Frequently Asked Questions

Last Updated on July 25, 2026

What is this, exactly?

I write thriller serials and publish them here, free, one chapter every Friday. Right now that's True North, opening with NORTHING; more stories will join over time. If you want the short version before diving in, check the Start Here page.

Do I have to pay to read?

No. Every chapter is free, on the regular Friday schedule, for the entire run of a story. Membership exists for people who want more, not as a wall in front of the story itself.

What does membership actually get me?

Two chapters' head start on the free schedule, every week. My notes on what went into each chapter, plus the operations annex (maps, cast files, and other extras), live in a page called the Annex. And once a book's serial run wraps and it moves to Kindle, the finished ebook is included: automatically if you're an annual member, or once your total months paid reaches 10 if you're a monthly member. That count is cumulative across your whole membership, not reset per book, and the ebook is granted separately each time a book completes, not just once at the end of a series. One membership covers every story on the site, current and future; you're not paying per serial.

Wait, I get the ebook for free?

If you're an annual member, yes, every time a book wraps. If you're a monthly member, yes, once you've paid in for 10 months total, and that total carries across every story on the site, so time you've already put in during one series counts toward the next. Either way, it's not a discount code or a separate purchase. When a book's free run ends and it moves to Kindle, the finished ebook is already yours.

Why does the serial come down at all?

Kindle Unlimited requires exclusivity, meaning the text can't be posted elsewhere while it's enrolled there. So each book's free run has an anticipated end date, posted from day one, and after that, it moves to Kindle so it can reach readers there, too. The free run itself is never shortened or changed after the fact; the ending is always set before the story even starts.

How much does membership cost, and can I cancel?

$5/month or $50/year. Cancel any time from your account page; you'll keep full access through the end of whatever period you've already paid for, and it simply won't renew after that.

What if I pay for the year and decide it's not for me?

Full refund, no questions asked, within 14 days of your payment. After that window, membership isn't refunded for unused time, the same way most annual memberships work, but you'll have full access for the rest of the year regardless, whether you're actively reading or not. If something's genuinely gone wrong, email me; I read these personally, and I'm not going to be a jerk about it.

Is my payment information safe?

Yes. Payments are handled entirely by Stripe. I never see or store your full card number; I only see that you're a member and at what tier. Details are in the Privacy Policy.

What if I miss a week?

Nothing bad happens. Every chapter stays live on the site (until its book's takedown date, for KU), so you can always catch up at your own pace. The Story So Far page recaps at each major act break if you need a refresher.

Is this based on real events, or is it making a political point?

It's fiction. True North uses real geography and a real institution, the U.S. Coast Guard, but its Russian president, its covert program, and its antagonists are entirely invented; it isn't a statement about any real government's current policy. If you're looking for a real-world prediction or a side to root for, you won't find one here. If you're looking for a thriller about what people owe each other and the institutions they serve, that's the whole point.

Is any of it actually accurate?

The tactics, procedures, and the search and rescue background are real; I spent my career around that work (former Army Ranger, career Coast Guard SAR professional). The conspiracies, the characters, and the events are entirely invented.

Can I comment on chapters?

Yes, comments are open to members (free and paying). Discussing the story, characters, and choices is always welcome, including its real-world backdrop, as fiction. Real-world political arguments get removed quietly; it's not that kind of comment section, and I'd rather keep it a good one than a big one.

How do I get in touch with you directly?

Reply to any newsletter email, or use [email protected]. I read everything myself.