Gary O. Thompson
Author of the Preke Town Chronicles
Jamaican Author
Writing stories of adventure, friendship, mystery, and wonder for young readers everywhere.
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Gary O. Thompson is a Jamaican author, entrepreneur, and storyteller whose work celebrates the adventure, humor, faith, and vibrant culture of the Caribbean. He is the creator of The Preke Town Chronicles, a middle-grade series that introduces readers to a colorful world of mystery, friendship, and unforgettable characters inspired by life in Jamaica.
From an early age, Gary developed a love for stories and the power they have to connect people across cultures and generations. Over the years, he expressed his creativity through writing songs, poetry, articles, and personal reflections, gradually developing the storytelling voice that would later bring Preke Town to life.
Having lived and worked in Jamaica, the United States, and the United Kingdom, Gary gained a unique perspective on the people, traditions, and experiences that unite communities around the world. These experiences now influence his writing, helping him create stories that are authentically Caribbean while remaining accessible to readers everywhere.
Through The Preke Town Chronicles, Gary seeks to place Jamaican culture at the center of exciting, high-quality children’s adventures. His stories combine mystery, humor, family, friendship, and real-world lessons, inviting young readers to discover a Caribbean setting rarely seen in mainstream middle-grade fiction.
A committed Seventh-day Adventist Christian, Gary believes that strong values, faith, kindness, and community help shape meaningful lives. While his books are first and foremost entertaining adventures, they are also grounded in themes of courage, integrity, perseverance, and hope.
When he is not writing, Gary is involved in business development, community service, reading, and spending time with his family. He lives in Jamaica with his wife, Lorry-Ann, and their two sons, Osmond-Leigh and Vic-Xander.
Through every book, Gary hopes to inspire young readers to embrace curiosity, value friendship, appreciate diverse cultures, and never stop believing that extraordinary adventures can begin in the most ordinary places.
Author interview
In Conversation with CVM Television
Before The Preke Town Chronicles became a series, Gary O. Thompson appeared on Jamaica’s CVM Television to discuss the vision behind creating positive Jamaican stories for young readers and preserving our cultural heritage through contemporary storytelling.
Media & Speaking Engagements
Gary welcomes opportunities to participate in interviews, literary discussions, author events, and speaking engagements. To ensure adequate preparation and scheduling, prospective hosts and organizers are encouraged to make requests as far in advance as possible.
Author, Broadcaster & Literacy Advocate
Through the fictional world of Preke Town, Gary seeks to create stories that entertain young readers while celebrating friendship, curiosity, courage, and the unique character of Caribbean life.
In addition to his work as an author, Gary is a business strategist and entrepreneur with experience supporting organizations in strategic planning, business development, and growth initiatives. He is the Managing Director of OTIB, JA. Limited and Founder of Glov Equity LLC, organizations focused on helping businesses strengthen performance and explore opportunities for sustainable growth.
Gary is also the creator and former host of the Preke Town Book Club, a literary radio program developed in partnership with Newstalk 93FM. Through the programme, he interviewed authors, publishers, poet laureates, educators, and publishing professionals while promoting literacy, storytelling, and a love of reading among listeners.
READER-WRITER
Building a Literary Community
From 2019 to 2026, the Preke Town Book Club featured guests from Jamaica, the United States, England, Pakistan, and other parts of the world, creating a platform for meaningful conversations about books, literacy, publishing, and creative writing. The programme attracted hundreds of loyal listeners and developed a strong online following through live streaming and digital engagement.
Working alongside the accommodating leadership team at Newstalk 93FM, the programme became a respected forum for literary discussion and professional insight. As members of the Book Industry Association of Jamaica, the team also benefited from the generous support of industry partners including Hodder Education, the Jamaica Library Service, Carlong Publishers, and other organizations committed to promoting reading, literacy, and Jamaican publishing.
By connecting readers directly with authors, publishers, poets, educators, and literary professionals, the programme helped foster a vibrant reading community while providing valuable insight into both Caribbean and international publishing.
1,864
Connections Made
23
Countries Impacted
The Preke Town Chronicles
Goes Beyond Books.
Literacy Beyond the Books.
Gary and the Preke Town Chronicles team actively support literacy and Jamaican publishing through school visits, library presentations, reading initiatives, and outreach activities across the island. The team proudly participates in literacy-focused programs, including Read Across Jamaica Day, and regularly makes themselves available for author talks, readings, and educational engagements.
Whether promoting The Preke Town Chronicles or supporting the works of fellow authors, the mission remains the same: encouraging children to discover the lifelong benefits and enjoyment of reading.
Why Preke Town?
Each story in The Preke Town Chronicles is crafted to inspire young minds, blending adventure, humour, mystery, and valuable life lessons that resonate with readers. The books intentionally incorporate rich vocabulary, authentic Caribbean experiences, compound words, and real-world references designed to stretch readers intellectually while remaining engaging and accessible.
Through memorable characters and imaginative adventures, the series encourages curiosity, critical thinking, cultural appreciation, and a deeper love for language and storytelling.
Community & Culture
At The Preke Town Chronicles, stories are viewed as more than entertainment. They are opportunities to strengthen communities, encourage compassion, and inspire service.
During 2026, proceeds from sales of The Preke Town Chronicles will contribute to year-end initiatives supporting both the continued upkeep and improvement of Kingsway Preparatory School, a Seventh-day Adventist educational institution in Jamaica, and the annual children’s Christmas outreach programmes organized by the Kiwanis Club of Downtown Kingston. Through these initiatives, hospitalized children at the University Hospital of the West Indies and Bustamante Hospital for Children receive gifts, treats, and encouragement during the Christmas season.
These efforts reflect the values that have always been at the heart of the series. The Preke Town Chronicles celebrates friendship, faith, kindness, service, and community through engaging storytelling. By supporting literacy, education, and charitable outreach, the team hopes to make a positive difference both inside and outside the pages of its books.