If you ever write anything that you share with others, people will likely tell you that you should write a book or you should get whatever snippet they've read published. But people generally have no concept of what writing a book (never mind the quality), getting it to a publishable state, and then, miracle of miracles, getting it traditionally published actually takes. It's not easy. And it can take years. If it ever happens at all. Harrison Scott Key's humorous memoir Congratulations, Who Are You Again? details the long and complicated journey he took to being a published author and while his experience is his alone, it is also universal enough to serve as a cautionary tale for those who think that writing a book is their ticket to fame and riches. Writing is a calling, publishing is simply a happy (read not guaranteed) outcome for that calling.

Key's first memoir, The World's Largest Man, focuses on his relationship with his father. It won The Thurber Prize for American Humor. So readers might be forgiven for thinking that Key had it all figured out as an author. This, his second memoir, shows just how hard he worked on that book to make it funny, to make it appear effortless, and even to get it down on the page in the first place. He knows that his first book has not only been published but has been successful by many measures as he's writing this one but he doesn't hesitate to pull back the curtain and really detail the grueling process, including harboring a long held dream that often felt out of reach or unrealistic, eleven years of writing around the other important things in his life (family, job, etc.), and the inside view of getting a book published including the marketing and touring, readings and interviews after the book comes out. Key is open and honest about his journey but also delightfully self-deprecating as he presents the highs and lows. He shares things about his personal process and about his private life, the highs and lows. He is a talented writer, truly able to make a reader laugh in places, often just as his numerous setbacks threaten to overwhelm and he balances both struggle and hope carefully. This is a testament to chasing a dream, nurturing it and cursing it but ultimately staying true to it. Key may not be a famous author, not immediately recognizable or a household name, but he's been successful at this difficult thing called writing for sure. Recommended for budding authors and those who are interested in an inside view of the publishing world from the author's perspective. ( )

I received an Advance Reader's Copy of this book.

This book was hilarious. And bittersweet. And inspiring. Harrison Scott Key's memoir focuses on his dream of writing a book, what it took to realize the dream, and what he learned along the way. There are many, many laugh-out-loud passages (I truly laughed out loud!), which all dreamers will relate to. It is also a window into the publishing world and what not-so-famous writers endure to sell their life's work. I cannot wait to share this book with my friends who dream of becoming the next Great American Writer. ( )

Have you ever dreamed about writing a book? Have you ever read a book and thought "I could write a better book than that!"? I have been such a dreamer; even tried a few beginnings of stories, novels, essays, what have you. But I never kept going, never really got the bug, the urgency to write. But Harrison Scott Key did. In a big way. He had to change his life, spend precious time away from his family, face some demons and write, write, write. This book, chronicles that eleven year journey from dreamy idea to publication and some notable recognition, namely, The Thurber Prize for American Humor. Luckily, he fills the book with the humor for which he was awarded along with more honest and sober observations about family life. Towards the end of the book, he visits his daughter's classroom on Career Day: "I told them what I came to tell them, which is that I am no hero. I have not discovered vaccines. I am not airlifting refugees from tyrannical governments here. All I am is a writer whose American dream came true, and to me, that is remarkable. It is more than remarkable. It is a wonder, a most happy miracle." Reading the book gets the reader to this happy miracle place, too. ( )

I cannot overstate the importance of the humor in our lives, reading and otherwise. Sometimes one just desperately needs to pick up a funny book. Fortunstely, Harrison Scott Key agrees with me and has written a very humorous one, a glimpse into the life of a writer who finds himself on the cusp of being a recognized author. Not afraid to poke fun at himself, his dreams, his aspirations, his quest to have it all.

As a child he loved to be the joker, loved to make people laugh, a role that often got him in trouble I school and will his parents, or others in authority.

"On Saturday nights I listened to A Prairie Home Companion in my bedroom and tried to imitate Tom Keith's sound effects, while my mother stood at the locked door and prayed for me."

Thought I was reading shout my husband who often finds himself and his jokes more amusing than do I. In fact I'm giving him this book to him next to read.

But as we know life is not all humor, and in an honest manner the book also explores some lessons learned, little detours, a mine field. Ones pursuit of Fame and glory, no matter how amusing one is, always has a price, and sometimes it is more than one wants to pay.

ARC from Harper and Library thing. ( )

This was a very entertaining read by an author writing about his experience of becoming a published author. It had just the right balance of describing the struggles of being published and self deprecating humor. There were even some laugh out loud moments during the course of the book. The description of the journey was impressive and it was a very enjoyable read. Although I had not read his first book, this book made me want to read more by this author!

Reader received a complimentary copy from LibraryThing early reviewers. ( )