Spotlight on Author Steve Rasin: From Navy Commander to Novelist

Before becoming a novelist, South Cobb resident Steve Rasin built an extraordinary career in aviation, service, and leadership. A retired Navy Commander, T-28 Flight Instructor, and P-3 Orion pilot with more than 45 years of flight experience, Steve graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1974 and went on to serve nearly eight years on active duty before joining the Naval Reserve.

Following his military career, Steve transitioned into the civilian sector with Lockheed Missiles & Space Company, where he worked as an Operational Support Engineer for more than a decade. Later, he embarked on another journey—this time in commercial aviation. As an airline captain with AirTran Airways, he flew the McDonnell Douglas DC-9 and Boeing 717, building a reputation as a skilled and steady pilot. Alongside his flying career, Steve also earned a real estate license to support his wife Dianne in her business. Even after retirement, his sense of service never left him—he ran for mayor of Smyrna, Georgia, an experience that deepened his connection to his community.

But it was storytelling that eventually called to him. “I’ve always enjoyed reading fiction, and most of what I plan to write will also be fictional,” Steve explains. “My stories feature characters inspired by people I’ve met, or wish I had met, while others are entirely imagined.”

His debut novel, The Island Remedy, was born from a deeply personal mission: to honor his grandparents. The central characters, Norman and Clara Nisar, are inspired by them—portrayed in circumstances Steve imagined they might have faced. The book also draws on his experiences watching loved ones battle cancer and his observations of people who will go to any lengths to advance themselves at the expense of others.

Writing the novel was both a challenge and a joy. The first draft came together in just over three months, with another five months spent refining, editing, and preparing it for publication. The most difficult part, Steve says, was ensuring accuracy in timelines and striking the right balance between excitement and accessibility—keeping readers engaged without overwhelming them with technical jargon.

Instead of pursuing traditional publishing, Steve chose to self-publish through Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP). “It was easy and not expensive to get started,” he notes, and the process gave him full creative control.

As an author, his advice to aspiring writers is simple yet powerful: “Write about something you love. Tell your story or the story that inspires you most. And don’t be afraid to reach out to other authors who are willing to share their experiences.”

When he’s not writing, Steve enjoys reading thrillers, mysteries, and spy novels—genres that influence the fast-paced storytelling style of his own work. And The Island Remedy is only the beginning. It’s the first in a trilogy centered on Norman and Clara Nisar, and Steve already has two more trilogies in development: one inspired by his father, a World War II veteran, and his uncle, a Vietnam War Green Beret; the other featuring a fictionalized version of himself. He is also planning a memoir-style book reflecting on pivotal experiences from his own life—including his role as one of five Black children integrating a previously all-white elementary school in 1958, his years at the Naval Academy, and his decades as a Navy and airline pilot.

For Steve, writing is an extension of a life devoted to service, family, and resilience. With The Island Remedy, he has given readers not only a compelling story but also a window into the values and experiences that have shaped his journey.

You can order The Island Remedy in ebook or paperback format on Amazon.

Quick Facts About Steve Rasin

Career Highlights:

• Retired Navy Commander, T-28 Flight Instructor, P-3 Orion pilot
• Airline Captain with AirTran Airways (DC-9 & Boeing 717)
• Former Operational Support Engineer at Lockheed Missiles & Space Company
• Ran for Mayor of Smyrna, GA

Writing & Inspiration:

• Debut novel: The Island Remedy (first in a trilogy)
• Inspired by his grandparents, life experiences, and stories of resilience
• Plans two additional trilogies and a memoir-style book

Writing Style:

• Fictional thrillers and mysteries
• Focuses on engaging characters, fast-paced storytelling, and real-world inspiration

Fun Facts:

• Favorite books: mysteries, thrillers, and spy novels
• Self-published via Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)
• Lives in the metro Atlanta area with his wife, Dianne

Get the Book:

• The Island Remedy is available in ebook or paperback on Amazon