While I’ve appeared as “myself” in a number of documentary films, it’s a bit of a new experience to actually find myself as a fictional character in a novel. Such is the case, however, in Richard Averett’s new political thriller Imagine Politik, subtitled “American Democracy: Politics in Crisis” where I find my fictional self at the momentary center of a three-way U.S. Presidential race as the independent progressive candidate stands to lose the election thanks to e-voting system chicanery.

Here’s how Ernie Canning, in his review of the book, describes the action as my own personal worst nightmare comes true and “the unthinkable has happened”:

Ernie goes on to describe the book as “serv[ing] up a dose of hard political reality — one which Americans must honestly confront, and right soon.”

The parallels to the Occupy Wall Street movement found in the book are, in fact, quite eerie at times, as Averett told me over the weekend: “Before the Occupy Movement (and the establishment’s harsh reaction), ImaginePolitik foresaw mass protests against the two major parties and Wall Street as the only recourse left to achieve democratic justice.” He went on to say that “What may have seemed an unlikely reaction by the powers-that-be, doesn’t seem so unlikely anymore.”

In his review, Ernie describes the book’s examination of “The pernicious impact of corporate money and power, not only upon the two major political parties but upon the acceptable range of discourse,” and hints at the book’s “explosive ending that makes this a must read political thriller” offering “a fundamental argument against compromising of the core principles of democratic governance.”

So, with that hearty pitch, I’m happy to announce that Averett has agreed to offer signed copies of the book here as an exclusive premium in support of The BRAD BLOG!

For a donation of $50 or more, we’ll get one to you well in time for Christmas (hint, hint)!

So, get a great new political thriller signed by the author, one in which a fictional “Brad Friedman” appears (for better or worse) with some troubling news for the progressive President Elect, all while supporting The BRAD BLOG as we head into yet another election year and can seriously use all the support we can get!

Alternately…

If you prefer, I’ll get a copy out to you if you sign up for a sustaining monthly donation of $15 or more. Just use the light blue box, about half-way down the right-hand sidebar, to sign up. That process takes all of 60 seconds or so and would go a long way toward helping us continue to fight the good fight as things get really tricky in 2012!

You can purchase via snail mail if you prefer. Send a check or money order to: Brad Friedman, 7095 Hollywood Blvd., #594, Los Angeles, CA 90028. (Put “ImaginePolitik” on the check’s memo, or elsewhere in the mailing, so I know to send you one!)

Thanks again, in advance, for your support! We truly couldn’t do any of this without you, as we continue to fight the truly independent fight against impossible odds, without either corporate or foundational support!

So your help is especially key. Now more than ever! Thanks! – Brad