From Manuscript to Print: ‘Reunion: Coda’ Released…and I Get My Hardcover on Friday

Evening, Wednesday, April 16, 2025, Miami, Florida

It’s incredible to think that just a year ago, I was finishing up Chapter 14 of Reunion: Coda, eagerly anticipating an Autumn 2024 release of my debut novel. Despite my hopes, I had a sneaky suspicion that a more realistic publication date could be December 2024.

Back then, I was still adjusting to the tranquil pace of life in rural New Hampshire, but progress on the manuscript was steady and satisfying. Having completed the high school chapters, I could finally delve into the heart of the story—the evolving relationship between Jim and Maddie—and steer the narrative toward a deeply fulfilling conclusion that would not only wrap up Reunion: Coda but bring the entire Duology to a poignant and memorable close.

As it turns out, I didn’t finish the novel last year as planned. Instead, I completed Reunion: Coda six months later than my estimated publication date, in a different writing room, house, and even state. On April 4, 2025, I finally uploaded the manuscript to Kindle Direct Publishing, and it went live the next day. Despite some issues with the cover, the print edition followed almost a week later, although Amazon lists the publication date as April 5.

On Friday, I will receive the hardcover edition of Reunion: Coda from Amazon! I got the “Your order shipped…” email just over 30 minutes ago, and even though I have the Kindle e-book and the original manuscript, I feel like a guy who just got his first real kiss from a woman. This is a moment I’ve been dreaming about since I was 15: to hold a novel that I wrote in my hands—and a hardcover edition, at that. The thrill of seeing my work finally in print is beyond words, and I can’t wait to flip through the pages and admire the result of years of hard work and dedication.

Achieving your dreams takes hard work and determination, but when you set your mind to it, you can make the impossible possible. Embrace every step of the journey, and let your passion lead you to success.