Category: Survival Fiction

A Note From My Publisher

Dear Readers, It has come to our attention that there is an error on the case material of New York Times bestselling author, James Wesley, Rawles’s, latest novel, EXPATRIATES: A Novel of the Coming Global Collapse (October 1, 2013).  The author’s name is misprinted on the spine of the book.  The dust jacket is correct, as is the About the Author page on both the jacket and in the book. We have issued a rush reprint, though approximately half of our first printing has already been distributed to retailers. If you wish to receive a replacement copy from the second …


Expatriates Release Day Tomorrow

You might as well call me “James Wesley, Wrong”, since a printing error at E.P. Dutton resulted in several thousand copies of the First Edition, First Printing of Expatriates having the hardcover spines (underneath the dust jacket) emblazoned: “John Wesley, Rawles.“ Here is how the correct dust jacket spine looks: And here is how the misprinted hardback spine (underneath the dust jacket) looks: This error wasn’t discovered until Friday night (September 27th), when our family friend “Enola Gay” (the editor of the outstanding Paratus Familia blog) happened to look under the dust jacket of the copy that I’d given her. …


Sample Chapter From My Novel Expatriates

  The following is another sample chapter from my upcoming novel Expatriates: A Novel of the Coming Global Collapse. Please wait until the release day (October 1st, 2013) to place your order. Introductory Notes: My upcoming novel opens with a prominent disclaimer that includes: “This is a work of fiction.  All of the events described are imaginary, taking place in the future, and do not represent the world as we know it in the present day. It does not reflect the current geopolitical situation, governmental policies, or the strategic posture of any nation. It is not intended to be commentary …


Seeking Input for My Next Novel: Liberators

The third sequel to Patriots, titled Expatriates: A Novel of the Coming Global Collapse, will be released on October 1st. Meanwhile, I’m already writing the fourth sequel to my novel Patriots, which will be titled Liberators. This novel will be set primarily set near Bella Coola, British Columbia, at Joint Base Lewis-McChord(JBLM) , Washington, and in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Anyone who has recently lived in those regions is invited to chime in. I’d really like to add some local color–including local history, flora and fauna, and geographical quirks. Liberators will also have a strong emphasis on guerilla and …


Sample Chapter From My Upcoming Novel “Expatriates”

Introductory Note: My upcoming novel opens with a prominent disclaimer that includes: “This is a work of fiction.  All of the events described are imaginary, taking place in the future, and do not represent the world as we know it in the present day. It does not reflect the current geopolitical situation, governmental policies, or the strategic posture of any nation. It is not intended to be commentary on the policies, leadership, goals, strategies, or plans of any nation. This novel is not intended to be predictive of the territorial aspirations tactics of any nation or any planned use of …


Christmas Gifts for the Young Prepper, by Karyn S.

Is everyone geared up for Christmas shopping? On the first day of Christmas my five children receive presents from their parents, grandparents, and friends and by the twelfth day of Christmas….well, the presents begin earning the label of junk, lying in the basement or being “played with” by the dog and chickens in the backyard. Every year I declare I will not buy anymore useless, plastic toys – and this year I mean it! Lest I sound too much like the Grinch, rest assured that I love giving the kids presents. I love thinking about just the right gift for …


Update on the Release of “Founders”

This is for those who have asked for more details on the release of my latest novel “Founders”, particularly about the audio book and ebook: The audio book edition of “Founders” was narrated by Phil Gigante. He is a former Shakespearean actor and an Audie award-winner with a great voice. The cover artwork for Founders was done by Tony Mauro Jr., who is best known for his movie posters. He did a fantastic job of capturing the atmosphere of Ken & Terry Layton’s trek.   Sources for “Founders” – Hardback, eBook and Audio Book Formats Hardcover Book Sellers: Amazon.com BAMM …


Seeking Input – Drafting My Next Novel: “Expatriates”

I am now writing the first draft my follow-on novel in the “Patriots-Survivors-Founders” series, under the working title “Expatriates.” Tentatively, this novel will be set primarily in three locales: A.) Darwin, Australia, B.) Tavares, Florida, and C.) Borongan, Samar Island, Philippines. There will also be some mention of Bella Coola, British Columbia. If any SurvivalBlog readers have lived in or near any of those locales , I’d appreciate your input, via e-mail. I’d also appreciate hearing from anyone with experience and seismic oilfield exploration. OBTW, my novel “Founders” should be released in October 2012, in hardback, as an audiobook, and …


Today is Book Bomb Day!

