For more information about the historical background to the novel, please click here: INTRODUCTION Temple Hayden, the protagonist, is firmly rooted in old ideals of the nineteenth century. His experience as a lawman on the American western frontier has left him unprepared for rapid changes, some of which will alter America forever. President William McKinley was assassinated in 1901, and Theodore Roosevelt assumed the presidency. The same year, the American military joined, with other nations, in suppressing the Boxer Rebellion in China. In 1903, Henry Ford started a company to produce motor cars, and two bicycle makers attached a gasoline engine to a glider and achieved a brief, power-driven, heavier-than-air flight. Also in 1903, King C. Gillette began the manufacture of safety razors with replaceable blades, and the popularity of men’s florid whiskers started to fade. In 1904, as part of the continuing pursuit of empire, America sent representatives to observe, along with other nations, the Russo-Japanese War in Manchuria.
I was first exposed to the Western book genre through my dad, who grew up in B’klyn, NY, in the ‘20s but lived his life vicariously “on the plains,” lol. Fortunately, I was guided to your writing by Susan, whom I follow.
Your first episode was enthralling, Wayne; I truly enjoyed your knowledge of and attention to detail. Thank you.
Thanks for the comment and question, Will. I chose to publish my latest novel The Unfrozen Sea in serial format on Substack primarily because Substackers are a very literary and informed group and their feedback is valuable to me. Previously, I have published through mainstream houses, hybrid and small presses, and Kindle (under a pseudonym). For over thirty years as a publisher, I produced the work of others. So I have a working knowledge of the publishing biz and how it is rapidly changing. For the better from an author's standpoint.
Today, there are so many opportunities for writers to find homes for their work that bypass traditional mainstream publishing. I figured if the serial format was good enough for the likes of Charles Dickens, Conan Doyle, Dostoyevsky, James Joyce, Edith Wharton, and Steven King, it’s good enough for me.
Hi Wayne, Thanks for your message. I am a fan of serialized novels. Hopefully we will see more of this as readers face many distractions, and they might enjoy short segments instead of longer complete works. I often get mad at myself when I spend time randomly surfing the Web, when I know I would enjoy reading more.
I do have a question about your writing. I see that you have focused on historical fiction. What can you say about the distinction between historical fiction and alternative fiction? I think my current novel leans more towards alternative fiction, but I do wonder if marketing it that way is not as beneficial in terms of attracting readers than calling it historical fiction.
I was first exposed to the Western book genre through my dad, who grew up in B’klyn, NY, in the ‘20s but lived his life vicariously “on the plains,” lol. Fortunately, I was guided to your writing by Susan, whom I follow.
Your first episode was enthralling, Wayne; I truly enjoyed your knowledge of and attention to detail. Thank you.
Thank you, Charles. In coming episodes as the plot thickens, Temple Hayden will be going to sea.
This is sooo good....and something I definitely dont know how to do. Nice job. Looking forward to Episode 2!
Thanks, Susan. Episode 2 is up today!
Great! Will read! 👍🏻
Very good start. What led you to posting your book in segments like this?
Thanks for the comment and question, Will. I chose to publish my latest novel The Unfrozen Sea in serial format on Substack primarily because Substackers are a very literary and informed group and their feedback is valuable to me. Previously, I have published through mainstream houses, hybrid and small presses, and Kindle (under a pseudonym). For over thirty years as a publisher, I produced the work of others. So I have a working knowledge of the publishing biz and how it is rapidly changing. For the better from an author's standpoint.
Today, there are so many opportunities for writers to find homes for their work that bypass traditional mainstream publishing. I figured if the serial format was good enough for the likes of Charles Dickens, Conan Doyle, Dostoyevsky, James Joyce, Edith Wharton, and Steven King, it’s good enough for me.
Hi Wayne, Thanks for your message. I am a fan of serialized novels. Hopefully we will see more of this as readers face many distractions, and they might enjoy short segments instead of longer complete works. I often get mad at myself when I spend time randomly surfing the Web, when I know I would enjoy reading more.
I do have a question about your writing. I see that you have focused on historical fiction. What can you say about the distinction between historical fiction and alternative fiction? I think my current novel leans more towards alternative fiction, but I do wonder if marketing it that way is not as beneficial in terms of attracting readers than calling it historical fiction.