Join us Saturday, Dec. 20 from 10 am to noon for an Author Event at Chapter 52 Bookstore.

Malcolm Woods, author of What the Tide Leaves Behind, will be available to talk with visitors and will be selling copies of his book.

Book description (provided by author):

What the Tide Leaves Behind: How lost do you have to become before you can find yourself? “What the Tide Leaves Behind,” published by Dunnybegs Press, is a heartwarming tale about the power of community that will appeal to lovers of Ireland, dogs, and small town charm. The story follows the journey of Thomas McKay, as he finds himself tending to his late mother’s cottage along the remote, wind-scoured Donegal coast and trying to connect with her enigmatic border collie. As he adjusts to life in the small village of Dunnybegs, he discovers the rhythm of the community, filled with colorful characters and a rich archaeological history. So begins a year of self-discovery, as Thomas forms a deep bond with the dog and through her, learns to really see the world. On their long walks across Donegal, he becomes a keen observer of the area, documenting the pair’s adventures through photography. Their story gains international attention on social media, turning them into local celebrities and embroiling them in a battle over the future of Killfish Bay, the small cove near Dunnybegs. There is an American corporation eying the bay and an offer has been made on the cottage. Thomas may have finally found his place in the world, but will he lose it all?

Author bio (provided by author):

Malcolm McDowell Woods was born in Scotland to Irish parents and spent his childhood on the move, living in Derry, Northern Ireland, before emigrating to Canada and, ultimately, the United States. He is a freelance editor and writer and resides in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with his partner and their two dogs. His two adult children live nearby. Woods co-authored the book, Irish Wit and Wisdom, and was a co-founder and managing editor of the former Irish American Post magazine. He is a past recipient of the Milwaukee County Arts Fellowship Individual Arts Grant for Fiction Writing. In addition to his freelance work, Woods has been a lecturer in the Journalism, Advertising and Media Studies program at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee for 24 years. He has received awards for editorial writing, magazine editing, publication design, email marketing, website content, photography and fiction writing. What the Tide Leaves Behind was the 2025 selection of Tosa's All-City Reads program.