By Rory Stouder
Life is a collection of stories. From my days sweating in the kitchen of a Charleston restaurant, to the whir of CNC machines in a midnight machinist's shop, to the glow of server racks in my current role as a systems administrator, every moment has contributed to my debut novel, Ranger Group 42: Deadman’s Gulch.
This book is a product of a lifetime of experiences, a mix of gritty reality and star-bound imagination.
The Heart of the Kitchen
I still remember the heat of Charleston, SC, kitchens—plates flying, tickets piling up, and the adrenaline rush of the dinner rush. As a cook, you learn to thrive under pressure. It’s not unlike the way Colonel Stone keeps his cool in the heat of battle. When you’re juggling five pans and plating the perfect shrimp and grits, there’s no room for hesitation. That same precision and instinct found its way into the tactical maneuvers in Deadman’s Gulch.
Building from the Ground Up
I’ve installed kitchens in places where people live very different lives—schools, prisons, and jails. Each space tells its own story, and I couldn’t help but imagine the lives of those who would use those kitchens. It gave me an appreciation for the stark contrast between structure and chaos, something that’s reflected in the tension between New Harmony’s hopeful colonists and the harsh reality of their pirate-infested new home.
Nights in the Wild
Bartending in a rough-and-tumble biker bar and spinning drinks in a dance club taught me the art of reading people. It’s a skill that Wilson, my book’s cunning antagonist, uses to manipulate those around him. In these places, I saw raw humanity—the good, the bad, and the chaotic—which inspired many of the characters’ moral dilemmas.
Precision in Motion
As a night-shift machinist, I became well-acquainted with multi-axis CNC machines, cutting complex parts to near-perfect precision. The patience and detail that job demanded influenced the meticulous planning of the Rangers' tactical operations. You can’t rush a perfect cut—or a perfect plan.
Systems and Stars
Now, as a systems administrator for a company spanning the continental US, I live in a world of networks and digital connectivity. Managing systems that hum in unison across vast distances feels like a small-scale echo of the interstellar logistics in Deadman’s Gulch. Technology, like people, is full of quirks and challenges—and sometimes it needs a good troubleshooting session to set things right.
The Soundtrack of My Life
Music has always been my escape. I’ve seen over 1,500 live concerts, from intimate acoustic sets to stadium rock shows. Music pulses through every chapter of my life and resonates in my writing. It’s no coincidence that Deadman’s Gulch is paced like a great live set—quiet moments of introspection followed by explosive crescendos of action.
As a musician myself, playing piano, guitar, bass, and even turntables, I understand the power of rhythm. The way music builds tension and releases it is the same way a good story pulls you in and keeps you hooked.
Writing My Own Adventure
Ranger Group 42: Deadman’s Gulch isn’t just a story about intergalactic Rangers and the fight for survival in the wilderness of New Harmony—it’s a reflection of my own journey. Every late-night bartending shift, every precision-machined part, every server brought back online at 3 AM has shaped this book.
If you love tales of survival, teamwork, and gritty determination set against a backdrop of starships and frontier colonies, I hope you’ll join me in the world of Ranger Group 42.
After all, every chapter of my life has led to this. And I couldn’t be more excited to share it with you.
Grab your copy of Ranger Group 42: Deadman’s Gulch on Kindle now, and let’s ride into the stars together.