Author Archives: Vaughn C. Hardacker

About Vaughn C. Hardacker

Vaughn C. Hardacker has published six novels and numerous short stories. He is a member of the New England Chapter of the Mystery Writers of America, Maine Writers & Publishers Alliance, and the International Thriller writers. Three times he has been a finalist in the Maine Literary Awards Crime Fiction category, SNIPER, in 2015, THE FISHERMAN in 2016, and WENDIGO for the 2018 award. The second installment of his Ed Traynor series, MY BROTHER'S KEEPER was released in July 2019 and is available through all major booksellers. A signed copy can be ordered directly from Vaughn (vhardacker@gmail.com). THE EXCHANGE his most recently published crime/thriller was released on September 4, 2020. His next thriller, RIPPED OFF, is scheduled to be released by Encircle Publications in January 2023. He is a veteran of the U. S. Marines and served in Vietnam. He holds degrees from Northern Maine Technical College, the University of Maine and Southern New Hampshire University. He lives in Stockholm, Maine.

Reminiscences of Summer 2022

Posted on September 15, 2022 by Vaughn C. Hardacker

Vaughn C. Hardacker here: I was writing this on September 12, 2021, and here in the north country, we are starting to see some of the trees donning their autumnal finery. Autumn (Fall if you prefer) has always been my favorite … Continue reading →

Posted in Vaughn's Posts | Tagged fall, summer, Vietnam Wall | 13 Comments

Lessons I Have Learned About Literary Agents

Posted on August 12, 2022 by Vaughn C. Hardacker

Vaughn C. Hardacker here: Most of us have been subjected to the frustration of searching for a literary agent. My experience with agents has not been a pleasant one. I, too, have experienced the struggle to obtain representation and have learned … Continue reading →

Posted in Literary Agents, Vaughn's Posts | Tagged author representatives royalties, literary agents, publishing, royalties, Vaughn Hardacker | 4 Comments

Why Do I Write About Dysfunctional People?

Posted on July 18, 2022 by Vaughn C. Hardacker

On June 4th of this year, I received a phone call from a friend of my younger brother, Dana, informing me that Dana had died at 1:30 a.m. that morning. Four years younger than I am, Dana had been battling … Continue reading →

Posted in Vaughn's Posts | Tagged dysfunctionality, growing up angry, rebellion, Vaughn Hardacker, wild child | 4 Comments

The Republic of Madawaska

Posted on June 20, 2022 by Vaughn C. Hardacker

Vaughn Hardacker here: If only all wars could be like the Aroostook War, a boundary dispute fought mostly with fists rather than cannon. The conflict featured a battle broken up by a bear, an arrest over a homemade flag and soldiers … Continue reading →

Posted in Maine History, Vaughn's Posts | Tagged Aroostook War, Battle of Caribou, Canadian Border dispute, Caribou Maine, John Baker, Maine, Treaty of Ghent, Webster-Ashburton Treaty | 3 Comments

Elderly Banking

Posted on May 17, 2022 by Vaughn C. Hardacker

Vaughn C. Hardacker here: Have you ever had to contact your bank? What a pain in the keester! However, I plan on hiring the author of the letter below to deal with mine from now on! Shown below, is an … Continue reading →

Posted in Vaughn's Posts | Tagged humor, Maine Crime Writers, Vaughn Hardacker | 17 Comments

The Hero’s Journey (conclusion)

Posted on April 19, 2022 by Vaughn C. Hardacker

Vaughn Hardacker here. In my last couple of blog posts, I discussed the 17 steps of Campbell’s Monomyth and how they can develop into that vital thing that we call plot (also known as a story). In this post, I will … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized, Vaughn's Posts | Tagged Barbara Ross, Lord of the Rings, mystery writing, Thriller writing, Tolkien | 3 Comments

The Hero’s Journey (continued)

Posted on March 18, 2022 by Vaughn C. Hardacker

In last month’s blog, I discussed the first part of Joseph Campbell’s Monomyth Model. I discussed the first of the three parts, (Act 1 which should be about 25% of the story) which Campbell labeled Departure. The second part he … Continue reading →

Posted in Vaughn's Posts | Tagged Creative writing, hero's journey, Joseph Campbell, Monomyth Model. fiction writing, Vaughn Hardacker | 2 Comments

THE HERO WITH A THOUSAND FACES

Posted on February 15, 2022 by Vaughn C. Hardacker

Vaughn Hardacker here: I’m a pantser. I try to be a plotter but can’t seem to get through the process. Lately, I’ve been researching not for a new novel but into the craft itself. Enter Joseph Campbell. I came across his … Continue reading →

Posted in Vaughn's Posts | 7 Comments

“Lizzie Borden Took An Axe…”

Posted on January 14, 2022 by Vaughn C. Hardacker

Vaughn Hardacker here: Do you have a famous or infamous ancestor in your family tree? A few years back, I set out to do my family’s genealogy. I had always told people that the only thing that kept my family … Continue reading →

Posted in Vaughn's Posts | Tagged Ancestors, crime stories, Lizzie Borden, murders. Fall River, Vaughn Hardacker | 7 Comments

At Last! A Style Manual For Fiction Writers!!!

Posted on December 14, 2021 by Vaughn C. Hardacker

Vaughn Hardacker here: Are you in a quandary trying to find a gift for the writer in your life? Have you given thought to a style manual? When I became serious about writing I was told that two books were … Continue reading →