite yet.

It turns out I’ve got most everything I need. And this experience feels like an unexpected dollop of joy!

Thanks for reading Soft Things: comics about science, research, and being human. I create narrative comics that intertwine research and storytelling to make science relatable. My comics have been featured in the Washington Post and Mutha Magazine, among other outlets. My graphic memoir is forthcoming from Street Noise Books in April 2025. You can pre-order it from indiepubs, which compensates authors the most; your local bookstore; and elsewhere. If you’re new here, welcome! You might wonder why I’m curious about shame, why this newsletter is called Soft Things, and who the heck I am, anyway. For more comics, check out my Instagram: @cara_gormally and website.