The Fall of Bellwether with Chad V. Broughman

Discover a new historical fiction read when award winning Michigan author Chad V. Broughman visits to share his debut novel.

This event is free to attend. However it helps us in planning to receive your RSVP. 

About the Book:

The Fall of Bellwether is the winner of the Amity Literary Prize awarded by Anamcara Press and was a finalist in the ScreenCraft's Cinematic Novel Competition, 2023.

The author transports readers to 1841 Midwest, immersing them in a world of duplicity and struggle. A mother and daughter fight against abandonment and starvation, their resilience challenges the very fabric of the town's beliefs. With its vividly depicted setting, well-developed characters, and thought-provoking themes, this historical fiction masterpiece weaves a mesmerizing tale of love, forgiveness, and the power of unity. Step into the pages and discover the strength that can be found even in the darkest of times.

The novel opens with a riveting scene, the moment of Elinor's impending execution. The narrative paints a stark picture of the town's hypocrisy-as the same people who once attended church with Ada, now act as judge, jury, and executioners.

With masterful strokes, the author breathes life into the people of Bellwether, capturing the intricate web of relationships-Sarah and Hiram whose love is forbidden, and Eva and Uriah who open the door to forgiveness. Authentic dialogue draws readers into this exquisitely sculpted tale that exalts love, forgiveness, and communal bonds. A literary gem that stands as a testament to the indomitable resilience of the human spirit.

Not able to join us? Order your copy here: https://www.schulerbooks.com/book/9781960462145

About the Author:

Chad V. Broughman was the recipient of the Rusty Scythe Prize Book award in 2016 and in 2017 was awarded the Adobe Cottage Writers Retreat honor in New Mexico. In the spring of 2018, Chad was awarded a chapbook contract for his collection of short stories, “the forsaken,” which was published by Etchings Press and again in spring 2022 for short story collection “slighted." and he was one of three winners in the “First Chapter” contest, hosted by Arch Street Press. As well, Chad’s short story “Check Mate” was published in a collection of stories entitled “On Loss, an anthology.”

His fiction can be found in print magazines nationwide––Carrier Pigeon, East Coast Literary Review, River Poets Journal, From Whispers to Roars and Burningword—and in several on-line journals––Faith, Hope & Fiction, Sky Island Journal, Wild Violet, and Darling Axe. He is a Best of the Net and Pushcart Prize nominee and a Hummingbird Prize winner from Canada’s highly regarded magazine, PULP Literature. Additionally, he has served as a guest judge for the Dorlis Gott Armentrout Award and the Write Michigan Contest via Kent County Library. In August 2022, Chad was short-listed for the First Novel Prize and named a 2023 Screencraft Cinematic Book Competition Finalist. Most recently, Chad won the Amity Literary Prize for his historical debut novel, “The Fall of Bellwether” set to be published in 2024.

Chad holds an MFA from Spalding University and served as co-editor for the fiction/poetry blog, Café Aphra, based in the United Kingdom. He lives in northern Michigan with his wife and two sons, teaching English and Creative Writing.