About this episode

Nick Shuck discusses his book 'The Green Flash at Sunset' and the themes of reinvention and hope in Key West.

Nick Shuck on The Green Flash at Sunset: Reinvention, Key West Grit, and Hope Host Michele O'Connor welcomes listeners to the Fun in Key West podcast and introduces the June 2026 book club pick, The Green Flash at Sunset by Nick Shuck, with Shuck joining to discuss the story behind the story, why Key West is a "world capital of reinvention," and how a book can feel dark yet hopeful. Shuck shares his background as a Pensacola senior English teacher, tour company owner (Emerald Coast Tours), father, and writer inspired by Hemingway, and explains he began the novel from its ending, sparked by watching Mallory Square street performers. He describes the green flash as a metaphor for chasing dreams despite risk and uncertainty, talks about crafting four central characters and Key West as an essential setting with layered history, and addresses reader reactions to the book's darkness as honesty about the world. The episode also spotlights sponsor Cruises and Tikis of Key West and mentions Key West Island Books. 00:00 Welcome to Fun in Key West 01:26 June Book Club Preview 03:13 Meet Author Nick Shuck 04:30 Nick's Origin Story 08:06 Cruising Tikis Sponsor Break 09:32 How Green Flash…

People in this episode

Host: Michele O'Connor

Guest: Nick Shuck

Topics covered

• reinvention
• Key West
• literature
• hope
• dark stories
• writing

Keywords

• Key West
• Nick Shuck
• The Green Flash at Sunset
• reinvention
• dark stories
• hope
• writing

Sponsors

Cruises and Tikis of Key West

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Emerald Coast Tours, Key West Island Books

Books & works: The Green Flash at Sunset

Places: Key West, Pensacola

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