Born on the shores of the Caribbean Sea, with a mother from St. Martin and a Jamaican father who loved to travel, my obsession growing up was to sail to parts unknown. As a result, my work life has taken me to countries across the Americas and Caribbean, my play life to Europe and Asia.
With a varied career as a communication professional, academic and entrepreneur, I’ve never gotten tired of turning over every rock I can find.
In 2011, I started publishing a four-book series for Simon & Schuster's Atria Imprint. The Shad Series chronicles the life of a trail-blazing Jamaican bartender/would-be-detective who shines a light on every obstacle blocking his path to success - even while he hides his own past. I’ve collaborated with comedian/actor/producer/scriptwriter Tony Hendriks to create a pilot script for television, ready for production.
I ventured into script writing with Preciosa, a short film directed by Peter Sagnia and shot in St. Croix in 2016. Peter went on to shoot another short script of mine in St. Martin, Family, in 2019.
There was also a foray into play writing when I wrote a play called How to Be an Immigrant, a winner of Pistarckle Theater's New Playwrights Contest in St. Thomas, USVI, and performed in Atlanta's Academy Theater in 2018.
My short story "One-Eyed Woman" appeared in the anthology Atlanta Noir, edited by Tayari Jones and published by Akashic Publishers. A new publication in the series, Virgin Islands Noir, includes my latest short story “The Last Sail.”
My latest publishing adventure is a book for senior singles called THIRD ACT DATING, for those who haven’t given up on companionship and love, a book which went on to be an Amazon number one best seller. This was followed by an online course by the same name, now featured on Udemy, and is a guide to senior dating.
You can find out more about them on the website www.thirdactdating.com.
This was the start of giving classes and workshops in dating at several senior centers in Atlanta — and I’ve even ventured into speed dating events, which are a lot of fun. After gaining a certificate in relationship coaching, I have started doing one on one coaching with seniors interested in dating.
With my experience in this new area, I decided to write yet another play, also called THIRD ACT DATING, which will be performed starting on April 11, 2025 at the Academy Theatre, under the direction of Brenda Porter. Naturally, the play is about two elderly people who create chaos in their families when they decide to date!
Who knows where life will take you, right?
Where do you find the time to write?
GR: I'm a speed writer. And I'm pretty disciplined. I wake up in the morning full of ideas and go to town. I have lunch and a nap around midday, start writing again -- and, of course, I fade by 5 o'clock.
Will you be writing any more Shad novels?
GR: Having dived into other genres, I haven't come up for air! But who knows?
How do I get my book published?
GR: I get this question a lot. First, you have to make sure that your manuscript is so tight that you don't have much re-writing to do. Take classes, take classes, take classes to write well. Getting feedback from friends and family isn't what you need. Get a professional involved. It will be worth it.
Am I too old to start writing?
GR: Love this one. As long as your creative mind is spinning ideas, you’re never too old. Think of Andres Segovia and Pablo Casals who created and performed into their 90s. My generation is expected to live into our 100s. You probably have more time left to write than you think!