As my book nears publication in the coming weeks, I think it is only fair that I come clean about something.
This is not my first book.
Unbeknownst to many, I actually became an author back in 1982 at age 9. I wasn't a voracious reader, but the few books I really took a shine to were mystery/detective and spy stories, so I loved Choose Your Own Adventure books, Encyclopedia Brown, and James Bond. I also took great delight in parody humor like Mad magazine and the musical stylings of “Weird Al” Yankovic.
My first book was a succinct little page-turner called, The Case of the Missing Matchbox Car. I followed that up with the playground-renowned 1984 classic 007 and the Tiger Emerald. 1985 saw the dual release of The $6.95 Mutant and 1001 Uses for a Dead Cabbage Patch Doll.
Check out the video below as I revisit my “early works”. 😄
I also found the English journal Mrs. Deutsch had us keep in 7th grade. Among my pubescent musings were Ivy League aspirations (Yikes!) and a desire to hopscotch across the pond with a girl who I had been infatuated with since 4th grade (and would be until 9th grade!). Alas, although she went to my church she went to a different school. Opportunities to develop any kind of relationship were slim to none. Because of that and the fact that I had a gelatinous spine and low self-esteem, I never expressed my feelings about her or to her. Ah, youth...
What I was confident about at that age, was my future profession: I wanted to be writer. Throughout my journal and on other assignments, Mrs. Deutsch was always there with encouraging feedback.

Though it's not a novel and I doubt that it will qualify as anything resembling a "smashing" success, I have finally written and published a book. It definitely is a full circle moment that has put me in touch with my younger self and made me contemplate what it means to dream, wish, and imagine one's future. As I watch my kids get older and navigate their own paths, I want to remind them that there is no expiration date on the plans they make or the goals they set.
Thanks again for your support along the way! Stay tuned for an updated design of the webpage, a cover reveal, and info on how you can purchase my book. It's all happening soon! I post regularly over on Bluesky so follow me over there:
Until next week(ish)!
-Scott
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