“Rivers, Pickups, and Friends” is the first novel of Sid Spurgeon, a retired social studies teacher who taught and coached in three different high schools in Oregon from 1973 to 2006. His first real job after graduating from high school was with the U.S. Forest Service on fire-suppression crews. He went from “ground pounder” to smokejumper in the early 1970s, which, according to the author, was “the best job he ever had.”

“Tim Nicholas, Bob Farley, and Gary Jenkins grew up together in a small neighborhood in Pendleton, Oregon,” writes Spurgeon. “Tim and Bob were eight years old when they met, and Gary came later, an annoying pest who was four years younger and wouldn’t leave Tim and Bob alone. They finally grew tired of shooing him away.

“They enrolled in college, got an education, and returned to their hometown because that’s where they wanted to live. In Pendleton, they were adults and soon were adults with jobs, wives, and children. Each man worked hard and was respected by their community. They weren’t famous or flashy, just honest and friendly.

“Instead of being connected by sports as they were when they were kids, they were connected by steelhead fishing, the big brawling fish that swim from the Pacific Ocean into the Umatilla River to spawn.”

Spurgeon continues, “When the three men reached retirement age, they still fished and camped. Life was good, until it wasn’t. One of them had to be the first to die. Bob’s story is sad, but he was surrounded by good friends and a compassionate wife. They made sure Bob wouldn’t be alone in his final ordeal. Bob’s story was not a test of friendship. Instead, it was an affirmation.”

Published by Newman Springs Publishing, Sid Spurgeon’s stirring tale will take readers on an unforgettable journey to witness the incredibly heartfelt bond between three men, whose lives have been forever intertwined since childhood. Partly inspired by the author’s real-life experiences, “Rivers, Pickups, and Friends” is sure to capture the hearts and minds of readers, staying with them long after its stunning conclusion.

Readers who wish to experience this riveting work can purchase “Rivers, Pickups, and Friends” at bookstores everywhere, or online at the Apple iBooks Store, Amazon, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or media inquiries, contact Newman Springs Publishing at 732-243-8512.

About Newman Springs Publishing:

Newman Springs Publishing is a full-service publishing house for serious authors. Each title produced by Newman Springs Publishing undergoes every step of the professional publishing process, including editing, layout, cover design, circulation, distribution, and publicity. All titles are made available in both eBook and print formats. Newman Springs Publishing distributes to tens of thousands of retail outlets throughout North America and internationally. All manuscripts in any genre are welcome to be submitted for review; If the manuscript meets the necessary criteria and is accepted for publication, Newman Springs Publishing will work closely with the author to bring the book to the retail market for a relatively inexpensive initial investment.