Welcome to My Literary World

Journey

I’m James, a retired English Literature teacher turning novelist and future bookstore owner. I took early retirement, really early retirement. People instantly assume it was the students who drove me my decision, but that wasn't it. It was the grown-ups, the decision makers, the administrators, the joy killers. I loved teaching, and I was good it. I had an impact, I created readers, and at one time, I made headlines.

But things change. Eventually learning got lost in a maze of standardized tests and administrative procedures. When I knew my impact as teacher was no longer valued, it was time to go.

So, here I am. Writing.

Minerva is a senior German Shepherd who has been by my side for thirteen years and owns a piece of my heart. Russell was a Golden Retriever who lived with me for about a year before he passed. He had been the faithful companion of my dear friend and neighbor. When she was diagnosed with cancer, her main concern wasn't for herself, but for him. I promised her that he would always have a home with me.

In April 2025, I married the love of my life after being together for almost fifteen years. You'll often find us together walking the streets of New York City, hanging out in bookshops, wandering through the Great Smoky Mountains, and buying old things we certainly don't need.

In Recent Reads, you'll find posts about books I've read over the last several months. Some I loved, some I liked, some I wish I had never opened, and a few I just couldn't finish.

Similarly, in To Be Read, you'll find the books on my TBR shelf at home.

In Works in Progress, you’ll find the ideas I'm currently writing, revising, editing, revising, editing, revising...