Zac Northup's Through the Fading Darkness

Zac Northup
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Based on actual events described in previously unpublished 18th century family records, Through the Fading Darkness captures the hope and tragedy of life on the frontier just before the American Revolution. Told through the eyes of John Dickinson, Chief Cornstalk, Lydia Townsend, Sylvie, Chief Logan, and dozens of traders, immigrants, and frontiersmen, Through the Fading Darkness is an adventure story about the sacrifices people make to live free. zacnorthup.substack.com

  1. 12/10/2025

    NEW: Thevenin Cipher Audiobook

    The Thevenin Cipher is a new novella that sets up an immersive, real-world 17-stage analog game where readers solve ciphers, find clues, and step directly into the lore-based story. It links a nostalgic past with today’s need to ditch the screen and escape into the physical world. The past is the puzzle, the story is the key, the adventure is analog. FROM THE COVER: West Virginia, 1993. For college student Jimmy Thevenin, the past is about to become dangerously real. A mysterious attorney delivers a bequest from an estranged great-uncle: a chaotic archive of ciphers, maps, and riddles dating back to the American Revolution. The challenge? Retrace the steps of ancestor Henri Thevenin to uncover a truth hidden on the frontier for over two centuries. Enlisting his brilliant friend Maggie, Jimmy dives into the hunt. But when the “attorney” vanishes without a trace, the game turns ominous. Armed with cryptic clues and 18th-century secrets, Jimmy must decode his family’s legacy before the past catches up with him. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit zacnorthup.substack.com

    11 min

  2. 10/22/2025

    Transport Yourself Back to 1774

    Enjoy this sneak peek of the acclaimed novel, Through the Fading Darkness on audiobook. Performed by accomplished voice actor, Scott Fleming, this sample will transport you back to the Virginia frontier just before the American Revolution. Enjoy the full audiobook on Amazon and Audible today. Through the Fading Darkness on Audible From the Back Cover American settlers face a series of brutal reprisals after outlaws murder a group of Shawnee Indians on the Virginia frontier in 1774. During the calamitous events that follow, British colonists, Shawnee warriors, a young slave girl, and an Irish indentured servant must find a way to survive a bloody war that threatens to destroy their entire way of life. Some discover an inner strength they did not think possible. Others sink to the deepest recesses of their humanity. In the end, no one is left unchanged.Based on actual events described in previously unpublished 18th century family records, Through the Fading Darkness captures the hope and tragedy of life on the frontier just before the American Revolution. Told through the eyes of John Dickinson, Chief Cornstalk, Lydia Townsend, Sylvie, Chief Logan, and dozens of traders, immigrants, and frontiersmen, Through the Fading Darkness is a true-to-life adventure story about the sacrifices people make to live free. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit zacnorthup.substack.com

    53 min
  3. A Mind-Blowing Chapter From Beyond the Fading Darkness Audiobook

    10/17/2025

    A Mind-Blowing Chapter From Beyond the Fading Darkness Audiobook

    This is one of the most amazing audiobook performances you will ever hear. Seriously, it’s stunning. I wasn’t going to post another sneak peek of Beyond the Fading Darkness this week, but after listening to the latest batch of audio today, I couldn’t wait. When I wrote this chapter, I was concerned that it would be next to impossible for a narrator to read aloud. The dialogue is a mixture of English, German, and French, and the scene is very, very violent. But Scott Fleming absolutely nails all three languages as he brings this disturbing scene from Beyond the Fading Darkness to life. Get Beyond the Fading Darkness on Audible The story of the Red Hawk, a Shawnee law-giver, is one the most compelling, tragic, and mesmerizing of the entire book. He is a good man trying to do the right thing in a terrible world. In this chapter, he stumbles upon a destroyed settlement in the Tygart Valley of Western Virginia in 1775. The story is based on actual events from that period and captures the complete and utter brutality of life on the frontier in Colonial America. If you want to read how things turn out for Red Hawk, Chief Logan, and Nonhelema, Beyond the Fading Darkness is available today in paperback, hardcover, and Kindle. The audiobook that this chapter is taken from will be out this summer. I also highly suggest you either listen to or read the first book in the series, Through the Fading Darkness. It will help round out the characters and transport you back to the American Frontier just before the American Revolution begins. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit zacnorthup.substack.com

    8 min
  4. Winter's Ghosts is Out and the Fading Darkness Universe Expands

    09/16/2025

    Winter's Ghosts is Out and the Fading Darkness Universe Expands

    As we draw closer to the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, what better way to connect with America’s colonial and revolutionary past than the Fading Darkness series of novels and upcoming video series? Through the Fading Darkness tells the story of the people who carved an existence out of the wilderness along the Virginia frontier prior to, and during, the American Revolution. The first three novels in the series and the upcoming short videos will transport you back to a time when rugged individualism joined with a desire for freedom and independence to form the first heartbeat of a nation. As we draw closer to the 250th birthday of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, there are few stories that are more relevant to today’s world. I hope you enjoy Emily’s introduction. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit zacnorthup.substack.com

