I took a break from writing posts. A long break, perhaps too long of a break as I spent most of last year (2025) completing the first draft of my novel The Championship Season. Publishing a book is not an easy endeavor to be sure. Writing it was challenging but overall a joy; an experience that I hope to duplicate with a second book in the Sam Silipo series. But first, I am working on several different publishing options, including the traditional approach that involves submitting my manuscript to publishers in the hope that one or more will like the book and agree to publish it. I am currently exploring my options with traditional publishers even as I consider several hybrid self-publishing options. Hybrid self-publishers will edit, publish, and distribute your book for a fee. Several thousand dollars seems to be the cost but they’ll do all the work and I’ll get to keep a much higher percentage of the sales.

Therein really lies my dilemma. What is my goal with The Championship Season? The better question is: what is God’s plan for my book? Is it limited to Him blessing me with with the joy of the journey in writing a book? Who does he want to read it? Does he want me to make money from the sale of the book or just get it published for distribution to a smaller group of people He has in mind? My prayer is for discernment of God’s plan for the book as I submit it to publishers and consider other options.

The Championship Season is set on the high school basketball courts of Southern California. Exciting basketball sequences serve as the backdrop for a story that embraces the faithfulness of God in times of struggle and celebrates the transformative power of ministry and discipleship. The novel proclaims Christ as our Lord and Savior, focusing on His goodness, His mercy, and His provision, as the stories of complex yet relatable characters are told.

By most measures, Sam Silipo is an average high school sophomore. Shy, slightly awkward, and with a thin build, Sam blends in at Channel High School despite his 6’4” frame. Channel High, a school with a rich athletic and academic tradition, soon becomes very familiar with Sam as he leads the varsity basketball team on a journey to a California Southern Section D1 Championship.

The Championship Season tells Sam’s story as he struggles with a verbally abusive father, grapples with his faith, and finds mentorship and grace through people who, like Sam, seek purpose in their endeavors. As the story unfolds one thing becomes quite clear: Sam is one of the best sophomores to ever lace up his sneakers and play high basketball in ultra-competitive Southern California.

More to come on this journey. Please reply via the Contact page if you’re interested in reading my book. Thx!!