Some stories stick with you—because they come from the things that shape us.
Ever since my dad passed away last year, I’ve been grappling with what I want to write going forward. Losing him changed me, and in a lot of ways, I’m still figuring out how. But one thing is clear: I want to tell deeper, more character-driven stories.
That’s what I’ll be doing in 2025, with at least two new novels and a dozen or so short stories.
The first book, to be released in the coming months, is about a character named Leo who, when the story begins, is walking out of a Rhode Island prison for the first time in eighteen months.
But he soon finds out his girlfriend has left him for their landlord, and he has nowhere to live. But his first day of freedom only gets worse when he learns his deceased father’s dog–the one he promised he’d take care of–has disappeared.
I’ll share more about the story soon, and will likely provide some early-reading or excerpts to subscribers.
In the second book releasing this year, you’ll meet Jimmy Russo, a single dad who spent over twenty years working for the Narragansett Brewery, in Rhode Island.
One summer day in 1981, the brewery closes down for good. And with tuition due for his kid heading off to college, things aren’t looking good for Jimmy. With few jobs in an economy that’s in the dumps, his back is up against the wall.
Be on the lookout for more about both stories and more updates. The short stories, so far, carry similar themes. Life, loss, relationships, love, redemption, aging…
As long as I’ve lived outside of New England, I’ve always missed being there. By writing my new novels set in the area, and specifically Rhode Island (where I’m “from”) I can take readers back there with me, through my stories.
But I’ve also set them at a time, in the 1970’s and 80’s, I feel I remember well. At least well enough to write about them.
Those memories paint a picture of fun and simplicity. It’s a time I miss more lately, when technology didn’t drive our lives. (We were led to believe we’d live better thanks to technology. In some ways, it’s true. But I’m afraid the jury’s still out.)
The truth is, I was also just a kid back then. Everything’s pretty great when you’re a kid. I’m sure for adults, it wasn’t all fun and games. In fact, I know it wasn’t. There were plenty of challenges, as there are today.
The more things change, the more they stay the same…
I’m still working on the different ways I’ll be sharing my short stories going forward, beyond the traditional ways. I’m planning to post more stories as blog posts on this site, even if temporarily, prior to getting them in print. But I’d also like to present stories in different ways, utilizing more video and audio. There’s a good chance I’ll be narrating my own books and short stories, while combining it with video.
I also have been writing more poetry, with plans to share them visually, as art. For example, I have a poem about New England that I’m working into a photo I took with an old film camera thirty years ago in New Hampshire. It’s a great photo, and the poem is fitting.
There’s lot more to tell you about, so I hope you’ll stick around. If you sign up in the box below, you’ll get all the updates and stories as they come.