Author: Gregory Payette

Some stories stick with you—because they come from the things that shape us.

When my dad passed away last year, I’d already been grappling with what I wanted to write next. Losing him changed me, and in a lot of ways. And I’m still trying to figure out how. But one thing became clear… 

I wanted to tell deeper, more character-driven stories.

That means, in 2025, I’ll be releasing two new novels and a whole bunch of short stories that will be outside my usual crime and mystery genres. You’ll find my same style of writing, but without bad guys and guns and dead bodies.

The first book, to be released late spring 2025, is about a man named Leo who, when the story begins, is walking out of a Rhode Island prison for the first time in eighteen months. 

But when his girlfriend doesn’t show up at prison to take him home, he knows something is wrong. And when he learns his deceased father’s dog is missing, things only go downhill from there…

In the second book coming this year, you’ll meet Jimmy Russo, a single dad who spent over twenty years working for the Narragansett Brewery, in Rhode Island. 

One summer day in 1981, the brewery closes down for good. And with tuition due for his kid heading off to college, things aren’t looking good for Jimmy. With few jobs in an economy that’s in the dumps, his back is up against the wall.

Be on the lookout for more about both stories and more updates. The short stories, so far, carry similar themes. Life, loss, relationships, love, redemption, aging… 

As long as I’ve lived outside of New England, I’ve always missed being there. By writing my new novels set in the area, and specifically Rhode Island (where I’m “from”) I can take readers back there with me, through my stories.

But I’ve also set them at a time, in the 1970’s and 80’s, I feel I remember well. At least well enough to write about them. 

Those memories paint a picture of fun and simplicity. It’s a time I miss more lately, when technology didn’t drive our lives. (We were led to believe we’d live better thanks to technology. In some ways, it’s true. But I’m afraid the jury’s still out.)

The truth is, I was also just a kid back then. Everything’s pretty great when you’re a kid. I’m sure for adults, it wasn’t all fun and games. In fact, I know it wasn’t. There were plenty of challenges, as there are today. 

The more things change, the more they stay the same…

I’m still working on the different ways I’ll be sharing my short stories going forward, beyond the traditional ways. I’m planning to post more stories as blog posts on this site, even if temporarily, prior to getting them in print. But I’d also like to present stories in different ways, utilizing more audio. There’s a good chance I’ll be narrating my own books and short stories, while combining it with video. 

I also have been writing more poetry, and have some framed poems (along with paperbacks) available on my new shop.

Readers have asked when my next crime novel will be out. Right now, I don’t have the answer, but there’s a good chance I’ll write another one or two this year. I just like to try new things, and these new books and stories are exactly that.

Either way, I hope you’ll give my new stories a try once they’re available. (And soon I’ll be putting together a few different ways to share my short stories with you. Stay tuned!)

There’s lot more to tell you about, so please stick around. If you aren’t on my email list yet, please sign up in the box below for all the updates and stories as they come.