Writing Doesn’t Pay the Movers: An Update from Alex Diaz-Granados

Friday Afternoon, August 22, 2025 — Miami, Florida

Hi, friends.

I wish I could sit down today and write about stories—especially those in the Garratyverse—and the quiet ways they unfold. But clarity eludes me at the moment. It’s Laundry Day, and while I’ve got about half an hour before the dryer cycle ends, my mind is elsewhere. Not on fiction, but on logistics, uncertainty, and the looming reality of my move to Orlando.

I’m relocating soon, and while I’m grateful to have found a room to rent, I’ll be living with someone I barely know. My future landlady seems kind based on our phone conversations, but experience has taught me that first impressions don’t always tell the full story. I’m trying to stay hopeful, but the unknowns are piling up—Will I get along with my housemates? Will I ever find the power cords to my TVs?

The biggest stressor, though, is financial. I live on a fixed income—less than $1,000 a month, plus whatever royalties trickle in from book sales. Professional movers and storage are out of reach, so I’m relying on a trusted friend to help me make the journey. He’s generously offered his time and effort, but I want to compensate him fairly. That’s why I launched a GoFundMe campaign—to cover the costs of the move and help me stay afloat in Orlando until I can apply for state benefits like SNAP and Medicaid.

When I published Reunion: Coda in April and Comings and Goings – The Art of Being Seen this summer, I hoped the momentum from Reunion: A Story would carry forward. Many readers had asked for more stories, and I wrote those books with them in mind. Some of those readers did show up—thank you—but others haven’t, and I’m not sure why. Maybe it’s the format (audiobooks seem to be the new favorite), maybe it’s timing, or maybe interest has waned.

Sales continue, but they’re modest—just a few copies a month. I had hoped to order 100 author’s copies of Reunion: Coda, set up a table at a local venue, and meet readers face-to-face. A friend suggested it, and I loved the idea. But even discounted, those copies would cost over $1,000, and that’s money I simply don’t have right now.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: I don’t like asking for help this way. This is my second GoFundMe campaign—the first was for my move from New Hampshire to Florida, and while it raised over $1,300, it barely scratched the surface of what I needed. This time, I’ve received 23 donations so far, which is heartening. But the costs are still mounting, and my income isn’t enough to cover rent, food, and basic living expenses.

What I really want is to earn through my writing. I’ve been at this since I was 15. It’s not a hobby. It’s my profession, my calling, and my way of making sense of the world. Every time someone buys one of my books on Amazon, it’s not just a sale—it’s a reminder that the stories matter, that I matter.

Thanks for reading. And thank you, always, for your support.

—Alex