Enjoy the acclaimed novel, Through the Fading Darkness on audiobook. Performed by accomplished voice actor, Scott Fleming, this podcast will transport you back to the Virginia frontier just before the American Revolution.

If you can’t wait for the next chapters to be posted, get the full audiobook on Amazon and Audible today.

Through the Fading Darkness on Audible

Stay up to date with special subscriber-only content on the Fading Darkness universe.

From the Back Cover

American settlers face a series of brutal reprisals after outlaws murder a group of Shawnee Indians on the Virginia frontier in 1774. During the calamitous events that follow, British colonists, Shawnee warriors, a young slave girl, and an Irish indentured servant must find a way to survive a bloody war that threatens to destroy their entire way of life. Some discover an inner strength they did not think possible. Others sink to the deepest recesses of their humanity. In the end, no one is left unchanged.Based on actual events described in previously unpublished 18th century family records, Through the Fading Darkness captures the hope and tragedy of life on the frontier just before the American Revolution. Told through the eyes of John Dickinson, Chief Cornstalk, Lydia Townsend, Sylvie, Chief Logan, and dozens of traders, immigrants, and frontiersmen, Through the Fading Darkness is a true-to-life adventure story about the sacrifices people make to live free.

Get the Book on Amazon

Enjoy the acclaimed novel, Through the Fading Darkness on audiobook. Performed by accomplished voice actor, Scott Fleming, this podcast will transport you back to the Virginia frontier just before the American Revolution.

If you can’t wait for the next chapters to be posted, get the full audiobook on Amazon and Audible today.

Through the Fading Darkness on Audible

Stay up to date with special subscriber-only content on the Fading Darkness universe.

From the Back Cover

American settlers face a series of brutal reprisals after outlaws murder a group of Shawnee Indians on the Virginia frontier in 1774. During the calamitous events that follow, British colonists, Shawnee warriors, a young slave girl, and an Irish indentured servant must find a way to survive a bloody war that threatens to destroy their entire way of life. Some discover an inner strength they did not think possible. Others sink to the deepest recesses of their humanity. In the end, no one is left unchanged.Based on actual events described in previously unpublished 18th century family records, Through the Fading Darkness captures the hope and tragedy of life on the frontier just before the American Revolution. Told through the eyes of John Dickinson, Chief Cornstalk, Lydia Townsend, Sylvie, Chief Logan, and dozens of traders, immigrants, and frontiersmen, Through the Fading Darkness is a true-to-life adventure story about the sacrifices people make to live free.

Get the Book on Amazon

Enjoy the acclaimed novel, Through the Fading Darkness on audiobook. Performed by accomplished voice actor, Scott Fleming, this podcast will transport you back to the Virginia frontier just before the American Revolution.

If you can’t wait for the next chapters to be posted, get the full audiobook on Amazon and Audible today.

Through the Fading Darkness on Audible

Zac Northup's Stories of America is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

From the Back Cover

American settlers face a series of brutal reprisals after outlaws murder a group of Shawnee Indians on the Virginia frontier in 1774. During the calamitous events that follow, British colonists, Shawnee warriors, a young slave girl, and an Irish indentured servant must find a way to survive a bloody war that threatens to destroy their entire way of life. Some discover an inner strength they did not think possible. Others sink to the deepest recesses of their humanity. In the end, no one is left unchanged.Based on actual events described in previously unpublished 18th century family records, Through the Fading Darkness captures the hope and tragedy of life on the frontier just before the American Revolution. Told through the eyes of John Dickinson, Chief Cornstalk, Lydia Townsend, Sylvie, Chief Logan, and dozens of traders, immigrants, and frontiersmen, Through the Fading Darkness is a true-to-life adventure story about the sacrifices people make to live free.

Get the Book on Amazon

Discussion about this episode

Enjoy the acclaimed novel, Through the Fading Darkness on audiobook. Performed by accomplished voice actor, Scott Fleming, this podcast will transport you back to the Virginia frontier just before the American Revolution.

