Blog
Welcome to the blog! Here, you'll get important updates on projects and other fun things!
12/26/2025
Join us on February 6th from 5-8pm for the launch of "Guarded Streets", a new novel set in Wilmington (and at the Huxley & Hiro building!) during the 1968 riots. Join us in celebrating the release of historian G.R. Hastings's second novel, this time set in 1968 Wilmington. This free event will be held upstairs at the Prose Parlor during downtown's monthly Art Loop. Reading by the author at 5.30pm, followed by a signing.
On exhibit for February Art Loop: The art of Eliza Fisher "A Rose for the Undersiders"
The illustrator of The Undersiders and Guarded Streets is showcasing art featured in the books as well as an eclectic collection of her other works in a variety of mediums.
RSVP here:
10/25/2025
Let's keep spooky season going by bringing scary stories to Huxley & Hiro's new store on November 13th at 7pm! Sign up to either tell a story or listen in. The theme for this Scare Me is the Victorian Era, so bring your Dickens and the like. The period lends itself to plenty of haunts. I'll even be telling a selection from my upcoming novel, Guarded Streets, An Undersider Tale. Get excited and RSVP before all the spots run out.
RSVP here:
10/15/2025
Start November off right with Kent County Public Library's Local Author Showcase! On November 2nd, from 2 - 4 pm, stop on by to say hi, grab a copy of "The Undersiders" and other books from great Delaware authors, and learn about what's brewing in the Undersiders Universe. We might have a few special surprises for you. So, come by to support local authors and eat some chocolates brought to you by the Dare Lighthouse Inn.
Details Here:
10/5/2025
Don't go anywhere because the same weekend is Huxley & Hiro's Delaware Author Fair! On October 26th from 12 - 3pm, come to the Queen in Wilmington to say hi and meet a whole slew of great writers. Tickets are going fast, so make sure to claim yours today. And they are ticketed times, so be aware of that. So, stop on by to support local authors and maybe check out what's new at the "Undersiders" table (TBD on details)!
Details Here:
https://huxleyandhiro.com/c/events-2d30d23f-18a0-486a-accd-785fdb21ff65
9/15/2025
To the undersiders in the quad state area, there are plenty of great events to look forward to this upcoming October and November! First, I want to highlight a Scare Me taking place on Saturday, October 25th at the Hockessin BookShelf, starting at 7pm. This will be like your tradition Scare Me. If you'd like a theme, it will be Creature Feature. I'll be bringing Halloween candy, and we'll sit in a circle, passing around stories. Bring your scary stories, or prepare to listen in. For this fearful show is about to begin . . .
If you plan on attending, please reach out to the Hockessin BookShelf by phone (302-235-7665) or email (hockessinbookshelf@gmail.com) to RSVP.
Details Here:
5/21/2025
To my friends in Delaware and Maryland, I will be returning to Sussex County this July! On July 26th, from 11am - 1pm, I will be at Milford Public Library for their Local Author Sign & Sell. Me and a select number of authors will be showcasing, so get excited! Click the link below for more details!
Details Here:
3/30/2025
After all these great events up in the New Castle County and Philadelphia areas, it's time to go a little south to Sussex County! As you plan for that beach trip before the real tourist season begins, stop on by at Browesabout Books in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware on April 26th at 11am! Come by to support the local bookstore and grab a copy of "The Undersiders"! And yes, there will be inn chocolates.
Details Here:
https://browseaboutbooks.com/event/2025-04-26/garrett-hastings-undersiders
3/2/2025
To the good people of the Quad State Area, get ready for this spring's Delaware Author Fair, hosted by Huxley & Hiro! On Sunday, March 30th, from 12-4pm, I'll be tabling at Rockwood Museum & Park with many other great writers. Stop by to say hi, buy some books, and (as always) grab some chocolates brought to you by the Dare Lighthouse Inn.
Reserve your free tickets online at the link below! Space is limited.
More Details Here:
https://www.facebook.com/events/2036143400193788/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[]%7D
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/spring-2025-delaware-author-fair-tickets-1242664816919?fbclid=IwY2xjawIxkKVleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHWpqMQWhZiRHImt5Ux8yCS6DagIh6K5Og9I53QFyfpdrCWMlA96EDF5Gow_aem_PCied_F4aanfhXDHFK7I8g
2/21/2025
To all my friends in the Quad State Area, let's finish off February with another fun event! The Chapel Street Players in Newark, DE are putting on a 24-Hour Playwriting Festival and invite you to act and direct! And you can also spectate if you prefer, as the short plays are performed the very next day. I'm one of the writers and hope to see you participate or join in the fun of what we come up with. Auditions are on February 28th, and the show is on March 1st. Mark out 24 hours on your calendar, and prepare for some fun!
