Books, Friends, and the Weight of Quiet Ambition

Late Morning, Tuesday, September 9, 2025 – Bithlo, Florida

It’s a warm, humid, and mostly cloudy morning in Orlando with a current temperature of 78°F (26°C). Winds are from the east-northeast at 4 MPH (7 Km/H), and humidity is sitting at 90%, making it feel closer to 90°F. Scattered light showers are expected today, with a high of 85°F (29°C).

Yesterday, I decided to break out of my usual homebody routine and venture into the wide, wild world of Orlando for a few afternoon errands. Ordinarily, you’ll find me contentedly stationed at my desk, tapping away at my next story—what can I say, writing is my bread and butter. But even the most dedicated desk-dweller needs a change of scenery and a bit of socializing beyond the familiar four walls.

Thankfully, my friend Amy—a fellow South Miami High alum (she’s Class of ’84; I’m ’83, so I always have the upperclassman bragging rights)—and her daughter Allyson offered to whisk me away for a day of food shopping and, best of all, a blissful pit stop at a Barnes & Noble. Amy took care of her own errands while I got to wander the aisles, marvel at the towers of books, and even enjoy a snack in the café. I hadn’t set foot in a Barnes & Noble for almost five years, so it felt like stepping into a literary time machine. By the time I returned home, a little before 4 PM, I was happy—and, I’ll admit, more than a little tired.

Other than that, life’s been a bit uneventful. I’m busily working on the omnibus edition that bundles together all three existing Garratyverse stories—Reunion: A Story, Reunion: Coda, and Comings and Goings – The Art of Being Seen—with an eye toward (fingers firmly crossed) a Winter 2025 release.

I’m hesitant to make any promises about having it out in time for the holidays. Of course, part of me wants to shout it from the rooftops, but I’ve learned not to jinx myself. I have a real fondness for Jim Garraty and his world, and I do hope to write more of his stories before moving on to other adventures. Since these first three tales are intertwined in ways only a true Garratyverse fan could appreciate, it just feels right to wrap them together in one volume: The Jim Garraty Chronicles.

I suppose I’m also worried about investing time and effort (both physical and mental) into producing a third book this year, when sales of Reunion: Coda and Comings and Goings have been somewhat lower than expected. Considering that at least four reviewers of Reunion: A Story expressed a wish for more stories from me, I hoped that there would be more copies sold and more reviews written. Especially for Reunion: Coda, a project I spent two years on, both in Florida and New Hampshire. Sure, I’ve had some success, but I’m a bit dispirited by lower-than-expected sales.

Still, I believe in these stories. I believe in the quiet power of memory, friendship, and emotional truth. If you’ve read any part of the Garratyverse and found something that resonated—whether it was a line, a moment, or a character who felt familiar—I’d be grateful if you shared that experience. Leave a review, recommend a title to a friend, or simply drop me a note. Every bit of encouragement helps keep the lights on and the stories flowing.

Let’s keep Jim’s world alive—one reader at a time.