Republic Podcast conclusion

Mar 09, 2008 06:33 PM

Hi folks, it's finally done. I uploaded the final episode of Republic a few minutes ago.

Republic Podcast updated

Jan 12, 2008 10:13 AM

Just a quick note to let folks know that the latest episode of Republic (episode 20) is now online.

Will number of downloads translate into books sold?

Jan 02, 2008 11:24 AM

Yesterday morning I posted that starting with the first of the year, I’m giving away the ebook of Republic for free. The million dollar question is, will books downloaded translate into a ratio with books sold?

New Years action: Giving away my book

Jan 01, 2008 12:00 AM

I've never been one for New Years resolutions. Quit smoking? Yeah, right. However, a New Years action I can deal with. Here's the plan: starting today, I'm going to be giving away the ebook version of Republic for free.

And the winner is....

Dec 25, 2007 08:28 AM

John Mayson of Austin, Texas! I was going to post a video review last night, but we're a little crowded here in Atlanta for Christmas, so I'm just posting a quick blog entry instead.

Republic featured title at Borders

Dec 05, 2007 09:44 AM

Just wanted to share the news that at Borders' political fiction category, Republic is now a featured title.

Republic: Chapter Twelve

Nov 21, 2007 09:08 AM

A drop of sweat crawled down Morris’ back as he stood in front of his assembled company. At 0800 hours, the sun already beat down on them mercilessly. It was going to be a hot day, over a hundred degrees. They stood on the edge of a parking lot, close to where their tents had stood for the last four weeks, next to the ruins of the shopping center. Damaged buildings and debris still scattered the area, but the Army’s job was over.

Two new reviews of Republic

Sep 19, 2007 10:34 AM

Good news here. Two solid reviews came back on Republic, from Midwest Book Review and Out in Jersey Magazine.

Republic Podcast: Episode 10

Jul 30, 2007 08:37 AM

Another terrorist strike in America, this time at the Byrd Federal Building in Charleston, West Virginia, hurtles the country toward civil war.

Republic Episode 9 now online

Jul 18, 2007 07:29 AM

Skipped a week because I was on the road, but Republic Episode 9 is now online. With Episode 9, we have now completed Book One, and next week the podcast will take a new -- and much more dangerous -- direction.

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?"

Crystal Reviews on Republic: A Novel of America's Future

Jul 15, 2007 12:53 AM

I meant to get this posted earlier this week, but 18 hour days while out of town intervened. A new review of Republic was posted this week over at Crystal Reviews. Viviane Crystal wrote, "Republic is a taught, page-turning read ... unexpected, devastating, breath-catching, haunting end..."

Republic reviewed at Veterans for Common Sense

Jul 05, 2007 11:30 PM

Paul Sullivan, the executive director at Veterans for Common Sense just posted a review of Republic on his blog. "Republic is the best contemporary fiction I’ve ever read." Wow.

Republic Podcast: Episode 8

Jul 05, 2007 07:36 PM

Episode 8 is now online. Mike Morris and the 1st of the 15th Infantry withdraw from Arlington, Virginia. Demonstrators call for Dale Whitt to be released, and violence breaks out in Harpers Ferry.

Niagara Falls Reporter: Republic review

Jul 02, 2007 12:00 AM

Pulitzer Prize winning journalist John Hanchette (named by Gannett as one of the top ten journalists of the last decade) has just written a truly wonderful review of Republic.

Republic Podcast: Episode 7

Jun 29, 2007 06:13 AM

Episode 7 is now online. Congressman Clark and Valerie Murphy seek help from the President, and Dale Whitt announces his campaign for secession from the United States.

Republic: Chapter Eleven

Jun 28, 2007 09:34 AM

“Mr. Clark, I’m surprised at you. If I were to interfere in an ongoing investigation being conducted by the Justice Department, you and your friends on the Hill would be all over me with ethics investigations. I most certainly will not do that, nor will I pressure a private company—private, mind you—to change its policies to suit your needs. Now, I will take what you have said into consideration, but I must say, Mr. Clark, I am disappointed.”

It sounds like Big Brother; do the society and the times dictate something?

Jun 28, 2007 08:52 AM

The District Attorney and Mayor of Pittsburgh have proposed installing a huge network of cameras, license plate recognition devices and a centralized network throughout downtown Pittsburgh, in order to make it "an even safer and more hospitable place."

