Well, ladies and gentlemen, I’ll keep this short and sweet.
It’s here!
My debut, Refusal to Obey: A Novel of the Massacre at Sand Creek, is available for pre-order now.
Want to know what it’s about?
Winter 1855. It’s a hungry, burgeoning nation, and Quinton Stoddard is drawn into hardship and adventure by his only friend, Silas Soule. First as a Jayhawker during the Bleeding Kansas era, and afterwards, as one of Kit Carson’s soldiers in the U.S. Army during the Civil War and several of its campaigns to conquer the American Indian.
But when the territorial government and one of her darling commanders, Colonel John Chivington, plot the massacre of hundreds of defenseless Cheyenne and Arapaho at Sand Creek, both men are put in an impossible situation to follow their orders and commit a massacre or refuse to obey.
They will face dire consequences regardless, but the question becomes less about what will happen to them and more about what they can live with in the wake of their decisions.
I hope that sounds interesting. It sure was interesting to me. Folks that enjoy reading historical fiction; stories of war, The American Civil War or The Indian Wars in the West; stories about abolitionism, The West, whistleblower, and/or American Indians and their interactions with the military and U.S. government will find something in this novel that gets their attention.
It’s got the tragedy, troop humor, sweeping landscapes, and reverence—sometimes irreverence—one might expect and hope for in a novel of this sort, but there are limited edition fine arts prints and original sketches and map that can accompany your copy too.
I really think you’re going to love it.
If you’re sold already, you can pre-order a copy here.
If you’re still on the fence, that’s okay, but boy, do I have some perks for you. They’re special. They’re the most generous of any I’m offering, and they’re FREE!!!
What FREE perks, are you offering, Aaron?
Hey, now. That’s a very good question. I’m glad you thought to ask.
A FREE signed and serialized original page from my manuscript to start. These are 1:1 original pages. Some are covered with handwritten note, some are covered in eraser marks, and some have coffee stains—a few were written exceptionally well, and those are my favorites, but they’re all signed and serialized—and you’re gonna get one from me as soon as you pre-order your copy AND subscribe for updates on the novel’s production and release.
A FREE sticker pack. These are sketches from the 1865 map of the American Southwest I had a US Marine Combat Artist create just for this novel.
Don’t bother paying for a signed copy. I’m going to sign your copy for FREE. I’ll know who you are by the discount code, so just leave that out of your cart. I’ll take care of you when it’s time to ship them out. If you want a second copy as a gift, and would like that signed, maybe consider supporting me by adding that on, but I’m not double checking, so it’s completely up to you.
You’ll be invited to an exclusive reading party and author Q&A via ZOOM in July, and another private online reading and Q&A in November after you’ve had some time to read the novel and think about what you’d like to ask me. I hope to see you at both events (and local events if our paths cross in the real world). You can keep track of my whereabouts and events here. More and more events are being scheduled each week, so check back occasionally if you’d like to meet in person.
And finally, you will enjoy an exclusive 15% discount on anything you purchase from Pane Books. Just got to www.PaneBooks.com and enter SWORD&PEN15.
I gotta say, this whole experience was wonderful, from the research to the writing. From my discussing bits of it with all of you and discussing bunches of it with a few.
And now I’m excited to share the novel with you.
As a bonus, here’s a recent interview with the combat artist I had create the cover art and interior map, Mike Reynolds, on his podcast Beyond the Medium.
And the two of use after serializing, signing, and certifying 210 fine art prints that are available right now at Pane Books and going fast.
So, go pre-order your copy with my sincere and everlasting gratitude and keep an eye on the mailbox for the perks and the novel’s official release on September 21st.
But I have it on good authority subscribers of The Sword & Pen will get their copies first and will get them early!
Don’t forget your exclusive discount! SWORD&PEN15.
Semper Fidelis,
Aaron
P.S. If by some chance you’ve already purchased a copy or something else from Pane Books, do reach out so we can include these perks before the books ship. Seriously, y’all are my people. My most loyal fans, and I want to return the love. —S/F, JAC
