On Writing and Storytelling: Between Editions and Expectations

Midday, Friday, October 10, 2025 – Orlando, Florida

Hi, everyone.

Well, here we are—Friday again. Another workweek limping to a close, and I wish I had more to show for it. Progress on the deluxe edition of The Jim Garraty Chronicles—the omnibus collecting Reunion: A Story, Reunion: Coda, and Comings and Goings – The Art of Being Seen—has slowed to a crawl. Not a single edit this week.

Kindle Create deserves part of the blame, with its uncanny knack for mangling subheadings. But if I’m honest, the deeper culprit is doubt. Why release the collection now, when sales of the individual books have been—let’s be charitable—less than spectacular? Sometimes it feels like I’m throwing pearls before… well, you know.

Back when I was writing Reunion: Coda—especially through that frigid New Hampshire winter—I clung to the hope that fans of Reunion: A Story would rally. That they’d rush to Amazon, leave glowing reviews, and generate just enough buzz to make those two years hunched over the manuscript feel financially justified. At the very least, I hoped the twenty-plus reviewers who championed Reunion: A Story between 2018 and 2025 might pick up Coda, spread the word, and give my writing career a gentle nudge.

Some did. A handful of loyal readers grabbed Reunion: Coda in hardcover, paperback, and Kindle formats. But overall, sales have been… underwhelming. And I’d be lying if I said it hasn’t dimmed my spark a little.

Still, I’m moving forward—if a bit more quietly. I’m chipping away at two Garratyverse projects: the audiobook editions of all three stories, and the deluxe omnibus. Once those are wrapped, I’ll keep writing. There’s at least one more Jim Garraty story waiting in the wings. I’m a storyteller at heart, after all.

Right now, I’m banking on the audiobooks to reach a wider audience than the print editions ever did. All three are in production, and the producers genuinely seem to love these stories. Brandon Padilla, who’s narrating Reunion: A Story, sent me this update Wednesday night:

“Hi Alex! You’re a truly inspiring character, and learning about your story and how it all began has motivated me to push my voice-over work to the next level. I’ve even changed my approach to this project and bought a new microphone. I’ve re-recorded many sections of your book with it, and I think you’re absolutely going to love the result. Achieving professional-quality voice-over was my goal, and I really believe this version is better than the one I sent you before.”

That kind of dedication means the world. Even if sales lag, the emotional resonance is real. And that’s what keeps me going.

So yes, I’m still here. Still writing. Still believing that persistence—and maybe a little luck—will eventually pay off.

If you’ve read Reunion: Coda, I’d love to hear what stayed with you. What moments lingered? What felt true? Your reflections help me keep going—and remind me why these stories matter.