The 7.9 Scenario

Press Release

Press Release: June 3, 2004

Sam Penny To Be Interviewed on
WNWS “FYI” Talk Radio Show June 9 at 11:30 a.m.

Jackson, Tennessee – Sam Penny, author and lecturer, announced today that he will be interviewed by Harrell Carter and Steve Hemann on the WNWS “FYI” Radio Show at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 9.

The three will talk about why Penny wrote his novel Memphis 7.9, what are the real risks to the central United States of a catastrophic earthquake, and what the residents of Madison County can do to soften the inevitable blow.

Penny said, “My analysis shows Jackson would be shaken by seismic waves exceeding an intensity level of VIII for more than sixty seconds in the 7.9 magnitude earthquake described in my book, displacing almost 50% of the population and destroying 20% of the bridges and buildings. The death toll in Madison County could exceed two hundred with injuries over a thousand.”

Listeners can call in with questions if they wish. Carter will announce the phone number on the air.

The story of Penny’s book Memphis 7.9 focuses on how some citizens of Memphis have prepared for a major earthquake on the New Madrid Fault Zone, just 45 miles west of that city, and what happens to the Mississippi River valley during the first six hours immediately following a great earthquake of magnitude 7.9. A series of three major earthquakes of that and even greater magnitude tore apart the same region in 1811 and 1812.

“I am not predicting when a giant earthquake will strike on the New Madrid, but based upon the best scientific evidence, it appears inevitable that what has happened in the past will happen once again, possibly sooner that some people expect.

“Some call my book Science Fiction, but I call it Reality Fiction. My intent is to use the best scientific and engineering analysis available to determine exactly what the effects of a great earthquake will be, and then tell a story that illustrates those effects while it entertains my reading audience. People in the central United States can do things to prepare and soften the inevitable blow, common sense things.”

Memphis 7.9 won Honorable Mention for Best Science Fiction novel in the 2004 Darrell Awards at MidSouthCon 22 in Memphis March 27.

Books available at Davis-Kidd Booksellers in Jackson are signed by the author. Copies are also available on-line at the author’s website at www.the79scenario.com.

Memphis 7.9 is Book 1 of a four-part project, The 7.9 Scenario, which tells of effects on the central United States cities, lands, and rivers and attempts of the United States to recover from the worst disaster that ever struck this land. Other books in the series are scheduled for publication in the next three years.