A Little Order, A Little Magic

Monday, January 12, 2026 — Orlando, Florida

Hey there, friends—

Today I’m gearing up (or at least trying to gear up) for another round with The Jim Garraty Chronicles inside the ever‑infamous Kindle Create app. The mission: wrangle those unruly subheadings in the Reunion: Coda section into something resembling order.

I won’t pretend I’m thrilled about it. Sure, there are only so many misbehaving elements—this isn’t exactly cleaning out the Augean stables—but it still feels like a chore. Kindle Create is great for getting a book Kindle‑ready in all its formats, but when it comes to fixing the weird formatting gremlins it conjures out of nowhere (and that don’t exist in my original Word file), things go sideways fast. It’s like playing whack‑a‑mole with invisible moles: annoying, tedious, and a definite time sink.

Then there’s my ongoing love‑hate relationship with the omnibus itself. Part of me adores the idea—imagine all three Jim Garraty stories (Reunion: A Story, Reunion: Coda, and Comings and Goings – The Art of Being Seen) gathered in one volume, tracing Jim’s emotional journey from start to finish. If you’re the kind of reader who loves a big, beautiful “deluxe edition” on the shelf—or just prefers everything in one place—this is tailor‑made for you. And hey, it saves folks from buying each book separately.

But in the back of my mind, there’s that little voice—equal parts realist and sarcastic roommate—whispering, “Really, dude? If even your old pals aren’t picking up the individual books, what makes you think an omnibus will magically change their minds? Maybe you’re being a bit of an idealist.”

So yes, I’m torn.

Still, I’m pressing on. I’ve already come too far to abandon this project, and I have too many memories of half‑finished manuscripts from my college days to stomach quitting now. I’ve made real progress on the omnibus, and walking away at this point would leave a bitter taste.

And the truth is, I believe in these stories. I’m not Hemingway reincarnated or Stephen King’s heir apparent, but I’m no hack either. And some readers genuinely enjoy my work:

“Reunion: A Story is a really great story, one of the best I’ve ever read… I highly recommend it.” — Thomas Wikman

“I had pretty high hopes for this book, and he delivered… If you enjoy a poignant, thoughtful and well‑written book, this one is for you.” — Pooja Gudka on Reunion: Coda

“Comings and Goings portrays the gift of intimacy set against a backdrop of alienation—college, often one’s first time away from home.” — Denise Longrie

Thank you for joining me for this behind‑the‑scenes look at The Jim Garraty Chronicles. If Jim’s journey has caught your interest, I hope you’ll consider picking up the Reunion duology and its companion, Comings and Goings – The Art of Being Seen. Your support means the world to independent authors like me, and every reader helps keep these stories alive.

Now, as I head back into the trenches of Kindle Create—armed with patience, determination, and a dash of humor—wish me luck in my ongoing battle with those stubborn subheadings. Here’s hoping order (and maybe a little literary magic) will prevail.