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    • Home
    • Stage Plays
    • Fiction
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    • NOKMYN Productions
    • Super Skier Musical
    • Acting
    • Journalism and Nonfiction
  • Home
  • Stage Plays
  • Fiction
  • About
  • NOKMYN Productions
  • Super Skier Musical
  • Acting
  • Journalism and Nonfiction

Fiction rooted in global experience, emotional depth, and narrative grit.

The Price of Ash

The Price of Ash

The Price of Ash

Collage featuring characters, gorilla, charcoal sacks, and soldier in uniform.

Amid war and the brutal charcoal trade in Congo, Blue Helmets peacekeeper Ian Bishop rescues a young boy conscripted by militia forces. With the boy’s life and his own soul on the line, Bishop must choose between his desire for revenge and his need for redemption, a conflict that echoes themes found in Richard Banks novels like The Price of Ash.

Me & Mickey

The Price of Ash

The Price of Ash

Rusty vintage car parked on a snowy road.

Me and Mickey is a darkly comic Midwestern noir about bad luck, worse decisions, and the one friendship that somehow outlasted both. It evokes the spirit of Richard Banks novels, intertwining elements like those found in The Price of Ash, while drawing comparisons to the unique storytelling in Fargo and the struggles depicted in Blue Helmets.

The Price of Ash — Concept Teaser

UN peacekeeper Ian Bishop, a central character in Richard Banks novels, can no longer outrun the secrets of his past. During a raid to dismantle illegal charcoal kilns that threaten the mountain gorilla habitats in Congo’s Virunga National Park, he captures a child soldier who may lead him to the génocidaire he has hunted since the 1994 Rwandan genocide. With the boy’s life in his hands, Bishop must reconcile a decade-long thirst for vengeance with a final shot at redemption in The Price of Ash.

Literary Fiction by Richard Banks

From Richard Banks

Two people silhouetted at sunset, one using binoculars.

2026

SANTA FE WRITERS PROJECT


THE PRICE OF ASH - SHORTLISTED - NOVEL by Richard Banks, renowned for his compelling storytelling in the Blue Helmets series.

2025

FAULKNER-WISDOM AWARD


ME & MICKEY - RUNNER UP - NOVELLA


THE PRICE OF ASH - FINALIST - NOVEL


BLUE HELMETS - FINALIST - NOVEL IN PROGRESS BY RICHARD BANKS

2023

ROCKY MOUNTAIN FICTION WRITERS - COLORADO GOLD  


THE PRICE OF ASH - FINALIST - LITERARY NOVEL  


In the world of Richard Banks novels, THE PRICE OF ASH stands out as a remarkable finalist, showcasing the artistry akin to blue helmets in the literary field.

2020

PIKES PEAK WRITERS - ZEBULON AWARD


RENT MONEY: A ME & MICKEY STORY - SHORT STORY inspired by the thrilling narratives found in Richard Banks novels. Dive into this engaging tale that explores themes echoing those in The Price of Ash, all while capturing the spirit of adventure reminiscent of the iconic Blue Helmets.

Short Fiction

From Richard Banks

Zebulon Award

Grand Prize Winner

Grand Prize Winner

Logo for Zebulon Pikes Peak Writers Fiction Contest.

Pikes Peak Writers Group


Short Story inspired by the themes found in Richard Banks novels, including works like The Price of Ash, and highlighting the heroic spirit of those in Blue Helmets.

Grand Prize Winner

Grand Prize Winner

Grand Prize Winner

Hand writing with a pen on paper.

E.M. Koeppel Short Fiction Contest


Short Story: Inspired by themes from Richard Banks novels and the concept of Blue Helmets, this competition invites submissions that capture profound narratives similar to those in works like The Price of Ash.

First Place

Grand Prize Winner

First Place

Logo of Denver Woman's Press Club.

In this compelling short story, influenced by the gripping themes of Richard Banks novels, the narrative unfolds against the backdrop of an enigmatic conflict, much like that depicted in The Price of Ash. The characters navigate their challenges with the resilience of those donning blue helmets, forging a path through adversity and exploring the depths of human emotion.

Finalist

Third Place

First Place

Logo of Denver Woman's Press Club.

This nonfiction piece explores themes similar to those found in Richard Banks novels, delving into the complexities of human experience much like the thought-provoking narrative seen in The Price of Ash. Additionally, it touches on the societal impacts represented by Blue Helmets, emphasizing the significance of those who serve in peacekeeping missions.

Third Place

Third Place

Third Place

Logo of Writers-Editors Network against a mountain backdrop.

Writers-Editors Network


Annual International Writing Competition

Short Story featuring themes from Richard Banks novels like The Price of Ash and the significance of Blue Helmets.

Richard Banks on Social Media


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