Do you think there is another Laurie Perry? Someone with extensive journalism background? Wouldn't that be a weird and awkward meeting, if you two got together to discuss knitting patterns and stuff?

Congratulations! I'm glad you've accomplished such a big goal, and I can't wait to make you rich by buying your book!

Hugs!

Hi Laurie!

So love your blog was just wondering if our own Yarn Harlot was your inspiration? Will you have crazy book tours too? Uh oh could be a problem with real job. And by the way Congratulations!!!!

Hey Laurie,
I've never written, but I wanted to say congratulations and I can't wait to read your book. I don't know how I found your blog, but I've been reading for a long time. In fact, it's the first thing I look at when I turn on my computer.

By the way, have you seen this?

http://www.stopbuyingcrap.com/

He wrote a whole post about you!! I think he has a little crush on you.

"Helpy" Hee. I love the made-up words. (sorry Meg) CANNOT WAIT!!!

*giggles* I am still so happy for you. To make things better the sun is out and I'm on vacation. Could this week get any better? (I think Drew's gone off the deep end..didja see that photo?!! )

I am still choked up from yesterday's post and now I am headed to pre-order your book. I didn't ever see if you answered the question yesterday if your co-workers were aware of all this frenzy?

Congratulations on being published! I don't think I've ever commented here before, but I read your blog regularly.

I was very touched when you shared why you wrote your book:
"... because I had wished desperately when I was puddled up on the floor heartbroken and smelly that someone, anyone, could tell me I wasn't alone."

Hope it sells tons! (and not because there are loads of heartbroken and smelly women out there -- just because you deserve to sell tons)

That was really fun yesterday watching the world come out with their comments and watching the book climb in the rakings. And even though it is your book I was energized by all the positiveness that was going on here.

My boys thought I was crazy because I was so happy for you I wanted them to comment too but once again they refused to do what I ask. Kids.

Ohholyjeebus you are funny!
Congratulations Laurie! Any idea when the book will be coming to Canada?

Hey, I have felt really excited about your book, you being published, your success,.... since I read your previous post - plus all the comments - this morning. Congratulations, you deserve all this, you really do. I checked and I can order the book from our "local" amazon in Europe (Austria). You've had comments from other blog-readers in Europe yesterday, so I'm sure we'll make you well-known over here in no time! ;-) Like 10,000 other people, I read your blog every day, thank you for sharing so much with us! And sorry for my bad English (oh, yes, you teach me a lot! ;-). (I like brackets, see?) Hugs, Mona

Laurie,
YAY! And I am so glad you will of course keep up the blog for all of us loving, supportive, too-much-advice, cant wait to read you every day, crazy fans out here becae it would be so sad if you quit. But dont worry I allready pre-ordered. If you go on a book tour to Denver be sure to post it! And CHEERS! Champagne to you, you deserve it. We all are very happy for you!

~Alma

I cannot wait to get your book... Went tru a divorce myself and I am starting to pick up the piece of me that were spread all over the floor. The first thing I got after my divorce was my cat. I just did not want to be alone...not with humans who could see my destroyed state but at least I had the cat so I would not feel completely abandoned (he had to stay, I fed him, changed his box and made sure I closed the door behind me so he could not leave) . I did not want advice, I did not want to hear everything will be ok. Cause it sure wasn't. Reading your blog has put perspective back (somewhat, still on my way of getting my groove back NOT like Stella). I will survive, I will make it.

Congratulations to you !.

A.

I am SO excited that you've done this -- and more than a little impressed that you kept us all out here in cyberspace in the dark. I couldn't have kept my mouth shut!

Can't wait to buy your book!! I hope you make at least enough for the posse to roll around nekkid in money. Though Soba might decide it's the only litter she will use from then on.

Well, this is just all too exciting! I now officially have something to live for. I wrote to Oprah months ago and told her she should do a show on blogs (specifically yours!) and how it's amazing to have that connection with people you haven't met, and how it makes you feel less alone, yada, yada, yada. I bet she finds out about this book and you will be on the show. You should be.

Nope, no one at work knows. I write everything from home at night, and it's all very separate really. I don't know how I would work it into conversation. "Hey I wrote a book about divorce and wanting to eat your own arm!" (???)

And I haven't read any Yarn Harlot books yet (I've had no time for pleasure reading in a year. ack!! Except the cactus people book... 25 pages of pure bliss...) but even without having read her I know she is awesome, everyone agrees on that!

And this is not that kind of book. hee.

This is a novel, more about loss and crazy and way more chicklitty than highbrow, and also no one on the planet would expect an actual expert knitting tome from me LOL. I talk about how knitting was actually the thing that kept me from going nutty, but I'm not gonna ever be telling someone how to do a thing, I'm not an expert in technical stuff.

You do get all my dorky patterns in one spot, though. They aren't even written like normal patterns. They're like... conversations. Hee. But!! Annie made up a brilliant beautiful handbag just for the book, that pattern is really good and it's in there, too :) It's the only professional patten ;) The rest is my junk.

But the story is good!

As for inspiration? I just kept thinking, I wish when I went through my divorce I had someone's story to read to make me feel less insane. And it's a very regional book, in a way, very Southern. 'Cause you know. The author is a cracker.

At the moment you are holding just above "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People." Have you noticed that books with numbers in their titles sell really well? It's like the human brain wants life boiled down to a 10-or-fewer-item list, because otherwise, ouch, how is my poor little brain going to remember all that?

Weight-loss books also seem to be extremely popular, as do books about, you know, whatsisname. So maybe you should call your next book "Harry Potter and the 9-Point Manifesto of Sobakowa Diet."

But I'm jumping ahead here. Yay, Laurie! I love you! It's still so exciting. Can I have the president of HCI's phone number? Because you need a book tour.

Just delurking to give you my congratulations! I've been following your blog almost from the beginning and have enjoyed it immensely. I admire your courage to write the things you do and love your humour even though it's dangerous when eating... At least fettucini and the Encyclopedia Brittanica of divorce doesn't mix well:-)

I've been reading your blog for a while, but this is the first time I've posted a comment.

I just had to say congratulations on your book! I'm so happy for you.

I haven't gone through a divorce, but reading your blog has helped me through some incredibly turbulent/difficult times. You are, indeed, extremely helpy! So I will definitely be purchasing your book.

Thanks so much for sharing your life stories with us.

