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L.J. Sellers | The Prepper Culture
Preppers, survivalists, whatever you want to call them, fascinate me. And
according to reality TV—and the
Doomsday Prepper show—they've become part of the global culture.
I have a bit of that instinct in my own DNA. I sometimes call it my "Girl Scout"
training—to always be prepared—but a shrink would probably label it
"adult child of an alcoholic" syndrome. Still, I haven't joined the ranks of the
people who are stockpiling food and supplies for the social/economic
collapse—or zombie apocalypse—they believe is coming.
But because I understand the impulse, when I was brainstorming ideas for the
first book in my new series, featuring a young female FBI agent who specializes
in undercover work, isolated groups came to mind. Preppers, in particular.
THE TRIGGER,
releasing January 1st, is set in a community of survivalists in Northern
California. After one of the members disappears, Agent Dallas goes undercover to
join the community and locate the missing woman. What she finds is much more of
a concern!
While researching isolated groups, specifically their founders, I was intrigued
to discover that most members are highly educated—often professionals,
such as doctors and engineers. Consequently, the brothers who founded my
fictional Destiny fit that description and require its members to have some
college education. Or, as Agent Dallas would put it, "smart but a little crazy."
The other thing I realized is that people join isolated groups not just to get
away from everything but because they have a vision for a better society.
Spencer and Randall Clayton, my fictional preppers, are no exception. Only, they
grow tired of waiting for the collapse (and rebirth) and decide to trigger it
themselves and bring on the new world order. Agent Dallas, who seduces the older
brother as her undercover target, has a limited opportunity to stop it. But only
if she doesn't get caught.
I didn't want the whole story to be set in the isolated community, so I balanced
it with a murder set in a nearby town. The two plots have overlapping characters
and come together in an unexpected twist.
Early readers have been enthusiastic, and I hope you'll check out THE TRIGGER. To encourage
you, the ebook will is on sale on Kindle for $.99, and anyone who buys a copy
(print or digital) TODAY (launch day only) and forwards their Amazon
receipt to lj@ljsellers.com will be entered to win a
trip to Left Coast Crime 2015. If that weren't enough, I'm giving away ten
$ 50 Amazon gift certificates too, so your chances of winning something
are quite good. See more details at my website.
Side note: I'm writing book two in the series now, and I've found surprising
similarities between cults and certain corporate cultures!
Do you stockpile for emergencies? Have you watched the show Doomsday Preppers?
Are they smarter than the rest of us or just a little crazy?
L.J. Sellers writes
the bestselling Detective Jackson mystery series—a two-time Readers
Favorite Award winner—as well as provocative standalone thrillers. Her
novels have been highly praised by reviewers, and her Jackson books are the
highest-rated crime fiction on Amazon. L.J. resides in Eugene, Oregon where most
of her novels are set and is an award-winning journalist who earned the Grand
Neal. When not plotting murders, she enjoys standup comedy, cycling, social
networking, and attending mystery conferences. She's also been known to jump out
of airplanes.
L.J. Sellers, author
of provocative mysteries & thrillers | website | Crime Fiction Collective |
Facebook | @LJSellers
Comments
20 comments posted.
Re: L.J. Sellers | The Prepper Culture
sounds really good happy new years
(Denise Smith 12:10pm January 1, 2014)
I doubt that I would be prepared for a breakdown in
society,etc. However, I should have enough food and general
supplies to keep me for a good couple of months. Never
watched a show about Preppers but am now a bit curious.
(G. Bisbjerg 12:47pm January 1, 2014)
I haven't stockpiled, but really should, because the weather can get quite nasty where I live, for starters. I've also read enough articles on line to make me want to be prepared for anything, since I feel that something is going to come down the pike, as they say, in the near future. I'd rather be safe than sorry. Your book sounds quite good, and I'll be looking forward to reading it. Happy New Year!!
(Peggy Roberson 9:26am January 1, 2014)
I keep extra canned goods and staples like pasta in case of bad weather in the winter but I don't stockpile.
(Sandy Giden 9:33am January 1, 2014)
I do now because we didn't have power yesterday.
(May Pau 10:08am January 1, 2014)
Trigger sounds great, I really enjoy survivalist stories with
groups off people like Agent Dallas. Happy New Year!
(Lisa White 10:31am January 1, 2014)
I wouldn't but my brother should would be! You should see his shelves. He is ready for anything. This book sounds great!!!
(Bonnie Capuano 10:36am January 1, 2014)
I stockpile and everyone I know says if anything ever happens they will be coming to my house. It was a god send when I broke my leg a couple of years ago and could not get around so well...Happy New Year !
(Jayne Cameron 11:39am January 1, 2014)
I usually don't stockpile too much for potential natural disasters like hurricanes. I just make sure we have enough basics to a last for a few days if we need them. The world around us usually recovers pretty quickly. Good luck with book launches. It sounds interesting.
(Amy Kincade 12:02pm January 1, 2014)
I keep enough extra just in case. Happy New Year!
(Denise Austin 12:40pm January 1, 2014)
two plots have overlapping characters and come together in an unexpected twist. This keeps this interesting,,,oh yes very.
(Shirley Sego 3:14pm January 1, 2014)
Sounds awesome!
(Vicki Hancock 4:22pm January 1, 2014)
Wow, Congrats on your new book: THE TRIGGER. I like the book
cover too! Your new book sounds so thrilling and exciting and
I would love to win it and read it this New Year in 2014.
Thank You very much. Cecilia CECE
(Cecilia Dunbar Hernandez 8:35pm January 1, 2014)
I admit to stockpiling food. I also make my own laundry
detergent. It's partially that inner girl scout and partially
my odd need to feed other people.
(Vanessa Primer 8:44pm January 1, 2014)
we have food for a month. but can't protect out property
(Michael Gallagher 9:27pm January 1, 2014)
I bought it! Plus I am going to get your new release emails
and entered your launch day contest. Super fun. Thanks
(Vanessa Primer 9:54pm January 1, 2014)
My Mom has been known to stockpile for everything. It has gotten so bad that she is like a hoarder. She is even storing food at my place. It must be the traumatic effects of suffering during World War II.
(Kai Wong 12:39pm January 2, 2014)
For me, that started about the time my kids left for school
and instead of feeding 3 teens and 2 adults, I had to
downscale for me and my husband. There came a time when the
refrigerator door wouldn't close! I got beyond that, but we
don't have to worry if a blizzard pops in tomorrow with no
advance warning.
(Janet Martin 3:32pm January 2, 2014)
I actually think it's not a bad habit to have.
(Mary Preston 5:01am January 4, 2014)
I'm very interested in Trigger. Don't stock up on much of anything. Food gets out dated to quickley.
(Barbara Wells 8:29pm January 18, 2014)
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