It’s taken almost 10 years but: my book is coming out!
(This newsletter is going to run a little longer than normal, I feel like I need a little extra space to tell the story.)
In April 2016, I was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Despite some confusing symptoms along the way, the actual diagnosis was a shock. My sons were 8 months old and nearly 3 years old; I was about 2 years into running Plucky. It was a busy, exhausting time, as you can imagine. And then: brain surgery.
Some of you know all about this because we’ve talked over dinner or lunch or at team retreats or during random meetings in random cities. But even if we have talked about it, we’ve actually talked around it because there are parts of the story that I really wasn’t sure how to share.
I am more grateful than I can express that the tumor was benign. I now have other diagnoses (seizures, for example) but I’m able to live a very normal life and, despite the periodic moments of panic when I get my annual brain MRI, I’m good. More than good. My life is very full.
A few days after diagnosis, this thought zoomed into my head: you’re going to write a book about this experience and it’s going to be called I Believe in Everything. I felt that this book was an exchange with the universe in a way, an agreement that I would make something beautiful from the trauma. And so I did.
But ohhhh shittttt it took a while. I accumulated notes, doctors’ visits, stories, drafts along the way. I raised my kids and we moved across the country and a thousand other things happened but, all the while, I was still writing the book. It felt like good homework. So when I went agent-hunting in 2022, it was very depressing when no one wanted it.
[I’m going to insert a note here about how two things can be true: the book wasn’t ready in 2022 AND the modern publishing industry is decrepit. Shocking to no one, the publishing industry wants to make money off its authors… which means that they require you to have followings, platforms, audiences. I have a modest following; it was nowhere near enough for the Big 5 publishing companies. This was discouraging.]
SO. I kept editing, rewriting. The book was long-listed for an award in 2023 but didn’t end in publication. And you know, you’re (mostly) tech people, caging in a person who has an idea, a drive and some chutzpah is like trying to keep a tiger in a playpen. I learned more about the industry, played by the nice rules, tried to befriend other authors and publishers… and finally I was like: fuck. this.
[Another side note: actually, my friend Richard helped me get there in April. Over dinner, I told him about the book and publishing and he said “… but you’re Jen Dary.” And the other people around the table nodded and agreed. And I was like OHHHH NOOOOO I THINK I’M NOW INSPIRED TO PUBLISH THIS THING MYSELF! Damn you, Banfield!]
So since April, that’s been the action. I hired a cover designer, an interior designer, a copyeditor. I learned how it works to publish via small press. My husband and I founded a little LLC for our future creative work; I Believe in Everything is the first project to come out of it. And when I tell you how good it’s felt to have agency in this creative work, to shove this thing over the finish line myself, to see the book finally ending up where it was destined to be, well. It is no surprise that I am an entrepreneur. I do not like waiting for permission to do anything.
I Believe in Everything will be released on January 13, 2026. There will be parties and a book tour and if you want me to come do a talk or a workshop or a podcast or a book signing or WHATEVER, please do reach out. Next year will be one of celebration, 10 years since diagnosis, a memoir homework assignment turned in right on time. Thanks to all of you who have encouraged, pushed, comforted, laughed with me. I’m grateful to be alive and doing the work I love; I’m also grateful to know all of you.
Without further ado, I present to you the pre-order link for I Believe in Everything. HELL YEAH!
How sick is this cover? I know. Thanks, Matt Roeser.
Phew. I don’t even know what else to write other than this: Plucky is 12 years old today! In the midst of all this celebrating, there’s even MORE to celebrate. Despite the hard things, it all feels abundant this week.
Thanks for reading, thanks for pre-ordering and get excited for the book tour. I Believe in Everything will be available at all of your favorite places (book stores, bookshop.org, and even Amazon) once it launches in January but you are now officially invited to pre-order a signed copy in Plucky’s Shop today!
xox Jen
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