INTERNATIONAL AMAZON AVAILABILITY · International Amazon listings are linked below. Direct book reservations remain subject to the distribution restrictions described in the reservation section.
By Sean Patrick CoffinA memoir about fatherhood, separation, and rebuilding.When my marriage ended, I was still a father. The hard part was figuring out how to keep showing up for my sons while the rest of my life came apart.
A short clip gives you a moment. Resenting Joy tells the story around it: the family I thought I was building, the separation that changed it, and the years I spent trying to remain present for my two sons.I wrote about what I lived through, drawing on the messages, communications, and records I kept. I also wrote about the people who showed up for me and what it took to begin building a life again.
Before everything changed The relationships, family history, and hopes that came before the separation.Trying to remain a father The experience of separation, financial disputes, and court proceedings while trying to stay present for my sons.Building a life again The people who helped, the choices I had to face, and the reason I began writing.
Meet Sean Coffin
I’m Sean Patrick Coffin—a father of two, a New York City teacher and coach, and the author of Resenting Joy.I started writing to make sense of what happened to my family and to leave my sons my account of those years. Here, I share the story, the lessons I’m still learning, and what it takes to begin again.Start with three pieces of my story
International Amazon AvailabilityInternational editions and availability may vary by marketplace.
Reserve directly from SeanFor direct reservations, no book or digital file will be provided until distribution is permitted. Paid reservations are fully refundable upon request.
Ebook · $19.99The digital edition of Resenting Joy. Reserve now for delivery when distribution is permitted.No instant download is currently available.
Paperback reservation · $27.99Reserve your copy for shipment as soon as distribution is permitted.The regular paperback price is $22.50. The higher reservation price helps cover my legal costs as I continue representing myself.Payment is taken now. There is no confirmed shipping date. Paid reservations are fully refundable upon request.
Hardcover · $32.50The hardcover edition of Resenting Joy, purchased directly from the author.Reservation only. Shipment will take place when distribution is permitted.
Founder’s Edition · $150Numbered copies 1–25.Hand-numbered hardcover, matching foil seal, a signed and dated certificate with a personalized inscription, and a Hole Diggers Country Club sticker.Reservation only.
THE FIRST 100 A finite run of numbered hardcovers.
1st Print Edition · $95Numbered copies 26–75.Hand-numbered hardcover, matching foil seal, signed and dated certificate of authenticity, and a Hole Diggers Country Club sticker.Reservation only.
Collector’s Edition · Sold outNumbered copies 76–100.The first-publication hardcover with its matching numbered foil seal. This edition is no longer available.
Resenting Joy T-Shirt · $24.99The Resenting Joy design on a 100% cotton T-shirt.Men’s S–XL · Women’s S–L · Youth S–L Free shipping.
The book tells the story of those years. On Substack, I write about fatherhood, rebuilding, and what has happened since. Read the posts and subscribe there to receive new writing by email.If you want to support my legal costs while I continue representing myself, a paperback reservation includes a future copy of the book and helps me keep going.
A past leaderboard placement for the Resenting Joy newsletter.
#6
Amazon.com · New Releases
Paperback placement in Parenting & Families Humor.
5.0 / 5
Amazon.com · Reader Reviews
Based on 3 reviews in the saved paperback listing.
Also reached #50 in Fatherhood (Books) and #65 in Parenting & Families Humor on Amazon.com.
Historical rankings and review snapshot documented in saved screenshots supplied by the author. Capture dates are unavailable. These are past results, not current rankings or review totals.
In Readers’ Own Words
What Readers Are Saying
“I felt like I needed to let you know how well it was written…”
Brad Bond · Reader Message
“I’m more than halfway through the book and it is so EYE OPENING!!”
Lori Tutino · Facebook Comment
“Rachel read it in TWO DAYS... Powerful stuff”
Ed Seo · Reader Message
“I bought a copy it’s actually a really good book”
Christina Paulson · Facebook Comment
Excerpts from reader messages and comments shared with Sean.
About The Book & Author
What Is Resenting Joy About?
Resenting Joy is Sean Coffin’s memoir about fatherhood, family relationships, separation, and rebuilding. Told from his own perspective, it follows his effort to remain present for his sons and make sense of the years that followed the end of his marriage. Start with three selected pieces of Sean’s writing.
Who Is Sean Patrick Coffin?
