Spanning two decades of personal reinvention, PAPRBOY chronicles the gritty, comical, and emotionally honest journey of a restless young man navigating his way from 1960s and 1970s Peoria to the storied halls of the Chicago Tribune.

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Along the way, readers encounter a kaleidoscope of blue-collar jobs, barroom brawls, unforgettable characters, and moments of reflection that chart the author’s resilience, failures, and hard-earned self-discovery.

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At once a time capsule of life across the American Midwest and South and a deeply personal narrative, the memoir captures the heartbreak of young love, the chaos of early adulthood, and the struggle to find purpose in a world that never stops shifting. Whether selling sporting goods, operating a forklift, or delivering Yellow Pages just to make rent, each experience is rendered with sharp insight and wry humor.

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This memoir is a celebration of flawed persistence—and a tribute to the long road it takes to finally feel at home in your own life.

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PAPRBOY includes links to exclusive bonus photo galleries created to complement my memoir. These galleries contain additional images tied directly to the chapters—people, places, and moments referenced throughout the book. They are meant to enhance the reading experience by giving visual context to the events I describe.

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Please note: PAPRBOY reflects real experiences from the author’s life and includes strong language, depictions of drug and alcohol use, references to violence, and mentions of emotional or physical abuse. These elements are presented in context as part of an honest personal narrative. Reader discretion is advised.