Photo Credit: Ric Ide

A. C. Burch

Stories of Belonging

Life, Love, Loss,
and the Courage to be Seen

A. C. explores themes of chosen family, resilience, and the complexities of identity. Having trained as a musician, he brings a lyrical sensibility and deliberate rhythm to narratives praised for their emotional resonance, wit, and insight.

Drawing inspiration from Provincetown’s vibrant queer and artistic communities and the luminous energy of South Beach, his work offers an evocative glimpse into the beauty of connection and self-discovery.

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Explore A.C.’s Books Below

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The Distance Between Us

Book Two of The HomePort Chronicles

A Shocking Death Shakes a Seaside Community

(Think Miss Marple Meets Ru Paul)

When Celia-Jane Strongue, a widow seeking a fresh start, is found dead in the studio of celebrated artist Mavis Chandry, suspicion falls on Helena Handbasket—Provincetown’s beloved female impersonator.

Helena, the sharp-witted director of the Staunton Museum & Trust, suddenly finds herself a suspect in a crime that threatens not just her reputation, but the very fabric of the seaside resort’s artistic legacy.

As Helena delves into the tangled web of secrets, betrayals, and long-buried histories, she uses her impersonation and wardrobe skills to unravel the truth before the real culprit destroys everything she holds dear. But in a town where everyone has something to hide, the distance between trust and treachery is razor-thin.

Filled with intrigue, wit, and unforgettable characters, The Distance Between Us is a thrilling mystery that explores identity, art, and the power of community—where every masterpiece holds a secret and every secret has a price.

“The mystery charms and surprises, but the novel’s deeper joy is its enticing depiction of a town and its people proudly out of the mainstream—the prose, plot, and dialogue gush and bubble like champagne uncorked.”

-BookLife by Publisher’s Weekly, Editor’s Pick

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The HomePort Journals

Book One of The HomePort Chronicles

A Young Man Fleeing Heartbreak and Betrayal Finds a Second Chance at the Tip of Cape Cod

(The estate’s historic, the residents are eccentric, and the tea is always spiked)

Arriving by chance at the historic HomePort Estate, Marc Nugent finds himself embraced by an eccentric collection of outsiders including its enigmatic owner, the reclusive Lola Staunton—and the sharp-witted and unforgettable female impersonator, Helena Handbasket.

Lola, a fiesty elder with a sharp wit and a secret past, takes Marc under her wing and offers him a place in her storied Provincetown mansion. As he pieces together the fragments of his life, he discovers an old journal that unveils long-buried secrets and forces him to confront a few of his own.

Rich in atmosphere and heartfelt emotion, The HomePort Journals explores themes of identity, resilience, and the enduring power of love. The novel masterfully intertwines past and present as Marc delves into the journal’s mysteries, uncovering tales of forbidden romance and betrayal that echo his own struggles. With Helena and her zany circle of friends guiding him, he begins to heal and redefine his sense of self, learning that family is not always determined by blood, but by the bonds we choose to nurture.

The HomePort Journals is a celebration of those who dare to live authentically, offering a heartfelt and uplifting narrative for anyone who has ever sought a place of belonging.

“Burch’s exquisite descriptions of Provincetown bring the Cape to life, and the more he reveals about the delightfully crotchety Dorrie and Lola and the effervescent, tragic Helena, the more captivating they become.”

-Kirkus Reviews

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A Book of Revelations

We All Keep Secrets—Even From Ourselves

Illustrations by Madeline Sorel

Eight short stories exploring the complexities of identity, ambition, and human connection

(They say the truth will set you free, but not before it hands you the bill)

Private Quarters: A coming of age story. With cocktails.

Curtain Call: A spurned “mistress” crashes a memorial for her ex-lover’s wife.

Götterdämmerung: The complex relationship between a maestro and his protégé.

Convergence: An aging artist and would-be socialite hosts a disastrous dinner party.

The Honoree: A do-gooder’s past unexpectedly threatens her future.

Last Chance: A gay detective investigates a murder case where nothing is at it seems.

The Midnight Suitor: A nephew unearths an old family secret–with a modern-day twist.

Even In Death: Mourners who are strangers “bond” at a charlatan’s wake.

“Burch weaves a collection of crackerjack plot twists in which unlikely heroes seize the day.”

-Kirkus Reviews

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A. C. Burch

Stories of Belonging

Life, Love, Loss, and the Courage to be Seen

Explore A.C.’s Books Below

The Distance Between Us

A Shocking Death Shakes a Seaside Community

The HomePort Journals

A Young Man Fleeing Heartbreak and Betrayal Finds a Second Chance at the Tip of Cape Cod

A Book of Revelations

Eight short stories exploring the complexities of identity, ambition, and human connection

“Burch weaves a collection of crackerjack plot twists in which unlikely heroes seize the day.”

I'd love to share

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Life, Love, Loss,
and the Courage to be Seen