Smile Now, Cry Later

By Terry James

Smile Now, Cry Later was the first book published in Some People Press’ Same Time series. Written while incarcerated, Terry James tells the story of his first twenty-nine years. Beginning with heartbreaking descriptions of abject poverty and creative survival as a child in rural Oregon, James goes on to detail his successive ups and downs while traveling across the country, working an assortment of jobs, struggling with addiction, evading the law, and winding up in various jails and prisons. James’ writing is searingly transparent bringing the reader along as he unflinchingly reveals his challenging but extraordinary life experiences.

The book features an afterword by Miranda July and cover artwork by Chris Johanson.

Some People Press publishes autobiographical books by formerly incarcerated writers, as well as books on art and other subjects. The project challenges the idea that only certain people—with the right educations, experiences, and connections—can be published authors. Some People Press does not require that participants have experience writing. Instead, the process taps into existing skills and knowledge by asking people to “write what you know.” Incarcerated participants develop writing skills at their own pace with the support and feedback of their peers and weekly meetings with project leaders and visitors.

All of the writers included in the Same Time series have taken part in the autobiographical writing and publishing project at Columbia River Correctional Institution, a minimum-security prison in Northeast Portland, Oregon. During weekly classes they have workshopped their writing with fellow participants and various visiting writers, publishers, and artists including Miranda July, Constance Debre, Chris Johanson, Jim Drain, and Laura Moulton.