Andree-Anne... I remember everytime someone told me "It will all get better" and especially "You'll meet someone better!" I wanted to commit homicide.

I wanted to literally HIT people who were all cheery and "buck up little camper!"

It is sort of a miracle I did not end up incarcerated.

O.K. - so are you going to sign copies if the book (with the requisite SASE...)?

"... because I had wished desperately when I was puddled up on the floor heartbroken and smelly that someone, anyone, could tell me I wasn't alone."

Yes, yes, yes!!!! Exactly! Me, I went to a shrink during my divorce, but even then I still felt like there was something wrong with me, that I was so profoundly miserable.

Reading your experiences just validated everything I went through, even down to the VPL issue. Why DO we care about that stuff anyway? Shouldn't we be concerned if someone is staring at our butts looking for VPL?

I suspect I'll be buying multiple copies at Christmas for a lot of my newly divorced friends.

Thanks for answering my question. I went back to knitting for therapy, too. Different reasons, but it has kept me sane. I went through a marriage separation and like you, I wished I had someone else's story to read, too. My marriage didn't fall apart after a year apart, but I can still totally relate to the pain you have gone through.

Laurie, I didn't comment yesterday because when I first saw your huge exciting news, there were already 293 comments. Now I see there are almost 750. 750 comments! I managed to make it in the top 25 or 30 comments today so accept my delayed CONGRATULATIONS! I have been on the same divorce timeline as you seem to be and I cannot wait to read your fabulous book! I don't know you in "real life" but I am so freakin' proud of you I could cry. But I'm at work so I won't be doing that.

YAY on the book! I can't wait -- except that I kinda have to for a bit. (Just as well, since I'm waiting on my last order from Amazon to arrive.) You're on my Wishlist, though, and the book will be on the next order if I don't get it for my birthday soon.

If you happen to make it out in the middle of Nowhere Midwest (St. Louis) for the book tour, I definitely want to meet you! Congratulations again!

Congratulations Laurie! I'm so proud to know you, and I am so glad that you did it...you got yourself a book published!!!!!!!!!!

Lots of hugs and kisses.

Can't wait to read the book Laurie! It's so exciting! I'm so happy for you.

You are a shining example of someone who turned her own pain into a bright light for someone else. (many someones, I'm sure) I've been lucky enough (so far) not to have been through divorce but I am absolutely positive that others will read your book and find solace in the fact that they are not alone. It is your beautiful soul and loving nature makes you want to help others through their sadness. The need for people like you can never be underestimated.

I am so profoundly awed by you. You'll never know how many times you got me through terrible pain and awful days. For that I will be forever grateful and wish you success beyond your wildest dreams, both personally and professionally.

I adore you and ENJOY EVERY SECOND OF THIS!!! You are my hero!!

I was about to comment yesterday, but then I saw you already had 402 comments, so I decided to wait. First I want to congratulate you on your book! I'm really looking forward to reading it and will probably buy it for a friend...or two...and my mum as well. So just fyi, you'll have at least one reader at the other side of the atlantic ocean, in Sweden to be more exact (just hoping someone might find that even remotely exotic!).

That was the first thing I had on my mind. The other thing I wanted to say is I really love your blog/homepage/diary/whatever kind of thing you've got going here! I've only just begun reading it, but I think it's great. I even make my boyfriend read parts of it and/or read them aloud for him.

And I just love your cat pictures.

Yes, I congratulated you yesterday, but I left out that my shout out is from the south! Well, Florida, which is its own special kind of south... you know. You actually lived in this state at one time! Again, I am so happy that you wrote this book and can't wait to buy it. Also, your debt-reducing willpower is an inspiration to me, please update us more on that as often as possible!

Wow--what great news! I can honestly say this will be one book I'll pick up, and I'll probably also spend some time dancing around Barnes and Noble telling everyone that 'I know the author!'. Because even if I rarely comment on here, you're so honest and straightforward and personable that I really do feel like I know you, to some slight degree.

::re-reading::
Wow, I really hope that didn't come across as stalker-ish. :-D

Also, I've gotta confess that for a long time I had this theory, that you and Laurie Notaro were one and the same. Which is a massive compliment to both of you. :-)

Well, it's 1:24 PM on day two of your major annoucnement of a book not ready for release until October 2007 and you are a first time author and your book is number 77 on Amazon. Wow. I'm sure it will go up and down from there, but wow. that's amazing!

I wish you GREAT success. I'll be buying a copy and have already fired off e-mails to my non-knitting, divorced or divorcing friends and told them to get a copy! :)

I've been blogstalking for a while now. I comment more than I should. But, I kinda wonder how many of us started blogs just because you are so real, accessible, articulate, and funny? What a cool and rare gift to inspire people to introspect and then put it into the ether. You combat isolation and depression one post at a time. Thanks for being such a fabulous witness to the creative, painful, weird, and juicy bits of life.

I started reading two months ago and haven't stopped.

p.s. sorry about yesterday's apostrophe comment-- I just can't get over how bad Amazon can be.

I support any good southern female author that cracks me open like a case of beanie weenies on the 4th.

I'm giving your book out to all my girlfriends for Christmas, cause, you know, you just gotta support your own southern kind y'all.

Tickled to pieces for ya Laurie ;-)

Amy, yes!

12400 ventura Blvd.
# 206
Studio City CA 91604

have you pre-ordered and giftwrapped any copies to be sent to mr. get my creativity back x? i pre-ordered this morning and can't wait! october can't come fast enough.

i'm very happy for you. i've been wondering for months why you don't have your own book out there. and now you will!

yay!

Add one more to that Amazon ranking! I will be spending my little dollars elsewhere to read the crazy (oh how I wish there were 30 pages more of it) because I like to shop local and I don't like the charities Amazon supports. Can't wait to have you at home on my bookshelf!

Dude, you're ranked above '7 habits of highly successful people.' (!!) I know i asked this yesterday, but I'll ask again: can you tell how many pre-orders you have in?

I have no idea what the number is, I am also sort of DYING to know.

Oh my gosh! I go on vacation and don't read your blog for a week, and when I get back I find out you are a published author! This is great news Laurie. We all knew you had it in you, and now an even bigger audience will get to enjoy your CAP humor and wisdom. Crossing my fingers for a book tour stop in Boston!!!

Laurie, I've read your blog (on the QT) for quite some time now and am compellled to de-lurk to congratulate you on your accomplishment. I share your success as if it were my own and I couldn't be happier for you!!!!

