RejectGuy99

Jackson Reed is a computer geek and a big-time gamer nerd, and he is great at both, but he feels underpaid and unappreciated at work, and outside of his dragon-slaying virtual reality, he is depressed, lonely, and questioning his purpose.After a mishap on his bus ride home from work, Jackson must exit ten blocks from his regular stop. On the walk to his apartment, he witnesses a twelve-year-old boy, Cooper Dansbury, in the schoolyard getting picked on by three boys. As he remembers his own struggles with bullying, fear overcomes him, forcing him to leave and ignore the incident. Later, he comes across the same boys repeating their behavior, but this time, he intercedes. This chance interaction sets off a chain of events that will change all their lives forever.

Richard A. Powell II is the author of A Room Full of Keys (2013) and Neither Snow, Nor Rain, Nor Zombie Infection (2012). His latest novel, RejectGuy99, takes a departure from his usual psychological thriller and sci-fi/horror roots to tell a story about overcoming depression, bullying, and a past filled with heartache. He currently lives with his wife Amy in Bloomington, Illinois, where he enjoys DIY projects, disc golf, technology, watching movies, playing video games, and reading and writing (obviously). He is also a self-professed nerd/geek, but no, he will not fix your computer, unless you ask really, really nicely and offer him a gift card to his favorite burger joint.