Empire, Nevada Is Coming to KDP
The Story Behind the Story
I began Empire, Nevada during a summer off from teaching — one of those rare stretches of stillness where I could finally breathe again. The words came quickly at first. The story felt personal, urgent, and raw: a small-town coming-of-age tale written by someone trying to make sense of their own grief.
But then life caught fire.
One of my students confided that her father had strangled her. She vanished shortly after. When I tried to report it, I was told not to. I was a mandated reporter—and they told me to stay silent.
No one helped. No one stepped in.
I cracked under the pressure. Said things I never should have said. And Empire was shelved.
Years passed. I walked away from teaching. Away from writing, for a time. But the story never left me. Eventually, I came back — with clearer eyes, and a stronger voice. Not perfect. But honest.
And I finished the book.
The Story
Empire, Nevada follows Paul Simpkins — a teenager trying to survive the quiet collapse of everything he’s ever known. When the mining company that owns his entire town announces it’s shutting down, Paul finds himself in freefall. His town. His friends. His sense of belonging — all slipping away.
He’s already haunted by the loss of his mother and the distance of his emotionally unreachable father. When an old friendship with Trish unexpectedly reignites, it throws him into deeper emotional waters. Rumors, regrets, betrayals, and brutal misunderstandings follow. And Paul is forced to confront not just the grief around him — but the parts of himself he’s never wanted to face.
This is not a sanitized version of small-town life.
This is what it’s really like to grow up when nothing feels safe or solid.
It’s about staying loyal to the people you love — even when they’re slipping away.
It’s about screwing up, trying again, and learning how to hold space for your own pain.
“This isn’t about perfect people. It’s about the ones who mess up, hurt each other, survive anyway — and maybe, just maybe, learn how to keep going.”
The Content
There’s harsh language. There are bad choices.
There are moments where people say the wrong thing, lash out, or fail each other.
I didn’t write Empire to show how people should act.
I wrote it to show how we actually act — and how we pick up the pieces after.
I want readers to wrestle with the messy parts.
Not because it’s comfortable. But because it’s real.
“We all make bad choices. What matters is what we do after.”
The Process
This story was written in layers.
I started it in notebooks and Word docs during late nights.
Then I let it sit — for years — while my own life fell apart and reassembled.
When I returned to the manuscript, I brought in a tool I never expected: AI.
Not to write for me — but to help me reflect.
To spot the patterns. To test pacing. To hold a mirror to the work and say: is this still true?
Every word is mine. But I had help finding my voice again.
“You could say I folded this novel like filo dough — layer by layer, raw truth by raw truth.”
The Release
🗓 Empire, Nevada will be released in Summer 2025
📘 Available in paperback and digital via Kindle Direct Publishing
🖋 Previews and extras will appear on my site:
🔗 https://empirenevadathenovel.wordpress.com
What I’ll be sharing:
- Chapter previews
- Cover concepts
- Character breakdowns
- Behind-the-scenes notes
- Thoughts on the writing + self-publishing process
The Bigger Picture
Empire is just one of the stories I’m telling.
Alongside it, I’m building Unto a Golden Dawn — a surreal metaphysical novel starring Edgar Allan Poe, Aleister Crowley, and twisted versions of myself.
That one is free to read, always evolving, and will eventually become a layered final edition with:
- Hidden lore
- Coded messages
- Exclusive art
- Multiple formats of storytelling
But for now, Empire is where my heart is focused.
Why Now?
Because I’ve lived through enough to know that waiting for the perfect moment doesn’t work.
Because this story never let go of me.
Because someone out there might need it — the same way I did.
If you’ve ever stayed somewhere too long…
If you’ve ever loved someone more than you knew how to show…
If you’ve ever tried to make sense of what broke you…This one’s for you.
— Frank M. Anderson
📬 Want to Follow the Journey?
I’m launching a free author newsletter where I’ll be sharing:
- New chapters
- Exclusive content
- Personal reflections
- Subscriber-only stories and previews
You’ll hear from me occasionally — only when there’s something worth saying.
Frank M. Anderson's Writing 
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