Hancock English Instructor to Publish Second Novel

SEPTEMBER 21, 2021 -- Part-time Allan Hancock College English instructor Mark James Miller will tackle the subject of historical fiction with his second novel, which is set to publish later this month.

On Sept. 30, Texas-based publisher Black Rose Writing will release Miller’s second novel, “The White Cockade: A Novel of the American Revolution.” The novel tells the story of the men and women caught up in the tumultuous events surrounding the early days of the American Revolution. Miller said he was inspired by books like “The Odyssey” and “War and Peace” and films like “Ben Hur” and “Doctor Zhivago.”

“These are stories about people being caught up in historical forces they cannot control and that captivated me,” Miller said. “I saw the same kind of compelling drama in our nation’s birth, as people with high ideals and strong feelings become embroiled in the events of 1775 and 1776.”

Miller said he spent more than four years researching and writing “The White Cockade.” Characters swept up in the drama of the American Revolution include Josiah, a man who doesn’t want war but can’t escape it; Hugo, Josiah’s former friend-turned bitter enemy; Alice, whose love for Josiah knows no limits and many others.

Miller, who has been a part-time instructor at Hancock since 1995, published his first novel, “Red Tide,” in 2015 at the age of 64. He continues to write and teach at Hancock, encouraging his students and others to follow their passions and dreams.

“We all have a passion,” Miller said. “We all have a dream we would like to see come true, and it is never too late to go after it. Whatever your passion is, don’t lose sight of it. Make it happen.”

“The White Cockade” will be available Sept. 30 through the publisher, Black Rose Writing, as well as Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

 

- AHC -