Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IngramSpark | BookShop.Org
A message from Alissa
January 14, 2025
Dear Reader,
2025 was an amazing whirlwind of excitement! I have some exciting events planned for 2026 to promote Welcome to Seagull Street: That Summer in Ocean City, Maryland. Details coming soon!
Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026 – Simply Written Here: Valentine’s Day Edition!
Following the success of previous events, Simply Written Here: The Valentine’s Day Edition brings readers and authors together for a cozy, creative celebration just in time for Valentine’s Day. This special pop-up will feature a thoughtfully curated group of local Maryland authors, with a focus on romance.
Amazon Book Listing: Paperback (Discounted Price: $14.00), Kindle (Reduced Price: $4.99), Kindle Unlimited (Free with Subscription), Audible (NOW $7.99). Note that Welcome to Seagull Street is not available in large text but Amazon won’t remove the designation. Last month during Amazon Deal Days, WTSS hit #50 in the Contemporary American Fiction category! The Kindle version hit #11 in early January!
IngramSpark Print-On-Demand: Print-on-demand paperback copies of Welcome to Seagull Street ($19.99) are available directly from IngramSpark (my printshop) and the book quality is much better than what you get from Amazon. Also, I get a higher royalty amount. Note that all of my books sold at Barnes & Noble, Walmart, and indie bookstores, are sourced from IngramSpark.
Bookshop.org Book Listing: When you purchase a book from Bookshop.org, you’re supporting local bookstores! (These books are sourced from IngramSpark.)
REVIEWS: If you’ve read WTSS, please consider leaving a rating or review on Amazon or Goodreads. The only way more people will find the book is by having a lot of ratings! It’s the algorithm. If you’re wondering if you’ll like WTSS, please read my blog article, “Why we love the books we love.“
BOOK CLUB DISCUSSIONS: I’ve had a blast joining so many book club discussions either virtually or locally in Maryland over the past few months. If you’d like me to join, send email to alissa@alissaarford.com and I’ll check my availability. Here are some additional discussion questions to complement those in the book.
SUPPORT LOCAL BOOK SHOPS!
The following Maryland and Delaware bookshops sell signed copies of Welcome to Seagull Street. Note: before shopping, please contact the shop to make sure they have signed copies in stock!
Raggamuffin Boutique (24th Street, Ocean City, Maryland)
Book Cover Artist Marc Emond’s Shop!
Bethany Beach Books (99 Garfield Parkway, Delaware)
Second Edition Books (6490 Dobbin Rd, Columbia, Maryland)
Queen Takes Book (6955 Oakland Mills Rd, Columbia, Maryland)
Restocked signed copies on Nov. 20!
Caprichos Books (11310 Manklin Creek Rd, Ocean Pines, Maryland)
Sadly, it was announced that Caprichos is closing its current location at the end of the year!
Book Overview
Welcome to Seagull Street:
That Summer in Ocean City, Maryland
A novel by Alissa Arford
That summer in Ocean City, Maryland… What if starting over meant facing everything you thought you’d left behind?
In Ocean City, the summer sun doesn’t just shine, it sparkles with potential. Sunrises over the waves, sunsets melting into the bay. The Boardwalk buzzes with energy. Ice cream melts too fast. Strangers meet. Hearts break and mend. And under the two watchful eyes of a pair of oddball seagulls, anything can happen. During a summer like this one, the possibilities feel limitless.
Just a couple blocks from the crashing waves and soft sand, on a quiet little bayside street, three lives are about to tangle in ways that will change them forever.
Ray Anders likes her quiet life as a cybersecurity analyst. After losing so much during the pandemic, she moved into her grandparents’ old beach house on Seagull Street to hide away. No connections. No noise. Just her dog Charlie, the water, her thoughts, and the comforting sound of birds overhead.
But then Olivia McNalley moves in next door.
A fast-talking, funny, fiercely loyal third grade teacher turned summer waitress, Olivia is trying to rebuild after a bitter divorce from a man whose spiral into conspiracy theories and dangerous real-world actions left her shaken and constantly looking over her shoulder. She came to Ocean City to start over. What she didn’t expect was to find an immediate, easy friendship with Ray… or to start imagining a new version of home.