This is all just so very cool.

When my husband came home from work last night I said "Get this...Crazy Aunt Purl has written a book and you can get it on Amazon!" He said "Really? That's so cool!"

And yes...that is how much I talk about your blog in my house. My husband and daughter who you and all your cats are. :)

Congratulations on the book! I love reading here and I can't wait to see the book.

i too have never commented here, although i have been reading since you first started. but i have ???
how well does your book have to do before the powers that be warrant a tour? how many times do you use (did you have to edit) the word 'porn'? did you use the same 'anatomical' photo for the bracelet purse? he,he. ,,,,and what is your favorite kind of wine is it really merlot or is it just easier to spell than Gewurztraminer?

I went away for the weekend, and what I missed! I can't believe this!! It's going to take me all week just to read the comments!!!

Oh, Laurie, super-congrats!!! I am SO happy for you! And of course I will buy and read your book, and when the tour comes to Massachusetts, I'll see you here! Whoopie!

(What do you think, enough exclamation points?)

I didn't manage to comment yesterday so I am commenting today to say congratulations and hurray and I'm so happy for you and WOW!!

I came here 5 or 6 times yesterday ready to leave a comment but then I got distracted reading all of the other wonderful comments and feeling the happy vibes and being in awe at the Good Will practically seeping out of the woodwork here. You deserve every warm word and all the kudos anyone can muster.

I can't wait to read the book. And when you are all famous and on Oprah or Nightline or whatever, I am going to watch and say to whoever is within earshot, "I was reading her blog way back when...when she was just discovering Noro and when she was trapped on a burning bus in L.A. traffic."

Congratulations!!!

Okay, I am totally excited about your book.

Only thirty extra pages of crazy, doesn't sound like much to me.

Yeesh, I'm kinda disappointed cuz I thot I had an exclusive deal with Raoul the pool guy. Ah well, at least if I have to share him, it's with a terrific smart lady WHO WENT AHEAD AND WROTE A WHOLE DAMN BOOK!!!
Again, Yay to you!
And Vancouver has to be a book tour stop, really.

I've been reading your blog forever, ok, well, not forever but I spent all of Dec 2006 reading it from beginning to end (time well spent at work) and I'm so happy for you! You're a great writer and so funny and inspirational. Best of luck with the book (I already pre-ordered it).

Let's see, I have no idea who decides if there should be a tour. The book company, HCI, is in charge of all that.

I don't even know how well it has to pre-sell before it gets into the mass market (Target, WalMart, K-Mart, which is what I really want, because that's where books do VERY well). I'm still learning all of this too as we go. The whole thing has been a mystery to me, I never even knew about Amazon rankings before all this!

I think the word "porn" is in there twice... maybe three times LOL. We haven't finalized any of the pictures yet, only the narrative. The patterns are still being fiercely edited (I suck at pattern writing). Luckily it's not a real pattern book.

My fave wine is anything red :) Red is very easy to spell!!

Congratulations, and I'd just like to point out I was stalking you long before I knew you were to be published.

Also, Anna-Liza may vouch for me, if that helps.

But seriously, congratulations!

Well, it was 1:24 PM in DC! :)

Dang it! I blew my chance by not speaking up sooner and now that you're an author and all you probably won't be all that interested in moving to Seattle and marrying my nephew...

Congrats, Laurie!

How do you tell where your book ranks on Amazon?

I could tell you were leaving huge parts of your life out of your blog! Especially when your parents were there most recently!

I want to grow personally like you have, I fear I never will...too much fear in putting yourself out there...

Excited to read your book, love cat pics and stories!

Sherri

Well, I was kinda bummed when you never answered my e-mail when I was spending a week in LA and wanted to meet for dinner/knitting/whatever. I was afraid that I had offended you in some way. But now I understand that it was exactly when you were finishing your book. So I've decided that you were just busy and that I'm not a total loser. Whew. I feel better now.

Laurie, there are tears in my eyes seeing all this outpouring of congratulations to you. I know how much work you put into this book, and how much anxiety you had to overcome putting your personal life onto paper. You are a true inspiration. I'll be honored to read your book, then place it in my library right in between Shakespeare's Macbeth and Fried Green Tomatoes. My only fear is that now that your such a superstar, you'll be hanging with Leo Dicaprio in Hollywood clubs every night, and regular guys like me won't be able to flirt with you anymore. Well, too bad -- you're still my fave Southern literary hottie! I'll write about your book on my blog tomorrow. Everyone should read this, not just you nutty knitters!

OH! And a question!

Does your ex- know? Has he had a creative reaction?

Oh God, I feel awful about the email problem. I had to set up a Yahoo email this morning even just so I could mail my editor the patterns. I have BAD EMAIL issues and it's on my life's list of stuff to figure out. I'm horribly sorry for the ten months of awful mailing, emailing, all of it. Half the time I can't even get into my email ... Drew bugs me on this too. I know I have to fix it. I will. Sometime soon, now that the main hard part is mostly done.

I never write at work, not even stuff for this website (I do comment, obviously, BAD ME) although if I can't stand it and have to write a thing down I'll run across the street with my laptop to the library at lunchtime. But my job is crazy busy, so there was a time when with that all day and the manuscript all night I almost lost my damn mind. But now that part is over and I will, I will, figure out email.

Any chance for an audiobook? You know, you ARE speaking to some knitters here. I'd love to be able to hear your book while I alternately:
A: Drop stitches from laughing too much, and,

B: Have to put down said knitting so I can grab a handful of tissues, staving off or giving in to the Ugly Crying.

So, whassup?! Audiobook?
Maybe we'll have to see what kind of reception your book gets.

I'm in.

Just got turned on to your blog, by my daughters friend, and I love it! Been reading for about 2 months now. You make me LOL. I have already preordered your book. Can you tell how many have been sold??
Best of luck!

Congratulations! I've pre-ordered! Can't wait to read the book - even if it is only a stunt-cat on the cover. Seriously I'm thrilled for you and think this is just another example of having the worst thing you think can ever happen to you (being dumped and divorced) turn into the thing that launches an whole new wonderful life.

Yay you!

"So maybe another woman out there going through a crappy breakup will read it and feel less crazy, less fogged-up with despair. That is why I wrote this book."

