New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1985. First edition, inscribed. Lorrie Moore’s debut collection of short stories, published when she was 28 years old, hit a nerve with its sardonic and sarcastic tone referencing the popular self-help and self-therapy movement of the 1980s. Witty titles include “How to Be an Other Woman”, “A Kid’s Guide to Divorce” and the classic “How to Become a Writer” where she instructs readers to “First, try to be something, anything, else. A movie star/astronaut. A movie star/missionary. A movie star/kindergarten teacher. President of the World. Fail miserably.” Beautiful inscribed copy of the book that launched Moore’s promising writing career.

Hardback, 163. Quarter grey cloth and grey boards, silver lettering on spine. Some darkening on top and bottom edges. Light spotting on book edges. Dust jacket, designed by Patricia Manzone is bright, in pristine condition. Overall in almost fine condition. Inscribed on the free front endpaper: “To Wilma, whose son is a wonderful writer! Best, Lorrie Moore”, dated 1985.