Coral Springs retiree launches first novel bringing humor adventure and family tales to readers
Coral Springs, Florida – Retirement often conjures images of quiet mornings, slower routines, and afternoons spent relaxing. For Jeff Rodack, 73, a longtime Coral Springs resident, retirement opened the door to a whirlwind of creativity, humor, and storytelling. After decades spent covering headlines as senior editor at the National Enquirer and city editor for the Sun Sentinel, Rodack has embarked on a new journey with the release of his debut novel, Saving Papa! A Grandpa’s Tale of Love and Lunacy.
The novel follows Jeff Gold, a character loosely inspired by Rodack himself, who receives a late-night call from his pregnant daughter. From that moment, Gold is swept into a chaotic series of adventures that ultimately lead to his grandson’s birth. The story spans from Buffalo to Los Angeles and features everything from an impromptu delivery on the Getty Art Center monorail to a murder charge, a rapper’s explosive secret, and even a peculiar mystery involving an elderly woman’s underpants.
“It started out to be a completely different book,” Rodack said. “It was supposed to be a loving tribute to my four grandchildren, something sweet that would make you laugh and cry. But things took a turn, and it became basically a comedy.” The resulting tale blends humor and heart, drawing on Rodack’s own life and his sharp sense of satire.
Though this is his first foray into fiction, writing was never new to Rodack. Over his decades-long journalism career, he interviewed a broad spectrum of public figures, from Muhammad Ali and Reba McEntire to Spiro Agnew and Don Johnson. Yet despite years of professional writing, he had never attempted a novel. “I had put it on my to-do list, but always found a reason not to,” he said. “Finally, when I retired, I sat down and wrote the book.”
Rodack infused the story with personal touches. His grandchildren’s names appear as characters, his golden retriever “Topaz” makes a cameo through a company name, and both of his sons are featured in comedic roles. “In fact, my sons appear in the book, one as my lesbian daughter and the other as my pregnant daughter,” he laughed. “It gives me an outlet for my creativity, and also for my sometimes sick sense of humor.”
The process was not without challenges. Rodack battled persistent back pain due to eight herniated discs, which made long writing sessions a test of endurance. The project, which began in 2015, took nearly a decade to complete, reflecting both his dedication and his desire to perfect the story.
Despite these obstacles, the result is a lively, entertaining novel that Rodack hopes will give readers much-needed laughter. “I think it’s time people in the United States laughed instead of pulling out their hair,” he said. His literary ambitions are far from finished; he is already working on a second novel, which he anticipates releasing by March. “It’s given me the desire to write a second one,” he said.
Family remains Rodack’s anchor and greatest source of joy. “My wife and I live for our children, our grandchildren, and our dogs,” he said, reflecting on the personal connections that also inspired his work. Yet through Saving Papa!, he offers a broader gift—humor, whimsy, and the kind of chaotic charm that mirrors life itself.
Saving Papa! A Grandpa’s Tale of Love and Lunacy is now available on Amazon, marking the beginning of a new chapter for Rodack and a promising start for readers seeking laughter, adventure, and a dash of lunacy in their literary lives.
