Open When Alone

On the eve of his twentieth anniversary, a man receives a note from his wife that calls into question her consent on the first night they spent together, spurring a re-examination of all the pivotal relationships in his life, past and present, forcing him to ask: Am I the man I thought I was?

“Reading Robert Travieso is like free-falling from a plane. . . . His voice’s momentum will seize you, his story’s fierce energy will levitate you, and his piercing details will leave you as poked full of holes as a sieve.” —Susan Choi, author of Flashlight

“Travieso is one of the funniest, most original writers I know. I can't wait for the rest of the world to discover his brilliant mind.” —Jenny Offill, author of Dept. of Speculation

As Dean, a mild-mannered English teacher, dons a suit and prepares to join the party downstairs celebrating twenty years with his wife, Jane, he finds a letter in the toe of his dress shoe titled “open when alone” that upends his life as he knew it. What Dean thought was a cherished piece of the couple’s shared history—their first night together—may not have been as consensual as he assumed.

Shell shocked, Dean is left to mine his memories not only of this singular encounter, or even of the last twenty years, but of pivotal moments tracing his entire existence. Throughout this moral inventory, he struggles with uncomfortable insights into relationships he’s had with several women: his mother, his high school and college girlfriends, and of course Jane. As Dean attempts to excavate truth from the wreckage of his memory — What else did he get wrong? — he must also contend with how to atone in the present, and whether he is the right person to step in when one of his teenaged students finds herself in perilous waters.

Immersive, shockingly funny, and blisteringly honest, Open When Alone is an explosive debut, reminiscent of Jenny Offill’s Dept. of Speculation but from a husband’s perspective. Travieso has written a stunning portrait of a man in crisis and an unforgettable interrogation of the moments that make a whole life.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs