L.M. Browning's Blog, page 27

The Nameless Man | Now Available!

[image error]I am proud to announce the release of The Nameless Man—a novel by L.M. Browning and Marianne Browning. The story follows eighteen strangers traveling through the Holy Land who are forced to take refuge in Jerusalem during a militant attack. Kept in close quarters in an abandoned building, over the course of four days this group of strangers begin a dialogue, discussing love and evil, religion and god; finding amongst their number a mysterious nameless man who poses a revolutionary perspective on these age-old questions. Journeying on his own pilgrimage as he attempts to come to terms with the violence, betrayal and condemnation of his past, this nameless man reluctantly steps forward to share the realizations he has gathered over the course of his borderless life. Leaving those who listened forever changed by the radical transition of perspective his revelations bring about.

Following in the tradition of other contemplative writers such as Hermann Hesse, James Redfield and Paul Coelho, the authors present us with a reflective tale chronicling one man's spiritual journey across time and beyond the boundaries of our preconceived notions. The Nameless Man will speak to spiritual explorers of all faiths. The story within is a guide for all those making the transition from the rigid doctrine and into the intimacy of spirituality. This book will challenge all traditional definitions, widen your mind and ignite your will to take up your own inner-pilgrimage in search of firsthand truth.

 |  |  |  | | Powells >>| Indiebound.org >> | Better World Books >> | Alibris >> |  | A signed Edition >>

Paperback and Kindle Editions available. Click on a link of your choice above to be taken to the book's store page.

  Advance Praise for The Nameless Man

"A mysterious man travels to the world's holiest city to reveal a timeless wisdom–this thought-provoking novel takes us on a journey through life, death, and the meaning of existence. The authors weave a contemplative story, rich in detail, that invites readers to open their minds to the universal themes underlying religion that have been obscured by doctrine. Have your highlighter handy to savor each morsel of insight." – Jeffrey Small, author of The Breath of God

—

"What do you believe? Is humanity flawed and fallen, permanently separate from a perfected, transcendent divinity? Or, is human life inherently divine? Is the human journey itself an evolutionary process leading toward greater embodiment of our own divine nature? The world and its troubles appear differently depending upon which view you hold.

"In the midst of these views, throughout human history, there have been people of wakefulness who have come to teach us. They have come to shake us from our consensual trance of forgetfulness. They wake us up. They remind us who we really are. They come to save us from ourselves.

"In this remarkable tale, poet and writer L.M. Browning introduces us to just such an individual. The Nameless Man is a story that will grab you by the heart and take you on a journey. In a beautiful and seamless way, the characters become members of your own family. Before the end, The Nameless Man is your brother and your teacher. When you finally look up from the pages of this book, you may just find yourself in a different world than the one you thought you were born into." —Frank Owen, Bodhiyatra Poetry

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

When making your purchase, consider support your Independent businesses; pick up this title in a local Indie bookstore or  Homebound's online bookstore.

 

Article with L.M. Browning in the Stonington-Mystic Patch

 

Recently L.M. Browning sat down with Bree Shirvell Editor of the Stonington-Mystic Patch to discuss her new novel. Continue on the the Patch to read the article there (there is also a video reading) or read a copy of the article below. Go to The Patch >>

Lifelong Stonington Resident, Poet And Author Pens First Novel

by Bree Shirvell of the Stonington-Mystic Patch

"Sitting across from me in Bartleby's Café sipping on her tea, L.M. (Leslie) Browning is at once striking, impressive and familiar. The 29-year-old lifelong Stonington resident is preparing to embark on a book tour for her first novel, The Nameless Man, co-authored with Marianne Browning.

Described as spiritual search, The Nameless Man follows 18 strangers as they explore the ideas of love, evil, religion and God. "Traveling through the Holy Land, eighteen strangers are forced to take refuge in Jerusalem during a militant attack. Kept in close quarters in an abandoned building, over the course of four days this group of strangers begin a dialogue, discussing love and evil, religion and god; finding amongst their number a mysterious nameless man who poses a revolutionary perspective on these age-old questions," states the book blurb.

Recovering from a cold Browning sits in an overstuffed chair wrapped up in a gray cardigan, easily impressing me with both her literary success and humble nature. A published poet and now the author of a book, which has already been nominated for a 2012 Pushcart Prize, Browning did it all while working, until recently, two jobs and going to school. "It was just something I had to get out of me," Browning said of her book, "It took eight years." But it's her youth and her weighty topics that strike a familiar chord, one many especially those in the younger generation will likely relate too. Brought up Catholic, she was 17-years-old when she started studying world religions immersing herself in Tibetan Buddhism.

