By Lorrie Bundy
At a recent Author Talks event sponsored by the Siskiyou County Library, author Mark P. Fisher brought more than a book to share. He brought a family story home.
Fisher, author of The Paine Protocol: A Cold War Thriller Based on a True Story, spoke to community members about the loss of his father, Capt. Robert T. Paine, who was killed in a 1966 plane crash when Fisher was just five years old. Blending family history, military intrigue and fiction, the novel explores a question Fisher has carried for nearly 60 years: What really happened?
The afternoon quickly became more than an author presentation. It evolved into a conversation between Fisher and the community that helped shape his family’s history. Audience members who had known his father and grandfather, prolific western-writer Lauran Paine, shared memories that had remained untold for decades. Judi Washington recalled Bob Paine as a kind high school friend who promised to be her “big brother” before introducing her to Ron Washington. The couple recently celebrated 66 years together.
As stories emerged from around the room, Fisher listened with visible emotion, often hearing details about his family for the first time. Memories of ranch life, friendships, Lauran Paine’s tireless writing habits and the character of the Paine family transformed the gathering into a living oral history. Community members became storytellers themselves, helping preserve a legacy that extends well beyond the pages of a book.
Adding to the significance of the event, filmmaker James “Britt” Jones documented Fisher’s presentation and the heartfelt conversations that followed. The footage is being recorded as part of a documentary exploring Fisher’s journey and his family’s remarkable story.
For Fisher, writing became more than a creative exercise. He described it as a path toward healing, allowing him to revisit grief while honoring the father he barely knew. “Some of it is real. All of it is true,” he told the audience, explaining that while the novel includes fictional elements, its emotional foundation is rooted in genuine loss, unanswered questions and hope.
The afternoon demonstrated the unique power of storytelling to connect generations. Fisher arrived hoping to share his family’s story, but he left with new memories generously offered by those who had lived alongside it.
Events like the Author Talks series sponsored by the Siskiyou County Library remind us that libraries preserve more than books—they preserve community. Through conversations like these, local history continues to live, one story at a time. Library Manager, Leslie Tharp, encourages everyone to join upcoming Author Talks and watch previous presentations by visiting libraryc.org/siskiyoulibrary. The Paine Protocol is available through Amazon.com and payhip.com/MarkPFisher. The author can be reached at [email protected].
