About the Book
When ‘burned out’ investigative reporter John Hill returns home to take over the Beaufort Sentinel from his friend and mentor, James Campbell, he finds that his friend has literally fallen onto the story of a lifetime. The headline from 1830 screams out at them: Floating Man from France to perform Aerial Stunts this Saturday. Who was Henri Richaud? An early hot air balloonist . . . or something else? How did he end up on a plantation run by Harriott Pinckney Horry, one of South Carolina’s most famous women? As John and James begin their search for this mysterious friend of Napoleon and protégé of Pierre-Simon Laplace—one of the greatest scientists of all time—they find that virtually all historical references to him have been deleted. John and James soon enlist the help of John’s former investigative partner, Sheila Jefferson, now a staffer on the National Security Council. Big mistake. While romance ensues, alarm bells go off in a deeply embedded rogue cell of America’s labyrinthine intelligence apparatus. They soon find out that their search for Henri Richaud and the memoirs of the Sentinel’s founder, Robert Campbell, has deadly consequences. For Sheila, an erotic obsession turns violent as agents from the “Program” are dispatched to keep tabs on our trio. Join John, James, and Sheila, along with a cast of historical characters that includes Napoleon, Andrew Jackson, Chief John Ross of the Cherokee Nation and Harriott Pinckney Horry and the slaves of Hampton Plantation as they try to stay one step ahead of their pursuers in both the past and present.
About the Author
A graduate of Northwestern University I have written dozens of short stories and three novels. I also wrote an illustrated parody titled, “My search for the real killer, not by O. J. Simpson: An O. J. parody.” My 2022 short story, Berserk, was named a finalist in the Hemingway Foundations Short Story contest in 2022 and appeared in their 2022 Hemingway Shorts Literary Journal.
Qn 1: Can you tell us more about your book What is it about?
My book is a historical fiction novel that involves a conspiracy spanning two centuries and continents. An editor of a small-town newspaper—The Beaufort Sentinel—that dates back to the early 19th Century finds a reference to a French scientist, Henri Richaud, who is touring the United States in the Summer of 1830 performing aerial feats with what he calls an anti-gravity device. The man, Henri Richaud, a former friend and classmate of Napoleon has fled France for America in hopes of finding a receptive audience with President Andrew Jackson.
In the present day, our protagonists search for this mysterious friend of Napoleon and protégé of Pierre-Simon Laplace—one of the greatest scientists of all time—finds that virtually all historical references to him have been deleted. Their search triggers alarms in a deeply embedded rogue cell of America’s labyrinthine intelligence apparatus. They soon find out that their search for Henri Richaud and the memoirs of the Sentinel’s founder, Robert Campbell, has deadly consequences.
The climactic events in both the past and present revolve around the Hampton Plantation in South Carolina. What I really enjoyed about writing this novel is finding out the bios of all these historical characters and making their fictional characters a close representation of their real selves. I was lucky to find personal information on the slaves that lived on the plantation as well as the lady who ran it, Harriott Pinckney Horry. I also enjoyed writing about the romance that ensues between a staffer at the NSA Sheila Jefferson and a former investigative reporter for the Washington Post, John Hill. The ending of the novel takes the reader through several twists and turns with an explosive ending.
Qn 2: Who do you think would be interested in this book, is it directed at any particular market?
I think readers who like good character development and fast-paced action with a little history thrown in will enjoy this book. It’s a mystery-thriller with a touch of sci fi thrown in. So it might appeal to readers who enjoy that genre also.
Qn 3: Out of all the books in the world, and all the authors, which are your favourite and why?
That’s a tough question and also an ever-changing list. One that comes to mind from years ago is David Baldacci’s novel, The Winner. I liked the brilliant evil antagonist in the story. Another book I enjoyed a lot is The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. I enjoyed the way the relationships between the main characters developed and changed over time.
Qn 4: What guidance would you offer to someone new, or trying to enhance their writing?
I think the best guidance I could give a new writer is to not be overly descriptive. Keep the plot moving forward and discard extra, unneeded words in sentences. I find that writing novels and short stories comes easily to me. It’s the editing afterward that is the real hard slog. I usually go over my novels and stories at least a dozen times before I am satisfied with the dialogue and the pacing. After I am finished, I try not to go back later and reread them because I always find something else I could change.
Qn 5: Where can our readers find out more about you, do you have a website, or a way to be contacted?
I have a Facebook page – The Floating Man. A twitter page – william crawford @WinkCrawford. And also a LinkedIn Page, Wink Crawford — It’s a nickname, don’t ask. I don’t go on these pages a lot. I’m going to have to step up my game. I have two new novels and a compilation of short stories in search of a good agent and publisher.
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