Jim McGrath released a new novel on Feb. 15. (Photo provided by McGrath)
NEWPORT NEWS— Jim McGrath released a new novel Feb. 15 that recounts a life-threatening medical emergency in 2023 and the vivid memories of his childhood in Alexandria that resurfaced during his recovery.
McGrath, a longtime journalist and educator, has always been drawn to writing — particularly about sports. As a child, he played baseball, basketball, tennis, swimming, cross country and track. While he envisioned a career in news and magazine writing rather than authoring books, that path eventually evolved.
Over the years, McGrath has worked as a journalist for several publications, including WYDaily, primarily covering sports. He has also written about local high school athletics at Denbigh, Grafton and Bruton, often viewing his reporting as an extension of coaching. In addition, he runs McGrath Educational Services in Newport News.
His introduction to book writing began in 2015, when someone contacted him after reading a feature story he had written and asked for help developing a book.
“It’s about the first time I ever thought about being an author,” McGrath said.
He completed that project, and five years later another opportunity arose when his former college roommate — who had undergone a heart transplant — approached him about telling his story. After reading McGrath’s first book, his roommate wanted similar assistance.
Still, McGrath said his own story had been waiting to be told.
His new book, The Boys of Ewald Park, had been in his thoughts for years. It was a major life event that finally brought it to the page.
In the novel, McGrath details the severe medical emergency he suffered in 2023 that left him in a coma for ten days and hospitalized for three months. During that time, he experienced vivid hallucinations and powerful flashbacks that transported him back to his childhood in Alexandria, Virginia. The book blends those memories with reflections on resilience, youth and the lasting impact of community.
McGrath is currently planning promotional events for the book and hopes to host signings throughout the region, including at the Barnes & Noble in New Town in Williamsburg and at a library in Alexandria.
The book is available for purchase online through retailers including Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Shop Books Direct and Red Penguin Books. More information is available on McGrath’s official website.
