Former Deutschtown resident and current adjunct CCAC Allegheny Campus faculty member Stephen Graf ’s first novel, The Third Traveler, will be released March 1st. An epic tale spanning three continents and four decades, The Third Traveler depicts the triumphs and defeats of three generations of an Irish family. A prolific author of short fiction and creative non-fiction, The Third Traveler is Graf ’s first published novel. Opening in 1912, a young explorer, Ciaran Creagh, struggles against failing health and hellish conditions to reach the safety of base camp following an expedition to the South Pole. Shifting forward, Davy Boy O’Shea, a boxer haunted by ominous dreams, prepares for a middleweight championship bout at Madison Square Garden.

Finally, the narrative turns to Percy, a shy 10-year-old who wants nothing more than to sail his model ship in peace yet finds himself tormented by bullies. Moving from the Antarctic to County Kerry to Hell’s Kitchen and back again, The Third Traveler explores the ways in which loss, regret, and fear can immobilize us. Underpinning it all is the question that preoccupies Ciaran: who or what is the mysterious third traveler who shadows their steps through that vast, frozen wasteland?

Legendary publisher, John Oakes, a former editor of Grove Press, founder of both Four Walls Eight Windows press and OR Books and currently publishing The Evergreen Review, has described The Third Traveler as: “Gripping and detailed!” Dr.

Samuel Hazo, the founder of the International Poetry Forum, the first poet laureate of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and author of more than a dozen books, stated of Stephen’s writing: “There’s a subtle rhythm to Stephen Graf ’s prose that never loses the pace of good conversation and draws the reader to read on.”

About Stephen Graf

Stephen has more than thirty publication credits for short fiction and creative non-fiction including: Philadelphia Stories, Cicada, The Southern Review, The Chrysalis Reader, Fiction, New Works Review, The Broadkill Review, SNReview, and The Black Mountain Review in Ireland, among others.

His short fiction has won several Editor’s Choice awards, and has twice been nominated for the Pushcart Prize. He lived in Ireland for 2 years while earning an MPhil in Anglo-Irish literature at Trinity College, Dublin. He holds a PhD. in 20th-century Irish literature from the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne in the UK and a Masters Degree in English from Duquesne University. Stephen received his undergraduate degree in English Literature from Wake Forest University.

Stephen also served for many years as an officer in the United States Army Reserve, leaving the service with the rank of Captain.

About The Third Traveler

The Third Traveler will be available in an electronic (Kindle) version, paperback, and hard cover on Amazon.com beginning March 1. There will be a book launch and reading, followed by a signing, open to the public at the Mansions on Fifth Hotel, 5105 Fifth Avenue, Shadyside, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday March 13. There will be a complimentary refreshments available, including a limited amount Irish beverages. To see more of Stephen’s work, please visit his website: stephenlgraf.com.