Greg J. Gardner is the breakout author of the terror, thriller, Black Friday – An American Jihad and is currently working on an epic historical fiction about one of the soldiers who crucified Jesus and was cursed to live forever.
Follow for updates and excerpts from the novel, as the work progresses.
Golgotha – The Curse of the Crucifixion is set to sweep readers into an historical tail of rage, murder, and love.
With meticulous attention to detail and commitment to writing, Greg is creating a tail that covers more than 2000 years and follows one of the soldiers that crucified Jesus
Pilatus Augustus Palermo lives today, as a billionaire philanthropist but began life as a Roman soldier assigned to work in the Golgotha on the day Jesus was crucified. A husband, a father, a faithful soldier, he was cast the lot of dealing death on that fateful day and cursed with eternal life, forced to watch his wife and children die as he did not. Blessed with an affliction that let to anger, hate and rage, Pilatus devolves toward longing for a death that will not come. Only love beyond himself can provide salvation and a way toward what he longs for most, death. I hope you will join me in discovering this story together.
Several friends have suggested not publishing this novel and one went so far as to call it “blasphemy”, but I disagree. I was born and raised Catholic, then married a wonderful woman who was Baptist. That pretty much made me Baptist, but regardless of the title, I have a deep and devout faith in life after death. This story, this tail, this book of fiction didn’t make me question that and in fact strengthened it. It made me think about the promise Jesus made, the promise of eternal life. The promise he made is life through death, first his, but ultimately our own. What if you had to live forever? Imagine the horror.
Favorite Writing Spaces
“I enjoy writing, cigars and cruising, but not necessarily in that order. But life is best, when they’re enjoyed together. The only thing that beats siting on the deck of a cruise ship and enjoying a cigar while letting my brain expel ideas through the keyboard, is spending time with my grandson. Life is too short not to enjoy the time we have and inject a little humor into our own lives and the ones around us. My bucket list is empty because I turn it over ever chance I get.”
Meet Greg J. Gardner
A father, a grandfather, a friend, a companion, and a damn good liar.
I’m a Joker
I’m always up to something crazy, funny, whacky or weird, just because it’s Wednesday.
I’m a smoker
I’m had the best and worst cigars from Cuba to Banner Elk and enjoy most.
I’m a Steam Train Toker
Trains have always held a fascination for me and my grandson, who love to ride.
I’m a loving Grandfather
Zeb, my sidekick, as silly as me, and we love hanging out and getting in trouble.
FAQs
How many stories have you published?
Black Friday was my first novel and Golgotha will be my second, but I’ve had many stories and articles published. A favorite I have written for is Garden Railroading magazine.
Where do your ideas come from?
That’s a hard question to answer and the truth is I don’t know, a gifted mind, a crazy mind, and sick mind, the world around me. I have more ideas for stories than I have time to write, but it takes more than “a story”. The story is only the first part, like Black Friday. It’s a story for the sake of telling a story and it’s not bad, but the reader needs more than a well told tail. They want a hero or heroine, someone to pull for and someone to dislike. The story needs a hook to catch the reader and make them want to continue.
How did you publish your first novel?
Like every writer, I sent query letters and sample chapters, with numerous rejections, before getting an offer to buy the book. I was offered $10,000 for all rights to the story. They would own everything. I rejected their offer and decided to self-publish and saw moderate success over the last six years, with mixed reviews of the book.
How will you publish Golgotha?
I have an agent interested in representing the book, which is the envy of many writers, but have not signed anything and won’t until the second draft is completed and accepted. I may still decide to self-publish, to retain control. The final decision remains in the air.
Blogs, shmogs.
You’ll love this shit.
- Socially unacceptable.
- Morally reprehensible.
- Always with something to say.
