Ask the Author

Definitely a novel that's based on a lot of non-fiction research. Think of it as history from another universe, in this case told from the POV of Rockstar magazine, devoting an entire issue to how The Beatles managed to remain intact as a band. It's meant to immerse your mind into this alternate history, and let you enjoy floating upstream a bit.

That would be me, Bryce Zabel. I'm a Hollywood writer and producer who's been lucky enough to create five produced primetime TV series, and get multiple films and miniseries produced. This is my second novel in the Breakpoint alternate history series. I don't know how relevant it is, but I also worked as a CNN correspondent, and ran the Television Academy.

Great starter for these author questions. Basically, the novel was just published by Diversion Books in New York. It's available as a paperback, an eBook, and, very soon, an audiobook edition. All available from the usual reliable suspects like Amazon, and Barnes & Noble. We also hope you'll consider asking your local bookstore to order it for you. Our publisher, Diversion Books, has a page where they show off all their links and tackle the issue of creative writing prompts (and not so creative) writing prompts.

I'm incredibly grateful that the first book in the Breakpoint series -- Surrounded by Enemies: What if Kennedy Survived Dallas? -- won the coveted Sidewise Award for Alternate History. Past winners include Michael Chabon, Harry Turtledove and Philip Roth, so it's a group I'm proud to be a part of. Also, along with my wife, Jackie, we won the Writers Guild of America award for a miniseries we wrote not too long ago.

Absolutely! You won't agree with everything you read. How could you? We all have our own visions of how it might have turned out. All I can tell you is that I've spent over two years working on this novel, and I've tried to make it surprising and authentic at the same time. I'm very happy with the way it's turned out. If I had unlimited time, I suppose I'd keep at it because there is no limit to what you can know about The Beatles. Still, I had to stop, put it out there, and now you can read it and see how you feel.

Wish fulfillment. After the success of my JFK lives novel, I decided to write the book that I feared the most, The Beatles. It's been a monumental undertaking, but it started because I had to write the book I wanted to read because no one else had done it yet. If you'd like to read it for yourself, you have my thanks and appreciation.