Bonus Content
Want to dive a little deeper into Protocol? Scroll on!
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Quick links ~ Snapshots of Armenia ~ ~ Soundtrack to Protocol ~ ~ Letter from Aurora ~ ~ Book cover evolution ~ |
Snapshot of Armenia
Photos from my two year journey through Armenia
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The ancient fortress of Erebuni is one of the oldest structures in Armenia and the world. Built in 782 B.C., it is largely considered the very foundation of Armenia's capital—Yerevan. With its strategic position atop one of the highest points in the entire valley, it acted as a regional defense for the northern borders of Urartu, one of the oldest Armenian states known to history.
Although the region has been conquered time and time again over the ages, passing from one kingdom to the next, the city of Yerevan has never been abandoned entirely. Erebuni stands to this day as a archetypal example of Armenian resiliency, fortitude, and endurance. |
Me atop the old Erebuni Fortress overlooking Yerevan
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The view of Mt. Ararat from my apartment in Malatia
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Mount Ararat, though no longer within Armenian control, has long been considered an icon of Armenian national identity. The twin peaks of Sis and Masis are thought to be the location where Noah's ark landed after the Great Flood. Because of this, Armenians like to joke that Noah himself—and thus the entire population of Earth, as his descendants—is Armenian.
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Vanadzor is the third most populous city in Armenia. The valley in which Vanadzor rests has been continuously populated since the Bronze Age, however, the city itself was founded by the Russian Empire as a strategic post after the previous settlement was destroyed during a war with the Ottoman Empire. The city saw considerable growth during the interwar period, but again became a battlefield during World War I, where the Turkish Army was driven back by General Nzhdeh and his severely outnumbered Armenian forces. Vanadzor continues to bear the scars of past conflicts, natural disasters, and the atrophy of post-Communism, but the people and the land itself remain vibrant and stalwart, gems in the northern crown of Armenia. |
Vanadzor, tucked in the valleys of northern Armenia
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The Armenian people are some of the kindest people you will meet anywhere in the world. They took me in as one of their own when I lived there serving a mission for my church. Despite centuries of hardships, wars, earthquakes, and economic strife, they have remained positive and proud, a nation with rich culture and a storied history. Most people probably can't pinpoint Armenia on a map, but I hope my story can help shed even a little bit of light on a country that deserves to stand in the spotlight alongside the other nations of Earth. If you're interested in my tales from Armenia, my mother put together a blog of all my emails home. Link below. |
Soundtrack to Protocol
Anyone who knows me knows that my world is powered by music. Below you'll find a playlist of songs that I was originally going to include as a soundtrack to Protocol. I cut it before publication, but I still have the original lineup preserved.
Letter from Aurora
This was a letter I was going to originally include as a prologue of sorts. It didn't end up fitting with the flow of the book, but I still like it, so I made it fancy and included it here!
Evolution of Book Covers
It took me a while to finally settle on the cover you see today. Take a look at how it evolved by clicking through this gallery.
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