Tag: Fiction
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Adventures in Audiobook Production: ‘Comings and Goings’ Gets Its First Audible Review!
🎧 Our First Review: Comings and Goings Every story lives twice—once in the act of writing, and again in the act of being received. Today, I’m grateful to share the very first listener review of Comings and Goings, the audiobook that bridges the emotional space between Reunion: A Story and Reunion: Coda. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Delightful listenPJCAI…
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Adventures in Audiobook Production: Gratitude, Garraty, and Growing Momentum
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in ACX, Alex Diaz-Granados, Amazon, Amazon Spain (Amazon.es), Amazon UK, Audible, Audiobooks, Audiobooks, Books, Bryan Haddock, Comings and Goings (Short Story), Comings and Goings: The Art of Being Seen, Creative Writing, Garratyverse, Kindle, Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), Reunion Duology, Uncategorized🎧 Comings and Goings — Our Audiobook Journey Continues On November 15, I shared some wonderful news with Bryan Haddock, the narrator and producer of Comings and Goings: our audiobook adaptation officially went live on Audible the day before. The road to publication wasn’t without a hiccup. My original cover design included borders—a detail that…
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On Writing and Storytelling: Jim, Mrs. Brillenstein, and the Confluence of Memory and Fiction
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in Alex Diaz-Granados, Amazon, Amazon Reviews, Amazon Spain (Amazon.es), Amazon UK, Blogging, Books, Creative Writing, Life in Florida, Life in South Florida, Personal Thoughts, Reunion Duology, Reunion: A Story, Reunion: Coda, South Miami Senior High School, Writing a First Novel, Writing as a Craft2 Late to Homeroom 7:45 AM I was late for homeroom. Mrs. Brillenstein didn’t like that. She was a young-looking woman, maybe in her early thirties, with long auburn hair and big brown eyes that could be friendly or fierce, depending on her mood. She taught English 2, Regular, and drama in Room 230, which…
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🛠️ One Step from Release: Comings and Goings Clears Audio Review
Friday, November 14, 2025, Orlando, Florida I’m pleased to share that the audiobook edition of Comings and Goings – The Art of Being Seen has officially passed the Audio Files review on Amazon’s Audiobook Creators Exchange (ACX). This marks the third of four pre-release phases that every audiobook must complete before it’s released on Audible…
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“The Last Afterschool Walk Home”: Writing Friendship, Farewell, and the Emotional Geography of South Miami High
🌇 “The Last Afterschool Walk Home”: Writing Friendship, Farewell, and the Emotional Geography of South Miami High This is a story I don’t tell often; I’m a private man, and I don’t like to spill my guts about my love life, or lack thereof. I’m fine with talking in front of a crowd – whether…
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A Somewhat Stressful Monday in Orlando
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in ACX, Alex Diaz-Granados, Amazon, Amazon Reviews, Amazon Spain (Amazon.es), Amazon UK, Audible, Brandon Padilla, Bryan Haddock, Comings and Goings (Short Story), Comings and Goings: The Art of Being Seen, Creative Writing, Life in Central Florida, Life in Florida, Life in New Hampshire (December 2023 – October 2024), Life in the United States, Personal Thoughts, Reunion Duology, Reunion: A StoryMonday, November 10, 2025, Orlando, Florida Hi, everyone. It’s Monday afternoon here in Central Florida, and I’ll be honest—it’s been a bit of a nerve-wracking day. Earlier, I had to complete a mandatory phone interview with Florida’s Department of Children and Families (DCF) to qualify for SNAP benefits—what most folks still call “food stamps.” I…
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Adventures in Audiobook Production: Two Books Are ‘In Review.’ Now…I Wait for the Green Light to Release
Saturday, November 8, 2025 – Orlando, Florida “For a while” is a phrase whose length can’t be measured. At least by the person who’s waiting. —Haruki Murakami, South of the Border, West of the Sun As I shared last night, the audiobook editions of Reunion: A Story and Comings and Goings – The Art of…
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Adventures in Audiobook Production: Waiting, Wondering, and Hoping for ACX Approval
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in ACX, Alex Diaz-Granados, Amazon, Amazon Reviews, Amazon Spain (Amazon.es), Amazon UK, Audible, Audiobooks, Audiobooks, Books, Brandon Padilla, Bryan Haddock, Comings and Goings (Short Story), Comings and Goings: The Art of Being Seen, Creative Writing, Kindle, Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), Reunion Duology, Reunion: A Story, Reunion: Coda, Stefan (Steve) Lee, The Jim Garraty ChroniclesThursday, November 6, 2025 – Orlando, Florida “We never live; we are always in the expectation of living.” —Voltaire Today marks the first full day since I approved Brandon Padilla’s audiobook adaptation of my novella Reunion: A Story on ACX, Amazon’s platform for independent audiobook production. The project—47 minutes of audio paired with a cover…
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Adventures in Audiobook Production – In Review: On Waiting, Vigilance, and the Quiet Hope of Release
In Review: On Waiting, Vigilance, and the Quiet Hope of Release Wednesday Afternoon, November 5, 2025 – Orlando, Florida There’s a moment in every creative journey when the work feels complete — or nearly so. The narration is done. The emotional cadence is intact. The cover art has been finalized, checked, and rechecked. The story…