Ernest Dempsey Founding author Follow

I've loved history for as long as I can remember. And I also love literature. Same story with that. Most of all, I love archaeological thrillers like the ones I grew up watching in the 1980s: the Goonies, Indiana Jones, stuff with a mystery and a good treasure hunt. Now I live in the most amazing dream where I get to write those kinds of archaeological thrillers for a living.

My plan going into college was to be an English major and become an English teacher. That was on track until one fateful day when a professor told me my work was trite. I immediately went to the administration building and changed my major to psychology. I earned that degree, a master's in counseling, and worked for twelve years as a high school guidance counselor and soccer coach. It was during those years in education that I began writing again, this time with more purpose and with the goal to publish a book.

At the time of writing this, I've published over 40. And I'm writing more all the time. My professor wasn't wrong when she called my work trite. It took me years to realize that. The thing is, she's still not wrong. My stories have endings that are sometimes predictable. One thing I've learned along the way is that that is okay. I don't write stories for people who want to be punched in the tear ducts with a tragedy. I write stories for regular folks: retirees, veterans, doctors, teachers, lawyers, people who are on disability, maintenance workers, security guards, landscapers, nurses, construction workers, custodians, and anyone else who wants an escape from the stress of life. See, that's the thing I've learned over the years of writing stories. Life is unpredictable. We crave a little predictability now and then, when the good guys win and the bad guys get their comeuppance. The most important thing, both in books and in life, is that the end can be easy to predict so long as the journey isn't. You may know how a story will end, or at least have an inkling, but if you don't know how it gets there, then that unpredictability makes it fun.That's how I approach storytelling.

So, if you like twists in stories, you'll find them here. All along the journey. And maybe occasionally at the end. But one thing is certain; you will never be bored. Come on this journey with me. I promise I will always work hard to honor your valuable time with exciting action, baffling mysteries, and intriguing history. Join the adventure. 

Visit ernestdempsey.net to get a free, not-sold-in-stores short story. - Ernest