Fiction and Novels (free)

A new model of web-based publishing is disrupting the printed-word world. In the old model, publishers decided what merited printing and distribution, in essence deciding for readers what was worth reading.

In the new model, writers give their readers the work for free and then ask readers for their support: if you liked this, please buy a copy of the book. This is more democratic, and more Darwinian, than the old model; let a thousand (or million) books and songs bloom on the Web, and those that find readers or listeners will have found distribution without the intermediaries (or elites) of publishers and music labels.

The rub, of course, is that writers and musicians earn nothing in this model; we must ask you directly for support, and hope you will support our creations by buying books and music that you first enjoyed for free.

As I much prefer writing to marketing, this new model suits me just fine. Below you will find links to numerous short stories, a complete novel and major sections of novels I am currently working on getting published.

I have had one novel, I-State Lines , published by a well-regarded literary press, The Permanent Press of New York. I-State Lines was one of six new novels The Permanent Press chose to publish in 2006 out of some 6,000 manuscripts they received, and no, I didn't bribe them (they are unbribeable).

Read as much or all of I-State Lines as you wish and if you like it, please buy a copy from the publisher or amazon.com (the link above).

If you enjoy any of the other excerpted novels posted here, please email me and I will notify you when the book is available for sale.

The new model relies on actively engaged readers financially supporting authors whose work they have found entertaining/meaningful. It is my fondest wish that you will find that experience here.

You will find quite a range of fiction here, from adult-themed stories to Young-Adult adventure to rambunctuous send-ups to an espionage novel with a non-human protagonist to an account of a wounded Desert War veteran.

I-State-Lines (novel)

What could be more glorious than two friends, an old Dodge Lancer and the highway ahead? Nothing. So climb in and hold on!

Excerpted stories from the book: Adventures of Daz and Alex.

Additional material--ideas for homework papers, a cryptological puzzle and other bits: More about ISL.

The first five chapters of ISL. Additional sections will be posted as time permits.

Claire's Great Adventure (young adult novel)

16-year old Claire must find the father she never knew soon, or she'll never have the chance: he'll be dead. Modern-day pirates, a secrets-to-your-grave Chinese Tong, Shanghai and a Paris few ever see--it's up to Claire and her plucky friend Camden to overcome the cascading mysteries and obstacles.

The first five chapters of Claire's Great Adventure.

Verona in Spring (novel)

Verona Uyeki is in a romantic pickle she never expected; three men claim to love her, but she only loves one. Two want to marry her, but not the one she is mad for. On the weekend she must decide between the three, her first love arrives in San Francisco to visit her. When a young woman from Hawaii remembers . . . .

This novel has adult themes and scenes. The first 60 pages of Verona in Spring.

An excerpted story from the novel: The 29-Year Old and Her Favor

For My Daughter (novel)

Not everyone who willingly served in the Desert War returns home untroubled. When all the other cures for a wounded soul have failed, then action may be the only cure left.

This novel has adult themes and scenes of great violence. The first 72 pages of For My Daughter.

An excerpted story from the novel: Ambush in Mesopotamia

Of Two Minds (novel)

Garrett Trask needed a job, badly--and this weird one would do. If only he knew . . . .

This novel has occasional episodes of moderate violence and more than occasional stabs at humor. The first four chapters of Of Two Minds.

An interactive snapshot of the novel's characters and scenes

Kama Sutra Cadillac (novel)

After his last one-night stand--a new baby and a crushing mortgage came hand in hand-- the last thing Hollywood has-been Hayward West expected was to fall in love. But as 19-year old Valentina, fresh from a border crossing, wolfed down four tamales in a row, he was wildly, uncontrollably, passionately in love. She needed $25,000 to save her father, and he needed $25,000 to stave off bankruptcy. It was a marriage of, well, many things, including the Kama Sutra and his classic de Ville.

This novel has enthusiastically adult situations and a veritable orgy of satire and irony. The first three chapters of Kama Sutra Cadillac.

short stories

How I Fell in Love with a Homeless Woman

"I can faithfully report that one falls in love with a homeless woman in the same manner as one falls in love with any other woman: your eyes meet, and some spark passes between you which is beyond easy description."

A Secret Life

"I discovered my mother’s secret life some years ago. But only recently have I come to understand the sense of duty that unified her parallel lives. As my own have fallen apart, I have a renewed sense of respect for her during the years my father served overseas...."

A listing of all short stories/excerpts mentioned above: Forbidden Stories