William Vlach
Author, Poet, Satirist, Essayist, Psychologist
Welcome to the online home of Award winning author William Vlach. Learn more about BIll and his assorted work in Western Fiction, Historical Fiction and outrageous Comedy and Satire. Bill has also published on topics such as Police Psychology, the history of ethics, and film noir. His photograpy and Haiku can be viewed at Drifting Sands, Contemporary Haibun and at his Instagram account: @haigasanfrancisco.
A QUEST FOR ORIGINS ORDER NOW!
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THE NAKED GREEK
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In The Naked Greek, the adopted Michael embarks on a dual quest for self-discovery and identity, blending an urgent search for his biological family with a bold exploration of the history and meaning of ‘Greekness.’ Driven by an intense yearning for nostos—a return home—Michael’s journey rotates between the deeply personal and the sweepingly historical. On one hand, he seeks to connect with his blood relatives while reconciling his love for his adoptive family. On the other, he delves into the layered tragedy and absurdity of Greek history through experimental, often humorous narratives that bring ancient wars and cultural archetypes to life. At once deeply human and historically rich, The Naked Greek captures the timeless struggle for belonging and the complexities of heritage, family, and cultural legacy.
*The Naked Greek is an adoptee’s quest for identity, blending personal discovery with the tragic, absurd, and carnival history of Greekness.*
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OUTLAWS, LAWMEN AND TALES OF THE DAWN OF THE WEST
In this riveting collection of Western stories, Vlach blazes new trails by pairing vivid, atmospheric narratives with stunning, intense photographs of the Old West—a groundbreaking innovation in the Western genre. Each tale immerses readers in the rugged, untamed frontier, where gold prospectors, ranchers, outlaws, and preachers face the harsh realities of nature and their own moral dilemmas. With shocking, twist endings reminiscent of Ambrose Bierce and Edgar Allan Poe, these stories take unexpected, chilling turns, leaving readers both haunted and enthralled. Vlach’s evocative photography doesn’t just complement the gritty storytelling; it heightens the experience, creating a uniquely immersive journey through the Western frontier.
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WESTERN VELLA Collection Completed
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WESTERN FOLK
TALL TALES OF THE OLD WEST
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Bill Vlach's collection of Western tall tales are populated with every sort of creature - outlaws, preachers, rebellious vultures, Comanche captured girls, and maybe even a magic cactus. These are outrageous short short stories reminiscent of the Paul Bunyan and Pecos Bill yarns but written in the style of Twain, Faulkner and Annie Proulx. They will appear on a weekly basis. Come to the party but be prepared with a healthy appreciation of magic, awe, and outlandish humor.
Now for sale under Outlaw Lawmen & Tales of the Dawn of the West.
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UNDER THE SHADOW OF HAWKS
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The newest western smash by William Vlach. A mysterious young girl who can barely speak and appears witless tells the story of a struggling family ranch in Northern California of the 1950's. Her grandparents work to protect the family from an unseen pyromaniac, a government take over of their land, and family crises. The girl, Etta May, harmonizes with nature and lives in innocence as she begins to face the harsh realities of the world. Her life becomes increasingly complicated as her city cousin, Luke, comes to live with her and her grandparents. The dangers to her, her family, and the ranch mount to an unexpected dramatic climax.
THE GUNS OF SANTA
MUERTE:
A Tale of The San Patricos
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"The incredible story of the San Patricios is a little understood, but an amazing chapter in the history of the United States, Ireland, and Mexico," Vlach said. "I felt compelled to explore this story with its themes of heroism, love and meaning."
The novel begins in the tragic famine in 19th century Ireland. Fleeing the hunger ravished island, Patrick and his cousins arrive in old New York only to find themselves betrayed by that city's violent pandemonium. They enlist the United States Army in the Mexican-American war, but further injustices lead them to join the legendary San Patricios Battalion, a mostly Irish group fighting for Mexican independence. This exciting story leads Patrick to fall in love with the Mexican novitiate Esmeralda and they together engage in the novel's climax in the battle for Mexico City.
"The Guns of Santa Muerte: A Tale Of The San Patricios," St Andrews Press, London 2021 is available at independent bookstores and from Amazon.com, Barnes&Noble.com, and other online bookstores.
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The Gospel According to Father Coffee
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One can download the Kindle edition for $.99 (yes, ninety-nine cents!) for instant fun reading, or order the paperback (William Collins Publishing, London) at independent bookstores, or Amazon.
Here is a partial quote from the Amazon review:
"...Set in a 1950’s rural town in California, The Gospel According to Father Coffee, is a fast moving, unusual, magical story of redemption through trickery. The town's lives, rich and poor, young and old, are revealed as Father Coffee night-flies, becomes invisible and delivers pagan sermons astonishing his parishioners. Through these stories, told in vignettes, each one with a twist, the magical Father Coffee discovers redemption for himself and his town through his magical skills. Many of these tales are informed by the world trickster stories of the Native American Coyote, Zen parables, The Dead Sea Scrolls as well as the Sufi stories of Nasrddin Hoja."
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