A Thanksgiving Reflection — Gratitude, Growth, and What Comes Next

As the year winds down and the turkeys start to cook, I always like to take a moment to reflect on the past twelve months. This year, especially, has given me more to be thankful for than I ever could’ve imagined.

The biggest highlight of my writing journey, without a doubt, has been the success of A Whole New Game. Seeing readers connect with Manny, Peyton, and the rest of the South Mountain crew has been surreal in the best way. Every message, every comment, every person who said the story meant something to them — it genuinely fuels me to keep going.

And of course, that book wouldn’t be the book it is without Paige Bowermaster, who absolutely knocked the cover out of the park. Paige, thank you for your hard work, dedication, and the countless emails you put up with from me. You turned a vision into something real, and I’m grateful every time I see that cover pop up online.

Looking ahead to 2026, I’m excited — really excited — for what’s next. I’m planning another book release and already diving into pages, outlines, and long nights (with plenty of coffee). Writing as a hobby can be a strange, chaotic adventure. You’re constantly bombarded with new ways to publish, new opportunities, and new “shoulds.” But this past year taught me how important it is to stay grounded in my own work. That’s my priority going into 2026: write my stories, at my pace, and stay true to the heart behind them.

I’d be lying if I said balancing writing with a full-time job, coaching, and being a dad isn’t a challenge. There were weeks this year I barely touched a keyboard outside of work. But every time I did, it reminded me why I love this — the characters, the worlds, the connections with readers and other authors. And none of it would be possible without the people around me.

To my wife — thank you for putting up with the late nights, the “just one more chapter” sessions, and the mountains of stress I bring into the house during publishing season. You’ve always supported my crazy dream, and I’m forever grateful.

To every test reader who gave honest feedback, spotted my errors, or sent me a message saying, “This part hit me hard” — thank you. You make the work better. You make me better.

And as a small thank-you to all of you, A Whole New Game will be on Black Friday sale for the rest of the week. If you’ve been waiting to grab a copy — or want a gift for someone who loves sports, heart, and a whole lot of emotion — now’s the time.

Lastly, to everyone who’s already read and reviewed the book: thank you, truly. And if you haven’t left a review yet… well, reviews are scientifically proven to increase author lifespans by at least five years. (Probably.) So if you feel so inclined, Goodreads and Amazon are wide open!

Here’s to a wonderful Thanksgiving, a restful end to the year, and a big, exciting 2026 on the horizon. Thank you all for being part of this journey.

Happy Thanksgiving, all. 🦃💛📚