Stories with Friends: Author Showcase & Book Signing

Featured authors and creators include:

• Scott Atwell – author of the acclaimed Buffett Backstories series

• J.T. Simpson – author of Jimmy & Me

• Kara O’Kane – author of Going Back to Key West

• H.R. Gordon – creator of the Beach Bum Books series

• Daniele Benvenuti – Italian journalist and author of Cheeseburger in Paradise

• Chris Lauber – photographer and author of Thank You Jimmy Buffett

• Ralph De Palma – photographer and author of The Soul of Key West series

Event Schedule:

11:00 AM – Welcome & Introductions

11:10 AM – Moderated Author Showcase Begins

Each author will have approximately 10 minutes featuring for an introduction, reading, or story behind their work followed by a short moderated audience Q&A

12:15 PM – Meet the Authors & Book Signing

Guests will have the opportunity to:

• Purchase books

• Meet authors and photographers one-on-one

• Have books personally signed

• Browse a themed display of Key West, island culture, and Buffett-inspired titles at Books & Books

Come for the moderated discussion and stay for the signing and chance to personally connect with the authors — or simply stop by during the final hour to browse, shop, and enjoy the meet-and-greet portion of the event.

Whether you’re a lifelong Parrothead, an avid reader, a lover of Key West history, or simply someone drawn to stories of adventure, reinvention, music, and the sea, this special gathering offers a rare opportunity to connect with the writers and creatives helping preserve and expand the culture that continues to bring people together from around the world.

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Meet the Authors

Kara O’Kane

Featured Book: Going Back to Key West

Kara O’Kane is a debut novelist, lifelong Parrothead, and storyteller whose work is deeply inspired by the music, spirit, and sense of belonging associated with Jimmy Buffett and Key West. Her novel Going Back to Key West follows a young woman whose unexpected connection with Jimmy Buffett leads her to a family cottage on the island, where she discovers healing, friendship, and a renewed sense of home. Illustrated by beloved Key West artist Karen Beauprie, the book serves as a heartfelt tribute to the people and places that have made Key West a refuge for so many. A portion of proceeds from the book supports The Studios of Key West.

J.T. Simpson (pen name of Mike Torino)

Featured Book: Jimmy & Me: Semi-True Stories of One Parrothead

Writing under the pen name J.T. Simpson, Mike Torino is the author of Jimmy & Me: Semi-True Stories of One Parrothead, a memoir inspired by music, memory, and the moments that shape our lives. Drawing from his experiences as a firefighter, father, and lifelong Parrothead, his storytelling blends humor, heartbreak, and personal reflection against the backdrop of Jimmy Buffett’s music and culture. Through his writing, his Mangrove platform, and his upcoming podcast Stories Between the Songs, Simpson explores the connections formed through storytelling, shared experiences, and life lived just slightly off the beaten path.

H.R. Gordon

Featured Works: Beach Bum Books series, Latitude Adjustments

H.R. Gordon is the founder of Gordon Publishing Collective and the author behind the Beach Bum Books series, a collection of novels inspired by the escapism, storytelling, and tropical spirit associated with Jimmy Buffett’s world. Set throughout the Florida Keys, her books combine romance, mystery, humor, and island adventure while capturing the colorful personalities and laid-back rhythms of coastal life. Gordon’s interconnected stories celebrate reinvention, friendship, and a little bit of mischief, all while embracing the “party with a purpose” philosophy that inspired them. Proceeds from all Beach Bum Books sales benefit Save the Manatee.

Daniele Benvenuti

Featured Book: Cheeseburger in Paradise

Daniele Benvenuti is an Italian journalist, writer, and music historian whose work focuses on American music, culture, and storytelling. Based near Trieste at the northern edge of the Mediterranean Sea, he has spent more than four decades studying non-mainstream American music and attending concerts around the world. His book Cheeseburger in Paradise introduced many Italian readers to the world of Jimmy Buffett, Key West, trop rock culture, and the spirit of island escapism. Benvenuti brings a unique international perspective to Buffett’s legacy, connecting audiences across oceans through music, stories, and a shared appreciation for life lived a little differently.

Chris Lauber

Featured Work: Thank You Jimmy Buffett – My True Adventures as a Superfan Photographer for 50 Years! (forthcoming)

Chris Lauber is a lifelong photographer whose career has spanned sports, entertainment, and live events for more than two decades. His professional work has included assignments for organizations such as the Boston Celtics, Kawasaki, and MTV’s Spring Break coverage in Daytona Beach. A devoted Jimmy Buffett fan since the 1970s, Lauber has spent decades documenting concerts, fans, and unforgettable moments tied to Buffett’s music and community. He is currently completing a photo-rich memoir, Thank You Jimmy Buffett – My True Adventures as a Superfan Photographer for 50 Years!, which chronicles his experiences behind the lens and within the Parrothead world.

Ralph De Palma

Featured Works: The Soul of Key West Volumes I, II & III, The Soul of Havana

Ralph De Palma is a Key West photographer, author, and longtime music journalist known for documenting the island’s vibrant live music culture. Through his Soul of Key West book series and weekly music column for the Key West Citizen, De Palma has spent decades capturing the personalities, performances, and stories that define the local music scene. His published works feature photographs and biographies of more than 160 Key West musicians, preserving an important piece of the island’s cultural history. His work reflects a deep commitment to celebrating the artists and creative spirit that continue to shape Key West.

Scott Atwell

Featured Works: Buffett Backstories: Fifty Years, Fifty Songs, Buffett Backstories: Fifty Years Fifty Songs Plus One, Buffett Backstories: The Pirate Edition

Scott Atwell is a Key West native, author, and historian whose work explores the intersection of Jimmy Buffett’s music and the island culture that helped shape it. Growing up in Key West during the 1970s as Buffett established his signature tropical sound, Atwell developed a lifelong interest in the stories, people, and places behind the songs. His acclaimed Buffett Backstories series offers deeply researched insights into Buffett’s lyrics and inspirations, featuring interviews, historical context, and rare photographs. In addition to his writing, Atwell continues to document and preserve the legacy of Key West and Parrothead culture through speaking engagements, research, and his ongoing Buffett Backstories platform.