A Breath Between Heartbeats, Now Protected

Late Morning, Friday, August 15, 2025 – Miami, Florida

Well, folks, it’s official: Comings and Goings – The Art of Being Seen is now under copyright protection.

As I may have mentioned earlier this summer, I registered my short story—a “breath between heartbeats” set between Reunion: A Story and Reunion: Coda—with the United States Copyright Office, the government agency within the Library of Congress that handles all things copyright. It’s a quiet but meaningful milestone.

Getting all three works in the Garratyverse—including the Reunion Duology—officially registered means more to me than I expected. It’s not just about protecting the stories; it’s about safeguarding the emotional architecture I’ve spent years building. These aren’t just words on a page—they’re pieces of memory, connection, and the kind of intimacy that lives in the quiet moments. Copyright gives me the right to say, “Yes, this is mine,” and if questions ever arise, there’s proof that these stories came from my hands and heart.

I won’t pretend the process was easy. Money’s tight, and I could only swing the basic registration fee—which, thanks to a fee hike earlier this year, nearly doubled between February and June. Timing wasn’t ideal, and I was genuinely worried the paperwork wouldn’t arrive before I leave on the 28th. But yesterday, it showed up—right on time. That envelope felt like a quiet affirmation: this work matters, and it’s officially mine.

If you’ve read Reunion: A Story, Reunion: Coda, or Comings and Goings, thank you. If you haven’t yet, they’re out there—waiting. Every purchase helps me keep writing, keep sharing, and keep building this world where memory matters and connection endures.