Overview

He only came to the wedding because his sister's car broke down. Now he's stuck at a table with strangers, and before he knows it, he's telling a story he's never told anyone. Years ago, Stefan fled his country's corruption to work on a cruise ship, chasing a new beginning. But one embarkation day, he accidentally killed an albatross, a bird sailors believe brings good luck, and from that moment, the voyage began to spiral. Each port brought something different: heartbreak, betrayal, strange encounters, even a death at sea. What started as escape became something far darker, and far more human. Cruising is a modern-day Rime of the Ancient Mariner: darkly funny, deeply personal, and achingly real. A story about love, guilt, reinvention, and what happens when you're adrift-at sea and in life.

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Damian Fischer was born in Yugoslavia in 1976 and grew up in a country ravaged by civil conflict. Despite the difficulties, he decided to forge a career path and worked several jobs after high school, from playing guitar on a children's TV show to selling real estate, all with the goal of paying for his education at the prestigious International University of Novi Pazar, where he earned a Criminalistics degree. Damian became disillusioned after the assassination of Serbia's prime minister and the deep corruption in the justice system. He chose to leave his native country and embark on an adventure by working as an assistant waiter for Royal Caribbean. Over time, he advanced to the position of Guest Services Officer, navigating not only oceans but also life-changing events and near-death encounters, which he later documented in his novel Cruising Through the Storm. ​ Damian retired from ship life in 2011 and settled in Brazil to teach English. When the University of Missouri's high school program started in 2016, he expanded his responsibilities to include lecturing on Marketing, Debate, Creative Writing, and Study Skills. ​ Before she died during the COVID-19 pandemic, a dear friend asked Damian to write his life story. Fulfilling his promise to a deceased friend marked a turning point and reignited his passion for writing. Now based in the coastal city of Natal, Damian continues to write, submits novels to literary agents worldwide, and reflects on a life shaped by perseverance and reinvention. He's published short stories in Serbia and believes failure is the most vital part of learning. As he puts it: ""Never give up. Even though others have failed, it doesn't mean you will too."" And his personal credo? ""You won't ever live fully if you're playing it safe.""

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