No matter what topic I may tackle, I often come back to the theme of connection, whether it’s on a personal or on a Universal level. It is fascinating to me that these connections can develop—or dissolve—in a moment.
This fascination partly explains my interest in World War II, especially my interest in the home front, when every day could be a “momentous” one for the entire nation, while at the same time, the next telegram could bring momentous news to a single family back home.
Signing copies of Boots Poffenberger’s biography at the Williamsport Town Museum, 2014.
My interest in the war grew further when I reached that age when I could picture my parents when they were young. It is one thing to read history, and another to feel what those kids—my parents—must have felt as they were asked to put their lives on hold in order to save the world. The Secret of Their Midnight Tears series was born from those two thoughts.
Time Is A Pool, a 10-story collection of flash fiction focuses on moments that can change a life, even if it’s in a humorous vein such as “No Pants Johnson Gets His Nickname.” Other characters who appear include a charlatan minister who is presented with the opportunity to perform a miracle, and “Benny,” whom we know better as Death.
My passion has always been baseball, perhaps because it is truly a game of inches, which is another way of saying, if the batter had swung 1/100th of a second earlier or later, then perhaps the game and the season and maybe an entire career might have turned out differently. I’ve written about a team, the New Market Rebels of the Valley Baseball League, and a person, Boots Poffenberger, who for a time was baseball’s most colorful character. I’ve written a few baseball short stories, and I’ve also written about why baseball is such a powerful passion for so many people. As the title implies, Fathers, Sons, & Holy Ghosts: Baseball as a Spiritual Experience, examines the connections to which baseball leads.
Regardless of the subject, I truly enjoy “talking” to readers, although I suppose it’s more accurate in this day and age to say “messaging” with readers. After all, books are really a conversation, just one in which the author goes first and does a great deal of talking initially, but only initially. I hope that anyone who reads my books or simply comes across this author page will feel free to join the conversation.
If you’re a baseball fan, please visit my Baseball Books page where you will find instructions on downloading Their Glorious Summer, the story of two collegiate summer league teams battling for the Valley Baseball League championship even as the Major League ballplayers were on strike in 1981. The download is free because I would like you to give my writing a try. Their Glorious Summer is regularly ranked in the Top 10 in Amazon’s Free Kindle Store “Baseball” category.
If you are interested in fiction, please visit my Fiction page to find instructions for downloading “The Bedford Girl.” This is also a free download as well. Someone had to be the first ashore on D-Day and the famous “Bedford Boys” from Bedford, Virginia happened to be that company. Very few of those boys survived and this got me to thinking about what would it have been like for a Bedford girl back home once she received the terrible news.
Let the conversation begin!
Austin Gisriel 
Austin:
I am a Nashville sports historian that has four books published. I have submitted a proposed book to Summer Games Books Publishers. If you don’t mind me asking, do you recommend them as a publisher? I appraciate any suggestions on them. I have your book of Boots Poffenberger a former Nashville Vol.
Thanks,
Bill Traughber
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I certainly can recommend SGB! I sent you a more detailed email, Bill, and I hope that helps. Let me know if you didn’t get it.
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Thanks for the book about the 1981 season, great memories
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You’re welcome! I’m so glad that the story found its way to someone who lived it.
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Austin, I don’t know if you remember me but we went to Western Maryland together (my maiden name is Weinberg). I just read about your writing in The Hill. I am an avid reader and my husband was a huge WWII history buff so I am looking forward to reading your novel.
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Certainly I remember you, Adele! So glad that you reconnected, and I hope you like book. You’ll have to let me know what you think.
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Just finished Midnight TEars. It’s a really good book Austin and you should be proud of your work. My late husband John and my son Patrick were/ are Marines so John in particular would’ve appreciated your choice of branch fior the boys in town to join. One minor inaccuracy that needs to be brought up- a young man does not become a Marine the day he signs up. He has to earn that title through successful completion of boot camp. I was reminded of that every day my son was in boot camp, the longest 13 weeks of my life! I could definitely relate to the mothers’ angst in your book, even though my son didn’t serve in wartime, he was still in danger every day. Can’t wait to read more of your books!
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Thank you so much for such a thoughtful reply, Adele. A happy new year to you and yours!
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I have a relative who will be playing in the Valley League this summer; where can I find a copy of Safe at Home?
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The e-version is available at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Safe-at-Home-Season-Valley-ebook/dp/B0052O4ZYQ/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Safe+at+Home%3A+A+Season+in+the+Valley&qid=1553016469&s=books&sr=1-1-catcorr
For a signed hard copy send a check for $20.00 ($15/book + $5 S&H) to me @ Austin Gisriel, 107 Fiesta Drive, Stephenson, VA 22656.
Thanks for your interest and good luck to your relative!
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Austin, I am just being introduced to your writing because I am almost halfway through SAFE AT HOME. I love it and plan to read more of your writing.SAFE AT HOME was loaned to me by a college fraternity brother, Bill Rogers of Fredericksburg, VA. Bill and I are both big baseball fans. I am a former pitcher for the New Market Rebels–I am a a local guy who went to Broadway High School. Bill has serious cancer and is living life to the fullest. So, he and I are planning to attend the New Market game on July 24. I just thought in case you were looking for an excuse, you might join us! There is much more to our story we’d love to share! Send me an email and we can make arrangements. Thank you for SAFE AT HOME–I love it!
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Thanks for the kind words. I am so glad that you’re enjoying SAH! I’m switching to the e-mail channel, lol.
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Are you by any chance related to Dr. Austin E. Gisriel? He was a principal at Overlea Sr High school in the 70’s. If so I was a student there at that time. He was a very kind man.
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Yes, that was my dad. How kind of you to remember him so fondly, and to contact me!
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Thanks for posting this!
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Hi Austin,
I found your book about the Atlanta Braves Ground crew at a great book shop in Apalachicola, Florida called Downtown Book and Purl while visiting St. George Island this summer. I really liked it! Then, I was reading Turnstile 4 tonight and read your I Hate Bob Feller story. I loved it too. I have a poem in the same Turnstyle and am starting my 31st year as a US History teacher. I am very interested in the Homefront during World War II. My kids do a big project on it every year.
I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoy your writing and story telling.
All the best,
Loren Broaddus
Springfield, MO
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Thank you so much for the kind words, Loren, and I must say that it is a small world! Lee Frazier, the ring-leader of those 4 Atlanta boys, and his wife Sharon live on Dog Island and we were down there visiting last November. Hence, I was able to sign those copies in the bookstore.
Given your class project, you may want to check out The Secret of Their Midnight Tears. I’m a former English teacher myself, so I included a study guide in the first volume.
I read your poem with interest and liked how you took the common theme of baseball as regeneration and redemption, and turned it suddenly to say, “We better do this now!” To that end–and at the risk of shameless self-promotion–you may want to read Fathers, Sons, & Holy Ghosts: Baseball as a Spiritual Experience.
Again, thank you so much.
Let’s play two,
Austin
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Austin,
It is a small world! It was my family’s first time to visit St. George. I loved that book shop.
Thank you for the names of your books. I am interested in buying Fathers, Sons, and Holy Ghosts, as well as The Secret of their Midnight Tears.
Thank you also for your thoughts about my poem. I would love to hear your thoughts about Joe DiMaggio Moves Like Liquid Light, a poetry book of mine published in 2019, if you ever get the chance. There are some sample poems online.
Loved the Ernie Banks let’s play two!
Loren
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Do you have the link to those poems?
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https://books.google.com/books?id=sr-mDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT5&source=kp_read_button&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&gboemv=1#v=onepage&q&f=false
Hope the link works.
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Yes, got it, thanks. Will give them a read and get back to you!
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Loved “Yogi-metrics”! Such works are fun for the reader. I grew up watching Earl Weaver in Baltimore, who said, “When you play for one run, that’s all you usually get.” And, I saw Kevin O’Sullivan flush away Florida’s chances at the 2016 CWS title when he had his 3rd place hitter move runners to 2nd and 3rd IN THE FIRST INNING and with Pete Alonso. Alonso is walked, a double play is turned, and Florida loses 3-2. One of those two runs scored on an Alonso home run. But I guess I’m off the topic of poetry!
Well done, Loren.
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Thank you, Austin. I appreciate you reading my stuff. Yogi-metrics was one of my favorites to write. And I guess a secret to life is to know when to move the runners and when to hit away. I’d always hit away with Pete Alonzo!
Hope you have a good rest of the summer. Thanks again for your thoughts and nice to connect.
Loren
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You have a great rest of the summer, too!
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