North Salem author finds his voice in debut novel

My hope is that this book reaches people who feel judged or unseen and reminds them that they are not alone.”

Richard Sgaglio

NORTH SALEM, N.Y. - For Richard Sgaglio, stories have always been a part of life. He grew up surrounded by community in northern Westchester—working in his brother’s Katonah business, and later settling down in North Salem with his husband. Now, after decades of carrying one story quietly in his mind, the longtime communications executive and nonprofit leader is ready to share it with the world.

On Aug. 30, Sgaglio released his debut novel, "When the Road Narrows," through London-based Spectrum Books. The coming-of-age story, set in the 1980s, follows Nick, a teenager struggling to reconcile his Catholic upbringing with the truth of his sexuality during the early years of the AIDS crisis.

“It’s a story that had been in my head for decades,” Sgaglio says. “Some of it is autobiographical, and some comes from the experiences of people I knew back then. It was a very different time—conservative politics, the AIDS crisis, and a lot less acceptance of people who were different.”

Though the novel is grounded in that era, Sgaglio sees clear parallels to today.

“We’re witnessing a disturbing return to the rhetoric and policies of exclusion that defined the 1980s,” he explains. “LGBTQ+ individuals are being erased from classrooms, banned from bookshelves, and denied basic human rights. These aren’t just political issues—they’re deeply personal. My hope is that this book reaches people who feel judged or unseen and reminds them that they are not alone.”

Sgaglio’s own journey has deep roots in Westchester. After moving from the Bronx to Mahopac as a child, he spent much of his youth in Katonah and Bedford, working at the family store. He and his husband chose North Salem nearly a decade ago for its quiet, welcoming character.

“We love it here,” he says. “The community is warm, supportive, and progressive. We feel very fortunate—but I know not everyone has that kind of environment, which is why telling Nick’s story felt so important.”

In addition to writing, Sgaglio serves as Executive Director of Marketing at Waveny LifeCare Network, teaches communications at Purdue University, and is president of the board for Friends of Karen, a North Salem nonprofit supporting families with children facing life-threatening illnesses.

Giving back, he says, is part of who he is. “I always like to help where I can,” Sgaglio relates. “Friends of Karen is such an incredible organization, and I’m proud to contribute to their mission.”

For a first-time novelist, the path to publication was unexpectedly smooth. After finishing the manuscript, Sgaglio sent it to Spectrum Books—the only publisher he approached. To his surprise, they accepted it.

“It felt like the right place for this story,” he recalls.

And while some early readers are already asking if Nick’s story will continue in a sequel, Sgaglio is content to let "When the Road Narrows" stand on its own for now.

“It’s about resilience,” he concludes. “It’s about remembering the struggles of the past and shining a light of hope for today. If even one person feels less alone after reading it, I’ll feel like I’ve done my job.”

"When the Road Narrows" is available now on Amazon.