The first byline. The first long-term assignment. The first newspaper interview. The first time you see your name listed as an expert in a book. I've experienced all of these firsts, and each one was full of joy, disbelief, nerves, and the inevitable fact that even after your moment of "fame" life doesn't really change. You're still the same person you were the day before, changing your kids' poopy diapers, dealing with morning sickness, folding laundry and figuring out how you're going to get everything done.

Now I have a new first to add to the list: the first time I saw my name on the cover of a book. Take a look:



(Note: This is from the publisher's website. The book is not due out until Spring. I still have to go through galleys and edits in the next couple of months.)

This is one of those moments I've dreamed of for as long as I can remember. I can't really describe what I'm feeling. I'm happy, thrilled, in fact. But a big part of me is saying "how in the hell did you manage that?" I don't think it's any secret that writers tend to be pretty insecure when it comes to their profession. When I got the About job, I thought "are they crazy?" When I got my editing job, I thought "they don't even know how badly I can mangle the English language." When I've been interviewed, I've never failed to think "who the hell wants to hear about me??"

For today though, I'll let myself float on Cloud 9. Until I sit down to write an article, and begin to wonder again "do you really have anything worth writing about?"