BOISE -- As you make your travel plans for Spring Break or for this Summer, you may want to consider a trip to the small town of Krafton. But the only way to get there is by opening the new book by Boise Author Alan Heathcock.
"You know it's thrilling," said Heathcock. "It's like seeing one of your kids do something extraordinary."
For author Alan Heathcock it's thrilling to see his new book, his first book, prominently displayed in a bookstore. And this child of his named "VOLT" is doing very well.
"Sales are great. The book just came out and we're already on our second printing of the book," said Heathcock.
That's 8,500 copies. That's 8,500 reasons Heathcock is enjoying this overnight success that really took 12 years to achieve. "It's a long time coming to have things happen so quickly now," said Heathcock.
Twelve years from idea to book launch. The launch happened three weeks ago when more than 300 supporters packed the Linen Building in Boise. "It's a tremendous feeling," said Heathcock. "You feel like you're fully embraced by a community."
Readers are now getting to meet the people who populate the small fictional community of Krafton, USA. It's the setting for all eight short stories that make up "VOLT."
Heathcock describes his characters as tough people facing tough times making tough decisions.
"The truth of humanity is that it's not easy, and sometimes the answers are scarier than the questions," said Heathcock.
Characters such as the man in the story "Smoke" who drags his unwitting son into his own awful plan of self-preservation.
"Put a log beneath Mr. Augusto," his father said. "Tie this rope up around his knees and chest."
"What we gonna do?"
"Climb."
And the accidental, misguided sheriff in the story "Peacekeeper" who protects a family from horrible pain by meting out her own justice.
"But what Helen knew, what she'd seen in those woods, would be too much for them, for everybody. She made a plan to hit it all, and knew she'd have to be careful."
Another character delivers the line that gives the book "VOLT" its name. Heathcock said it this way.
"At one time everybody's just a babe and then something puts a volt in them, which changes them for good or for bad."
This coming Sunday, something could really put a volt in "VOLT." The New York Times will feature it in its Sunday Book Review. That's a big deal. "They wouldn't have reviewed the book at all unless they did like it," said Heathcock. "So they've already indicated that much."
A good review could mean a lot more book sales. At 40, the author is ready to make his mark in the world of literature.
But what about fashion? When asked about the distinctive fedora he wears at most times, he replied, "I remember there was a time when I was trying on a fedora in a store and it just, it felt like some long lost part of who I was."
And Heathcock knows what he is... a writer.
Considering how long it took to achieve overnight success, he's ready for a long morning after. "I hope it lasts the rest of my life," said Heathcock.
Right now, he's working on his next project, which is a novel.
You can find "VOLT" at Rediscovered Books on 8th Street in Downtown Boise, at Barnes and Noble and on Amazon.
You can find a link to Heathcock's website in our hotlinks.