"I couldn't quite agree totally with any one religion," Browning said. "I took what I thought appealed to me."

As she reevaluated her own philosophy, faith and ideas, the book slowly came about. "Many people are transitioning from formal religion," Browning said.

Those struggles with traditional religion versus spiritually are topics increasingly seen throughout American society—think an An Atheist Manifesto, and Christopher Hitchens's god is not Great—but rarely have the articles, books and videos been created by someone part of the generation most likely to turn away from the traditional.

One in four Americans ages 18-29 say they are not currently affiliated with any religion, and Browning, a 2000 graduate of Stonington High School, sees that among her friends and her generation saying she thinks the spiritual search is happening a lot more in the young. Still Browning is quick to point out her novel isn't about opposing religion and certainly isn't any sort guidebook or something likely to be citied in an academic paper. Instead Browning's book explores faiths and ideas, seeking answers to some of life's most universal questions. All while taking the reader on a journey with a character whose parts the reader will see some of his or herself in.

"I hope the book opens people's minds to look at things differently," Browning said. "It's really important to explore and redefine what you believe in instead of just giving up."

Browning is in Massachusetts this week doing readings of her book, which debuted on Nov. 25, but she'll back in the area shortly promoting her book at Westerly's Other Tiger Book Store on Dec. 7. And while the published poet and now author has no plans for her next novel just yet one can't be far off.

"It just happens—writing isn't a profession, it's a condition, you just are a writer," Browning said.

 

Preview The Nameless Man

The first chapter of The Nameless Man is now available to preview for free on or

Important announcement: Due to popular demand and the fact that everything fell into place early, we are pleased to announce that The Nameless Man will be available on November 25th—a full week ahead of the intended release date of December 2nd! The book will be available in paperback and Kindle editions just in time for your holiday shopping!

 After you read the preview, come visit me on Facebook to tell me what you think >>

  - Free publishing - More god

 

Advanced Praise for The Nameless Man

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Due to popular demand and the fact that everything fell into place early, we are pleased to announce that The Nameless Man will be available on November 25th—a full week ahead of the intended release date of December 2nd! The book will be available in paperback, Kindle and Nook editions. Look for a preview of the first chapter at the end of the week but until then, read the advanced reviews that have come in thus far!

Advance Praise for The Nameless Man

Recently Jeffrey Small, author of The Breath of God, read The Nameless Man and offered a review for the back cover.

He exclaimed:

"A mysterious man travels to the world's holiest city to reveal a timeless wisdom–this thought-provoking novel takes us on a journey through life, death, and the meaning of existence. The authors weave a contemplative story, rich in detail, that invites readers to open their minds to the universal themes underlying religion that have been obscured by doctrine. Have your highlighter handy to savor each morsel of insight." – Jeffrey Small, author of The Breath of God

Joining Small's thoughts on the back of the book is a review lent by poet Frank Owen. After reading an advanced copy of The Nameless Man this past summer Owen reflected:

"What do you believe? Is humanity flawed and fallen, permanently separate from a perfected, transcendent divinity? Or, is human life inherently divine? Is the human journey itself an evolutionary process leading toward greater embodiment of our own divine nature? The world and its troubles appear differently depending upon which view you hold.

"In the midst of these views, throughout human history, there have been people of wakefulness who have come to teach us. They have come to shake us from our consensual trance of forgetfulness. They wake us up. They remind us who we really are. They come to save us from ourselves.

"In this remarkable tale, poet and writer L.M. Browning introduces us to just such an individual. The Nameless Man is a story that will grab you by the heart and take you on a journey. In a beautiful and seamless way, the characters become members of your own family. Before the end, The Nameless Man is your brother and your teacher. When you finally look up from the pages of this book, you may just find yourself in a different world than the one you thought you were born into." —Frank Owen, Bodhiyatra Poetry 

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Frank Owen's Review of The Nameless Man

Over the summer poet and fellow-pathwalker Frank Owen read an advanced copy of The Nameless Man and lent a review to the back cover.

Here is what he had to say:

"What do you believe? Is humanity flawed and fallen, permanently separate from a perfected, transcendent divinity? Or, is human life inherently divine? Is the human journey itself an evolutionary process leading toward greater embodiment of our own divine nature? The world and its troubles appear differently depending upon which view you hold.