Enter Evan Michaels: an Eastern Shore native, marketing manager by day, surfer by weekend, and friend-to-all by default. Newly single and learning to redefine his own story, Evan sees what others don’t: the way Ray flinches when someone gets too close, and how Olivia’s bright smile hides something darker.
Then things start to unravel.
Catfishing. Theft. A boardwalk tram hijacking. And threats that hit far too close to home. As the summer heats up, so does the tension, and the past each of them thought they’d left behind begins creeping back like the next high tide.
In a summer of second chances, can three unlikely allies rewrite their stories… or will everything they’ve built wash away before Labor Day?
Told like a multi-POV diary of summer 2023 (covering all of the craziness of that summer: emerging from COVID lockdown, Barbenheimer, and political and social issues), with warmth, wit, and a touch of suspense, Welcome to Seagull Street is a post-pandemic slice-of-life beach read where romance, mystery, and unexpected friendship collide. Through it all, two peculiar seagulls—one with a missing foot, the other with a beak that curves just so—keep silent watch from the rooftops, witnesses to every twist, turn, and truth revealed.
| What it is… | What it isn’t… |
| – A love letter to Ocean City, MD – Meet-cute, slow-burn romance – Character-driven mystery with conspiracy-theorist antagonist – Contemporary, grounded fiction – Slice of life, relatable, multi-POV – Found family and friendships – Liberal-leaning, politically aware – Pop culture rich, snapshot of summer 2023 | – Escapist, timeless – Just a beach read – Just a romance – Just a mystery – Romantasy – Supernatural – Insta-love, steamy/super spicy – Thriller – Horror |
Book Details:
Title: Welcome to Seagull Street
Subtitle: That Summer in Ocean City, Maryland
Author: Alissa Arford
Editor: Malory Wood
Cover Art: Marc Emond
Publisher: Red Hill Creek Enterprises, LLC
Publication Date: May 24, 2025
Length: 372 Pages
Language: English
Format: Paperback and eBook
Availability: Amazon and IngramSpark
Paperback:
ISBN: 979-8-9985299-1-7
MSRP: $19.99
Kindle:
ISBN: 979-8-9985299-0-0
Price: $4.99 USD
Kindle Unlimited: $0.00 with Subscription
Audiobook:
Audible Stand Alone: $7.99 USD
Kindle Add-on: $1.99 USD
BUY NOW!
Paperback, Kindle, Kindle Unlimited, Audiobook on Amazon
Purchase Paperback Print-on-Demand, Direct from IngramSpark
Paperback on Barnes & Noble
Paperback at BookShop.Org (USA Today)
Booksellers & Libraries: Order in bulk from IngramSpark (PDF)
Audiobook on Audible
About the Author
Alissa Arford is a Maryland native, lifelong writer, and marketing communications leader with a passion for storytelling. A proud third-generation Terp, she earned her journalism degree and later an executive MBA from the University of Maryland—continuing a family tradition that now includes her two children as fourth-generation Terps.
With a career spanning journalism, digital marketing, and branding, Alissa has held senior leadership roles in professional tech consulting firms, SaaS finance apps, nonprofits, and higher education. She founded Red Hill Creek Enterprises, LLC, a consulting and publishing company, in 2023. Throughout her career, she has combined her love of writing, technology, and strategy to create compelling brand narratives and data-driven marketing solutions.
No place holds a more special place in Alissa’s heart than Ocean City, Maryland. Her earliest and fondest memories are of summers spent on its sandy shores: building sandcastles, jumping waves, and enjoying classic boardwalk treats like Dumser’s ice cream, Fisher’s caramel popcorn, and Thrasher’s fries. As an adult, she purchased a condo with her parents, to create new memories while honoring old traditions.
Writing a novel set in Ocean City was a long-time dream, blending her nostalgia, personal experiences, and creative vision. In her debut novel, she shares the charm, beauty, and timeless traditions of Maryland’s beloved beach town, offering readers a heartwarming glimpse into post-pandemic America, the power of community, and an intriguing mystery waiting to be unraveled.