    1 min
  5. The NEW Through the Fading Darkness

    08/21/2025

    The NEW Through the Fading Darkness

    As we draw closer to the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, what better way to connect with America’s colonial and revolutionary past than the Fading Darkness series of novels and upcoming video series? Through the Fading Darkness tells the story of the people who carved an existence out of the wilderness along the Virginia frontier prior to, and during, the American Revolution. The first three novels in the series and the upcoming short videos will transport you back to a time when rugged individualism joined with a desire for freedom and independence to form the first heartbeat of a nation. As we draw closer to the 250th birthday of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, there are few stories that are more relevant to today’s world. I hope you enjoy Emily’s introduction. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit zacnorthup.substack.com

    3 min
  6. Through the Fading Darkness Audiobook: Chapter Fourteen

    04/02/2025

    Through the Fading Darkness Audiobook: Chapter Fourteen

    Listen to the first fourteen chapters on Apple Podcasts. Enjoy the acclaimed novel, Through the Fading Darkness on audiobook. Performed by accomplished voice actor, Scott Fleming, this podcast will transport you back to the Virginia frontier just before the American Revolution. If you can’t wait for the next chapters to be posted, get the full audiobook on Amazon and Audible today. Through the Fading Darkness on Audible Stay up to date with special subscriber-only content on the Fading Darkness universe. From the Back Cover American settlers face a series of brutal reprisals after outlaws murder a group of Shawnee Indians on the Virginia frontier in 1774. During the calamitous events that follow, British colonists, Shawnee warriors, a young slave girl, and an Irish indentured servant must find a way to survive a bloody war that threatens to destroy their entire way of life. Some discover an inner strength they did not think possible. Others sink to the deepest recesses of their humanity. In the end, no one is left unchanged.Based on actual events described in previously unpublished 18th century family records, Through the Fading Darkness captures the hope and tragedy of life on the frontier just before the American Revolution. Told through the eyes of John Dickinson, Chief Cornstalk, Lydia Townsend, Sylvie, Chief Logan, and dozens of traders, immigrants, and frontiersmen, Through the Fading Darkness is a true-to-life adventure story about the sacrifices people make to live free. Get the Book on Amazon This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit zacnorthup.substack.com

    12 min
  7. Through the Fading Darkness Audiobook: Chapter Thirteen

    04/01/2025

    Through the Fading Darkness Audiobook: Chapter Thirteen

    Enjoy the acclaimed novel, Through the Fading Darkness on audiobook. Performed by accomplished voice actor, Scott Fleming, this podcast will transport you back to the Virginia frontier just before the American Revolution. If you can’t wait for the next chapters to be posted, get the full audiobook on Amazon and Audible today. Through the Fading Darkness on Audible Stay up to date with special subscriber-only content on the Fading Darkness universe. From the Back Cover American settlers face a series of brutal reprisals after outlaws murder a group of Shawnee Indians on the Virginia frontier in 1774. During the calamitous events that follow, British colonists, Shawnee warriors, a young slave girl, and an Irish indentured servant must find a way to survive a bloody war that threatens to destroy their entire way of life. Some discover an inner strength they did not think possible. Others sink to the deepest recesses of their humanity. In the end, no one is left unchanged.Based on actual events described in previously unpublished 18th century family records, Through the Fading Darkness captures the hope and tragedy of life on the frontier just before the American Revolution. Told through the eyes of John Dickinson, Chief Cornstalk, Lydia Townsend, Sylvie, Chief Logan, and dozens of traders, immigrants, and frontiersmen, Through the Fading Darkness is a true-to-life adventure story about the sacrifices people make to live free. Get the Book on Amazon This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit zacnorthup.substack.com

    7 min
  8. Through the Fading Darkness Audiobook: Chapter Twelve

    03/26/2025

    Through the Fading Darkness Audiobook: Chapter Twelve

    Enjoy the acclaimed novel, Through the Fading Darkness on audiobook. Performed by accomplished voice actor, Scott Fleming, this podcast will transport you back to the Virginia frontier just before the American Revolution. If you can’t wait for the next chapters to be posted, get the full audiobook on Amazon and Audible today. Through the Fading Darkness on Audible Stay up to date with special subscriber-only content on the Fading Darkness universe. From the Back Cover American settlers face a series of brutal reprisals after outlaws murder a group of Shawnee Indians on the Virginia frontier in 1774. During the calamitous events that follow, British colonists, Shawnee warriors, a young slave girl, and an Irish indentured servant must find a way to survive a bloody war that threatens to destroy their entire way of life. Some discover an inner strength they did not think possible. Others sink to the deepest recesses of their humanity. In the end, no one is left unchanged.Based on actual events described in previously unpublished 18th century family records, Through the Fading Darkness captures the hope and tragedy of life on the frontier just before the American Revolution. Told through the eyes of John Dickinson, Chief Cornstalk, Lydia Townsend, Sylvie, Chief Logan, and dozens of traders, immigrants, and frontiersmen, Through the Fading Darkness is a true-to-life adventure story about the sacrifices people make to live free. Get the Book on Amazon This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit zacnorthup.substack.com

    8 min
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Based on actual events described in previously unpublished 18th century family records, Through the Fading Darkness captures the hope and tragedy of life on the frontier just before the American Revolution. Told through the eyes of John Dickinson, Chief Cornstalk, Lydia Townsend, Sylvie, Chief Logan, and dozens of traders, immigrants, and frontiersmen, Through the Fading Darkness is an adventure story about the sacrifices people make to live free. zacnorthup.substack.com

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