David w Donner
AUTHOR Bio
Growing up in a rural area on the Florida coast, David became profoundly aware of both nature’s beauty and life’s material struggles. Drawing from personal experiences and a keen sense of observation, he crafts narratives that explore the complexities of human relationships and the pursuit of spiritual and personal understanding.
His debut novel, The Child on the Playground, tells the story of Daniel, who grapples with amnesia after a near-fatal car accident. While journeying from North to South Florida, a ghostly child and a radio with a mind of its own lead Dan to an ominous small town and shine a light on the deeper meanings behind his relationship struggles and issues with religious dogma. After more near-misses, it feels like the death he escaped is trying to catch up to him, but a path to find peace despite any circumstance also becomes clear.
David’s creative bent and his yearning to answer questions of meaning and existence have led to studies ranging from music to engineering along with philosophy, psychology, spirituality and theology. He weaves these elements throughout his writing.
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Blurb
I write science fiction and spiritual/paranormal fiction, plus some non-fiction. My themes explore the deeper meaning behind our so-called “ordinary reality.”
For many years writing has existed in the backgound while I focused on music. During these last few years (more like 6 or 7 but who’s counting?) I have switched my focus to writing. I’m happy to finally share this part of my creative journey with the world!
Review from BookLife.com
Donner’s debut is a deeply personal and introspective journey through memory, trauma, and spiritual searching. Set in a quiet Florida town, the story follows Dan, a man recovering from an accident that almost killed him, but his search is haunted by fractured memories and disillusionment. As he struggles with identity, relationships, and his place in the world, he finds a mysterious, ghost-like child who leads him through visions of the past and a town that feels like it exists in a parallel universe. Blending subtle supernatural elements with raw emotional truth, Donner crafts a moving, thought-provoking exploration of healing, navigating the world in a neurodivergent reality, and what it means to find peace beyond organized faith.
The Child on the Playground feels like stepping into someone’s private memories—messy, emotional, and deeply human. The story doesn’t hand readers easy answers; instead, it invites them to sit with the confusion and the pain Dan feels as he tries to piece his life back together. The eerie, ghostlike child serves as a reminder of everything he’s lost or forgotten, gradually coaxing his memories to the surface: memories of him as a young boy, desperate for connection, bullied, and ostracized for being different. Donner’s writing is gentle but honest, never forcing the story, just letting it unfold in raw and reflective prose, exploring what it means to heal when faith, memory, and identity all feel out of reach.
Though the story is emotionally rich and thought-provoking, its slow pace and abstract structure allow the narrative to drift, leaving readers uncertain of what’s real or symbolic, which can be powerful but also frustrating. Some characters feel more like ideas than people, adding to the dreamlike feel while also creating distance. Still, for those who appreciate quiet, contemplative stories, this offers a haunting, personal experience that lingers after the final page.
Takeaway: Meditative reminder that healing means facing the ghosts of our past.
Comparable Titles: Daria Lavelle’s Aftertaste, John Vercher’s Devil Is Fine.
Production grades
Cover: C+
Design and typography: A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A
Print Date: 10/27/2025