The Sunshine State of Mind (and Sales Reports)

Thursday, February 26, 2026, Orlando, Florida

Hi, there! It’s a cool but gradually warming day in Central Florida. As I write this, it’s 71°F (22°C) under mostly sunny skies. Still a touch cooler than my comfort zone—my climatic sweet spot is 75°F (24°C) or a bit higher—but far better than yesterday’s mid‑30s wake‑up call. I’ve spent most of my life in the torrid subtropics, with a few infamous detours into colder climates, and while I can adapt to winter, I’m at my psychological best here in the Sunshine State.

Not much news on this fourth day of my workweek, but I’m still riding the quiet satisfaction of hearing the Audible edition of Reunion: Coda. I’ve only made it through the first two chapters so far, yet Stefan Lee’s narration already captures the novel’s dual‑timeline rhythm and Jim Garraty’s evolution—from bright, shy high schooler to popular history professor and author. Stefan’s background as both an ACX narrator and a professional singer gives him a way of performing characters without sounding like he’s performing them, if you know what I mean. It’s a different energy from Brandon Padilla’s reading of Reunion: A Story and Bryan Haddock’s take on Comings and Goings, but it fits the book beautifully.

What hasn’t been as satisfying is the sales report. So far, I’m the only person who has bought a copy of the Audible edition. I’ve posted about the release here and across my social media accounts, but ACX hasn’t logged any additional purchases. Aside from one friend who promised to buy it despite already owning the print and Kindle versions, enthusiasm has been… muted. Even among audiobook devotees.

Still, it’s only been two days since Reunion: Coda landed in the Audible catalog. Maybe listeners simply haven’t realized it’s now available through their monthly plans. “Hope springs eternal”—which really should be the official motto of indie authors everywhere.

As I get ready for my usual midday break before my afternoon shift, I’m also keeping an eye on an Amazon delivery: a fresh hardcover of the newly revised Reunion: Coda. Some of you may remember that I discovered a handful of stubborn typos last month—stragglers that somehow survived every previous revision before I moved the manuscript into Kindle Create. I don’t enjoy reading my own work while wincing at avoidable blemishes, so even though money’s tight, I ordered a clean replacement. And since I didn’t choose the cheaper “author copy,” I’ll at least earn a small royalty on the purchase. A win-win, right?

If you’ve enjoyed following Jim Garraty’s journey—or if you’re simply looking for a character‑driven story with heart—I’d be grateful if you checked out the new Audible edition of Reunion: Coda. And if you do give it a listen, a rating or review on Audible or Amazon would mean the world. Every bit of support helps indie authors keep telling the stories they love.