Adventures in Audiobook Production: ‘Reunion: A Story’ — Almost Ready to Be Heard

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🎧 Reunion: A Story — Now Coming to Life in Audio

I’m thrilled to share that Reunion: A Story — the first novella in the Reunion Duology — has just been approved for audiobook distribution. Narrated with care and emotional clarity by Brandon Padilla, this story is about to find a new rhythm, a new voice, and a new way to be felt.

Brandon’s message to me at 3:13am said it best:

“I really wanted to make this something you would enjoy and not something you just look over. I redid many sections and I redid the entire book about once or twice haha… I tried my best to give it my all every chapter and not let any section go without energy.”

That kind of dedication is rare. And it shows.

📘 The Story That Started It All

It is June 1983. Jim Garraty is a senior at South Miami Senior High. He’s a staff writer for the school paper, a college-bound scholar who plans to become a historian and author of books on military history. He’s well-liked by his peers and teachers, and his future looks bright.
But as commencement draws near for the Class of 1983, Jim must deal with unfinished business. The girl he loves from afar is also graduating, and rumor has it that she is going away for the summer before starting college in the fall.
Worse still, Marty doesn’t know how deeply Jim’s feelings for her are – unless he tells her. But when an opportunity arises on the last day of classes at South Miami High, Jim hesitates…and the window of opportunity closes.
Now, 15 years later, James Garraty is an up-and-coming history professor whose literary career is on the rise. Respected by his fellow faculty members, liked by his students, and recipient of popular and critical acclaim, Jim has it all. Except for one thing. True love.

💬 What Readers Are Saying

“In this sweet novella about teenage love, the reader is transported back to their high school days and all the feelings of awkwardness, self-doubt, and confusion… We all have memories of our first crush, that first tender kiss, and the innocence and purity of youth.” — Dawn Pisturino

“We’ve all been Jim. We’ve all had our Marty.” — Kindle Customer

“It’s a lyrical tale of regret for chances not taken, told in dreams and memories. It speaks to anyone who has been to high school and anyone who remembers the one who got away.” — Denise Longrie

🔊 What Comes Next

The audiobook is now in ACX’s final quality assurance phase. Once it clears, it will be available on Amazon, Audible, and Apple Books. I’ll share links and reflections once it goes live — but for now, I just want to thank Brandon for his emotional stewardship and invite you to revisit Jim’s story in a new way.

If you’ve read Reunion: A Story, I hope you’ll consider listening. And if you’ve listened, I hope you’ll help us spread the word. Brandon’s voice gave this story its heartbeat — and your support helps it echo.

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