Republic: Chapter Twelve

Jul 18, 2007 06:17 AM

"Citizens of Jefferson County, hear me speak. Less than a month ago my wife was murdered, along with several others, by federal agents claiming we were terrorists, we were unpatriotic. Now, the man who stood up for us and spoke out for us is in jail. Why? Because he was foolish enough to speak out loud, and try to stand in front of a crowd and tell us what he thought. Is this the America you want? Is this the America you believe in?"

How podcasting and free content is changing the publishing landscape

Jul 04, 2007 10:08 AM

There's a great piece in this morning's Broward-Palm Beach New Times about J.C. Hutchins, who has been podcasting his 7th Son series over at Podiobooks.com. The most important quote: sleep is for pussies.

Question for my 3 readers

Jun 03, 2007 11:40 AM

Hello, and a thank you to the loyal 3 readers of my website. I'm considering an experiment, and would like your opinion. I'm currently writing the first draft of two planned sequels to Republic. I'm considering blogging my drafts for your feedback.

Prayer at Rumayla Podcast now complete

May 30, 2007 09:45 PM

Just a quick note to let folks know that I've just uploaded the final episode of Prayer at Rumayla: A Novel of the Gulf War.

You can check it out here or at Podiobooks.com

Republic Podcast going live

May 17, 2007 11:14 AM

As I wrap up the podcast of Prayer at Rumayla (there are now only two episodes left), I wanted to make sure that my 3 listeners knew there is something new coming. As of today, the first episode of Republic is now online.

Republic: Chapter Eight (part 1)

May 11, 2007 11:28 PM

“Two federal agents were killed today in a raid gone bad,” the radio announcer said. “The Department of Homeland Security raided a closed computer manufacturing plant in Highview, West Virginia, after the plant was seized by a group accused of being anti-government terrorists. In the raid, two agents and five of the suspected terrorists were killed, and more wounded.”

Republic: Chapter Seven

May 09, 2007 08:30 AM

The sound of the helicopters still shook the walls, but now she heard a new sound: shouting, then a woman screaming. The agents must be in the main factory floor. Karen jumped at the sound of a shotgun blast. It was followed by a dozen more shots from a higher pitched weapon. Sounded like an M16. Somewhere downstairs, a woman screamed. Oh, Christ. Someone had shot at the feds!

Prayer at Rumayla earns spectacular review

May 07, 2007 07:21 AM

A few weeks ago I submitted Prayer at Rumayla: A Novel of the Gulf War for review to the Podler, a book review blog. Last night the review came back, and it was far better than I could have anticipated.

Republic: Chapter Six

May 04, 2007 08:21 AM

After she parked and began walking up the crowded street, two unfamiliar men in grey suits caught her attention. Both carried digital cameras and walked from vehicle to vehicle, taking photographs of the license plates. Karen stared in disbelief as the couple walking ahead of her noticed the two men and crossed the street to avoid encountering them. She stood watching the men as they went from car to car. Who the hell were they? Corporate security? Some kind of paid informants? With a burst of anger, she walked toward them.

Republic: Chapter Five

May 02, 2007 09:19 AM

“Well, for God’s sake, we’ve got to make people see it. The people in our district will be killed by this, with all the job losses in the last couple years. Even the high technology folks aren’t immune; Christ, my father got laid off along with everyone at his plant. He worked for his company for twenty years. His wife is dead, and he’s raising a son with a terminal illness that costs hundreds of thousands of dollars a year to treat, and what will he do if this bill goes through? Don’t they understand what this will do to people?”

Republic: Chapter Four

Apr 30, 2007 03:14 PM

“Colonel Murphy.” Murphy looked up. One of the nurses. “Can you come to the desk for a moment, sir. We’ve got a small problem.” “Sure.” He followed her out to the desk. “Sir, I don’t know how to approach you with this—we got a call from the front office. They indicated your insurance coverage has been cancelled as of yesterday and that they will refuse to pay any claims.”

Prayer at Rumayla Podcast: Chapter Six, Part Two

Apr 28, 2007 10:45 AM

The second part of Chapter Six is now online

In this episode, Chet's company goes into combat at Battle Position 102 in Iraq, and Chet is reunited with his high school friend Julie.

Republic: Chapter Two (Part Two)

Apr 20, 2007 09:22 AM

They said their goodbyes, and Murphy made his way out into the rain as the couple entered the unemployment office. In the car, he turned on the radio and heard the news: there had been a bombing in Arlington, Virginia, outside the Pentagon. Without a second thought, he dialed Valerie’s number in Washington.

Children of Hurin

Apr 19, 2007 04:15 PM

Just got my copy.

Republic: Chapter Two (1)

Apr 17, 2007 07:44 PM

She hung up the phone without replying. A dozen steps took her to Ambrose. “What is it?” He pointed at the television playing in the reception area. The words at the bottom of the screen told her all she needed to know: “Explosions at the Pentagon.”

