I started writing this book many years ago–the first 30,000 words came out of Nanowrimo (National Novel Writer’s Month), and then it grew to 95,000 words, and shrunk to 75,000, and then back up again. It’s been a labor of love. The idea came from a friend of mine in college who passed away far too young, without much warning or explanation. I kept thinking it had to be a mistake–someone like that couldn’t just be gone so suddenly. To remedy the situation, my brain created the solution: he wasn’t actually dead, and one day, he would show up at my door again. 

Unfortunately, he is, in fact, gone, and I don’t think I’ll ever know why or how, but the germ of an idea developed into a story. I hope you enjoy following me on this journey through history, art, fashion, and literature. Thanks for being here. 

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton