West winds at 10 knots. A mackerel sky. Full moon.
Yes, it was a gorgeous full moon rising over Apalachicola Bay where the first-ever Apalachicola Film Festival was held outdoors right on the bay. I was honored to be the first-ever Guest Presenter and we screened  my dramatic short "Extinction" before a capacity crowd.  SCAD graduates Courtney Roth and Shea Lord were also there, screening their terrific documentary short "Ocearch."  The event was coordinated by SCAD grad Merrill Livingston who did a wonderful job and was a most gracious hostess.

Fair skies. South winds at 5 knots. A crescent moon.
I'm happy to announce that we'll have a book signing for Islands Under Fire at the Barnes & Noble just outside of DC in Rockville Maryland.  I look forward to seeing former colleagues at Nat Geo,  SCAD students and our wonderful  Maryland neighbors.  The signing will be at the B & N, Montrose Crossing, 12089 Rockville Pike, Rockville MD on Wednesday June 5, 2013 @ 7:30PM.  Look forward to seeing those of you who can make it.

Fair skies. Winds 10-15 knots. Spring at last!
I've been invited to participate in a panel discussion during Capitol Hill Ocean Week on June 6, 2013 (9-10:30 AM) at the Newseum in Washington DC.  C.H.O.W. is a gathering of scientists, legislators and journalists to discuss environmental issues facing the world's oceans.  My fellow panelists are journalists and our subject is "Blue News" - what ocean environmental issues get covered by the media and why.  I was invited to talk about the role the media played in winning the Battle of Culebra as related in Islands Under Fire: the Improbable Quest to Save the Corals of Puerto Rico. C.H.O.W. events are free and open to the public.

Clear skies. Windy and cold. A waning quarter moon.
It's official: I'll be giving a presentation on Islands Under Fire at my alma mater, SUNY Maritime College. It will be in the Luce Library in Ft Schuyler on Thursday March 21, 2013 at 1500 hrs - that's 3PM to you landlubbers.  It's open to Maritime cadets and alumni.  I haven't been back there since the 90s for a class reunion. Many well-loved shipmates have left us since then.  But to those of you still kicking: please come by. We have stories to share.

Mostly cloudy and cool.  Light rains. Winds NNW at 5 knots. Half moon.
The Savannah Book Festival was an astonishing event. Highlights included meeting V.P. Al Gore and exchanging books with him. His latest The Future is an insightful look into the major forces changing our society and our planet.  There was also T.C. Boyle's reading of "The Lie," a short story from his latest collection. Wonderful. As well as a very humorous talk by Dave Barry.  My own presentation for Islands Under Fire  was SRO.  A fine trial run for the next one in the Big Apple.

Clear skies. NW winds at 15-20 knots. A waning half moon.
The lineup at the Savannah Book Festival is getting more stellar every day. Hoda Kotb from the Today Show, Gary Wills, Ben Fountain, Colm Toibin, T.C. Boyle. Local writers include Jim Morekis of Connect Savannah (who writes the most intelligent editorials in town for that weekly) and Fran McCarey's favorite columnist, Jane Fishman. Her favorite author (one hopes) will be appearing at the festival Saturday February 16 from 11:30AM-12:30PM in the boardroom on the second Floor of the Jepson Center for the Arts. I'll be comparing the different challenges that documentary filmmakers and nonfiction book authors face in producing their works.Hope you can join me there.

Clear skies. Cool NW wind at 7 knots. Gibbous moon.
We're thrilled to note that Islands Under Fire has received a coveted STARRED review  in Publishers Weekly. Here's an excerpt: "This memoir, part travelogue and part natural history, is rich with humor, misadventure, and triumph. McCarey's writing is a pleasure, his penchant for simile and skill with dialogue particular delights... Readers will learn about the history of Puerto Rico, its marine ecology, political landscape, and a bit about boats as well—all of which McCarey folds seamlessly into his fine seaman's tale.... McCarey's maiden voyage into contemporary maritime non-fiction is an engrossing and joyful trip."

Clear skies. Warm. SW winds at 10 knots.
Good news from a favorite port-of-call: Atlanta. We'll be having a book signing for Islands Under Fire at the Barnes and Noble at Perimeter Center - thanks to Manager Bruce Fussell. We look forward to seeing many friends, former TBS colleagues and SCAD graduates there. It will be like one of our many Atlanta holiday gatherings (but sadly without the Macallan single malt).  The signing will take place Saturday December 8, 2012 at the B & N located at 120 Perimeter Center West, Atlanta. All hands on deck!

Scattered showers. Calm winds. Full moon.
Recently we received word that I've been invited to the Savannah Book Festival, February 14-17, 2013.  Among the other invitees are best-selling authors David Baldacci and James Patterson, as well as good friend T.C. Boyle and Greg Allman.  T.C. and I hope to be given the opportunity to rock out with Greg in Telfair Square.  (Oh, hell we can dream can't we?)  Please check out the SBF web site (http://www.savannahbookfestival.org) for more on this extraordinary event.

Last week we launched "Islands Under Fire" at the Grays Reef Ocean Film Festival.  Thanks to all who showed up for the signing. Wonderful turnout. It was an honor signing books for author Rosemary Daniell and Jean-Michel Cousteau.  We were also treated to a fine brunch with Jean-Michel  - complements of the indefatigable and exceedingly generous Kathy Levitt.  

Clear skies. Light airs. Quarter moon. The moment is nigh.  Islands Under Fire is officially published Sept 21, 2012.   First off, thanks to all of you who helped with the book cover art, the title choice and most of all the editing.  Your input and encouragement has been appreciated beyond measure.   The book launch and signing will be at the Gutstein Gallery, 201 E. Broughton St. in Savannah  on Friday September 21 - between 4 and 6:30 PM.  For those of you in town - please come to the signing!