In less than one week, Steve Young’s autobiography will finally go on sale. I say “finally” because it’s been a L-O-N-G time coming. As Steve’s collaborator, I’m as thrilled as I’ve ever been about the publication of a book.

Last week twenty-five students from Southern Virginia University gathered at my farm for a workshop with NFL Films filmmaker Chris Barlow. Chris and I worked together on “Steve Young: A Football Life,” which will debut on the NFL Network on October 7th. For two hours, Chris took students behind the scenes to see what it takes to make a documentary film.

Today Southern Virginia University is announcing that I will create and direct a new Institute for Writing and Mass Media. I’m thrilled by what this will mean for our students. And I’m grateful to my colleagues in publishing, television, print journalism, filmmaking and photography that have agreed to participate in the Institute as teachers and mentors. A link to the press release appears at the bottom of this post.

I’m sitting on an outdoor patio at a pizza joint overlooking the ocean in southeastern Connecticut. Sun-tanned pedestrians pass by in flip flops and tank tops. My wife and children are with me. We’re waiting for Susette Kelo to arrive for dinner.