When Fiction Becomes Non-Fiction

What happens when three authors have penned and published an apocalyptic book that features a few bad guys, but one of those bad guys just happens to be a fictional character named Pope Francis who is intent on destroying the Catholic Church?

Dallas, TX (I-Newswire) March 14, 2013 - A year ago in July 2012, three authors, Jed Q. Peterson, Michael Koogler, and Jaren Riley, finalized ten years of collaborative writing with the publication of "Hade's Gambit". With a stranger-than-fiction twist of fate, one of the book's main characters, Pope Francis, a character so villianous that he wants to ruin the Catholic Church, is now a name the world is familiar with as the non-fictional, real Catholic pope introduced on 3/13/2013.

What a conundrum!

Popes have taken on new names for centuries and centuries. But no one had ever taken the name Francis. Until now.

The fictional Pope Francis in "Hade's Gambit" is a vain, pompous, evil man. The point is to show that evil people can pull down good things if given the chance. He infiltrates a good organization and corrupts it for his own power and wealth.

Fast forward to the non-fictional Pope Francis, he is a compassionate reformer, someone who cares for children, is a strong purporter of the traditions of the church, gave up living in a mansion and rides the bus to work.

So, what to do? Add a disclaimer? Change the character's name? These are the sort of unexpected twists and turns that make fictional writing so interesting and so much fun...and yet here the authors are in the perfect position to offend one billion people around the world. Funny and odd...luckily the series also has a very cool priest character who, even though he struggles with his faith, does some incredible things in "Hade's Gambit" and the 2013 summer release sequel "The Rise of Cain".

Perhaps the authors had a crystal ball? If that's the case, begin preparations for the Zombie Apocalypse. For reals.