This is the release day for my novel “Survivors: A Novel of the Coming Collapse”. (October 4th, 2011.) Thank you for waiting to order your copies until today. Keep an eye on the book’s Amazon Sales Rank, as the day progresses. This should be fun! Here is some information on the novel, without any spoilers: Much of the novel is set in the Four Corners Region of the American Southwest. “Survivors” is unusual for a novel sequel. Unlike most sequels, instead of extending the “Patriots” saga further into the future, it is contemporaneous with the action in the first book. …


Don’t Buy This Book (Yet!)

Please don’t order any copies of my upcoming novel “Survivors: A Novel of the Coming Collapse” until its release day, October 4th, 2011. The cover art was masterfully rendered by mixed media artist Tony Mauro, Jr. of New York. He took my vague one-minute verbal concept description, and he nailed it. I am very happy with his design and his choice of color palette. It really captures the essence of the novel. (The lead character, Andy Laine, is depicted on horseback in Texas, in the midst of The Crunch. You’ll see how closely Tony matched the storyline when you read …


Survival: The Five I’s That Might Keep You Alive, by Dino

Survival: The Five I’s That Might Keep You Alive, by Dino If you read the title carefully, you’ll notice the word might. Regardless of preparation, situations sometimes spiral out of control faster than we can react to the. In a TEOTWAWKI scenario of indeterminate cause, all the plans in the world go out the window, literally in some cases. Ask any senior military officer about mission planning, and invariably they will tell you that from the time a briefing starts until it ends, the situation has evolved to make the plan need adjusting. The film industry has some of the …


Letter Re: “Patriots” Has Changed My Understanding

Mr. Rawles, I just finished your novel “Patriots” a few days ago and I was compelled to send you a note. Your writing has changed my whole view of the “survivalist/ militia” culture and beliefs. You have truly opened my eyes and provided some answers to many questions I have had for years now. First you opened my eyes to how fragile our world truly is. The parallels to what is happening today in our society will certainly force me to take personal action for my family and close friends. I will be having both my son and daughter, as …


Reader Poll Results: Your Favorite Movies with Survival Themes

The following are the results of our recent poll of SurvivalBlog readers about favorite movies with survival and preparedness themes. Each one listed below got at least three votes: Aliens Apocalypto   Braveheart  Cast Away Defiance This movie was based on the book Defiance: The Bielski Partisans by Nechama Tec The Edge (Available through Netflix, as a DVD and “Play it Now” streaming.) The Flight of the Phoenix (The original version, made in 1965, starring Jimmy Stewart. The recent remake stinks.) The Great Escape  I Am Legend Jeremiah Johnson  The Matrix Series (The Matrix/ The Matrix Reloaded/ The Matrix Revolutions) …


Letter Re: Retreat Security: I Am Your Worst Nightmare

I was thinking about the “I Am Your Worst Nightmare” post as I worked in my vegetable garden, preparing it for Spring. I wonder how long it would be until the Looters evolved their strategy to the next levels, as follows: Looter+1: Don’t kill everyone, leave some alive to loot again later. Looter+2: Plan to scare, rather than kill, your victims, so that they can continue farming and provide for your needs later. Dead victims can’t work. Looter+3: Claim a territory and collect “protection” money/goods from the people in your territory. Tell them that in return for only taking one-third …


Survival Novels as Useful Preparedness Parables, by W.E.

As a college teacher, NRA firearms instructor, and military trainer (including survival skills), I have spent years sorting the most effective teaching techniques from less effective ones.  Obviously, some types of training, such as marksmanship, require hands-on methods, while classroom presentations are more appropriate for other subjects.  In all cases, however, it is common for students to base their questions on preconceived notions.  For example:  “What is the ‘best’ handgun?”  Best for what situation?  Or,  “What is the best survival kit?”  I always reply, it’s the one you carry between your ears;  knowledge, not equipment.  And, I am often asked …