Vince Wetzel
ALLi Author Member
Location: United States of America
Genres: Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, General Fiction, Humour & Satire
Vince Wetzel is a husband, father, sports fan, and storyteller who writes contemporary fiction rooted in authenticity and heart, with vivid, emotionally resonant characters navigating the complexities of relationships, identity, and redemption. His work blends humor, heartache, and humanity—stories that are heartfelt, relatable, and nostalgic, capturing the quiet triumphs and stumbles that define everyday life. With a degree in journalism, Vince began his professional career as a sportswriter for the Oakland Tribune and Antelope Valley Press, later contributing op-eds to the Sacramento Bee, San Francisco Chronicle, and Los Angeles Times. His sharp eye for detail and ear for dialogue now fuel his fiction, where the stakes are personal and the characters unforgettable. After launching into empty-nest life with a wife who loves curling up with a good book, Vince rediscovered the joy of storytelling. In 2021, he released Friends in Low Places, a novel chronicling the 20-year evolution of five male friends through their annual guys’ trip to the mountains above Fresno, CA. The book explores how enduring friendships weather the storms of failure, growth, and forgiveness. In 2024, Vince followed up with Lose Yourself, an award-winning novel told through six interwoven stories unfolding during a single baseball game. From a player chasing a .400 batting average to a sideline reporter balancing ambition and family crisis, each character faces a pivotal moment that echoes far beyond the stadium walls. Vince is currently working on his third novel, Landslide, a redemption story about a cranky columnist who loses everything and slowly discovers the power of gratitude.
Vince Wetzel's books
Genres: Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, General Fiction
Formats: E-Book, Audio, Paperback
Age Groups: 18+
2024 BEST BASEBALL FICTION BOOK: The Twin Bill Baseball Literary Magazine FIRST PLACE: The BookFest 2024, Inspirational Fiction HONORABLE MENTION: 2024 Readers Favorite, Sports Fiction Six People Struggling With Expectations. One Baseball Game to Find Their Moment. It's The Final Game of the Season... All Star Brett Austen has a chance to secure the first .400 batting average for a season over 80 years. But increasing pressure and his own hubris threaten the apex of his career. Meanwhile... A sideline reporter wrestles with choosing between career and her mom in crisis. A retiring usher takes in his final game before moving in with his son's family. A lanky 15 year old can't understand his future stepdad while pining for a girl from school. A lemonade vendor agonizes over a big score to settle gambling debts and fulfill his daughter's dreams. An adult daughter navigates uncomfortable family dynamics at home while...
Genres: Commercial Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, General Fiction
Formats: E-Book, Paperback
Age Groups: 18+
How strong are the bonds of friendship? In his debut novel, Vince Wetzel explores the evolution of lifelong friendships and how they withstand the strains of human failures. Jim organized their annual guys trip to the lake. He picked the date. He booked the spot. He even chronicled every adventure over the past 20 years in a ragged notebook. Now, he is a box of ashes that his four closest friends will take up to the lake one last time. Over the course of their final weekend together, they will read Jim's journal through his eyes, reliving their shared laughter, life moments, revelations, and regret while coming to accept their grief. Friends in Low Places is a funny, poignant, sometimes heartbreaking portrayal of male relationships and the support they provide as boys mature into men.