DailyKos Review

Jun 25, 2007 12:36 AM

This morning TeacherKen over at DailyKos posted one hell of a review of Republic: A Novel of America's Future. For those of you who aren't aware of it, Kos is the powerhouse of blogs, with more than 100,000 daily visitors. The exiting news? By the end of the night, the book had jumped to the top ten new releases on Amazon, with a sales rank in the low 2000s. Wow.

Chris Gerrib Review of Republic

Jun 13, 2007 09:31 PM

Chris Gerrib (author of The Mars Run) has written a wonderful review of Republic. Excellent news! I've posted some excerpts, or you can go check out the full review.

Better late than never - Episode 4 is now online

Jun 08, 2007 11:49 PM

So, my schedule has been crazy, what with server crashes, elementary school graduations (congratulations to the boy!) and other assorted stuff, so I'm behind on recording Republic. Nevertheless, I just finished cutting episide 4 and it is now online.

Republic - Chapter Ten

Jun 08, 2007 04:19 PM

“Gentlemen, I plan to run on a platform proposing that West Virginia secede from the United States.” The silence after his statement was long. If it hadn’t been for the banging of pots and pans in the back room, you might have heard the wind whisper outside. Murphy brought his water to his lips, leaned back in his chair, and studied Whitt in a very different light. That neither he nor Machen burst into laughter was a measure of just how angry they—and the rest of the town—were.

First review of Republic now in

Jun 07, 2007 04:28 PM

The first review of Republic is now in, from the Podler Book Review!

Republic video: your feedback requested

Jun 05, 2007 09:10 AM

Hello! Another way a lot of authors and publishers are promoting books now is the use of video trailers. Here's a draft of one for Republic: looking for your feedback, and, if you think it's good, please forward it on to friends!

Sometimes truth really is stranger than fiction

Jun 04, 2007 02:43 PM

Ok, so here's the deal. The biggest, most difficult idea to swallow in Republic is the idea that in the modern day, an actual secessionist movement from the United States could gain any adherents at all. I spent a lot of time in the book trying to make that concept both believable and realistic. Turns out, some folks in Vermont beat me to it.

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.

Republic: Chapter Nine

May 30, 2007 06:03 PM

Four agents from the DHS stood behind the gate in full combat gear, carrying rifles with grenade launchers slung under the barrels. A fifth stood to the side, digital camera in hand with a telescopic lens. He began shooting photographs of the townspeople as soon as they parked. Murphy ignored them, his face impassive. He stepped out of the truck, walked around the back where the agents couldn’t see him, and lifted an old pair of bolt cutters he’d thrown into it the night before.

Podcast Updates

May 24, 2007 07:44 PM

Just a quick post to let folks know I've updated both podcasts this evening. Chapter seven of Prayer at Rumayla is now complete, with only one episode left before completion. Episode 2 of Republic is now online, along with a 60 second preview.

Republic: Chapter Eight (part 2)

May 19, 2007 10:31 AM

“Tell me the Russians didn’t take over while I had my back turned?” Elkins said. “The feds are out there taking pictures of everybody who comes in the building. What the hell is going on up there, Ken? Were you there when it happened?”

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.

Featured Author Interview

May 16, 2007 02:31 PM

After the review of Prayer at Rumayla last week on the Podler Book Review, they asked me to do an interview as their featured author. I was quite honored. Here is the interview:

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!

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.”

Republic: Chapter Three (continued)

Apr 27, 2007 07:46 AM

Turville untied it, not thinking about what he was about to do, then walked toward the body, watching his step.

Jesus. She was exquisite: red hair splayed about, green eyes wide open, the dress gathered around her breasts; she looked like somebody’s prom date. It was creepy, looking at someone so beautiful lying there dead. Her skin was ivory pale.

Republic: Chapter Three (part one)

Apr 24, 2007 05:01 PM

“I didn’t sign up to be a single parent, you know.”

Knowing she was right, Morris couldn’t help biting back. “I guess you should have thought of that before you married an infantry officer.”

He turned away so he didn’t have to see her face harden; then marched upstairs to grab his always-packed alert bag. Her shout caught him by surprise.

“No, I should have thought of that before letting a drunk college boy get me pregnant!”

Message to Democrats: Spamming Me Will Not Get You My Vote

Apr 21, 2007 12:29 PM

I woke up Wednesday morning just like any other day at around 5 am, stumbled downstairs and poured myself a cup of coffee. Then, like any normal morning, I grabbed my MacBook and went outside to read my mail, smoke, and wake the hell up. I was greeted with more than a thousand message in my inbox.

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.

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.

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.