Frequently Asked Questions

What is this, exactly?

I write thriller serials and publish them here, free, one installment (two chapters) every Friday. Right now, that's Cold Trigger; more stories will join it over time. If you want the short version of any one story before diving in, check its Start Here page.

Do I have to pay to read?

No. Every installment 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 installments' head start on the free schedule, every week. My notes on what went into each installment, plus the operations annex (maps, cast files, and other extras), are in a page called the Annex. And the finished ebook is included shortly after a book's serial run wraps, and it moves to Kindle. One membership covers every story on the site, current and future; you're not paying per serial.

Wait, I get the ebook for free?

Yes. When a book's free serial run ends, it comes down from the site and launches on Kindle, and members get that finished ebook as part of what they're already paying for. Not a discount code, not a separate purchase. It's 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 installment stays live on the site indefinitely (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, set under a made-up administration, and no real party, politician, or movement appears anywhere in it. The grievances the story explores are drawn from across the political spectrum on purpose, because the book is about institutions and the people inside them, not about scoring a point for one side. If you're looking for either team here, you won't find it. If you're looking for a thriller about family, allegiance, and what people owe each other, 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 the story's politics 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.