If you can’t wait for the next chapters to be posted, get the full audiobook on Amazon and Audible today.

Through the Fading Darkness on Audible

Zac Northup's Stories of America is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

From the Back Cover

American settlers face a series of brutal reprisals after outlaws murder a group of Shawnee Indians on the Virginia frontier in 1774. During the calamitous events that follow, British colonists, Shawnee warriors, a young slave girl, and an Irish indentured servant must find a way to survive a bloody war that threatens to destroy their entire way of life. Some discover an inner strength they did not think possible. Others sink to the deepest recesses of their humanity. In the end, no one is left unchanged.Based on actual events described in previously unpublished 18th century family records, Through the Fading Darkness captures the hope and tragedy of life on the frontier just before the American Revolution. Told through the eyes of John Dickinson, Chief Cornstalk, Lydia Townsend, Sylvie, Chief Logan, and dozens of traders, immigrants, and frontiersmen, Through the Fading Darkness is a true-to-life adventure story about the sacrifices people make to live free.

Get the Book on Amazon

Discussion about this episode

Enjoy the acclaimed novel, Through the Fading Darkness on audiobook. Performed by accomplished voice actor, Scott Fleming, this podcast will transport you back to the Virginia frontier just before the American Revolution.

If you can’t wait for the next chapters to be posted, get the full audiobook on Amazon and Audible today.

Through the Fading Darkness on Audible

Zac Northup's Stories of America is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

From the Back Cover

American settlers face a series of brutal reprisals after outlaws murder a group of Shawnee Indians on the Virginia frontier in 1774. During the calamitous events that follow, British colonists, Shawnee warriors, a young slave girl, and an Irish indentured servant must find a way to survive a bloody war that threatens to destroy their entire way of life. Some discover an inner strength they did not think possible. Others sink to the deepest recesses of their humanity. In the end, no one is left unchanged.Based on actual events described in previously unpublished 18th century family records, Through the Fading Darkness captures the hope and tragedy of life on the frontier just before the American Revolution. Told through the eyes of John Dickinson, Chief Cornstalk, Lydia Townsend, Sylvie, Chief Logan, and dozens of traders, immigrants, and frontiersmen, Through the Fading Darkness is a true-to-life adventure story about the sacrifices people make to live free.

Get the Book on Amazon

Robert Connolly is one of the most evil, and compelling, characters in Beyond the Fading Darkness. As Lord Dunmore’s agent on the frontier, he has been given a mission that could plunge the entire colony into a bloody war.

In this sneak peek of chapter eight of the upcoming audiobook, we get a glimpse of just how far Connolly will go to complete his mission.

“Connolly looked at the thick mountain laurel behind them and closed his eyes, letting the sounds of the creek carry him to a different place for a moment before returning his attention to Ashcroft. He placed his left hand on the boy’s right arm and looked at him with a sadness that caused Ashcroft to tilt his head slightly in confusion. With a father’s sincerity, Connolly tightened his grip on Ashcroft’s wrist, ‘I am sorry.’”

Get the print version of Beyond the Fading Darkness today on Amazon in paperback, hardcover, or Kindle.

From the Back Cover:

Lord Dunmore has returned to Williamsburg and is faced with the realization that the same men he mobilized to fight the Shawnee Nation are now preparing to join the rebellion against King George III and Great Britain. Willing to do anything to keep Virginia under Great Britain’s flag, Dunmore conspires with a mysterious agent to assassinate the leaders of the patriot movement in Virginia before they can launch a full-scale war against the Crown. The intrigue, espionage, and murders produced by Dunmore’s plot forces John Dickinson, Lydia Townsend, Red Hawk, Cornstalk, Logan, and Henri Thevenin, to once again risk everything to protect their families and homes.As book two in the Fading Darkness series, Beyond the Fading Darkness reconnects readers with the characters they came to love and hate in Through the Fading Darkness. The rich narrative blends amazing history, political intrigue, espionage, and complex characters into a riveting thriller that, at times, feels like it was taken from today’s headlines.

