Murrieta Councilman Adds Published Novelist to His Résumé

Besides his role as an elected official and the government affairs director for a major telecommunications company, Murrieta Mayor Pro Tem Doug McAllister is now a published author.
 
McAllister’s 476-page turner, “The Sovereign Principles,” is a fictional scientific thriller that explores the theory of cold fusion. The theory came about in the 1980s when two researchers found a way to create nuclear fusion instead of fission, which could lead to clean, economic energy.
 
“If it were true, it would change the world. There were congressional hearings and it was a huge deal. Then all of the sudden, it just stopped. So that became my inspiration and I built a story,” McAllister said. “I’ve always been a bit of conspiracy theorist.”
 
McAllister said the book has been finished for a number of years, it was just a matter of getting it all together electronically. He started writing it 20 years ago, on a notepad. The book follows eight plot lines, which all weave together through decades, families, government affairs, espionage, wealth and poverty.
 
“People ask why I write. It’s because I can’t sing. This is what I do, and I do it for fun. I’ve got a lot of stories running around up there.”

McAllister said his writing days started in high school, when he wrote poetry. He is also an avid reader, particularly J.R.R. Tolkien and biographies of all kinds.

“If I learned anything about how to write, it was through reading.”

By the time computers came along, he transferred his manuscript to one of the earlier models. But the programs didn’t match up when he went to transfer it again, so he had to retype it.

Finally, last year, he began checking into getting it published. Within a few short months, he had a publisher, Stategic Publishing Group. After two or three editing revisions, the book was released March 2.

The book can be purchased online at Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com and is for sale in some bookstores in the United Kingdom.

“I figure I’m one of about a million new writers. I have no illusions of grandeur, but this book would make a great movie. It’s a super novel.”

McAllister is already working on his second book, a sequel to his first, that will be titled “The Sovereign Politic.”

“I may have to be out of office before I can release that one,” he said.

Local Book signing

The Friends of the Murrieta Library will hold a book signing event for McAllister’s novel from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, May 13 at the Friends’ Corner Bookstore located at 39445 Los Alamos Road, Murrieta, in the Murrieta Gateway Center.

Books will be available for purchase, and attendees will have the opportunity to have them signed by the author, said Roberta Fokken, publicity chair for the Friends.

Wine, cheese and other light refreshments will be served.

“The event is free to the public, though donations to the Friends of the Murrieta Library are welcome. This is a great opportunity to mingle with other booklovers, talk with the author, and get to know the Friends and their Bookstores, which raise funds to supplement the programs and resources the Library offers to the community,” Fokken said.

 “We are so pleased to host this event for the debut novel by a local author, and to welcome the public in our Corner Bookstore. This store, and our Town Square Bookstore next to the Library, are key to the Friends' ability to support the Murrieta Library,” said Judy Call, Friends president.

The Friends were instrumental in bringing a Library to the City of Murrieta, and since 1998 have donated more than $400,000 to support its services to our community, Call said.

For more information about the reception and book signing, call the Corner Bookstore at 951-677-5350 or visit the Friends of the Murrieta Library website at Murrietalibraryfriends.org and click on Events.

McAllister suggested ordering a copy ahead of time online, as there will be limited copies available at the signing.