Date Published: August 11, 2026
Publisher: Clay Bridges Press Publishing
Our hope is that these stories encourage you to persistently seek God through prayer. His grace is unending.
Can you tell us a little about the process of getting this
book published? How did you come up with the idea and how did you start?
I never intended to write a book. Initially, I felt a
calling to help the people around me who were struggling from the effects of
the pandemic. Churches were closed. I found comfort while listening to
Christian music and thought sharing that with my neighbors may help them too.
So, my journey began there and grew from that simple idea to delivering bagels
and praying outside the hospitals for the next two plus years. I began writing
to clear my head and heart as we witnessed so much pain and anguish. After
sharing a few of my writings with some important people in my life, I was encouraged
by them to compile them into a book. It seemed important to share the stories
of the healthcare workers and first responders so their tireless work would be
remembered. So the process to publish began.
What surprised you most about getting your book published?
What surprised me the most about getting my book published
was all of the “work” required after the submission! Having never done this
before, I felt pretty overwhelmed by it all.
Tell us a little about what you do when you aren’t writing.
I write when I am moved to do so. There was/is no schedule, no
set time or day. I have a very simple life with my wife and dog, trying to make
the best of each day God gives me. My physical disabilities limit my
activities. I read, scroll om my iPad, watch TV, have phone conversations, work
some around the house, pray & meditate.
As a published author, what would you say was the most
pivotal point of your writing life?
I never had and do not have a “writing life.” For this book,
the Covid 19 pandemic opened doors of opportunities to serve. The timing and
situations surrounding the pandemic challenged me to be available. I have spent
most of my life spiritually searching for God’s direction and I felt the need
to take action.
Where do you get your best ideas and why do you think that
is?
My best and only ideas for this book came from being
available to others struggling and suffering during a very dark and frightening
time. Again, my lifelong search for a spiritual mission/purpose was right in
front of us. We witnessed so much devastation and became close to many on the
front lines. Their experiences and stories, coupled with my anguish and
confusion, became the springboard for my writing.
What is the toughest criticism given to you as an author?
I was my toughest critic. I doubted my ability to share the
stories of others with emotion and without judgment. I became very frustrated
at times and asked myself countless times “why am I doing this?”
What has been your best accomplishment as a writer?
My best accomplishment as a writer is taking the opportunity
to share the power of God. Providing an avenue of remembrance with the evidence
of God’s Hand at work is my proudest accomplishment.
How many unpublished and half-finished books do you have?
I do not have any unpublished or half written books at this
time. What I do have is a collection of miscellaneous reflections which may be
the basis of another book.
Blessed with creative talents, Tom turned a simple woodburning hobby into a small business and embraced the role of “Mr. Mom” to his three sons, finding purpose and joy in the rhythms of family life.
Though he often sensed a calling to do God’s work, Tom pushed it aside for many years. That changed in 2020. As the pandemic altered daily life and stirred deep questions of faith, he found himself in honest, raw conversations with Christ—dialogues that became a spiritual lifeline. Those reflections and personal experiences evolved into writing, eventually forming the foundation of his first book.
Today, Tom continues to use his creativity and vulnerability to encourage others, sharing stories that point to God’s presence in every season, especially the difficult ones.
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