Laurie - I just wanted you to know that without a doubt you have helped make THIS woman "going through a crappy breakup" DEFINITELY feel "less crazy, less fogged-up with despair." Your blog has become my daily dose of free inspiration and self-help. I can't tell you how much it has meant to read the words of someone else who SOOO (I am maybe with the over-capitalization the way you are with the exclamation points!!!) gets what I've been going through.

Thank you so much for your wit and your courage in sharing your story. I can't wait to pick up a copy of your book!!

Laurie,
I am among the 1,000's who are so very proud of what you have done and wish you all the best in this new chapter of your life.

Now that you are famous does this mean that you will no longer attend SNB and my sister and I will never get to meet you and become BFFS? You are no longer just our, (the innernets) best kept secret, now we have to share you with the rest of the world.

Also I would like to make you a pillow with the following needle pointed on it, in fine Edwardian script:

"In your face ex-Mr.Purl!"

(send your PO box and the pillow will be in the mail!)

I know your book had nothing to do with revenge but it is extra sweet that it turned out to be a bi-product!

Maybe one day you can publish the extra pages, sort of like a directors cut DVD.

Neil thank you!... and thank you for not re-posting the drunken emails I sent telling you how scared I was LOL.

Marin, and everyone who asked: I have no idea if he knows.

Last night I couldn't sleep, because it had become real, you know? And so now I know he will see it one day, and probably read it. And I think I wrote my story as clearly and honestly as possible, because I didn't (in the end) need to hurt him back anymore.

Here I was with this great irony, right, getting someone's creativity back after all, and all I could think was... oh thank God I am not still back there, thank you God for helping me figure out a few things, I can't believe life is this good. (!!!)

And so I hope when (if) he one day reads it he just thinks, "Well, it was the right thing after all, getting divorced." I think writing this book made me make peace with him, and say goodbye. I REALLY NEEDED to say goodbye LOL. I was even getting on my own damn nerves ;)

Something about writng this book made me realize I was glad he married me, because at the time I needed that stability in my life, and later I was glad he divorced me because it was probably the best thing that ever happened to me.

THERE I GO BEING HELPY.

Someone stop me!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL

Just remember that Shakespeare also made up a lot of words, too.

Laurie,

I am soo excited for you! I hadn't been here since Friday of last week and I am literally crying with happiness for you! This couldn't have happened to a nicer, more deserving person. You have helped so many people (myself included,) by sharing your pain and crazy with us. You help ease my pain and make my crazy seem, well, less crazy. (Not by comparison-haha-just good to know there are at least 2 of us!)

I have been reading your blog for about 2 years now and I cannot wait to get your book. I feel like I know you (as do your other thousands of readers) and I've only commented a handful of times, so you really don't know me, but I will tell everyone you do as I show them your book.

Ecstatic for you!!!!!!!! **hugs**

Thank you all again. And of course I love SNB and will never quit until they throw me out for too much nervous talking. Last week I think I hugged Anna-Liza, whom I had just met, inappropriately like eight times.

Ok, I have to catch up on some work! ARGH!!! This is all too exciting to take in!! Need a clone!! heh. Back soon.

Love the title of the sequel. Will the sweater be a sequined intarisa Christmas type pattern in chunky yarn? I really need me one of them.

Laurie, everyone else has said it better than me, but I am so happy for you and I love you!!!! Thanks for taking the thoughts out of my head and making them funny and coherent!

Oh, hey...

I figured out how to see the ranking of your book!

How come they dropped the price...did you get into a higher volume pre-order sales level???

Sherri

I am so excited for you! I immediately sent a text message to my daughter that said HA - I knew it - Crazy Aunt Purl has written a book!! We are both so happy for you. I am about to take that divorce road myself, although his excuse isn't his lack of creativity. His is more along the lines of I want to be with my 3 (Yes, 3) illegitimate children. Apparently, he had some spare time when he traveled. Stinkin.Pig.

Hey Laurie,
I'm an editor and I think it would be The Most Fun Ever! to edit your book! However, I'll stay with editing "inner workings of power plants" reports, which, at least, provide the funds for me to buy copies of your book for everybody. To Do List for December 2007: Christmas shopping -- done!
Of course I know nothing about book deals, but I see a Debt-Free Party coming up for you. Believe us all, Laurie, you deserve all of this goodness.

Love and hugs of appreciation and delight!

laurie, put down the coffee!

How can they ask you to edit over half of your book? How painful it must have been to take out 200 pages, let alon 30. I would read every word. I would! I'd savour the words and hold them in the back of my mouth like a nice Shiraz.

Blab away...all you want to!

YOU DESERVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!

Laurie, so whom do I contact to DEMAND a book tour? Um and I am living in broward Fl now- but by fall I'll be in baltimore so like either of those places would be good for me- cuz like I will travel if those don't work for you!
heather

So, here's what I'm just now remembering.

I'm a therapist, and I see a lot of women who are dealing with the devastating effects of men's behavior. There were several times over the last couple of years when I thought of sending some of these women to your blog to let them know they weren't alone. Now that there's a book, I'm looking forward to being able to read it and recommend it (weird/ridiculous how a hard copy of something endows one's voice with more "legitimacy"). This is exciting in about a million ways, sister. Rock on.

can't. wait. for. book!!! CAN'T WAIT!!! I'd just start the pre-emptive laughing right now, but not only would my coworkers start to be really afraid, but October is a long way off....I might get a tummy ache.
PS. Can't wait for book.
PPS. Book tour would have to include Canada, and not just Toronto...I live far away from there!

Congratulations!!!!!
And that line about the cat spelling out redrum had me spewing coffee all over, thanks alot! ; )

Laurie,

Just another member of the "Hey-i've-never-commented-before-but....." contingency writing to congratulate you on the book. I've been reading CAP for quite a while, and always find something to smile about - humor, inspiration, wisdom, or just the consolation of knowing that other people have really crappy days (and sometimes months) as well. Reading your blog gave me the courage to start writing my own. While a 35 year old Southern man is probably not your target demographic, I will definitely buy the book. Hopefully, there will be many more to come in the future.

Chica, I read your About Me page and then your old About Me page (to the bitter end!) and then read your Book page (because I am avoiding doing some layouts) and I have to say...

you look so so so very much happier now

You are my hero.
-- chase

Hi Laurie!! I just wanted to tell you that I am one of your most loyal readers. I have read some of your posts at work and actually had to walk to the bathroom so I could laugh and not be scared that I was about to wet myself, your posts are so funny. I, too, am a survivor of divorce, although I credit Harry Potter with saving me, not knitting. I can't wait to read your book, I'm so proud of you, and come up to Spokane when you do your book tour!!

