Little League Dreams Inspire a Thrilling Baseball Spy Novel

Maxwell's Iowa CoffeeCast

In this episode of Maxwell's Iowa CoffeeCast, Maxwell meets with Scott Reister, an Iowa television sports journalist, at the Urbandale Public Library to discuss Scott's debut novel, Baseball Spy. This juvenile mystery novel, which is selling well on Amazon and Barnes & Noble, originated from Scott's childhood fantasy while playing baseball, where only a great hit or play will save the world! The conversation dives into how Scott’s children have been excited and supportive of his writing journey, witnessing firsthand the dedication it took to bring his story to life over six years.

Scott shares how the writing process involved reading to his kids at bedtime, writing late into the night, and continuously refining the story with the help of local librarians who provided crucial feedback. He describes the thrill of seeing his book materialize and the joy it brought to his family.

The novel, set in Washington, D.C., follows 14-year-old Zane Mitchell, who must uncover a cyber spy among his Little League teammates to prevent a devastating attack. Scott elaborates on the intricate plot and character development that went into the book, highlighting its appeal to young readers and baseball enthusiasts alike.

The discussion also touches on Scott's process for managing his time between his demanding job and writing, emphasizing the importance of consistent, small efforts inspired by the motivational book The Slight Edge. He credits his progress to meticulous planning and the support of his community and literary agent who helped secure a publishing deal with Young Dragons Press. Scott reveals plans for future books in the series, Football Spy and Basketball Spy, slated for release in the next two years.

Maxwell and Scott wrap up by discussing the evolving landscape of sports journalism and the challenges posed by social media. Scott's enthusiasm for storytelling, both on television and in his novels, shines through as he invites listeners to join his journey and support his work. The episode ends with a call to action for listeners to engage on social media and attend upcoming book signings.