Why, Pages, Past & Present Matters

Pages, Past & Present matters to me, and because of that, I want it to matter to its readers.

This historical-fiction novella—longer than a short story but more compact than a traditional novel—was written to do more than entertain. It takes readers into the past so they can better understand history, appreciate how far society has come, and think more deeply about the world they have today.

Although rooted in history, the story also carries a dystopian and political edge. It explores conflict, power, division, and what can happen when people allow themselves or others to be pushed around. Rather than telling readers what to think politically, the story asks them to consider the importance of courage, unity, standing up for what is right, and refusing to let fear determine their choices.

At its heart, however, Pages, Past & Present is about appreciation—appreciating what we have, the people we love, and the time we have with them. Through the main character's journey and devotion to his family, the story reminds us that circumstances can change and that the things we take for granted today may not always be guaranteed.

I wanted this book to have depth. I wanted it to feel meaningful and truthful, while still being fun, exciting, and full of adventure. It is written for readers ages eight and up, with no inappropriate content, but its meaning grows with the reader: the older you are, the more you may discover beneath the adventure.

That is what I hope makes Pages, Past & Present more than simply a story about the past. It uses the past to make us think about the present—and appreciate what we have before it becomes history.