Here I go again, . . . reading comments to the end and then refreshing and reading all the new ones...Well, Laurie's comment made me stop and cry. AGAIN!

"Something about writing this book made me realize I was glad he married me, because at the time I needed that stability in my life, and later I was glad he divorced me because it was probably the best thing that ever happened to me."

Whoa, hit me with a ton of bricks why dontcha! So so true. Through my horrific breakups (not marriage but I am prone to 5+ yrs of dating screwups), I always felt that it was a good thing to go through, I was learning something. Anything. (Maybe that I was just crazy was my feeling most of the time)

Thank you thank you thank you. And I will do another ugly cry if you stop posting due to all this fame. Even though it is really cool to be able to say that I knew you when....again, in a not stalking friendly internets love way.

Hey Laurie --

That Amazon.com is pure freaky. They like your book so much they marked it down in price from several hours when I first pre-ordered it until now!

Sobokawa is eerie... I used to work for a publishing company whose sales & inventory management system was called "REDRUM."

Maybe Sobokawa is trying to tell you that they'll need to print a lot of copies.

Kudos!! How did you keep it a secret? I would NEED to stand on the roof and shout about it if I had a book deal.

Oh yeah, why not post the edited 30 pages of crazy here?

#81 with a bullet -- how cool.

I'll make my mom buy a copy or a thousand. We want you to get to write full time!

Laurie,
How ironic that Mr. X left to find his creativity, but you found yours instead. And you already have a fan base from the innernets.

Now I can count you among all those other quirky Southern writers: T. Capote, H. Lee, W. Faulkner, R. Wells. WHY WASN'T I BORN DOWN SOUTH?? How many days till October??????

Girl, I love you and I'm so proud of you! Hope you make it out to NJ on your tour. You're an inspiration (again!)

And if you're canadian, the book is available right here :)

http://www.amazon.ca/Crazy-Purls-Drunk-Divorced-Covered/dp/0757305911/

I think the price went down because the book got elevated to best-seller status based on the pre-orders!! The best-sellers have the deepest discount. And I Helped! YAY LAURIE!!!

Laurie, stop! It wasn't inappropriate at all--I hugged you back, didn't I? And you are a terrific hugger. I loved meeting you and finding out you are just as wonderful in person as in print. I just wish we had more time to chat and you know, bond. Marin and Lyda are awfully jealous!

I'll be buying your book (possibly multiple copies--Christmas will be just around the corner). I didn't preorder because I will be getting it from my LIB (Local Indie Bookstore). But it's really impressive how it's doing on Amazon!

Here's another plug for a Denver/Boulder booktour stop! I'll write your publisher--and everyone else should, too! But see if you can arrange a little breathing space between stops--poor Yarn Harlot is down with a cold or something now!

Consider yourself appropriately hugged!

xoxo

Oh, I forgot to ask -- when is the movie due? Who plays you? Kate Hudson?

Just wanted to let you know that if your book is anything like your website, you will most definitely achieve your goal of helping women going throught a crappy break up feel better. I got my brand spanking new divorce papers signed by the judge two weeks ago, and throughout it all, I knew I could come to Crazy Aunt Purl for some hope that I would not be broken forever, but it was ok to feel down in the dumps sometimes. And the bonus was that there was a laugh almost every day and it felt so, so good to laugh.

Thank you Crazy Aunt Purl!!

Congrats on the book! I cannot wait for it to arrive at my door!! I too am a wine drinking knitter who's clothing is regularly loved by the felines who so graciously let me live in their space.

I'm rooting for you! I want to read the post where you admit that you roll neked in money!

Laurie, you are such a joy to read: I can't wait to get my own copy! (But I'll have to; until about October, right? ) I'm so glad that you've found another medium to tell your story, and am very much looking forward to it!

"I was glad he married me, because at the time I needed that stability in my life, and later I was glad he divorced me because it was probably the best thing that ever happened to me."

I know I'm not the first to comment on this, but I just wanted to say -- so true! Everything we go through in our lives shapes us. People who try to deny their past just get confused about who they really are.

You go, girl! Now we need that book to come to Brazil.

Congrats!

You know I am just thrilled for you! And Drunk, Divorced and covered with Rauol the pool sounds like a good book 2!
Just love it! I am happy for you and looking forward to other books chronicling other stuff besides Mr. X.
Boy wait'll he reads it! LOL!!!
(All similarities to any person or persons living or dead is purely coincidental)

Congratulations Laurie!!!
I'm really excited to read your book, I found this site just a few months ago, and I'm now an addict, lol. I hope someda you make it up to Canada, and if you have a book tour, please don't forget Saskatchewan! (Everyone forgets Saskatcewan. :-{) If it helps, I've been told Saskatchewanites (Saskatchewinians? Saskquatches? No, wait...)have cool accents. LOL

Oh, this is so exciting!
Potter #7 in July and then this in October.
I cannot wait.
Congratulations - and here's hoping your grand upcoming book tour brings you to Copenhagen.
Have wine and cats.

One of the things I just love about this blog is the comments. Specifically, how they turn into a kind of "Crazy Chat Forum." It's so much fun to read everyone carrying on & Laurie just blabbity blabbing right along with us all. Wouldn't it be fun if she really could just sit around and be our "Crazy Chat Hostess" all day long? Or the "Knitter Sitter."

Yay!!!!!!!!!!

Congratulations!

Did you put pictures of your cats in the book?

Do you really get 10,000 visitors daily on your website? Wow!

i hope this doesn't come off sounding condescending but i'm very proud of you. you're a brilliant writer who makes this slightly overweight knitter with five (shriek! five!) cats laugh out loud at work and snort coca-cola throgh her nose. :)

Huge congrats on the published book. This is so inspirational and you show true girl power!

Oh yeh! Book tours, Oprah appearances, movie starring Kate Hudson..everyone has said it already. Congratulations and I still keep wondering how you can do everything you do...and keep us all in stitches. (Sobokawa spelling out Redrum in Meow Mix ...now there's an image for "the movie" )

Uh, me again.

"I was glad he married me, because at the time I needed that stability in my life, and later I was glad he divorced me because it was probably the best thing that ever happened to me."

