A Soulful Blend of Memoir, Fiction, and Poetry from the American Southwest

Step into a vivid and heartfelt collection inspired by a transformative chapter in the author’s life.

Visit the high desert and fertile valleys of northern New Mexico in a vivid collection inspired by a transformative chapter in the author’s life.

In the spring of 1974, a troubled young man set off on a motorcycle for Alaska. He stopped in Santa Fe to see an old girlfriend and ended up staying in New Mexico for six years. It Was in the Stars is the literary record of that sojourn — a rich blend of stories and poems capturing the land, the people, the struggles, and the unexpected grace of those formative years.

Alan Abrams writes with honesty, warmth, and a keen eye for the beauty and hardship of life in the American Southwest during the 1970s.

This is not just a book about a place — it’s a deeply personal journey of self-discovery, redemption, and creative awakening.

Why This Book Stands Out
It Was in the Stars stands out for its authentic voice and seamless blend of prose and poetry. Drawing directly from lived experience, Alan Abrams captures the spirit of a young man finding his way — against the dramatic backdrop of New Mexico’s landscapes, culture, and people.

• Stories and poems inspired by six years living in New Mexico

• Honest, coming-of-age reflections on a pivotal time in the author’s life

• Evocative writing that brings the Southwest to life

• A unique hybrid of memoir-infused fiction and poetry

• From the author of True Enough: Poems of Love and Longing

This is a collection for readers who enjoy personal, place-based literary writing with heart and soul.

More Than a Book—A Meaningful Experience
It Was in the Stars is perfect for slow, immersive reading — ideal for quiet evenings or when you want to be transported to the high deserts and creative energy of 1970s New Mexico.

It makes a wonderful gift for fans of travel writing, Southwest literature, coming-of-age stories, or anyone who appreciates hybrid collections of stories and poems.

Discover Southwest Literature & Hybrid Memoir
If you're searching for New Mexico books, Southwest literature, stories and poems, 1970s memoir, or literary coming-of-age writing, It Was in the Stars: A Sojourn in New Mexico by Alan Abrams offers an authentic and moving literary journey.