"Selectors" uses the framework of science fiction to transcend the "abducted by aliens" formula plotline and reveal both truths within ourselves and those that are "universal."
In a mild spoof of the genre, writer-turned-fry cook, Carlton Westerfieild is "selected" to be among those transported to the planet "Croatan" and to participate in a ritual of the "Triple Eclipse," which will change both planets.
Westerfields' s aliens, however, speak English as a first language and externally are no different than people one would meet in a local shopping mall. And although they each go by several names and aliases, in temperament they are fundamentally human.
Westerfield and his new friend, folk-singer Frank Tuscon, and the others selected always have the choice to return. The "hosts" are allegedly a merger of people from twelve past Croatanian kingdoms and, in spite of their differences, are all related.
Are Dr. Abraham Hrvanaka and his beautiful nieces, Elena and Selena, aliens, angels, androids, a religious cult or a political terrorist group? Is universal harmony the goal of mankind? Or, is this goal the ability to recognize and properly use the tools that come man's way? Read the book and make your "selection."
J.P. Dameron is a native of the Southern Piedmont in Virginia. He is married, father of three children, and is a retired federal employee.
Selectors is an expansion of an unpublished short story originally written in 1972 that grew into its present form. It is not auto-biographical. Although characters bear his surname, Dameron was never "selected" by aliens. The characters and groups are fictional.
J.P is a sixties college drop-out, who, after taking a series of jobs ranging from driving an ice cream truck to grinding optical lenses, returned to complete his education and earned two degrees.
He briefly taught high-school English.
Writing has been his passion since he edited his fifth grade newspaper. His articles, fiction, and poetry have appeared in small press and regional publications, sometimes under pen names. He was a former editor of the Piedmont Literary Review.
Dameron is an avid family historian. The first John Dameron in America captained the ship, Duty. It landed in Jamestown in May, 1620, months before the Pilgrims landed in Plymouth. J.P.
counts George Washington and Bartholomew Gosnold among his "cousins."
Selectors is Dameron's first published novel. He hopes that you will "select" it for your library.
