I first read The Iliad in college, and the story stuck with me in a way that no other story had before—vivid imagery, unforgettable characters, and emotional struggles that still send shivers down the spine centuries after the poem was written. Years later, while living on the outskirts of San Francisco, I began to devise a reimagining of Homer’s epic set in an alternate version of a city that spoke to me with the same vibrant energy.
The Iliad is, unquestionably, a text about war, and contains many varied depictions of violence and brutality. In writing A Thousand Fires, I borrowed those same elements and applied them to a modern setting. I do not encourage nor am I a proponent of violence, in any form, and this book is not meant to advocate for the use of guns or violence. It is fiction, inspired by a timeless myth and a city I hold close to my heart.
A Thousand Fires is a story I’ve had in my head for so many years, and I’m thrilled to finally share it with the world. Enjoy!
Sincerely,
Shannon