Eric W. Cowperthwaite, the teller of stories, is an Army veteran and lifelong science fiction fan who grew up devouring the works of E.E. “Doc” Smith, A.E. van Vogt, Robert Heinlein, and Ben Bova. Many years ago, when he had five spare minutes in the field, he would sit inside his tank and read Skylark of Space, dreaming of grand adventures among the stars.
When he’s not writing about the end of the world, he’s usually enjoying a good cigar and tossing the ball for the dog while his Viking red-headed chicken whisperer of a wife tends to all the chickens and her garden. Together they share their home with three grown children who have all wisely moved out.
Eric believes civilization is worth fighting for. Even if it means defending it with heirloom beans, strong coffee, and controlled violence. The Cough Is Loose is the first book in his Bougie Apocalypse series.
Stay Human.
I write two kinds of things:
Serious work
Historical and cultural analysis — especially about the Late Roman Republic, the rise of permanent expert classes, and the tensions in modern American life.
Fiction
Pulp-style serials, most notably the ongoing Bougie Apocalypse series.
Bougie Apocalypse Series
→ Book 2: Staying Human - Coming Summer, 2026
Latest from Bougie Apocalypse
→ Chapter 25: The Breaking Point
Recent Articles
How to Argue With Me Better
A short guide to the logical fallacies I see most often in online debate.
White Coats and Iron Lungs
How faith in medical experts became one of the strongest pillars of the Fifth Branch.
The Rise of the Fifth Branch
How the administrative state grew after WWII and became increasingly independent from the citizenry.
Thanks for stopping by. Stick around if you like thoughtful writing mixed with ridiculous fun.
© 2026 Eric W. Cowperthwaite
Serious writing on history, culture, and self-reliance.
Pulp fiction serials with beans, guns, and bad decisions.
Observations | Modern Minuteman | Bougie Apocalypse | Contact Eric: eric@tellerofstoriespress.com