On June 26, Branford-based Hotchkiss Publishing invites the public to join in celebrating the launch of Dear Friend II, a follow-up book of inspirational writings by the late author Richard "Sandy" Beach, an icon of Alcoholics Anonymous. The book launch will be held at Consign & Design of the Shoreline in Branford (616 East Main St.) on Sunday, June 26, from 4 – 7 p.m. The free event will include a book introduction, readings, and a cookout with soft drinks and music. No registration is required.

Hotchkiss Publishing has previously published two books by Beach, a Woodbridge native. Publisher Bill Ludwig was Beach's cousin; and as far back as 2002, the two had discussed the idea of taking Beach's daily inspirational "letters," written since 1996, and creating a book. The result, Dear Friend, was published in 2014 to mark Beach's milestone 50th Anniversary of sobriety.

"It was not until 2014, with Sandy's health failing and his 50th anniversary approaching, that I realized that the time had come for me to get off my duff and produce Dear Friend as a gift to celebrate his upcoming milestone," said Hotchkiss. "The first volume of Dear Friend was published on December 7th, 2014, Sandy's 50th anniversary. Unfortunately we lost Sandy on September 28 (2014). The response to the first volume has been extremely positive. Therefore, Dear Friend II has been compiled using the remainder of Sandy's writings for publication, letters which had been hidden away for the past 20 years. We are making them available for you in the hopes that you will find them a useful and comforting guide on your spiritual journey."

Copies of  Dear Friend II, Dear Friend and a third book by Beach will be available for purchase at the June 26 event.  For more information visit www.hotchkisspublishing.com