Sean Patrick Coffin, also known as Sean Coffin, is a New York City teacher, coach, father of two, and the author of Resenting Joy. His writing explores fatherhood, personal experience, and beginning again after family conflict.
Email [email protected] with your show or publication, topic, and deadline. The Media & Interviews section includes the Stand With Meg conversation and a downloadable media kit for hosts and journalists.
Where Can Booksellers Find Formats And ISBNs?
The paperback ISBN is 979-8-9933719-1-7 and the hardcover ISBN is 979-8-9933719-0-0. Find the brochure and retail information sheet in For Canadian Booksellers. Please confirm current availability, pricing, and distribution conditions directly before placing an order.
Before You Reserve
Can I Receive A Directly Reserved Copy Now?
No. A direct reservation holds a future copy. No book, manuscript, excerpt, download, shipment, or access will be provided through a direct reservation unless and until distribution is permitted.
Why Does The Paperback Reservation Cost More?
The regular paperback price is $22.50. The $27.99 reservation includes your future copy and helps cover Sean’s legal costs while he continues representing himself.
When Will My Book Ship?
As soon as distribution is permitted. There is no confirmed shipping date. Payment is taken when you reserve.
Can I Request A Refund?
Yes. Paid reservations are fully refundable upon request. Email [email protected] with your order details.
Media & Interviews
Watch or listen to conversations about fatherhood, writing, and rebuilding.
Featured conversation · October 2026
The Stand With Meg Show
Fatherhood, writing, and rebuilding.
Sean and Brittany join Meg for a candid conversation about family, Sean’s experience writing Resenting Joy, and finding a way forward.
Use the Parent-Child Connection Planner to choose a simple activity, start a conversation, and remember something worth returning to. No signup needed.
Opens in a new tab. Use “Print Or Save As PDF” to keep your own copy.
Preview The Planner
Resenting Joy · Plan The Moment
Parent-Child Connection Planner
A little attention can turn an ordinary moment into time you both remember. Choose one simple activity, put the phone away, and let your child help shape the plan.
By Sean Patrick Coffin · Father, Teacher & Coach
1. Make A Small Plan
Our Names:
Day / Time:
Minutes Together:
Start with 10-20 minutes. Give yourself permission to keep it simple.
2. Let Your Child Choose
Move Together
Take a short walk, pass a ball, or make a three-move obstacle course.
Make Something
Draw a silly creature, build with blocks, or prepare a simple snack.
Notice Together
Find five interesting things outside, look at clouds, or share a favorite song.
Our Choice (Or Their Own Idea):
Adapt the activity to your child's age, interests, and access needs. A younger child can point, draw, or choose between two ideas.
3. Show Up With Attention
Put distractions away.
Follow their lead.
Notice one specific thing.
Try: “You kept working on that even when it fell down.” You do not need to turn every moment into a lesson.
Listen, Notice & Return
Use one question if it fits the moment. Let the conversation wander. Quiet time together counts, too.
4. Open A Conversation
Something Good
“What made you smile today?”
Something They Know
“Can you teach me how you do that?”
Something To Imagine
“If we could make up a game, what would the rules be?”
If they do not feel like talking, keep doing the activity. If something difficult comes up, listen before jumping in with a solution.
5. Remember What You Noticed
Something My Child Enjoyed:
Something They Said Or Did That I Want To Remember:
Something I Want To Do Differently Next Time:
Make The Next Invitation
“Next time, would you like to ?”
Offer something you can follow through on. A small routine can be worth repeating.
International Amazon Availability
International editions and availability may vary by marketplace.
Interested in introducing Resenting Joy to your readers? These materials introduce the author, the story, and the details needed to start a bookseller conversation.
Bookseller Brochure
A two-page introduction to Sean Coffin, the memoir, its themes, and opportunities for interviews and events.
Choose your format: ebook for digital reading, paperback for a print copy, or hardcover for a sturdy shelf edition. Numbered editions are listed below.
Reservations are for future delivery. Payment is taken now. No book or digital file will be provided until distribution is permitted. There is no confirmed shipping date. Paid reservations are fully refundable upon request.
Ebook
Digital edition, delivered when distribution is permitted. No instant download.
Hand-numbered hardcover, matching foil seal, signed and dated certificate with a personalized inscription, and a Hole Diggers Country Club sticker. Reservation only.