"The newest essay collection from the New York Times-bestselling John Waters, reflecting on how to overcome newfound responsibility and rebel in the autumn of your years"-- Waters relates themes about which he is an expert, including: how to fail upward in Hollywood; how to develop musical taste from Nervous Norvus to Maria Callas; how to build a home so ugly and trendy that no one but you would dare live in it; how to tell someone you love them without emotional risk; and how to cheat death itself. Through it all, Waters swears by one undeniable truth: "Whatever you might have heard, there is absolutely no downside to being famous. None at all." -- author's website. Provided by publisher.

Mr. know-it-all -- Bye bye, underground -- Accidentally commercial -- Going Hollywood -- Clawing my way higher -- Tepid applause -- Sliding back down -- Back in the gutter -- I got rhythm -- Act bad -- Gristle -- Delayed -- Overexposed -- Flashback -- One-track mind -- My brutalist dream house -- No vacation -- Betsy -- Run-on Andy -- My son, Bill -- Grim reaper.