Hiram Falls: About the novel

A town with secrets. Some are discovered; some shouldn't be. And other details.

---

Nestled between three mountains and straddling a sometimes raging creek, Hiram Falls is a fictitious Vermont town where everyone has secrets. Some are discovered, some shouldn’t be and some, if revealed, will hurt those held most dear.

In Hiram Falls weirdness blends into humor, tragedy sparks kindness, everyone knows each others’ business until they realize they don’t. Hiram Falls has a dark side, too, the part no one likes to acknowledge: intolerance, theft and violence.

Hiram Falls has an epic feel and spans more seven decades. The story begins in the 1918 pandemic and chronicles the evolving life of a small rural town with long-buried secrets that finally come to light. Told from the interwoven perspectives of various Hiram Falls citizens — including several strong-willed women, a savant auto mechanic with a damaged brain and a man who does not know who he is.

The intertwining storylines explore how the town has been propped up, unbeknownst to many, by a nefarious, generational land grab scheme perpetrated by a corrupt bank president (and, later, his son) with help from an ex-con (and, later, his son) with a facility for arson, extortion and violence. Over decades, they force farmers and indigenous people off their land, a cycle that affects everyone in Hiram Falls in ways they both can and cannot feel.

In the 1970s, a new owner of the local newspaper —a young man who has returned to his hometown — and one of his reporters discover and expose what has been done to the town and, in the process, realize they both have feelings for each other that each is hesitant to pursue — for very different reasons.

The novel explores the space between knowing and not knowing, the weight of family legacy and the search for answers to questions that are sometimes not even known.

---

This novel emerged from character sketches I wrote for live shows put on by the Vermont Stage Company. The reaction was so enthusiastic and affirming I dove deeper. The novel was born.

I have been blessed with an amazing number of people who have helped: reader-editors — four of whom have been with the project since the beginning; a professional editor (and NYTimes Bestseller List author); a host of Abenaki elders; the Vermont Arts Council and several donors who have helped offset expenses. I also had at least one new reader for every draft.

My initial intention — “Plan A” — was to publish this book myself in a variety of forms: here on Substack as a text and audio serial; a podcast; a Vermont Public Access Radio serial; an audiobook; an ebook and a paperback.

However, the editor of the book — and several other of my beta readers — have been so enthusiastic about it they convinced me to try to publish it through a conventional publisher. I am fortunate to have found a remarkable agent. Given how slow the book publishing industry is — it may not be until 2026 when it is finally in print. (However, if we fail to sell it, I will go back to Plan A.)

In the meantime, though, I will begin a series of posts (once a month) about my writing process and how I wrote the book. Once the book gets in print, I will use this site to connect with readers in a variety of ways. By subscribing here you will get:

• A Writer’s Journal: Glimpses of my writing process;

• Sketches: Stories that led to the book or were cut from the book;

• Chats (coming) and access to live discussions and events (free if you subscribe now; paid for new subscribers then);

• and early access to the printed book.

Regardless of how the book gets published, my intention is to share most of the proceeds with three non-profits:

• Vermont Stage Company. This nonprofit professional theater group has been instrumental in the creation of this book by staging character sketches that led to the novel. By this December (2024) they will have staged seven stories. (The latest are two new characters that may figure in the sequel.) I am indebted to their support and the audiences’ enthusiasm for my work.

• The Media Factory. This Vermont nonprofit provides citizens studios, equipment and access to media and public airways. Over the years, I’ve worked extensively with this organization and think highly of the vital work and access they provide.

• The Young Writers Project. I founded this organization in 2006 with an unsolicited grant from the Vermont Business Roundtable with the aim of providing young people a platform to develop voice and improve their writing skills and to help teachers teach writing better. I have passed the organization onto new leaders and it is going strong.

Feel free to donate to these fine organizations if you appreciate my work.

Please subscribe and comment; a writer’s greatest thrill is to have engaged readers.