Jim Antonini

Jim Antonini is an award-winning author from West Virginia who has written 6 books published by Pump Fake Press.

1. WILD BILL RIDES AGAIN: To escape an unfilled life, a socially awkward middle-aged family man steals one million dollars and goes on an unforgettable joyride from the east coast to the west. As he keeps one step ahead of the law and a fascinated media, he discovers love and friendship, becoming a national folk hero along the way.

“…marvelous adventure story …written fluidly, keeping readers on the move…” -BookTrib - 11/10/2023

“…striking story full of wit and emotion about individualism in America and how one can redefine a life when everything seems lost…” -Independent Book Review - 11/01/2023

“…With non-stop tension, compelling characters, and a plot that twists like a Rocky Mountain switchback, WILD BILL RIDES AGAIN is an epic road story that never disappoints. Highly recommended…” -Greg Leatherman, Goodreads - 11/22/2023

2. BULLETS FOR SILVERWARE: A gritty, murder-mystery thriller set in the backwoods of West Virginia. It was a finalist for the Appodlachia 2020 Best Appalachian Book of the Year. What others have said:

"...the characters were real... like I knew them personally... the prose itself was the real prize- gritty, sympathetic... READ THIS BOOK!” - Amazon review - 07/07/2020

“...chills, titillates, and above all entertains...the scenes roll out smoothly, and it is easy to imagine this story as film noir...has a Hitchcockian flavor..." - Independent Book Review - 07/28/2020

“…feels fast-paced, hard-boiled, and edgy...” - BookTrib - 05/05/2021

3. THE BUTCHER & THE BUTTERFLY: To escape an unfilled life, a socially awkward middle-aged family man steals one million dollars and goes on an unforgettable joyride from the east coast to the west. As he keeps one step ahead of the law and a fascinated media, he discovers love and friendship, becoming a national folk hero along the way.

“…A gritty story of smoky bars, violence, and salvation… The novel’s pulpy sensibility wears its references on its sleeve. There’s a little bit of Bukowski, a dash of the classic detective noir, and an array of shameless boxing-story tropes that touch on everything from Rocky to Raging Bull…” – Independent Book Review, 12/10/2024

4. LIKE FALLING FROM AN AIRPLANE: A romantic, urban drama set on the downtown streets and back alleys of San Francisco. What others have said:

“…A fast-paced novel of family, betrayal, and undeniable attraction… If you love a bad boy, a shot of tequila, or a forbidden love story, you’ll be more than pleased… … a swirling storm of events in this quick literary fiction…” - Independent Book Review - 04/08/2022

5. THE HOT DOG DIARIES: The book is for everyone who has ever stepped through the front door of Morgantown’s oldest and most beloved neighborhood bar—Gene’s Beer Garden. It was written in collaboration with friend Al Bonner, owner of Gene’s. It is in celebration of the bar’s 80th year of operation. With this book, some good tales and memories were revisited after 80 years in business.

6. SOMETIMES ORANGE IS ALMOST GOLD: This book captures the colorful and hilarious exploits of a group of orange-clad outcasts on their futile two-decade quest for softball glory. Part softball team. Part social club. Part mythology. But mostly failure. Nobody loses better than the Chico’s Bail Bonds softball team–the forever doormats of adult softball in a college town in the hills of West Virginia.