Michel Lee Garrett, a native of Waynesboro, is set to release her debut fiction collection, Born a Ramblin’ Man, on Tuesday, April 22. The book, published by Shotgun Honey, offers a blend of crime fiction, tragedy, comedy, and hope, delving into the lives of social outcasts and their journeys of self-discovery.
The collection features 14 stories, each with a diverse range of characters, including country-singing vagabonds, corrupt judges, and other figures who live on the fringes of society. Garrett, who began writing the first story in the collection back in 2016, reflects on the long road to publication. “This book is nearly 10 years in the making,” she said. “It’s a celebration of the outcasts society has pushed aside, a commentary on the ways inequity breeds injustice, and a literary exploration of the strange world of small-town central Pennsylvania.”
Garrett’s hometown of Waynesboro plays a pivotal role in the stories, with one of the tales set in the town itself. Her passion for writing began early; she took her first creative writing class at Waynesboro Area Senior High.
The collection centers on Raymond Reynolds, an unlikely hero whose journey unfolds through the various stories. From an alcoholic country singer to a small-town private detective, Reynolds’ character evolves in both time and setting, with recurring figures across the tales. “Ray is a little bit of me, a little bit of my father, a little bit of punk rock spirit, and a whole lot of outlaw country,” Garrett explained. “He’s a mix of classic noir detective and the everyman just trying to get through another day. I think readers will see a bit of themselves in him.”
To mark the release, Garrett will host a book launch event on Saturday, April 26, at 6 p.m. at The Print Factory, a nonprofit bookstore and community space located in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania. Fans of Garrett’s work, as well as those interested in the themes of the book, are encouraged to attend.
With Born a Ramblin’ Man, Garrett introduces readers to a unique narrative world, showcasing her deep connection to her roots and her insight into the complexities of human life. The collection offers a fresh perspective on the outsiders who often go unnoticed by society.
