The author presents the story and libretto titled Piper. (308 pages; available in paperback, hardcover, eBook, and Kindle) The 30+ chapters span three acts and read like short stories with action, adventure, and lyric.
Piper is an allegorical fairy tale influenced by the author's studies of the early 1700's and his fascination with pirates, Grub Street, and the Stamp Tax of 1712. Jonathan Swift excerpts are cited within the book's preface: "Grub Street is dead and gone last week? No more ghosts or murders now for love or money. I plied it pretty close the last fortnight and published at least seven penny papers of my own..."
Story review by author Emily-Jane Hills Orford:
"Timothy Rags, or Taylor as he liked to be called, is a detective. He's on a sabbatical of sorts, imposed by his employers. He's been sent to de-stress in a tiny village, Kipper's Cove. Stumbling out of a storm into a quaint store, he discovers a book which the owner, Samuel, lends him. Back at his lodgings, Taylor immerses himself in the book and finds himself swept into another world, another time, in a tiny village called Thyme on the river Thymes. And Samuel's there too, as is the lovely landlady's daughter, Ms. Gibson. The year is now 1712, about three hundred years before Taylor's time, and the Samuel and Ms. Gibson of this century share the story of an adventure filled with the power of music and the power of the written word, a story that makes the reader believe they've fallen down the rabbit hole with Alice, or flown off with the fairy Tinkerbell to Never-Never Land.
The reader is certainly presented with a tale full of wonder and extraordinary events, extraordinary people and creatures, and extraordinary places. With an evil witch set to steal all of the stories and a child who escapes her evil ways to become a magical piper capable of weaving musical spells, G. Gene Black's debut fantasy, Piper, exudes charm, adventure, and the magic and power of both music and the written word.
The story takes the reader through a myriad of plots and sub-plots with expertise and grace. This story is a real classic, one to capture the hearts of young and old alike for generations."
About the Author: G. Gene Black was born in the town of Greensburg, Indiana. He's been a home builder and held various positions in sales over his career. His writings began as short stories made available on social media where followers suggested he pursue the art of screenwriting. He recently completed the novel titled Piper from one of his animated screenplays.
He's been a freelance writer and songwriter since 2008; as an artist he does oil on canvas and enjoys playing piano.
He's a member of the Production Arts Group in Los Angeles and the International Screenwriters' Association.
He currently resides in California with his wife and is working on his next screenplay and novel.
