A Quick Plug For My New Graphic Novel!

David Lasky and I are proud to present our first published graphic novel, OREGON TRAIL: THE ROAD TO DESTINY. We produced this book during a one-year period when we couldn't work on the Carter Family GN due to potential music rights issues.

Based on lots of research, this is a piece of historical fiction about an average urban family's decision to move to the Oregon Territory in 1848--right before gold fever crazed the nation.

While it's a serious story, I found moments to interject a little humor here and there. My study of John Stanley's work certainly informed this book. It's hard to avoid narrative stakes-raising when I've seen so many splendid examples of this technique in his work.

I strived to sidestep historical inaccuracies and cliches which have persistently plagued past fictional accounts of this grueling cross-country trek. First and foremost: the covered wagons were powered by oxen, not horses--as seen in a jillion Hollywood movies. Horses weren't sturdy enough to withstand the long, cruel haul of this journey. Oxen were also more affordable to the average emigrant.

I hope you'll consider buying and/or reading this graphic novel. David's drawings, which were based on my layouts, are superb. We're both happy with this project. We're back at work with a vengeance on DON'T FORGET THIS SONG, our big-budget, Technicolor GN on the life and career of the first family of country music, The Carter Family. We hope to have that book squared away before the end of 2011.

You can purchase (and browse) this book on amazon.com HERE.

Be sure to check out the official Oregon Trail graphic novel BLOG, which has tidbits of facts and artwork.

Thanks for looking!