My Overdue Update on the Journey of a Book Series

It feels almost surreal to be sitting here, finally drafting this long-overdue post about my book series, John, a Man of Kentucky. If you’ve been waiting for an update—whether you’re a family member who’s heard snippets over the years, a friend who’s watched the drafts pile up, or one of those adventurous souls who stumbled onto my books and reached out with words of encouragement—please know that your patience has not gone unnoticed. Today, I want to share not only the progress on the series, but also some of the heart and history that shaped both the story and my journey as its author.

A Story Rooted in the Soil of Kentucky

From the very start, John, a Man of Kentucky was more than a title—it was an attraction of place, history, and character. Kentucky, with its rolling bluegrass hills, winding rivers, and stubbornly resilient communities, has always felt to me like a chimera with stories untold. When I first unearthed John, he was not just some individual, but actually an ancestor who seemed like the land itself: tough, enduring, and forever reaching toward something greater.

John’s journey begins in Frederick, Maryland, where his family settled after their emigration from the Alsace Lorraine region of Germany. Through his eyes, I sought to present the everyday life of a boy with the drive and curiosity that flourishes quietly in the youth of the adventurous. His dreams, conflicts, and determination lead to decisions made, mistakes accepted, and the hope that he would find a life that suited him.

The Genesis of a Series

I’ll admit: when I typed out the very first sentence, I didn’t know this story would grow into a series. I was in an evening writing class at Auburn University given by a colleague, and dreamed perhaps it would be a novella, or a single novel at most: but more likely be paper under the kindling in the fireplace.  But as John’s life unfolded on the page, the world around him demanded more room to breathe. Supporting characters grew roots, and the land itself seemed to echo its own longing for expression. Soon, I found myself mapping out sequels, subplots, and arcs that spanned decades.

The first book introduces John as a young man, grappling with the legacy of his family and the expectations of a community that both nurtures and confines. It explores the drive and determination of a young man with a dream. It also explores the conflict and rifts that can arise with the quest for self-determination, breaking with the dreams and expectations of his father and family.  In the subsequent volumes, readers witness John’s evolution—from the impetuousness of youth to the wisdom (and wariness) that settles in with age.

Why This Update Is Overdue

Life, as it so often does, introduced its own plot twists. There were stretches when the writing stalled, when inspiration flagged, when the demands and evolution of daily living took precedence over hours at the keyboard. Moving 3000 miles, work, injuries, moving again, new fulfilling relationship. Marriage. It has been an eventful few years.

At times, the story itself challenged me, demanding honesty, vulnerability, and imagination beyond what I thought I could offer. Writing a fictional account based on one’s family is daunting insomuch as some of the characterizations are not flattering to the ancestors. “What would my Aunt Thelma think of this rendition” sat in the back my mind when I wrote accounts of character flaws, violence, or (God forbid) risqué scenes.

For all those who’ve asked—sometimes gently, sometimes with playful impatience—about the next installment, the answer has always been: I’m working on it. But I realize now that I should have also shared the journey, not just the destination. The path to bringing John, a Man of Kentucky to life has been winding and sometimes arduous, but always worth the steps.

Milestones and Memories

Looking back, there are moments that stand out. The first time I held a printed copy of Book One, the nervous excitement of releasing it into the world, the emails and messages from readers who saw themselves or their families reflected in John’s story. The book fairs, the discussions over coffee with trusted readers, the long evenings spent with my wife editing in a mountain cabin.

There were setbacks, too: manuscripts lost to failing to save correctly, drafts abandoned and revived, times of losing the story. Yet, through it all, the community of readers and supporters has remained the series’ beating heart.

The Heart of the Series: John Himself

Let me take a moment to talk about John. He’s not a perfect man, nor is he meant to be. He’s stubborn and flawed, but also endlessly loyal to those he counts as friends. Through John’s story, I wanted to explore what it means to wrestle with tradition while forging one’s own path. There’s a universality in his struggles: the search for a place to belong, the weight of expectation, the devastation of loss, the ungovernable nature of change.

In crafting John’s journey, I drew upon oral histories, publications concerning the people and situations in which he was embroiled, family anecdotes and ancestral information, and my own meanderings through Kentucky’s towns and settings presented in the story. Every choice he makes, every regret, every triumph, is stitched from the fabric of real lives lived in real places.

What’s Next for John?

Now, as I write this, the next volume is well underway. I am excited to share that I am 50,000 words into this final member of the John series. The chapters that delve deeper into personal tragedies, the complexities of a new state in a new nation, and personal reckoning. There are new faces and old friends, moments of heartbreak and terror, flashes of delight. Through all of this Kentucky remains the foundation, shaping and sheltering John as he faces the future.

How You Can Connect

For those eager for updates, I invite you to follow this page and join the conversation. Tell me your Kentucky stories, share your thoughts about John’s journey, tell me about lunch or Bourbon at Talbott’s Tavern. Your feedback, questions, and encouragement fuel my writing more than you know.

If you’re new to the series, welcome.

John: The Making of a Long Hunter

John: A Man of the Frontier,

John: A Man of War

Books are available online and at select local bookstores—reach out if you need help finding a copy!

Gratitude and Looking Forward

Above all, thank you. Thank you for your patience as I labored over these stories, for your belief in their worth, for your willingness to walk alongside John through the hills and hollers of Kentucky. This overdue post is my promise to you: the journey continues, and I can’t wait to share what’s next.

John: A Man of Kentucky

“Blood forged our freedom, politics molded our nation, and loss shaped our souls.”

Stay tuned for more updates, sneak peeks, and, hopefully soon, the release date for the next book. Until then, keep reading, keep dreaming, and keep the spirit of Kentucky close at heart.