It's Publication Day! + some reflections

Or: the Sociology of... a Book Launch

As a one-day-only extension of our regularly scheduled Sociology of… Everything programming, please join me in celebrating the publication day of THERE IS NO ETHAN: HOW THREE WOMEN CAUGHT AMERICA’S BIGGEST CATFISH.

That’s right, today, a project that is many years in the making is finally released into the world! (If you are interested in these sorts of creative projects, you might also recognize how equally thrilling and exhausting it is to finally get to this point.)

What is this book about and why is it relevant to you?

THERE IS NO ETHAN is part memoir, part true crime, part sociological treatise on a world where technology mediates our relationships, where words and images are easily manipulated, and where truth, reality, and identity have become slippery terms. In this sense, it’s a living example of so much that we’ve covered in the Sociology of… Dating, Relationships, the Body, and (starting next week) Technology. This book puts those theories to the test — and the outcome may surprise you. THERE IS NO ETHAN is a story filled with far more twists and turns than the title might suggest.

Why did I write it?

I wrote THERE IS NO ETHAN because I believe it will do the two things that make any book worth your time: 1) make you think and 2) entertain you. I also hope it disrupts your assumptions and challenges you to reconsider your perspective on many aspects of modern life.

This book is, by far, the most intimate, personal thing I’ve ever shared publicly. In it, private aspects of my life are laid bare, subject to scrutiny and judgement. It’s more than a little terrifying.

But I believe it’s worth it, because regardless of your relationship status, dating background, age, or whether you’ve ever been “catfished” (let alone if they even know what the terms means), this is a relatable story. “I’ve been in a relationship like that,” some readers tell me. “This feels eerily familiar.” 

As much as the wild world of ETHAN will entertain you, l also want it to spark a conversation — about connection, relationships, love, technology, identity, truth, and more. If I accomplish that, it’s a win for both of us.

But is it any good?

Of course “good” is subjective, so I’ll share some pre-release feedback and let you be the judge:

Many early readers report reading it in one sitting, finding it “unputdownable”: “I could not get enough.” They describe it as “riveting,” “mind-boggling,” “powerful,” “engrossing,” “thought-provoking,” “so good it reads like fiction,” “one of the most gripping non-fiction books I’ve ever read,” and one even expressed, “I’m actually annoyed it’s over” — which might be the best compliment an author can get.

NYTimes bestselling author Gregg Olsen said, “People will talk about this book. And they should. It’s that good.” Author Mandy Stadtmiller called it “Perfect. Essential. Stunning. The missing manual for understanding what modern social engineering has done to us. A fearless, inspiring, relentless reclamation of power that will have you cheering wildly, begging others to read it, and feeling strength you forgot you had.” Actor Alyson Stoner described it as “a true, freakishly wild ride. Appalling, riveting, stirring — with so much suspense. The one-liners and insightful social commentary are ripe to be turned into a film.” Audible called it “the catfishing memoir to end all catfishing memoirs.”

I’m thrilled by their feedback and even more excited for yours.

So if you are at least a little intrigued, here’s how you can check it out and support:

• Order the hardcover, ebook, or audiobook version from your preferred book outlet. (I also narrate the audiobook; so, there’s that?)

• In NYC? Join me at my upcoming book event! Saturday June 8, 5-6pm. Bring friends! Not able to join and want me to speak to a group, in person or virtually? Reach out!

• Spread the word! Forward this to another reader / listener who might enjoy it; suggest it to your book club; share the love on social media; leave a Goodreads or Amazon review; create an ETHAN-inspired TikTok dance (I mean, why not? That would be… weird and wonderful). All of these small things make a huge difference and help this project reach a wider audience.

Thank you in advance if you do any of these things!

ETHAN + SoE

Next week, we’ll be diving into the Sociology of… Technology, completing the group of themes that all relate directly to this book. For those of you who have been a part of the Sociology of… Everything in these first few months, I’m grateful.

THERE IS NO ETHAN is, in many ways, an extension of this Substack. It is my life in action, explored and analyzed on the “page.” The Sociology of… Everything is not an isolated project that operates neatly within the Substack universe. It is my approach to living and operating, to observing social life and tweaking my own behavior. THERE IS NO ETHAN is another contribution to the growing canon of the Sociology of… Everything content. And, I believe, it’s my best yet. You can tell me if you agree.

Your time is precious, so thank you for investing some of yours in the Sociology of… Everything and — I hope — in THERE IS NO ETHAN. If it moves you or enrages you or makes you question things, I want to hear about it. 

Let the conversation begin,

Anna