Nestled between three mountains and straddling a sometimes raging creek, Hiram Falls is a small Vermont town where everyone has secrets but some, if revealed, will hurt those held most dear.
Hiram Falls is a place where weirdness blends into humor that hides tragedy which sparks kindness. There is a dark side, the part no one likes to look at or acknowledge: the pull of the generations before and the town’s tendency to create outcasts. The characters include:
a mechanic whose brain was damaged by an accident, but who is near genius at fixing Nash automobiles;
a spirit, seen by few, who gradually learns who he is and why he is there from birds and animals and the one man who can see him;
a doctor who knows everyone’s secrets but keeps them quiet; and his son, a young journalist who forsakes the city, returns home only to find truths that will bring pain to the community;
a farming family that lost everything; and
two sets of fathers and sons who carry out despicable acts for decades.
The writing of this novel began in 2019, has had six adapted segments presented on stage and will come out in 2024.
By subscribing here you will get:
full access to a journal on my process;
“samples” of the book;
access to live discussions and events;
and early access to the e-book and paperback versions.
I plan to take no money from this project — even if I get an independent publisher. My intent is to share any proceeds I receive with four non-profits.
What I hope is that you, too, will support these non-profits should you feel my effort worthy:
Vermont Stage Company. This nonprofit professional theater group has staged five adapted stories from this book (a sixth is to be presented in seven shows in December 2023). Its executive director will be producing and directing the audio book version.
The Media Factory. This Vermont nonprofit provides citizens studios, equipment and access to media and public airways. It will be assisting the audio version of this book and will broadcast Hiram Falls installments on its Burlington radio station (99.3 WBTV-LP) as well as its cable stations.
The Young Writers Project. I founded this organization in 2006 with a grant from the Vermont Business Roundtable with the aim of providing young people the safety and a platform to develop voice and improve their writing skills. I have passed the organization onto new leaders and it is going strong.
If you do donate to any of these organizations, please let me know so I can ensure you get early access to the ebook and paperback when they are ready.
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