When Evan McGorkle moved to Manhattan more than fifteen years ago, he harbored big dreams. He had a bachelor's degree in English and a few unpublished stories; he burned with the anticipation of earning a living as a writer. Part of his dream came true; he published two historical romance novels. Neither one met with much success. Now, to pay the bills, Evan works as a freelance copy editor; even so, he still aspires to become a best-selling author. Based on living with two of his own felines-Mickey and Falina-he hopes he can hit it big with a new light-hearted advice book on the emotional care of cats. He pitches his idea to well-known publicist Charles Loundering, who shows interest in the project. Now, Evan must finish his book and find a publisher. His romp around the Manhattan publishing world brings him unexpected moments, both funny and challenging. It introduces him to a colorful, idiosyncratic cast of New Yorkers-from a beautiful singer to a smart, young coffee bar owner to a sight-impaired musician. His budding relationships with these people awaken in him an unsettling realization: outward shine can mask deep human flaws.