Dang, woman. You are a better person than I am, because I freakin' wish I had never met, let alone married my Mr. X, LOL!!!

Still, there's grace for you. Wow. I'm impressed all over again!

Congrats Laurie! I'm sure your book will be "helpy" indeed. Not to be paranoid or anything, but have the publishers protected you in case Mr X tries to block publication, demands edits or profits, etc? I only ask because I have heard of similar things happening (my sister just went through a divorce). I wish you the best!

I am just bursting with gladness for you, Laurie. So happy for you, that you've crawled through the muck and found joy on the other side. I really look forward to reading the book and am going to place my preorder today! I hope I can get it signed in person someday. :-)

So, what do the bosses at White Guys in Ties, Inc. have to say about all this hoopla?

I'd come to your book signing!

I am very proud that you could keep this a secret SO long!

Amazon ranking is at #88 today as I type this! :-)

Yay!! I am so excited and happy about your new book. I didn't get the chance to make a comment with your announcement post yesterday, but I want you to know I immediately went and put your book on my Amazon wish-list!

Hooray for leaps of faith and new and exciting possibilities. I can't wait to read it.

I think I love you. 'Cept I'm a girl, and married. But still. You are my hero!

One only has to read the comments you've received to see that you have touched many, many lives (eleventy billion, to be exact!!!. The heartache you endured, while unfortunate and, at times, unbearable, serendipitously brings you the tons of love being showered upon you right now. Enjoy it all, Laurie...you deserve it!!!

I can't believe it, I stop reading for two days for a massive deadline at work, and you go and publish a book! Yay you!

Really, we (and yes I am trying to speak for all of your bazillion loyal readers) are just insanely proud of you. And I will be thrilled to buy your book, and hopefully you will make buckets of money to pay for all that expensive kitty litter.

We watched the book hit #42 on Amazon last night, before we had to stop and do grocery shopping. Hooray! (er, for the terrific Amazon ranking, not the groceries...)

I can't wait for the book, and I so hope your publisher arranges a book tour. Are you at least going to do a signing of some sort in the LA area? Or do I need to start haunting the SnB? (I wonder what the other knitters will make of it when dozens of strangers start dropping in every week, hoping to see you. :-)

Laurie -
What can I say? Over the time I have read your blog, I have watched (read about) you grieve, rant, rave, (because those are two seperate emotions), get angry, cry, laugh, accept...and now even write a book. I am so extremely proud to say, I knew you when!!! I cannot wait for the book tour, and my pre-ordered book to find it's lost way to Indiana in October. Yeah for Knitting! Yeah for Cats!!! Yeah of Laurie!!!

Congratulations!

Laurie, I am so excited about your book!! I read your blog first thing every morning. This is great!!!!!

Kathy in Virginia with wine and five cats

Laurie, I'm so proud of you for having the strength to keep quiet when people kept saying "you need to write a book! you need to write a book!" There must've been some wild laughter chez Soba when you read those comments. Girl, you are getting your day in the sun, and you really deserve it. By sharing your story, you've shown the world how steely, fragile, beautiful, and strong Southern women can be. I've pre-ordered my copy of the book and can't wait for it to arrive!!

So I totally commented yesterday to congratulate you but I'm still so excited. I was finally able to get in and pre-order it - all day yesterday I couldn't log in. I mean really how exciting is it that you'll be published and all. Maybe we can get a winery to sponsor the tour? Kidding! (kind of) If you come to St. Louis, I promise to get you some Gooey Butter Cake.

Laurie,

Hello?!?!?!?! If I got a book published, I am here to tell you that I would probably devote an entire month of my blog writing to "Look at me, I'm a published author - whoopee!!" We can all just either deal with it or revel in it with you.

Absolutely fabulous!! All the wonderfulness couldn't have happend to a nicer person.
Congratulations! Now about the movie......

Wow... I am still jazzed about your book... and hope Soba realizes she will benefit from your success, too! Maybe that will calm her down. [Oh, RIGHT.]

I got some good news yesterday. I wrote a short story that will be published on TWO continents in an anthology!

Not much money, but oh, THE PRESTIGE.

I'd rather be rolling in the dough too. But little steps, little steps...

You are so adorable! Only the best for you, Laurie!

[Oh, your folks are just so danged cute! Aunt Pammy too!] *waves*

(And not trying to scare you, I'm obviously not alone in my desire to meet you, but seriously - San Diego, coffee, wine, whatever),

So, we finally get to find out what the Mystery Knitted Cat Thingamajig is?! With a recipe and all?! Also, real proud of you.

Oh, believe me. For the L.A. folks, I have some Crazy Aunt Purl activities planned. I wish I could do her whole marketing tour but...unfortunately, I'm not allowed...something about publishers, having a job that I have to go to...

Bummer.

You know, speaking of REDRUM, Stephen King got to go back and re-release the WHOLE BOOK of The Stand, because the first time his publishers made him cut out a lot of the crazy. So, there's hope.

Very funny, the not being able to take that amount of advice in one sitting. :) Amongst all the other funny stuff. You must be totally giddy. I index books for a living and sometimes they put my name in them, and I'm thrilled to death.

Congratulations!! How wonderful for you! :)

This is my first post, but I just wanted to add my Congrats to everyone elses. You will not only be a best seller but an International Best Seller as I will be blatantly advertising your book to every other English person that will listen.

I read your blogs and they cheer me up no end and make me realise that I am not alone. There are other people out there just like me!

Laurie -- did I not comment back in February that the Year of the Pig would be an extra-important one for you? ;-) You've proven it to be true!

All best wishes to you.

what surprised me (because i'm not even a teeny bit surprised about the book thing), was that the 'chicken soup' folks had that much imagination. i still won't be reading 'chicken soup for the [enumerate-your-favorite-soul-here]'s soul', but am relieved to see that they do something else there at hci besides chickens & their soup; and delighted as anything that someone there had the great good sense to give you a shot.

-thorn
"because i poke. even if i like you."

Not that you're the Avenging Angel or anything, but this book is sweet, sweet revenge on Mr. X. Hooray!!!

Laurie! I'm so excited to hear about your book. I have pre-ordered it and can't wait to get it. You're such a wonderful writer and I love that you've taken this weird patch in your life and turned it into something great and funny. I love the title...and the possibilities for sequels are endless... Congratulations to you!

http://jillieofthevalley.vox.com/

Cracker-crazy sells, Laurie! I've told all my friends about your book-to-be and have already ordered a copy. We are really proud of our crazy people in the South - especially when they write self helpy books.