Work Experience
Alissa is a marketing leader, strategist, and writer with deep roots in the B2B SaaS and CRM ecosystems. She’s led marketing at high-growth startups, consulted for mission-driven organizations, and built digital strategies that drive results.
She currently advises B2B tech firms, Salesforce and HubSpot partners, and nonprofit-focused teams on brand positioning, content strategy, and demand generation. She loves helping organizations clarify their message, grow their impact, and build marketing systems that scale.
Earlier in her career, she spent nearly two decades in higher education at the University of Maryland, leading digital marketing strategy, SEO, and content development. She holds a journalism degree and an executive MBA—both from the University of Maryland—and is open to long-term opportunities or short-term marketing projects that align with her values and expertise.
Find out more About Alissa:
Work History | Areas of Expertise | Sample Work | Recommendations
Alissa’s Recent Blog Posts
Simply Written Here: The Valentine’s Day Edition
Following the success of previous events, Simply Written Here: The Valentine’s Day Edition brings readers and authors together for a cozy, creative celebration just in time for Valentine’s Day. This special pop-up will feature a thoughtfully curated group of local Maryland authors, with a focus on romance.
2025: The Year of the Seagull
What a year! When Welcome to Seagull Street: That Summer in Ocean City, Maryland officially launched on May 24 and I had no idea what kind of whirlwind 2025 would become but you all made it unforgettable. Book Launch & First Readers Welcome to Seagull Street took flight in the spring and from the very…
SEAsons Greetings from Seagull Street!
Order Your Seagull Street Holiday Book Package Now!
Each limited-edition Seagull Street Holiday Package includes:
A signed and personalized copy of Welcome to Seagull Street: That Summer in Ocean City, Maryland, by Alissa Arford
A custom postcard featuring the cover artwork by Ocean City artist Marc Emond
A 2025 “Seagull Street” sand dollar holiday ornament
A…
Celebrate Local Authors at the Carroll County Farmers Market, Nov 1!
Celebrate Maryland’s creative community at the 2025 Local Authors Day in Westminster! Meet local writers, explore handmade crafts, and enjoy the charm of the Carroll County Farmers Market — plus get your signed copy of Welcome to Seagull Street by Alissa Arford.
Local Book Festival Brings Together Maryland Authors for a Holiday Celebration
Mark your calendars for Saturday, November 15, 2025, when 18 local authors will gather in the heart of Catonsville, Maryland, for a cozy, book-lover’s celebration to celebrate the upcoming holiday season.
Perspectives: Why We Love the Books We Love
Have you ever struggled to finish a book that a friend guaranteed you’d love, and wondered if you even read the same story? Psychologists often describe our preferences as mirrors. The stories we love reflect parts of ourselves—our fears, hopes, memories, and beliefs. We see ourselves in the characters we cheer for (or against), in…
The Longest Table: Breaking Bread, Building Connection
On Saturday, October 4, 2025, I attended The Longest Table, a community dinner hosted by the Howard County Library System in partnership with Howard Community College in Columbia, Maryland. The concept was simple but powerful: gather with neighbors, share a meal, and engage in meaningful conversation with people you’ve never met before.
Recap of 2025 Oceans Calling Music Festival
The third annual Oceans Calling Music Festival lit up the Ocean City Boardwalk from September 26–28, 2025, drawing nearly 55,000 fans each day to the beach for three unforgettable days of music and memories in Ocean City, Maryland.
The Soundtrack of Welcome to Seagull Street
In Welcome to Seagull Street: That Summer in Ocean City, Maryland, music runs through the lives of two characters in particular: Olivia and Evan. Their playlists couldn’t be more different, but both remind us that songs can shape the way we see the world, and ourselves.
With the Oceans Calling Music Festival happening next weekend…
From Seagull Street to a New Chapter: Kindle Unlimited
Whether you’re a paperback-in-the-sand kind of reader, an audiobook-on-the-go listener, or someone who swipes through pages on your Kindle, Seagull Street is ready for you!
AlissaArford.com 