Trading My Badge for a Boat: The Journey to Publication Continues

There is something a little strange about watching stories from your own life slowly turn into an actual book.

For months, Trading My Badge for a Boat: Finding Peace, Purpose, and a Second Career on the Waters of Tampa Bay existed as stories, memories, photographs, notes, and a manuscript on my computer. Now, the project has moved into the actual publishing process, and I wanted to give everyone following along an update on where things stand.

The Manuscript Is Now Being Edited

The editing process has officially begun.

This is an important step for me. After spending nearly thirty years in law enforcement and more than a decade running Five O’Clock Charlie Boat Tours & Charters, I had plenty of stories to tell. Getting those stories onto paper was one thing. Having the manuscript professionally edited and prepared for publication is another.

The goal is to polish the writing while still keeping the voice of the guy who actually lived these stories—the retired cop who traded patrol cars, radios, reports, and a badge for tides, fishing rods, dolphins, and a boat on Tampa Bay.

I don’t want this book to sound like it was written in a corporate office.

I want it to sound like Captain John telling you the story from the helm.

The Metadata Is Being Completed

The book’s metadata is also being finalized.

That may not sound very exciting, but it is an important part of publishing a book. Metadata includes things such as the book description, categories, keywords, author information, and other information that helps bookstores, online retailers, libraries, and readers understand what the book is about—and hopefully find it.

The book isn’t simply about fishing.

It’s about retirement, starting over, family, law enforcement, Tampa Bay, building a small business, the people I’ve met along the way, and discovering that sometimes the next chapter of your life can surprise you.

The Cover Is Coming

Another milestone should happen very soon.

I expect to see a draft of the book cover this week.

I’ll admit I’m excited about this one.

Seeing the title on an actual book cover will probably be one of those moments when this whole project starts feeling very real.

Once the cover is finalized and I’m able to share it, I’ll post an update here on Captain’s Corner.

The Goal: December 2026

If everything continues moving according to schedule, the goal is to have Trading My Badge for a Boat published by December 2026.

There are still several steps between here and there. Editing has to be completed. The cover has to be finalized. The interior has to be designed and formatted. The final manuscript has to be reviewed and approved. Distribution and ordering information will eventually follow.

I’m trying not to rush any of it.

I’d rather do this right than simply do it fast.

Why I Wrote It

This project started as a way to tell the story of what happened after I retired from law enforcement.

But somewhere along the way, I realized it had become something more.

It’s about what happens when one identity ends and you have to figure out what comes next.

For me, what came next happened to involve a boat.

It led me to Tampa Bay, fishing charters, dolphins, Egmont Key, hurricanes, red tide, veterans trips, incredible customers, fellow captains, some unbelievable days on the water—and plenty of mistakes and lessons along the way.

I traded my badge for a boat.

What I didn’t realize at the time was just how much that trade would change my life.

Stay Tuned

I’ll continue posting updates here on Captain’s Corner as we reach the major milestones.

The next big one should be that first cover draft.

Thank you to everyone who has encouraged me, asked about the book, shared the website, or simply told me, “Let me know when I can buy one.”

We’re getting there.

One step at a time, the manuscript is becoming a book.

Coming December 2026.

Until then, I’ll still be where I’ve been for the last decade—behind the wheel of Five O’Clock Charlie, somewhere on the waters of Tampa Bay.

— Captain John Blenker
Five O’Clock Charlie Boat Tours & Charters