Youkoso Geri o Shimasu

It's Launch Day!

Youkoso means “welcome” in Japanese, and you might see it printed on greeting signs at the airport as a sign of welcome to a city. Geri o Shimasu is finally out in the world, and so I say youkoso! In fact, some folks who ordered it from Amazon actually got the book early and have already been sending me photos of their copies. If you have a copy winging its way to you or already in your hot hands, please share it with me via email, text, or social media! I’d love to see your pictures and share them (if you permit it)!

This book has been a new publishing experience for me, as I’m used to publishing my work with a lot more control. I’ve had to work on other people’s timelines, trust new processes, and let go of knowing every scrap of data about every detail along the way. It’s been a valuable experience, and I’m lucky to have such a great and collaborative publisher. I was starting to feel like working with a press was not for me after the experience I have with Ocularum over the last few years, and I’m still rebounding from that experience, particularly financially, which has been hold up this year.

Because Geri o Shimasu has been part of the Year of Womxn 2025, it’s preorder phase and lead time has been longer than usual, and I actually feel like I had to carry this baby the full term. Sorry to those actual mothers out there, but it’s the closest analogy I could think of. At the same time, I’m already deep into working on my next memoir with Unsolicited Press, Preposterous Bloodshed, coming out May of 2027.

It’s been a long road to this day filled with uncertainties, anxieties, and hard truths about myself. But right now, it’s time to celebrate! Settle down in a comfy chair with your readers, a chirashi bowl, and a bottle of Asahi Super Dry and travel with me to Tokyo and beyond during a life-changing semester of law school.

Don’t take my word for it, though. I’ve been gratified and extremely proud that Geri o Shimasu has already picked up some early awards, including the International Impact Book Award in May for Travel, Memoir - Transformative Stories, the London Book Festival’s Nonfiction award, a Literary Titan Silver Book Award, the Independent Author Awards in Cross Genre and Travel, an Indie Reader Discovery award in Humor, and more.

What Others are Saying

Check out some of the early praise from editorial reviewers! I couldn’t be more thrilled with these amazing compliments.

“If David Sedaris, Bill Bryson, and a self-deprecating haiku master co-wrote a book about living in Japan, Geri o Shimasu would be the result. It is equal parts memoir, social commentary, comedy, and poetry—a blend as unique as the author’s experience.” — Atlas of Stories

“With a sharp sense of humor and an unfiltered voice, Luria offers an insightful look at Japan, language, and cross-cultural encounters that is as thought-provoking as it is entertaining.” — BookViral

“But for those who revel in the chaos of real-life adventures, who understand that growth often comes wrapped in embarrassment, and who appreciate the beauty of a story told with fearless authenticity, this book is a rare treat. Fans of Jenny Lawson’s Let’s Pretend This Never Happened or Laurie Notaro’s The Idiot Girls’ Action-Adventure Club will find a kindred spirit in these pages.” — The Chrysalis BREW Project

“Author Luria’s writing isn’t just fearless, it’s fiercely hers. There’s nothing performative here; it’s messy, it’s real, and it’s electric.” — The Reading Bud

“Luria's prose crackles with self-aware wit, right down to the chapter titles, but her gift isn't limited to humor; she writes with rich imagery and deep insight that make this a joy to read." — BookLife

I have linked to my full list of awards, reviews, interviews, and podcasts here.

Speaking of Reviews

Online reviews are critically important for indie and small press authors. Having a robust set of reviews creates opportunities for marketing partnerships with competitive newsletters like BookBub, helps people decide to take a chance on a lesser known author, and helps libraries and indie bookstores decide to carry our books. If you have ordered the book already and want to leave an honest review about it, I’ve created this page to make it really easy to go directly to your review page of choice.

If you haven’t ordered the book and would be willing to leave honest feedback in exchange for an ePub or PDF version, there are still limited slots left in my early reader program through Brooksprout.

Bookstr Giveaway!

Geri o Shimasu: Adventures of a Baka Gaijin launches today wherever books are sold. To celebrate, Bookstr and I have created a Japan lover’s prize pack, valued at over $350. It includes:

🌸 A signed copy of my memoir

🌸 A special haiku bracelet set designed with one of my haiku

🌸 A Zojirushi rice cooker ($200 for those of you in the know)

🌸 Watercolor haiku postcards and limited-edition vellum overlays

🌸 Stickers, Japanese sugar candy, a limited edition ribbon bookmark and more book swag

🌸 $75 Bookshop.org gift card

Upcoming Events!

AUG 20, 8:30 PM Eastern | Literary Nights with Rosalia Scalia | YouTube

AUG 23, 6PM Eastern | Private Launch Party | Invite Only

AUG 25, 7:30 PM Eastern | Book Launch with Unsolicited Press | Sign up @ Unsolicited Press