"In the midst of these views, throughout human history, there have been people of wakefulness who have come to teach us. They have come to shake us from our consensual trance of forgetfulness. They wake us up. They remind us who we really are. They come to save us from ourselves.

"In this remarkable tale, poet and writer L.M. Browning introduces us to just such an individual. The Nameless Man is a story that will grab you by the heart and take you on a journey. In a beautiful and seamless way, the characters become members of your own family. Before the end, The Nameless Man is your brother and your teacher. When you finally look up from the pages of this book, you may just find yourself in a different world than the one you thought you were born into." —Frank Owen, Bodhiyatra Poetry

 

Frank Owen is the creator of ten online poetic series including Bodhiyatra Poetry (his latest work.) Calling Bodhiyatra Poetry a "poetry blog" does not do justice to the full-immersion experience of this author's work. In his own words: "Sound, image, verse. These are the elements that make up Bodhiyatra Poetry. Drawing from diverse unpublished collections (including poems that appeared at nekyia.poetry), the aim of this interweave of elements is to invite the reader into the rhythm of self-reflection."

Jeffery Small's Review of The Nameless Man

Recently Jeffery Small, author of Breath of God, read The Nameless Man and lent a review for the back of the book.

His thoughts:

"A mysterious man travels to the world's holiest city to reveal a timeless wisdom–this thought-provoking novel takes us on a journey through life, death, and the meaning of existence. The authors weave a contemplative story, rich in detail, that invites readers to open their minds to the universal themes underlying religion that have been obscured by doctrine. Have your highlighter handy to savor each morsel of insight." – Jeffrey Small, author of The Breath of God

Jeffrey Small, Jr. is the author of the mystical thriller, The Breath of God, a popular blogger on Huffington Post, and an acclaimed speaker on religious and spirituality topics.

Jeffrey graduated summa cum laude from Yale University. While at Yale, he served as Publisher and Senior Editor of the Yale Herald. He then graduated magna cum laude from Harvard Law School where he was elected to the Board of Student Advisors and taught speech, legal writing, and research.

Jeffrey next earned a Masters in the Study of Religions from Oxford University in England where he was a member of Oriel College. Jeffrey is active in the Episcopal Church, current serving as a member of the Board of Trustees at General Theological Seminary in New York, but he has also studied Yoga in India and practiced Buddhist meditation in Bhutan.

 

The Nameless Man Nominated for Pushcart Prize!

The first chapter of The Nameless Man as been nominated for the 2012 Pushcart Prize. The results will be announced this coming January but the nomination alone is a tremendous honor. Coming view the trailer or

Pre-Order The Nameless Man!

Pre-order The Nameless Man on Amazon.com

I am pleased to announce that The Nameless Man is now available to pre-order on Amazon.com

(Officially the book will be released on December 2nd. It will be available on Amazon.com (paperback and e-book) as well as Homebound's Online Bookstore and other online retailers.)

Pre-Order a Signed Copy of The Nameless Man

One perk of being an author is getting advanced copies of one's book a few weeks before the release. I am now taking pre-orders for signed copies so that I can ensure all those who special order books from me receive their books well before the Holiday rush. If you would like to order a signed copy of The Nameless Man fill out this short order form {Click here} Print and send it along to me. Sadly, right now we cannot accept paypal but you can send a check or postal money-order to my office and we will get you squared away in time for the Holiday season.

Signed Edition Pricing Information

The Nameless Man – A Novel | $14.95 + Shipping

Oak Wise | $19.95 = Shipping

Ruminations at Twilight | $19.95 + Shipping

The Barren Plain | $19.95 + Shipping

Collected Works (All four books) $64.95 + Shipping

Shipping: 1 Book $3.95 | 2 Books 4.95 | 3 Books 5.95 | 4 Books $6.95

The Release Poster for The Nameless Man

The poster for The Nameless Man has been released. Click on the link below to preview the design as a PDF.  This poster will be a part of Homebound's media kit for the book. We'll be sending off copies to bookstores and libraries, and forwarding it around the web. If you feel like printing a few and passing the word we would be much obliged. Preview the poster here>>

The Nameless Man | Book Trailer

On December 2, 2011 I will be celebrating the release of my first full-length novel entitled, The Nameless Man. (Homebound Press). We will be posting more information about the book in the coming weeks but until then, come watch the official book trailer on Homebound Press' Youtube Channel >>