Since the release of my novella, “The Last Verdict”, I have received a surprising number of emails from readers who were deeply impacted by the Book. Almost every one of them have said the same thing: “I had to put the book down several times as I found myself in tears. It is just so powerful to read!” This kind of response is gratifying for any writer to receive, but it is especially meaningful for me for another reason.

Those who follow my writing know that I am a passionate advocate for the abolition of the death penalty. Not only am I convinced morally and ethically that it is wrong, I believe evidence demonstrates that it simply does not work. Further, having a friend on death row, as well as another friend executed by the state of Mississippi several years ago, this is also very personal for me. So there is a lot at stake in my efforts to change people’s minds about the topic.

Compared to all the articles I’ve written, interviews I’ve given and debates I’ve engaged in, the impact of this work of Fiction out strips them all combined! The power of a moving story to reach into the core of a person and change the way they see a topic is stunning. That is not to say that every person who read the book immediately changed their position, but even those who still held to a pro-death penalty position were moved to temper the absolute nature of their position.

Fiction and story telling shape our lives and our world in ways we most often do not see. Never underestimate their power to change the hearts and minds of readers who in turn will change the world we live in.

Buy a copy of “The Last Verdict” today and see for yourself.