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Georgia Writers Association |
South Carolina Writers Workshop |
National Writers Association
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Libros International, publisher |
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Two time winner National |
ASHES TO THE VISTULA is a novel of a unique friendship of two orphan boys who forge a relationship in the days preceding World War II. Jakub, the younger, is retarded, but his friend, Filip, vows to protect him, even when the German SS force Jakub to come with them. Filip joins him and they are taken to Auschwitz, where their friendship is subjected to many hardships. Filip, however, is made an overseer (kapo) and manages the collection center, where he meets Anna, a Russian POW, and they begin a love affair. Filip learns Anna is involved in an effort to destroy the crematoriums and urges her to stop. When she is arrested, Filip accidentally implicates her, and he is forced to watch her hang. In his sorrow, Jakub takes care of him, and Filip realizes Jakub no longer needs him, not until the final vengeful days.
AMAZON BARNES & NOBLE POWELLS |
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Sharon Pratt (OBX, NC) I finished "Ashes..." last night. It was a very good book, beautiful story. The characters came alive and it was very touching. The poetry in it was beautiful. Gregory M. Sango (Leominster, Massachusetts) Human kind seems never to learn from its past but continues to repeat it. The voices that the author has listened to in his heart and spirit are from a time of the world's greatest horror, and they can now feel they have been heard anew. This work brings to our 21st century mind's eye the times before when the world believed all was well and a monster came to us. This work brings that monster to us through a friendship of caring for another less fortunate and the promise made to that person. If one never steps through the gates of the "Camp", this work will take your mind there and leave a mark as that which is still carried by a few on their arms. Every person living today that can read and is willing not to turn away from the voices that call from the "camps" must "hear" their message through the words of "Ashes to the Vistula". The past must never be forgotten. Through the lives of the two, the lives of six million can be heard. charles freedman, a lover of good books, 09/16/2007 great story great ending a well written story with many subplots that all come together for a powerful ending. Even though the story is deeply emotional the reading experience was very satisfying. Well done! |
Betty Lippold (SC Writers Workshop) Read the novel in two nights - couldn't put it down. A compelling read! Waiting for your next novel. R. Ferris (Georgia) "Ashes To The Vistula" is a story that must be told to every generation so that it is never forgotten and, more importantly, never repeated. Bill Copeland, a master storyteller, sets the historical background with known characters and places. He then weaves you into the story as a close observer that can smell the fear and feel the joy, danger, and despair of each of the characters. I resented having to put the novel down to take care of some mundane chore. To Bill Copeland I say, "well done!" We look forward to your next novel. Ken Scott (Spain) A quite incredible debut novel set in the harrowing shadow of Aushwitz. Copeland delivers his masterpiece with feeling and passion and with every page turned a feeling of being dragged kicking and screaming into the depths of despair. The story that unfolds between the two friends is awesome, I sat at times with my mouth wide open and pinched myself again and again reassuring myself it was only fiction. And as I neared the final pages I admit I shed a tear or two. No book has ever made me cry. A first class debut Mr Copeland. |
| Desert People’s Trilogy is set in a distant millennium, where in the harsh, demanding terrain of the Sonoran Desert dwells a peaceful, resilient people who live with the land and flourish like the blooms of the giant saguaro cactus. With generosity and love they help their fellow men and allow none to suffer hunger or thirst, always willing to share. But an alien race comes among them, not to share, but to steal the foods, women, children, and the clouds that insure the survival of the people. These evil ones bring violence to the desert, a trait little known among gentle tribes, but one comes from among them, Black Mountain, a warrior, a war chief who leads them against the invaders. This leader gives to his people his daughter, a child of great power, one who communicates with the great spirits. This is Little-Hand-With-a-Strong-Grip, a medicine woman gifted with the songs of healing and the memories of the old ones. But Little Hand struggles with her destiny as a healer and her desires for a mate and children. Her wishes are granted to her in Black Bear, a young warrior of promise, who accepts her and her powers, as they are rewarded with the birth of a son. But the aliens come again, destroying villages and killing those in their way, forcing Little Hand to escape with her son, leaving her mate to battle the enemy. In her ordeal, she is given the gift of dreams and shown the path to the Great Spirit, which she shares with all the people. But the struggle against the strange ones continues, defending villages and townships, always on guard should they be next. There is despair among the Desert People as they give chase to the enemy to regain the clouds, but the desert fails to bloom as the rains fail to heed the songs of the drums and fires beseeching them to come, as drought strikes to the heart of the desert. In the height of their conflicts comes a young man, born of another people, but brought to live in the desert. He struggles with his identity and his loyalty to his adoptive family, killing and distancing himself from all people. It is he that walks in the desert and is known as Lone Desert Walker, and sings the song of the night hawk, oo-roo, oo-roo, that brings the clouds and rains. And it is to him they come seeking a war chief to lead them against the mountain stronghold of the strange ones.
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Winner National Writers Association |
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 Contact Bill Copeland |
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