Few debut authors can claim a creative process that spans over half a century, but that’s exactly the story behind Craig Garner and his novel I Came to Play Your Game.
If you’re a writer stuck in the “mushy middle” of your draft, or a reader who finds joy in tales that straddle humor and heart, this one is for you. Garner’s journey, equal parts unlikely and inspiring, reminds us that storytelling is less about timing and more about tenacity, curiosity, and imagination.
🚀 The Story: An Alien on the Gridiron
Set in the unassuming world of American high school football, I Came to Play Your Game begins with a rather unexpected twist: the arrival of Sublimious Z. Hormatz, an alien observer from the crumbling civilization.
To avoid suspicion, Sublimious adopts the name “Clancy” and infiltrates a high school football team in the heart of the American Midwest. His mission is both absurd and oddly poignant: study Earth’s most “indispensable” cultural tradition, football, and determine whether humans offer anything of value to a dying interstellar empire.
Clancy’s physical prowess is unmatched (he clocks a 3.9-second 40-yard dash) and his movements border on acrobatic performance art. Yet despite his talents, his greatest obstacle is not physical but emotional: can he learn the unspoken rules of fitting in without revealing the truth about who or what he really is?
A Cast of Human Teachers
Clancy’s crash course in humanity is helped along by two unlikely companions:
Sam “the Slam” Schneider, a tattooed outsider and loner who becomes Clancy’s translator, both linguistically and socially.
Learius, a talented teammate who offers insight into both the game of football and the subtler codes of human interaction.
Together, they form a trio that’s equal parts Friday Night Lights and E.T. Their journey explores not just the dynamics of team sports, but also the quiet, internal struggle of wanting to belong.
✍️ For Writers: What 55 Years of “Discovery Writing” Taught One Author
Craig Garner didn’t set out with a detailed outline. He didn’t even know how the book would end. Instead, he embraced a writing process often referred to as “discovery writing”, or “pantsing,”writing by the seat of your pants.
For writers, especially those paralyzed by the pressure to plan every scene, Garner’s method offers both comfort and challenge.
Key Takeaways from the Podcast:
Let the Characters Lead
Garner didn’t dictate his characters’ actions, they dictated his. Every turn in the story emerged organically from dialogue, interaction, and momentum.Find Joy in the Unknown
Echoing novelist Ann Patchett, Garner discovered that the more uncertain the writer feels during the process, the more wonder and surprise the reader experiences on the page.There’s No Expiration Date on Dreams
Perhaps the most moving part of the interview: Garner spent 55 years dreaming of being a published author. He made it happen at 82. That kind of persistence isn’t just admirable, it’s instructive. Great storytelling takes time, and time is never truly “lost” if you keep the dream alive.
🪞 Beyond Football: Using Fiction to Reflect and Critique
What makes I Came to Play Your Game stand out isn’t just the premise—it’s what the premise allows Garner to explore.
By filtering American culture through the lens of an alien observer, Garner dissects everything from our social rituals to our obsession with competition and celebrity. He doesn’t stop at high school football. The book digs into broader questions about:
The commercialization of college sports
Pay-to-play recruitment systems
The social hierarchy within youth athletics
The pressure to conform, especially among young men
And yet, the book never feels preachy. It entertains first. Then it asks the deeper questions, questions about identity, values, and how we define belonging.
As Garner says in the episode, “Fiction lets you entertain the reader first. Then, if you’re lucky, it helps them see things they didn’t realize they needed to think about.”
📚 Where to Read and Listen
Whether you’re a sports fan or someone who’s ever felt like an outsider trying to figure out the rules, I Came to Play Your Game is an unforgettable read. And for authors, an inspiration.
📖 Read the Book:
If you are ready to share your own story, whether it is fiction, nonfiction, or a blend of both, Munn Avenue Press is here to help you bring it to life. If you would like to publish your book or your audiobook (or are just dreaming about it), let the MunnAvenuePress.com team help make your dream a reality.
Happy Writing! Charlie Levin, Publisher & Founder
🎧 Listen to Craig’s full episode on The Munn Avenue Muse.
👉 Want more unfiltered author journeys and publishing wisdom? Subscribe for free below for weekly insights from the Munn Avenue Muse.
Ask Siri or Alexa to “Play The Munn Avenue Muse podcast!” This post is public, so feel free to share it.
Until next time: keep writing, keep reading, and keep asking the big questions. Some of the best stories come from way, way out of bounds.
