In a literary world often focused on instant bestsellers and celebrity memoirs, the publication of 'Shadow of the Storm' stands as a testament to perseverance, collaboration, and the enduring power of a dream. The science fiction novel, released by independent publisher Foolscap & Quill, arrives with a backstory as compelling as its plot, one that spans decades and defies the odds.
Set in a dystopian future where environmental damage has allowed a giant corporation, Nattech, Inc., to control Earth, 'Shadow of the Storm' follows Jim Pleasant Wolfshadow, a Cheyenne former Navy SEAL and retired Nattech operative. When his friend Max vanishes, Wolfshadow emerges from retirement to investigate. During a meeting with The Seven, a group of the world's foremost physicists, Wolfshadow himself disappears. He finds himself in Earth's dismal future, accompanied by a shapeshifter, on a quest to return Max to Earth and stop a godlike entity named Mahu. Mahu, who exists in another dimension and feeds on chaos, has sent a monster called Briareus to destroy humanity, threatening to unravel time and space itself. Wolfshadow battles Mahu on his home world, and just when all hope seems lost, a surprising ally emerges.
The novel's journey to publication is equally dramatic. Robert Edward Graham, a stage and film actor, model, and founding member, lead vocalist, and songwriter of the 1960s band The Penthouse Five, had a lifelong ambition to write a novel. In the 1990s, he was paired with instructor C. S. Fuqua through the Writer's Digest school. After the course ended, Graham enlisted Fuqua as co-author. However, cancer and addiction repeatedly sidelined the project. Graham returned to it on his deathbed, dictating the ending to his brother David. The first draft was completed just days before he succumbed to cancer.
C. S. Fuqua, the co-author, has been widely published in non-fiction, science fiction, dark fantasy, mainstream and literary fiction, poetry, and mystery/suspense. His works include 'The Crosses' (with Bonnie Lynne Del Aguila), 'Walking after Midnight: Collected Stories', 'Big Daddy's Fast-Past Gadget', 'White Trash & Southern: Collected Poems', and 'Native American Flute: A Comprehensive Guide'. His short fiction has appeared in publications such as Cemetery Dance, The Christian Science Monitor, Naval History, Main Street Rag, and Year's Best Horror Stories. Fuqua currently resides in Las Cruces, New Mexico.
This publication matters because it sheds light on the collaborative nature of writing and the growing trend of posthumous releases. It also underscores the vital role of independent publishers like Foolscap & Quill, based in Jefferson County, Colorado, in bringing diverse voices to market. For readers and aspiring writers, Graham's story is an inspiration: a reminder that creativity can transcend illness, addiction, and even death. In an industry often driven by profit margins, 'Shadow of the Storm' represents a triumph of the human spirit, proving that some stories are too important to be left untold.
