A very sincere Thank-you!
For six summers beginning when I was twenty, I was blessed with the opportunity to work in the commercial salmon fisheries and witness Alaska through a young man’s lens. Those experiences molded me, inspired me, sometimes haunted me, as I forged ahead to future adventures in family, journalism, and advertising. Somewhere on my journey a story idea was planted. Its seed, fertilized by the fleeting tales of the Bristol Bay of yesterday, grew steadily in my mind. I vowed to someday cultivate and share it.
The process of writing the novel and screenplay, EDGE OF REDFISH LAKE took more than two years. Certainly, this couldn’t have occurred without great support, belief, and love from those who are closest. During that time no one was more patient and understanding than my wife, Jennifer and my three wonderful children: Lucas, Maya, and Gabe. For giving me a chance to chase this dream, I am perpetually grateful.
I’m beyond thankful for the ongoing feedback and critique from the best listener and writing coach I know, my mother, Joyce Daniels and proofreading from BettyAnn Tyson and Alicia Dean. Hats off to Donna Pudick at Parkeast Literary Agency and Black Opal Books.
The early readers who suffered through my roughest of drafts deserve a heartfelt thanks for offering me candid feedback and enough encouragement to keep pressing forward: Conrad Jungmann Sr., Rosemary Jungmann, William Parkins, Tom Laughnan, Danielle Jungmann-Weems, Todd Maugans, Nola Morrison, and Sheila Owens.
Finally, I’d be remiss if I didn’t recognize some of those who adventured around Alaska with me during the late-eighties and early-nineties living and creating scenes similar to those found in the pages of this story: Stephen Clark, Jon Freck, Shannon Roberts, JZ Sturm, Tom Olmsted, Kent Johnson, Kyle Wright, John Miller, Charlie Lipsey, Jim Standard, Scotty Sexton, ‘Wild Bill’ Lancaster, and the rest of you crazies. You know who you are.
Dragnet Fisheries, Dillingham (the old days)
During my first three fish seasons in Alaska, I worked at Dragnet Fisheries in Dillingham. The last three I worked for Kosei Trading, LTD as a fish buyer/ product inspector where I got a chance to travel through much of the state. In my book, Dragnet is changed to Dragline, but is described as I remember it. I was told the original owners of Dragnet went out of business and shut the plant down after I left in the early 90’s. Years later it was acquired by another owner and is back in operation today, albeit completely upgraded. Here are a few shots of the old plant as it was when I was there, courtesy Kyle Wright.
I also adapted EDGE OF REDFISH LAKE into a 116 page Feature Movie Screenplay. Feedback from some of Hollywood’s largest coverage firms on my initial script drafts has been very positive. MyScreenwriters gave it the grade ‘Consider’ and MyScreenplay graded ‘Recommend’. Version 1 also placed well in the 2019 Los Angeles Film Awards.
LOGLINE: An Alaska fisherman turned journalist searches for the truth behind his best friend’s death and runs afoul of a serial killer bent on revenge.