It occurs to me that Mr. X may have lost his creativity but you found yours, in spades. You always make me giggle (or cry) and because I feel like I know you, I love you to pieces. Keep on writing.

For a few months now I have been a voyeur of your blog and have made no comment until now. This is big news! Congrats!
I too have survived the crazy of divorce, and have come out the other side to a way better more honest life.
I am ordering a copy for myself and one for my sister who calls in a very broken almost unrecognizable voice, because she is having a bad day. Her husband left a few weeks ago. Thanks for your words... made-up and otherwise!

Congratulations, Laurie. I can't wait to get my copy!

Laurie,

Could you please help me figure out how I can be covered in Raoul, the poolboy, just so that I finally learn how to pick all the cathair off my sweater?

Just put my order in for your book. You ROCK!

Ok I am so proud of you, which is kind of weird since we've never met in person, but I've been reading your blog since the bus fire and I love your kitties and your bathroom photo shoots.

And always remember, living well is the best revenge.

Now go hug Roy for me.

Well, as long as you're still drunk I'll read the sequel!

Here I go again :)
You make me so proud to be Southern (thank you GOD!!) and heaven knows we've had our bad moments.

I am still green with envy. I will buy 5 copies!!

I am so excited for you! I never knew anyone who had a book pubbed. Not that I actually know you, but I feel like I do.
I know that I am at least 30 pages too crazy. And that's why I love ya!
Come to Detroit.pleasepleaseplease

When this book is made into a movie I think the role of CAP should be played by either Drew Barrymore, Kate Winslet or Renee Zelwegger. Just my opinion.

Wow! Can you believe your book is already on overstock.com? I am officially at a loss as to the workings of "The Big O".

http://www.overstock.com/cgi-bin/d2.cgi?PAGE=PRODUCT&PROD_ID=2425724&cid=80486&fp=F

Uhhh...and sorry that my link doesn't work. But if you enter "Crazy Aunt Purl" in the search box it will come up.

I don't know how or why I stumbled onto your blog probably near the beginning of it. I just remember then thinking how much I loved my husband and how I ached for you and what you were going through. I read about that Christmas and how you didn't decorate, etc. It broke my heart. I was happily unaware that I was headed down the exact same path. In April of last year, he moved out. His "friend" and he were just doing.. you know.. "friend" sorta things. Like having their first breakfast "non-date" on my birthday (which was coincidentally a month BEFORE he left), and her buying concert tickets.. in LONDON.. also before he left. I crashed, I burned, and I spent so many many days and nights wishing I'd never been born. I read your blog.. your entries about how you felt.. and I want you to know that you helped. As much as someone that I couldn't talk to, didn't know, and had no opportunity to vent to.. you helped. Every day. You made me smile when sometimes nothing else did. I knit before he left, but it took me nearly a year to come back to it. It was all linked together.. so painful I could barely stand to look at the needles. I am finally back to knitting (a little.. because I work. so. much. omg!) but at least now it brings me joy. And this good news.. this has made my day. Keep on keeping on. Somedays that was all I kept saying over and over. It will get better, I used to tell myself (although I secretly suspected I lied even to myself). Its still hard. I still think about him too much during a day. I get up, I move through, I take care of my kids and the house and my seventeenmillion jobs, and then I do it all again. You've been an inspiration. I've preordered the book, and I can't wait to read it. Thank you again, from the bottom of my little bruised heart.. thank you.

Laurie,

When I saw that there were about ninety million comments yesterday, I decided to wait until today to congratulate you on your book. I am so happy for you and will definitely be buying a copy. I read you every day, although I rarely comment. You are the first blog I ever followed. You are great!!

Btw I hope you saved all that crazy stuff, cuz you WILL be writing another book, I just know it. And if you get sufficiently rich and famous and people will buy a collection of grocery lists (cat litter, wine, chocolate, corn flakes, wine, cheetos, cat food, wine...) if your name is on the cover and your publisher won't even bother editing you (see case of S. King above), it'll come in handy.

(I forgot: horror sells well too. How about "Harry Potter and the 9-Point Manifesto of Sobakowa Diet from the Black Lagoon"?)

Congratuations again.. and .. I'm sure that sleep was probably hard to come by last night.. since, everything probably still seemed on the 'is this really happening' level?

I've always enjoyed reading your blog-- because of all the southern sayings and ways.. reminds me of home while I'm living overseas. The south is such a special and unique place and I'm so grateful that .. that is where I grew up.

Oh, and YAHOO EMAIL is the best- it's what I've used for years.. no need to change email addresses when you move or travel to a new place.
Hummm, maybe I should consider buying some YAHOO STOCK?? :D

AND, if you do decide that you need a break from all the fame and all that goes with it.. and just want to fondle more yarn than you'll ever see in one place in peace.. don't forget you can come to see me in Seoul, Korea.. and the offer to take you to the yarn market-- (And don't worry, you don't need to speak Korean-- I know how to say: HOW MUCH DOES THIS COST? and THANK YOU in Korean)

What else does one need to know to shop anywhere?
I have everything covered in my only 2 Korean phrases! :D

And, don't forget.. about the free most amazing bamboo knitting needles w/ yarn purchase.. (if you post somewhere you mailing address- I'll send you a set and then you'll know what I mean.. I knit on nothing else but, my Korean knitting needles.)

I'll say it again, SO happy and excited. I pre-orderd my copy but I have no idea how to see where on the list you are... someone help my poor brain-lagged self find this magical Amazon list before I buy two more books I didn't really mean to buy...

You can preorder your book from Walmart! WOW!

Should we contact your publisher & ask them to send you on a book tour??

You're up to #64 on Amazon now!

Also: was the cactus book as good as you remembered?? :)

Laurie,

I am so glad I will have more of you to read. I get sincerely irratated when you don't post. Don't you KNOW I need my LAURIE fix. Yup, I am addicted.

It's at #71 now.

Too cool for words. I am so very, very glad for you. And us because we get more of you.

