Thoughts and Musings for Friday, August 7, 2026

Friday, August 7, 2026 – Orlando, Florida

It is a dreary, stormy late summer day in Central Florida. It has been raining heavily here for the past 30 minutes, which keeps the otherwise torrid temperatures down to a tolerable level but nevertheless makes for a somewhat depressing environment. Right now, the temperature is 85°F (29°C), which is cooler than usual for August in the subtropical zone, but it’s pouring out there, and every so often I hear the distant “Boom!” of thunder breaking the silence.

I’m still on my sabbatical from new projects; I’m not sure how long I’ll stay on this vacation from Professional Daydreaming™, but I am looking forward to starting a new story at some point. In the meantime, I am keeping tabs on sales of my existing books and the projected royalties. It’s not the most fun part of being an author, and sometimes it can be the least encouraging, but it is an element of a writer’s life.

As of this week, there’s been a modest increase in sales of The Jim Garraty Chronicles, my newest book. So far this month, two orders have been fulfilled by Amazon, and Kindle Direct Publishing estimates that I’ll earn $9.78 in royalties. Of course, that’s based on the two orders confirmed as “sent and received” between August 1 and today; I’m hoping that there’ll be at least a few more orders before September.

Hope springs eternal in the heart of every writer, doesn’t it?

What Readers Say…..

Reunion: Coda (2005)

This novel is a lyrical story of new love interwoven with a story of acceptance of love lost and self-forgiveness. In his mid-thirties, Professor Jim Garraty is lucky in many ways. His dream of teaching history has come true. His books enjoy mild success. At the same time, he’s smarting from a painful divorce.

One evening, as he’s enjoying a drink at a bar, a woman with a full book bag approaches him and asks, “Is this seat taken?” She’s a stranger, but there’s something familiar about her, something that summons memories from long ago.

Alex writes in lush tones, where New York City’s winter gray skies give way to warmth inside apartments. The sun casts long, golden rays and deep shadows. Big band and orchestral music play large roles in the book, setting the mood for joy and reverence.

Another theme is regret over bad choices, missed opportunities, and forgiveness for falling short. – Denise Longrie, Amazon Review, May 21, 2025