Tag: books

Books available at Dec. 10 Christmas event in Chelsea

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A great event was recently brought to my attention, and I’m excited to be a part of it.

I’ll be attending the Christmas Open House & Local Author Expo on Saturday, Dec. 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Chelsea General Store. The address is 14555 Highway 280, Chelsea, AL 35043.

Here is a link to the event on Facebook.

I’ll be on hand with my three books: Trussville, Alabama: A Brief History, Deep Green and Heart of the Plate.

This event includes several local authors. They are Stephanie Rodda, Cabot Barden, Trailon Johnson, Ellen Sallas, Betty Smith, William Thornton, Marian Powell, Rita Moritz, Karen Allen, Shirley Aaron, Audrey Pitt and Urainah Glidewell.

The event is also combined with the store’s annual Open House, which includes snacks and sampling. There will also be door prizes.

So, come on out, get some good books, and eat some great food. It’s sure to be a good time.

First 2017 book event scheduled

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My first book event of 2017 is scheduled. 

I’ll be toting books and heading north to Guntersville, Alabama, on Saturday, June 17, 2017 for the Authors on the Lake event. It is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

There will be around 50 authors on hand with their books.

The physical address of the event is 1120 Sunset Drive, Guntersville, AL 35976.

I’ll bring copies of Trussville, Alabama: A Brief History, Deep Green and Heart of the Plate.

Who knows, maybe there will be another book out by then.

Hope to see you there.

Calling all high school coaches, players for new book

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I’m calling all high school coaches and former student-athletes for potential inclusion in a new book that I’m working on.

I’m interviewing any and all high school coaches and former student-athletes who have great stories to tell that transcend wins and losses, 40-yard dash times and recruiting. This book will focus on the other side of coaching, the relationship side.

This is not just football. If you’re a baseball coach, I want to hear from you. Same if you’re a basketball, soccer, volleyball, cross country, bowling or hockey coach. Anything.

It could be a coach’s story of helping a kid out in various ways. Maybe the coach toted the kid to and from practice. Maybe he helped with homework. Maybe he floated a player a few bucks here and there for food. Maybe the coach has a specific way of motivating his players that is unique. Anything. Nothing is uninteresting.

So if you are a coach, or know a coach with great stories to tell, have them contact me at garylloydbooks@gmail.com. 

Thanks!

‘Heart of the Plate’ earns regional news coverage

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What a week it has been.

My newest fiction book, Heart of the Plate, has earned news coverage from several regional publications. I’ve listed them below. Click the links to read the stories.

The Northport Gazette also covered the release of the book in its July 27, 2016 edition.

I hope you all order a copy of the book, and please let me know what you think!

Tuscaloosa, UA speaking engagements soon

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An incredible opportunity has presented itself, and I couldn’t be more excited.

On July 26-27, I will be in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, for two reasons:

  1. I’ll be speaking to the Tuscaloosa Christian Writers Group at the Tuscaloosa Public Library on Tuesday, July 26 at 6:30 p.m.
  2. I’ll also be speaking about news reporting and book writing to the Reporting and Advanced Reporting classes at the University of Alabama’s College of Communication and Information Sciences both days.

I have Dr. George Daniels, the assistant dean of the college, to thank for the invitation and opportunity. 

I will also be recording a studio interview about my books and work as a journalist for future use in journalism classes at UA.

How cool is that?

I’m ecstatic about this opportunity to talk about my reporting days, as well as Trussville, Alabama: A Brief History, Deep Green and the books to come.

Roll Tide.

Draft of next book completed

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The first draft of my next fiction book is complete, and I’m excited to tell you a little bit about it.

It will be called “Heart of the Plate.” 

Here’s a brief synopsis:

Jeff Wright is at the pinnacle of his Major League Baseball career, earning his way into his first All-Star Game. Not long after, Jeff suffers a gruesome, career-ending injury and ventures down a path of self-destruction, and becomes addicted to painkillers. He is arrested for drug possession. 

Upon completing a short stint in a rehabilitation center, Jeff returns to his hometown of Lewis Rock, Georgia, where he discovers that the town’s largest job source, Reynolds Manufacturing, is being sold off and will leave hundreds jobless. He also attempts to rekindle a love that he lost years ago. 

What begins as mandatory community service for Jeff’s arrest — helping his alma mater’s floundering baseball team — quickly becomes his saving grace. In “Heart of the Plate,” follow along as Jeff helps his hometown through a difficult time the only way he knows how — through baseball.

Look for more on this book throughout the summer and fall. No timetable yet for a release date, but I’ll be sure to post about it when I know.

Two New Books in the Works

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I figure this is as good a time as any to update the blog. 

My second book, Deep Green, came out in February. It’s been going well. We just had a book talk and signing at Huffman United Methodist Church, whose gymnasium adorns the front cover.

I’m working on two books right now. One is with a former University of Alabama football player now playing in the NFL. You’ll definitely want to stay tuned for more about that book. It is about so much more than football.

Second, I’m working on another fictional book. At this time, I’m about halfway done with the first draft. It’ll focus on a small town’s largest job source being sold off, leaving hundreds without jobs. The town’s most famous native, who played Major League Baseball, returns to his hometown after years of being away to help the only way he knows how — through baseball.

Look for more on both of these throughout the summer and fall. No timetable yet for release dates, but I’ll be sure to post about it when I know.

‘Deep Green’ Book Signing

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A book signing for “Deep Green” is now confirmed! 

The event will be Sunday, April 17 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Trussville Civic Center. The address is 5381 Trussville Clay Road, Trussville, AL 35173.

Books are $15 each and will be available at the signing. You can also bring your own copy. 

So come by, say hello and hang out with us. It’ll be fun!

For more information, visit http://www.facebook.com/DeepGreenBook. 

Introducing Deep Green

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Hello,

Welcome to my website, and my first blog post. 

Deep Green is my second book, and my first time writing fiction. I have always been drawn to the true stories, the ones that affected real people. For most of my twenties, I told those stories in newspapers.

I’m no longer a reporter, but the itch to write is one I have to scratch almost daily. It calms me down. Now that my knees can’t bear the intensity of playing basketball on pavement, I sit in a comfortable chair and write. At least I can see the basketball hoop outside.

This book is about Ray, a teenager who does not earn a spot on his junior high school basketball team. He is confused on what direction he should take. He has always played sports, but he is now at a crossroads. He takes up skateboarding, and with it come his downfalls. He lets a stereotype control his life. He stops hanging out with longtime friends. He begins socializing with a rough crowd. He shoplifts, and just when he thinks he has become invincible, he is arrested. A church basketball team intervenes at a crucial moment in Ray’s life. Will it be enough for Ray to get his life back on the right path?

I decided to write this because I thought it was a story worth telling. I think it is good for teenagers to read, a book that can humble them and teach them important values. I hope it does. I also believe it is a good book for any avid reader who enjoys a feel-good story. 

I dedicated this book to Kevin O’Kelley, who was my basketball coach for a short period of time. He is the inspiration behind this book.

The book is available for $15 on Amazon.com and $8.99 on Kindle. I hope you take the short time to read this book. I would really appreciate it.

-Gary