"Out by Five" Virtual Author Talk with Nicholas R. Lemon

ABOUT THE BOOK:

High school senior Sly Jones is a dreamer and a standout football player who has always believed the field was his ticket to something greater. But when his top-ranked team suffers a brutal and unexpected defeat, Sly is forced to confront the uncomfortable truth: talent and hustle don’t always guarantee a win—on the field or in life.

Set against the vibrant backdrop of Richmond, Virginia, Out By Five: The Freshman Chronicles is a coming-of-age novel that follows Sly’s journey through ambition, heartbreak, and self-discovery. With pressure mounting from family, coaches, and peers, Sly must navigate what it means to chase his football dreams while reckoning with college admissions, social expectations, and the impact of loss and legacy in his community.

As his plans unravel and reality sets in, Sly finds new purpose in unexpected places—through guidance counselors who see past the bravado, through friendships that offer hard…