Cedar City Author Unveils Heartwarming New Christmas Story

Cedar City’s Chris McCormick and Uintah Basin’s Joel Brown have teamed up to craft a festive literary treat, Christmas Memoirs: Under the Celestial Sphere. The book, which blends humor, warmth, and family-friendly storytelling, aims to celebrate the magic of Christmas through the lens of Santa Claus and his unique North Pole community.

McCormick, well-known in Southern Utah for his roles as the CEO of the Cedar City Area Chamber of Commerce. He joined us on the radio this morning and described the collaborative process with Brown as a joyful and creative journey. "We’d spend hours on the phone, brainstorming characters, plotlines, and even deciding which ideas to save for future projects," McCormick shared. Despite their geographical distance, the duo successfully navigated the challenges of co-writing through long conversations and shared enthusiasm.

The book offers a fresh perspective on the lives Santa touches, from a struggling single mother to a quarrelsome pair of cousins, all while maintaining a wholesome, feel-good tone. Even the traditionally sinister Krampus gets a humorous makeover. “Krampus plays a role in the story,” McCormick noted, “but he’s more fun and lovable, especially to Santa. To kids, though, he’s still pretty terrifying!”

Adding a dose of drama, Santa’s adventures take a surprising turn when he inadvertently enters restricted Russian airspace, leading to a tense encounter with fighter jets. McCormick teased, “It’s a fun twist, but I won’t spoil the ending. Let’s just say Santa’s cleverness saves the day.”

The creative process wasn’t without its hurdles. “Naming the elves was surprisingly the hardest part,” McCormick admitted. “Each name had to reflect their role, and we spent countless hours researching and debating.”

Ultimately, McCormick and Brown hope their book inspires readers to embrace the holiday spirit beyond December. “Christmas is a time of togetherness, kindness, and giving,” McCormick said. “Through this story, we want to remind everyone of the joy and love the season brings.”

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Christmas Memoirs: Under the Celestial Sphere offers a heartwarming escape into the magic of Christmas. Copies of the book will be available at the upcoming Christmas Marketplace that will be on Saturday, November 30^th, prior to the Downtown Cedar City Lighting Ceremony. McCormick also told us that they are finalizing plans to distribute the book digitally through platforms such as Amazon Kindle.

You can hear our entire chat with Chris McCormick below.