WYONATION

by Dallas Jones

A “GET IT” recommendation from Kirkus Reviews

What happens when the U.S. expels a state from the Union?

In the near future, Wyoming has a big problem. It has too many cows and not enough cowboys. That population deficiency ignites a national effort to remove Wyoming as a state, but how would that happen? If Wyoming is successfully nullified, what does it become?

Grayson Woodley understands Wyoming’s desperate fight for survival better than anyone. He served as a key spokesperson during the state’s two-year struggle. Now prodded by a curious foreign diplomat years later, Grayson recalls Wyoming’s resistance, his associates, adversaries, and an unlikely lover. But even Grayson doesn’t know the entire story.


WYONATION, political drama Western style

292 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 6, 2023

About the author

Dallas Jones was born and raised in Casper, Wyoming. Though no longer a resident, he still loves everything about Wyoming except the wind and spring blizzards.

Dallas is a graduate of the University of Wyoming and the Georgia Institute of Technology. He developed technical-writing skills as a business systems analyst and consultant but didn’t catch the creative-writing bug until age forty.

In 2017, he released his first novel, MEET THE BOYS OF CASPER, a nostalgic remembrance of growing up in the 1970’s. The novel was awarded a CIPA EVVY Book Award for historical fiction by the Colorado Independent Publishers Association.

With his new novel, WYONATION, Dallas switches to a forward-looking focus with a near-future, what-if political speculation.

You can reach Dallas at authordallasjones@gmail.com

Reviews

[Jaye Webb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this book!

I really enjoyed this novel. It is set in a time when Congress decides to pass a law which robs the state of Wyoming of its statehood. The overall plot was very creatively imagined, and the more specific workings of the political machine were so well described. The writing is really excellent. I get so frustrated when I find editing oversights or multiple typos, which seem to appear with greater frequency in Kindle editions, but not here. I am even more impressed knowing that this is only the writer's second book! Keep writing, Dallas! I think you've found your gift!

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway.

I was hooked by the second chapter. The premise was so interesting; An amendment to the Constitution is proposed that strips one of the 50 states of its statehood status. What does that mean for the land and those living in it?

I enjoyed the author's writing style. His wit kept what's really a very dark story from getting depressing. The story itself was compelling from beginning to end.

I'd recommend this book. It would be really interesting to know the thoughts of people on both side of the political spectrum.

[Steven · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a "what if" book that entertains the thought of what may happen in the not-too-distant future if a 28th amendment to the US Constitution is created that requires a minimum number of residents to become -- or to remain -- a state.

The only current state below the new constitutionally-mandated threshold is Wyoming -- and the elimination of Wyoming allows Puerto Rico to become the newest and 50th state, and helps maintain a better political balance going forward.

The espionage along with verbal, physical, and global showdowns throughout keep the reader guessing as to the eventual outcome and are an entertaining explanation of how we got here.

As both a former Wyoming resident and US Senate staffer myself, I enjoyed the descriptions of and action in places like Washington DC, Casper and Torrington, Wyoming, and Scottsbluff, Nebraska. I also enjoyed the pretty accurate backroom politicking, "history" (in the context of the book) and both past and current intrigue in flashbacks and flash-forwards.

[DOUGLAS J BERRY · Rating 5 out of 5]

What if?

There are five lightly populated states in the us. The Republicans would like to decertify Vermont ANF get rid of Bernie sanders, the democrats want to do wy

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A political thriller with twists and turns and a bit of western on the side. A unique concept and interesting plot. I did struggle trying to remember who all the characters were but it was not a big deal in the long run. Had a hard time putting it down as I was so curious where we were going with this story.

[Tom Farrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this fast-paced, speculative fiction novel, the protagonist, Grayson Woodley, takes us from the corridors of power in Washington to the highest level of state government. On behalf of the state of Wyoming, Grayson attempts to stop the nation's efforts to strip away Wyoming's right to exist as a state. What this means for the people of Wyoming and Grayson's family, tests Grayson's values and resourcefulness to the core. I raced through the final third of the book as one twist after another was revealed.

[Nancy Houser-Bluhm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wyonation, although a work of fiction, is an intriguing exploration into what is at risk when we lose our balance of power. It builds suspense and the reader wonders how the situation could possibly have a peaceful resolution. With well developed characters, a bit of romance, and wonderful dialogue, Jones does a superb job of telling a great story while showing the importance of relationships in high stakes negotiations.

[John Kinskey · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Man in the High Castle vibes

A unique and intriguing tale that rides the crest of today’s divided politics with well developed characters, extensive scene building and unexpected plot twists. With a plot reminiscent of Philip K. Dick's award-winning novel and Amazon series The Man in the High Castle, one begins to rethink the possible.

[MKM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wyoming no longer a state? WYONATION is an original and brilliant account of one more way the American government can go sideways, even without partisanship.

Wyoming no longer has enough people to retain its statehood. The fate of Wyoming and its people is in the hands of politicians with their own motivations. When Grayson Woodley is tasked by the governor to create an outcome that the citizens can live with, he is in over his head. But over time, Grayson becomes savvy, and assistance comes in surprising ways.

WYONATION is a must-read for fans of political fiction. Well-written and intriguing.

[John Williamson · Rating 1 out of 5]

A one star because a zero star wasn't an option...

[Andy Janes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wasn't a huge fan of the writing and a lot of the assumptions were very unlikely, but I enjoyed the interesting thought experiment!

[Mark Shaiken · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Wyonation, Dallas Jones creates a United States where a state may be expelled from the union because it is underpopulated. In this captivating work of fiction, he touches on the not-so-fictional politics of possible expulsion and the resulting effect on the different Wyoming factions. Jones has created a compelling and engaging work in Wyonation that is well-written and well-conceived. Highly recommended.

[Pat Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

SUCH an interesting concept: A bicameral congressional supermajority, along with same-party president, bullies the exuding of Wyoming from the USA! The book outlines the very politically-clever tactics the Wyoming residents/lobbyists efforts to at least minimize the damage to them.
VERY well written, and very fast paced. I loved this book