Bill Long and Frank Irving, co-authors of the sports-themed novel One Wild Ride, have been close friends since their teenage years, when they spent many hours together on the basketball court adjacent to Violet Hill Elementary School in York, Pennsylvania. 

The pair grew up sharing a passion for the classic sports culture of the Sixties and Seventies, as evidenced in their debut work. The story’s subtitle, The Saga of the Dake and Bates Show, refers to the neophyte co-hosts of Global Sports Network’s throwback-centered talk show. Real-life sports events and celebrities mix with corporate intrigue as Dake and Bates authentically connect with their core audience of senior-aged sports fanatics, the book’s target demographic.

The fledgling co-authors brainstormed the story’s concept during an annual getaway weekend with high school buddies and it soon took flight…just as the COVID pandemic began to overwhelm America. The pair steadfastly continued spinning their tale, collaborating remotely until they delivered the final files to The Maple Press Company for book manufacturing in early 2021.

One Wild Ride, patterned after the humorous style of Dan Jenkins (Semi-Tough, Dead Solid Perfect) and Carl Hiaasen (Tourist Season, Stormy Weather), has gained positive reviews and significant recognition since its release. In Spring 2021, One Wild Ride was named a finalist in the Sports Category of the 2021 International Book Awards. A few months later, the novel was selected as winner of the Sports Category in the 2021 American Writing Awards contest. Separately, One Wild Ride competed in the Writer’s Digest Book Awards program, wherein a judge commented:

“One Wild Ride by Bill Long and Frank Irving is an excellent novel. The characterization works extraordinarily well, as Dake and Bates are both cunning, intriguing people from the get-go. The sports chatter is nostalgic for older readers and interesting to young readers, creating a wonderful audience appeal. The prose, when working well, works extraordinarily well and creates a fun, engaging read. The production, too, is high quality and the simple cover was designed very well. Overall, I thought the novel offered a lot to sports fans, readers, sports fans who happen to be readers, and more.”

The storyline

Here’s what Authors’ Lounge visitors should know about One Wild Ride’s plot:

Walter “Dake” Dockery and Billy Bates sense a unique chemistry on the day they first meet in the lobby of Global Sports Network’s headquarters. Pivotal career crossroads bring them to GSN’s door, ready to challenge the likes of ESPN by unconventional means—creating a talk show playing directly to sports fans in the 55-and-older audience segment. 

However, Barrett Simpson, the hotshot program manager assigned to oversee the fledgling Dake and Bates Show, finds little value in the neophyte co-hosts’ approach. Barrett firmly believes the only fans who matter are those who follow the latest trends and social media influencers. He throws blame directly on Dake and Billy when their initial shows go disastrously off the rails.

Back in the control booth, veteran technician Wes Johnson sees through the clutter. His hand-crafted audience-engagement app shows that Dake and Billy have indeed connected with their target demographic. Wes makes his case to GSN executive Davis Gladstone, who eventually agrees to give the anchors control of their own content for a make-or-break series of broadcasts.

With key contributions from whip-smart Wendy Weir, Davis’s recently promoted assistant, and two gifted and dedicated young interns, the Dake and Bates team sets off in its own direction. 

Not long after, the show begins to build a buzz based on throwback connections and startling proficiency at sports wagering. 

Dake and Billy can only shake their heads in amazement as they rub elbows with legendary sports heroes from yesteryear. Remote broadcasts at the NBA All-Star Game in Chicago and the MGM Grand in Las Vegas boost their credibility and bring all the action to a head in what could only be described as…One Wild Ride.

Where to find One Wild Ride

Bill and Frank extend an open invitation to sports-loving readers interested in a nostalgic, humorous take on the events and characters that shaped our lives.

Hardcover editions are available at https://onewildride.pubsitepro.com. 

Paperback and Kindle versions (rated 4.9 stars by readers) may be ordered at: https://www.amazon.com/One-Wild-Ride-Saga-Bates/dp/1735948616