Republic: Chapter One (continued)

Apr 16, 2007 08:11 AM

He looked around the crowded diner, and said, “This sure is going to hit Highview hard. Eight hundred families… I guess more than half the town worked at that plant.”

He didn’t finish the thought aloud. Desperate people tended to do desperate things.

Prayer at Rumayla Podcast: Chapter Five Part 3

Apr 15, 2007 10:08 AM

Thanks for stopping by, this is the final installment in chapter five.

In this episode, Chet Brown wakes up in jail and is confronted with a Vietnam veteran jailer who tries to talk him out of his despondency. In this chapter we also get the first real view of combat during the Gulf War.

Republic: Chapter 1, Part 1

Apr 15, 2007 08:23 AM

Murphy backed away from the fence. Half a dozen men stood on the hoods of two trucks, shouting at the plant manager’s back.

Murphy said in a tone he expected to be obeyed, “Captain Greenfield.” He motioned to Karen and they grabbed David by the arms. Murphy hadn’t been in an angry crowd like this since Iraq, and didn’t want to be in one now. This could get ugly real quick, and David didn’t need to be in the middle of it.

Republic: Prologue

Apr 14, 2007 09:52 AM

"Come on, old man, just give me the money," the man said. As he spoke, his whole body shuddered. Drug addict, Martha thought, Or he's really sick.

Walter grimaced. "All right, don't get your panties in a wad," he said, working the register. His eyes darted to Martha, then to something below the register.

With a smooth, quick motion, he reached beneath it and lifted a shotgun to his shoulder.

Republic: A Novel of America's Future

Apr 14, 2007 09:32 AM

Welcome to the America of the future: an intrusive federal government; economy going down the tubes; and terrorism, domestic and foreign, wracking our nation. In 2016 America has become a place of fear and suspicion. Terrorism and government crackdowns have brought on a cycle of spiraling inflation and unemployment. Basic civil liberties are at risk in a country changed, yet frighteningly familiar.

Be A Character in My Next Book (or, my Shameless Promotion

Apr 10, 2007 12:23 PM

Did you ever want to be the villain in a suspense novel? A tank crewman charging into battle? A Senator or Representative? Now’s your chance. Sort of.

Chapter Five, Part Two now online

Apr 08, 2007 11:26 AM

Thanks for stopping by, this is the second installment in chapter five.

In this episode, Chet Brown arrives in a small town in West Virginia.

Chapter Five of Prayer at Rumayla Podcast now online

Apr 02, 2007 07:05 PM

Thanks for stopping by to check out chapter five. This is a long chapter and is split into three parts, with the first arriving this week.

At the beginning of chapter five, we find Chet Brown fleeing Atlanta after his disastrous meeting with his ex-fiance Amy and her new boyfriend Paul. We also begin to learn more about Chet's experience during the war.

Prayer at Rumayla eBook Now Available for Free Download

Apr 02, 2007 02:58 PM

Hello friends. I've mentioned here before that one of my projects for this year is a complete re-write and edit of my first novel, Prayer at Rumayla: A Novel of the Gulf War. As I work through it, it's become a very different work -- very different.

Prayer at Rumayla: Chapter Four now online

Mar 24, 2007 12:34 PM

Thanks for stopping by to check out chapter four. This chapter is 32 minutes, and follows Chet Brown as he struggles with his new platoon sergeant, then goes on leave and encounters his ex-fiance. That encounter is a major turning point in the book, but I won't get into how it turns out.

Chapter Three (part two) finished

Mar 18, 2007 08:36 PM

Thanks again for stopping by to check out chapter three.

So far there have been several hundred downloads of the first two chapters, so I'd love to get some feedback from listeners. As I mentioned last time, I broke chapter three into two parts, because it came out to almost an hour. Part two is 24 minutes, and follows the arrival of a new platoon sergeant who shakes up Chet's platoon on his arrival.

Chapter Three (part one) of Prayer at Rumayla now online

Mar 13, 2007 09:51 AM

Thanks for stopping by to check out chapter three.

So far there have been several hundred downloads of the first two chapters, so I'd love to get some feedback from listeners. I've broken up chapter three into two parts, because it came out to almost an hour. Part one is 32 minutes, and follows Chet Brown as he returns to Fort Stewart and has to deal with the reality of a rapidly changing peacetime military.

Listen. Leave a comment. Tell a friend. That's all I ask. And I hope you enjoy it.

Chapter Two of Prayer at Rumayla Podcast now online

Mar 05, 2007 11:07 AM

Thanks for stopping by to check out chapter two. Please note -- this chapter is not safe for children. It may not be safe for adults. It's been a couple years (more like five) since I've read it, and clearly I was, well.... Let's just say it's very explicit.

Audio Podcast: Prayer At Rumayla; A Novel of the Gulf War

Mar 01, 2007 09:29 PM

Over the next few weeks, I'll be reading Prayer at Rumayla: A Novel of the Gulf War in (most likely) nine episodes, one for each chapter plus the epilogue. It's a pretty short book, all in all, I'd anticipate about 4 hours (we'll see).