More Details Here:
https://chapelstreetplayers.org/24-hour-playwriting-festival/
1/24/2025
To all my friends in the Delaware area, there are some exciting events to look forward to, and better yet, they're on the same day: February 15th!
Start your February 15th off at 10am in the Hockessin Book Shelf. There, I'll be signing, selling, handing out inn chocolates, and answering any questions. So, come over to say hi!
Then, finish off the day at Huxley and Hiro from 7 - 9pm "for an evening of bawdy, hilarious, and downright horrifying dating disaster stories, told by the area’s best and most entertaining storytellers." I've got some stories to tell, and I hope to see you there with some of your own!
10/25/2024
Calling all Philly friends! Can't get enough scary stories? Have a weird craving for chili? Then stop on by to Chills & Chili on November 1st at 6pm in Northwest Philadelphia. We'll have free chili, and me and other spooky people will be telling chilling stories. All puns intended! Oh, and there just might be a Veyman sighting.
If you are interested, please reach out to Michael Sanchez at (312) 607 - 4767. He's creating a guest list and will provide the address.
10/21/2024
Calling all Delaware friends! Before the scary story night at Huxley & Hiro, come this Wednesday to the Delaware Author Fair. Stop on by from 5 - 8pm at the Queen to meet some great Delaware authors and grab a few drinks while you're at it. I'll be tabling, so come say hi to Veyman and I on October 23rd at 5pm.
10/10/2024
Calling all Delaware friends! At Huxley & Hiro, in Wilmington, DE, I'll be telling scary stories with other Delaware playwrights and story tellers. Miss Scare Me? Want to hear a brand new Veyman story? Grab your candy, and stop by on October 24th at 7pm.
Register Here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfV48X1g-oZgXv8lGpww3bU3k9T2wTBxQVZMrfTCZSSTiHokw/viewform
10/1/2024
If you're by Wilmington, Delaware this Saturday, head on over to Rockwood Park! I'll be making an appearance at a Haunted Delaware event, hosted by Huxley & Hiro and featuring Josh Hitchens. I'll be selling a few copies and having a good time. Oh, and don't forget the spooky stories! Stop by on October 5 at 4:30pm. Details in the link below.
6/17/2024
Get excited for June 22nd! I'll be there from 1:00 - 2:00 pm, but I'm not the only event that day. From 11:00 am - 12:00 pm, the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum is coming to explore underwater archaeology and shipwrecks of Lake Champlain with you! A whole day of fun with books and archaeology.
To help you get excited, see the GNAT-TV interview discussing The Undersiders, how the book got started, and the importance and thrill of research.
6/11/2024
Vermont friends, save the date! On June 22 at 1pm, I'll be having an event at The Manchester Community Library. I'll be reading, holding a Q&A, signing, and having a good time, so stop on by!
3/17/2024
If you're by Manchester, Vermont, stop on by to the Northshire Bookstore on March 24th from 2 - 4 pm. Me and 5 other Vermont authors will be signing, selling books, and hanging out. Details in the link below.
EDIT: The event has been postponed due to weather. Date TBD.
12/3/2023
Thanks to all who came out and supported! Even got some of the cast from the original staged reading! Stay tuned for information on the next Undersiders event!
11/18/2023
If you're in the area, stop on by the Chittenden Library in Chittenden, VT on December 2nd!
10/10/2023
9/22/2023
If you want a quick teaser trailer for The Undersiders novel, look no further. No spoilers, but it is something to get you in the right mood. And be warned, the teaser is very indy. Enjoy!
9/18/2023
Welcome to the G. R. Hastings blog! Here, important updates and more will be posted. Stay tuned for all the fun things we'll be exploring here. Right out of the gate, let's talk about the upcoming project: The Undersiders!
More on The Undersiders can be found the Novels page, but if you like Roanoke Island, the Lost Colony, and mysteries, this may very well be for you. Most of the story takes place in and around a lighthouse inn known as the Dare Lighthouse Inn. I've searched high and low for the perfect real-life match, taking me to all kinds of cool lighthouses, but I thought it was time to act as if the Dare Lighthouse Inn really existed.
I created a fun (not real) website for the Dare Lighthouse Inn! Check it out, and get excited for the paperback release of the novel, The Undersiders, on October 16th!