Joseph Scott's ‘Settlin' In’ to be on bookshelves May 20

The late Joseph Scott loved to write. “Not a day went by that Joe didn't write,” said his widow and editor, Priscilla Scott, of Ocean View. In the book's acknowledgments Joe describes Priscilla as a loving, patient and giving spouse. Eight months after his death, she is releasing his second book, “Settlin' In.”

The first stories were written for master's degree classes Joe took at the University of Delaware when he was teaching English at Delmarva Christian High School. After earning his degree in 2013, he kept writing more short stories until he had enough for a book. He persevered to do so, said Priscilla, even after retiring due to health reasons in 2014. Priscilla said she misses Joe's creative mind, wonderful sense of humor, and their close friendship. What she most admired about her husband was his deep faith.

Prior to moving to Ocean View in 2002, the Scotts lived in New York where Joe's profession was marketing and journalism. His works were widely published in publications such as New York, Good Housekeeping, Delmarva Quarterly and Delaware Beach Life.

Priscilla's family has lived in Bethany Beach for nine generations, and they visited her family in the area frequently before becoming residents. In the introduction to “Settlin' In,” Joe mentions that Priscilla's family history of settling Delmarva helped inspire his stories.

Joe is described as bigger-than-life and an inspirational teacher; he told his life story in a memoir called “Hello, Joe,” available online. The memoir includes stories about his time in Vietnam, surviving car wrecks and various health ailments, and surviving encounters with wildlife in Tanzania and the Yukon.

A story from “Settlin' In” can be found on Joe's website, www.josephscottauthor.com.

“Settlin' In” will be available May 20 and retails for $15. It can be purchased at Browseabout Books in Rehoboth Beach, Bethany Beach Books in Bethany Beach, Patti's Hallmark in Millville, and Made by Hand in South Bethany.