Employing his passions for both American history and writing, long time San Diego resident and author Roger L. Conlee recently released his second work, a science-fiction novel, “Counterclockwise,” published by Pale Horse Books, a small publishing house out of Virginia. Categorized as a work of “alternative history,” the novel spins a tale based on the premise of what could have happened had Japanese planes bombed Los Angeles during World War II. Incorporating a touch of the supernatural, Conlee sets this scenario up in a parallel dimension, with the novel’s main character learning of it’s existence through a series of intriguing coincidences.
“I don’t know why, but I was always fascinated with the idea of, ‘what would have happened if the Japanese had attacked Los Angeles and San Diego after Pearl Harbor,'” Conlee said.
Although the novel’s events are fictional, Conlee said he researched a great deal during the course of writing to paint an accurate portrayal of Southern California during the 1940s.
“This [novel] has a lot of real facts in it,” he said. “One of my key characters works for the Los Angeles Herald Express. I dug up the actual phone numbers they had in 1942. I dug up the actual phone number that Fort MacArthur in San Pedro had in 1942 and there’s some other little historical tidbits in it that are absolutely accurate.”
Born in the Midwest, Conlee moved to San Diego when he was 10 years old. He attended San Diego State University, where he majored in journalism and minored in History. Upon graduating, he worked as copy editor and sports writer for the San Diego Evening-Tribune.
He also relocated for a spell to work at the Chicago Daily News as chief copy editor, features editor and men’s fashion columnist but ultimately returned to San Diego 30 years ago to raise his children and take up work in marketing and public relations. As for the ability to channel his life’s learning into his novels, Conlee said it’s been like a dream come true.
“It combines my knowledge of what newspapers used to be like with my love of history,” he said.
A self-proclaimed “history buff” Conlee enjoys the process of researching historical events and filtering them into his novels.
“My special interest is modern history; say from Napoleon’s time up to now, with a real special interest in the Civil War and World War II,” he said. With his extensive background also in marketing and public relations, Conlee explained that his expertise came in handy while pursuing a publisher and marketing his works.
“I sent queries around, you know, a synopsis and a query letter and a first chapter,” he said. “And they said, ‘Yeah, I think we’re interested, I want to see more.’ So I sent more and then pretty soon, they had the whole manuscript.”
So far, Conlee said the response to his latest novel has been positive. “It’s had some good reviews, he explained. “It sold pretty well on Amazon and it’s in some local bookstores. I’m hoping to get it in more.”
Samantha Wynns, young adult program coordinator at Mysterious Galaxies Books on Clairmont Mesa Blvd., mentioned that she’s heard quite a bit of buzz about Conlee’s novel at the store.
“We’ve run out of it,” she said. “[Conlee] had to come back several times to bring signed copies.”
Wynns also said that the novel is a hit among some of Conlee’s peers.
“Another local author, Jeff Edwards, mentioned that he loved the book and that I should put it on my pile to read,” she said.
Currently, “Counterclockwise” is available at Bay Books in Coronado, Mysterious Galaxy Books and the Book Works in Del Mar, as well as on www.amazon.com.
Conlee said her couldn’t be more pleased with the buzz surrounding the book.
“At the Book Works a few weeks ago, I should have had my camera with me”¦They had it right beside Michael Crichton, because, alphabetically” C-R, C-O ” you know, and I thought, that is so cool, I can’t believe it”¦ I’m gonna have to go back and take a picture of that.”
For more information on Roger Conlee and “Counterclockwise,” visit www.rogerconlee.com.