An Amusing Look at Life, Marco Island Style

Every city, every community, every town and every village has its quirks. Some of them are merely interesting; some are odd, some are maddening and some are downright comical. As anyone who has spent more than a few days on the island can attest, Marco is certainly no different. 

In the case of one resident, the community’s distinctive mix of idiosyncrasies sparked his imagination and inspired him to do something he’d never done before – write a book. Done in the style of a children’s book, the title of this light-hearted collection of witty, four-line observations and colorful, whimsical illustrations is “Goodnight Marco Island.” 

The 40-page, hardcover book manages the difficult task of being kid-friendly, while also producing adult smiles by poking fun at the crazy drivers, rules, regulations, social and dining scenes, and other aspects of day-to-day life on the island. 

Making his debut as an author is Glenn L., a full-time resident of 10 years who prefers to go by his pen name. The Montana native first began visiting Marco as a child 35 years ago, and today he operates a kayak rental business on the island. 

“Every day, with my job, I’ll encounter pedestrians walking toward me on the road as I’m driving and I’ll have to come to a complete stop and wait for oncoming traffic to pass just to go around them and I’ll think, ‘Why don’t they use the sidewalk that’s 10 feet away,” he said. “Boat trailers, I’ve had experience with that, and people calling about something in somebody’s yard and that person getting a fine. I thought to myself, ‘There’re a lot of things going on here in paradise. I should write a book about it. So, I took all the experiences I’ve had and that other people have had and put them into a book.”

Each of “Goodnight Marco Island’s” pages addresses things that no doubt have captured the notice of anyone who knows Marco well. For example: 

Goodnight to the Jolley Bridge

Where we drive 80 MPH to the top,

And then we slam on the brakes

Because there's a cop.

Glenn L. wrote the book last year, over two days in early November. 

“I had all these experiences in my mind,” he explained. “I just had to put pen to paper and come up with the rhymes. I had a slow weekend, it was raining and I said, ‘Why don’t I just do this’ and it was fun. I enjoyed writing the book.”

Next, he began searching for an illustrator, which led him to Russian artist Xenia Voronicheva. Over six weeks, using photos Glenn L. sent her of the Marco locales he was lampooning, she created the artwork and the book was released in time for the Christmas season. 

“Goodnight Marco Island” is available at eight locations in the city: Shore Goods, Mango's Restaurant, Ocean Soul, Rose Marina, Marco Office Supply, Make a Memory, Keep in Touch and BeachWorks.

The response from the public has been positive, said Glenn L. “I love it. People laugh. In the two months that it’s been out, I’ve hardly been able to keep it in stock. I’ve sold 650 copies to date and that’s with the supply chain paper shortage.”

Copies of the book are $27.99 and it’s also available at goodnightmarcoisland.com/. However, Glenn L. prefers purchases be made at the island’s retail outlets. 

“I want to support local businesses,” he explained. “There were some stores that didn’t want the book because they thought it would be offensive, but a lot of stores took a chance with me and now they’re always asking for more. All eight of those stores have been great.”