Maxly...with 3 cats

Love the pic w/ Bob next to wine, and the Bobzilla Eats BestSeller caption!!! That could have been the back cover of the book, or at least the inside jacket :o) Can't wait until October! Only, like, six people ever read my blog, but I told them to buy it and put a link on mine to you here at CAP and also to the amazon ordering page - may you forever roll in the dough baby! (btw I'm a georgia cracker too)

Laurie, like you, I have always loved writing stuff down, and I also hope to be a genu-wine published author someday (I'm sure that will require more hard work and organization than I'm currently putting into it; right now, as for the last 30 years, I just like writing stuff down). And I just want you to know that I recently noticed a certain effect you have had on my writing: when I make a little joke, I write after it, "Hee."

I didn't do that before I started reading your fine blog two years ago. :) Love you, darlin!

Hey... congrats to Other Ruth!!!!! That is awesome :)

And CAA, I need your awesome searching skills, you found that magazine thingy yesterday and now this, thank you!!!! I had no idea about either.

I love that there are so many southerners here (even in Korea!!) and no one at all seems to mind the crazy cat lady cracker, which proves my theory that southerners have a much higher tolerance for "colorful" than other folks ;)

Let's see... Katie, we had legal review (and review and review) so fingers crossed all is well. I have had that same fear. I have a lot of fears.

No, I couldn't sleep at all last night! I was too wired. Faith and I went to dinner then I went home and scooped the catbox (nothing on earth to keep you grounded like scooping twice a day) and later Soba came over and purred on my lap and let me adore her for a good long hour while I tried to process it all.

and thank you again for all the nice words :) thank you!

Oooh, I just can't wait for a October and the possible book tour. Please tell us that you will stop in a few hick towns for signings (like mine!). Got to stay true to your roots, girl!

You are lovely and amazing and I couldn't be happier : )
I can't wait to read it!

AWWWKK! It never occured (2 r's?) to me that you might quit blogging. Please, do not! I count on your cats and your crazy to keep me sane, i.e., not so depressed that I...well, never mind. But I do need this blog. Please keep up the good work!

hey purl, i get the dreaded face-sweat too. you are not alone. congrats on the book!

Who would you choose to play you in the movie version? And - oh my god - who could assume the roles of Roy, Soba, Bob and Frankie? HEY - why not? I thought of this scenario regarding your blog some time ago. Don't know if I'll buy the book. I'm not a divorcee. I eliminated that factor by simply not marrying my lovers. Not a role for every woman. But, it was my choice. Hope the book sells - I know the personal diary (blog) is a total success with all women who think, drink?, give home to creatures -cats, dogs, gerbils, etc. - and deal with the detritus. Please, think twice before doing a talk show.!!

Hi Laurie!

You're such a rockstar!

I felt all excited for you yesterday, thinking my good friend had just made it big (though I do want to comment that I suspected as much all along. REALLY, I did).

I think of you as a friend but then have to come back to reality and remember you don't know me. Thanks for reaching out to all of us with your wit and insight and plain ol' nonsense. I wish you all the best and I hope you do a proper book tour so I can gush at you and say howdy.

All the best to you, friend.

I'm amazed you were able to keep it a secret for so long. It would have driven me nuts! What a huge accomplishment you've made. I am always in awe of you and feel like I know you because your writing style is so genuine and friendly. YOU ROCK!!!!

i'm still so excited ! and i'm sure your excitement is 10 fold!
yay! a book tour !!! please. PLEASE. come to north carolina. hardly any book tour knitty types ever come to NC.
i think they're afraid of the south.

Hooray for you! I'm having a drinkie in your honor!

A long time ago, I left some ranty comment about how you MUST WRITE A BOOK, MUST MUST MUST and you were so kind and emailed me back and said something just a little mysterious. It was mysterious and yet I knew you were writing and it made me happy. And I have been twitchy for months and now YAY! I am very excited. You have the most terrific writing energy, and I can't wait to see the book. Well, I guess I can, cuz I have to, y'know? :-)

I'm so excited and happy for you. I've been stalking your blog for a while now and always think you're the funniest. Happy book stuff and everything!

This whole Internet thing is so weird...how I can feel personally connected to someone and their success like this blows my freaking mind!

I am so ecstatic for you, Laurie. Your faithful readers (commenters and lurkers alike) knew that your views of life, which are so genuine and real that it was like you were reading our minds and souls, needed to be published for the masses.

Like the therapist said in another comment, you will help so many people just by being able to relate to them through your own feelings and experiences. And it doesn't hurt that you are an incredibly talented writer who is hysterically funny and capable of making up her own words that really make sense (hello? "helpy" should totally be in the OED!)

And it boggles my mind that you, in the midst of writing a book (hello!), found my blog and left a comment that helped ease the pain I was dealing with. Thank you so much for that, for being you, for going out of your way to make a connection, for making us all feel that exposing our unique brand of crazy is ok.

I have pre-ordered my copy of your book, and I hope that someday I will be able to thank you in person as you sign it ;)

Laurie, congratulations! I am so happy I got tears in my eyes. I am so very, very happy for you! It couldn't happen to a nicer person! (!!!!!) (Can you believe this is me restraining myself?)

Hmm, I am amazed Soba didn't make the cover. Maybe the second book will be Soba's manifesto? My son, who loves your cat pictures and particularly Sobakowa, will often act out the cat pictures in your blog with me. So I have been Roy, and BEEN SNUGGLED, while my son was Soba, and yesterday when I was tucking him into bed, he held out a hand in the "iron paw ruling the house" position, and said, "The mighty SobaSeanie rules the house with an iron paw! Go away ugly human! I need uninterrupted rest!" We often discuss his dictatorial lack of belly button, as well.

Just a long way of saying, we love you and the cats in my house, and we're all so happy for you, and yay!! Lots of Yay!!!! 'cause my words are just not cutting it right now. :-)

After I ordered my couple of copies of your book (one to keep and one to give away) I checked and the book is #386 on Amazon's list of books being sold. Which is amazing considering your book isn't coming out for months and months and months and there are actually THOUSANDS of books out there. And yours is climbing the charts daily. You may be a best-selling author before the book gets released.
I am very happy for you, and hope you are feeling all proud and pleased your ownself.

Okay, I'm still behind the last week or two and I already commented the other day that I preordered your book but WHATEVER - can I say again how excited and happy I am for you? Well, I just did! And I'm being an idiot because I've had wine but I don't care, you don't know me (DUH!!!) and I only know the part of you that I know from this here blog but you deserve ALL of this and more!!!! You go, girl!!

Holy crap this is awesome. Yay for you!

Hello
You are The Best!!!
Bye

I can't wait to read it :)