Enjoy the acclaimed novel, Through the Fading Darkness on audiobook. Performed by accomplished voice actor, Scott Fleming, this subscription podcast will transport you back to the Virginia frontier just before the American Revolution.

If you want to get caught up on all the great characters in the Fading Darkness universe, get the full Through the Fading Darkness audiobook on Amazon and Audible today.

Through the Fading Darkness on Audible

Great News, the audiobook edition of the second book in the Fading Darkness series is in production! Once again, I have secured the services of Scott Fleming, an accomplished voice actor from Cornwall, England. Scott voiced the first book in the series, Through the Fading Darkness, and won wide acclaim for his performance. His skill with accents transports listeners back to Revolutionary America. I’m thrilled to partner with him once again.

Beyond the Fading Darkness picks up in 1775 right where the first book left off. All of the main characters return and several more are added. Two of my favorites are Nonhelema, a Shawnee princess who is like the Michael Corleone of the Shawnee nation, and Robert Connolly, an assassin hired by Lord Dunmore to stir up trouble on the frontier.

Listen now to chapters one and two. Chapter two might even feature a certain American patriot who proclaims, “Give me liberty, or give me death.” Scott’s retelling of that day actually gave me chills (seriously).

Listen today for free. If you can’t wait, the print and Kindle editions are available today on Amazon. Enjoy.

From the back cover of Beyond the Fading Darkness:

Lord Dunmore has returned to Williamsburg and is faced with the realization that the same men he mobilized to fight the Shawnee Nation are now preparing to join the rebellion against King George III and Great Britain. Willing to do anything to keep Virginia under Great Britain’s flag, Dunmore conspires with a mysterious agent to assassinate the leaders of the patriot movement in Virginia before they can launch a full-scale war against the Crown. The intrigue, espionage, and murders produced by Dunmore’s plot forces John Dickinson, Lydia Townsend, Red Hawk, Cornstalk, Logan, and Henri Thevenin, to once again risk everything to protect their families and homes.As book two in the Fading Darkness series, Beyond the Fading Darkness reconnects readers with the characters they came to love and hate in Through the Fading Darkness. The rich narrative blends amazing history, political intrigue, espionage, and complex characters into a riveting thriller that, at times, feels like it was taken from today’s headlines.

Prior to the pandemic, I ran a nonprofit that went into rural high schools and taught kids how to conceptualize and start their own small businesses. The goal was to help them create opportunities for themselves and their communities. One aspect of the program involved educational travel and immersive learning.

In 2019, I was fortunate enough to partner with Marshall University and eight interns from the school of journalism and the art & design programs joined me for a six month project. After a series of meetings and some serious fundraising, those interns filmed a documentary. Three separate camera crews followed the high school students from start to finish as they worked their way through the program. I took the footage and edited it into a one hour film that had a theatrical premier and was aired on WV Public Broadcasting several times. The film was called Unwritten.

I had no idea what the film crews were asking during the interviews, and what they were filming until after the project ended. I was busy teaching the course. Without any guidance, the Marshall students captured some really funny and touching moments.

The video was available online for about two years before I took it down. I am reposting it now. I think it tells a story about Appalachia that needs retold today.

As a postscript, the COVID lockdowns killed the nonprofit. I lost all access to schools and students. I tried to run it remotely, but like most things during that time, it just didn’t work outside of the classroom and experiential learning model. I wrote a well-received article about the entire experience in 2021. You can read it here.

FROM IMDB:

Unwritten is a 52-minute documentary about a group of eight high school girls from a small town in West Virginia who take part in a program that teaches entrepreneurship as a pathway to a better life. Filmed over a six-month period in 2019, Unwritten follows the students as they travel across the country to see how starting their own businesses will not only change their future, but the future of their entire community.

Zac Northup - STUFF is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

In the second novel, Beyond the Fading Darkness, a major storyline takes place in the Valley of the Dead River. It’s actually the Canaan Valley in West Virginia. I spent the past weekend scouting locations. With some luck, you might see these in a film or series someday.