Rope Burn
A novel about loyalty, identity, and what it means to love something that cannot love you back.
“If you've been around the great Kirk Sheppard, and you've been around this business, you understand that when it comes to professional wrestling, Kirk just gets it. This book proves that.”
“Machine Gun” Karl Anderson · International Wrestling Superstar
“Kirk Sheppard understands the world of indie wrestling better than anyone.”
Big Mama · NWA Women's World Television Champion
Behind the curtain.
Luke Anderson has spent fifteen years running the behind-the-scenes operations of a small regional Indiana wrestling promotion. He handles everything that Stan Weizenschmidt won't — the logistics, the crises, the aftermath — because this world is the only one that has ever felt like his.
When Stan's decisions grow more desperate and the promotion's future grows uncertain, Luke is forced to confront what it has truly cost him — the career he neglected, the relationships he abandoned, and the identity he built entirely around someone else's dream.
Set in the gritty backstage world of independent professional wrestling, Rope Burn is for anyone who has ever stayed too long in something because leaving felt like failure — and for anyone who has ever loved a thing that couldn't love them back.
Excerpt
“I guess we'll have to go in another direction.” Stan Weizenschmidt and I stared at our biggest star, Kole the Krusher, with his head cracked open on the cement floor, blood pooling beneath his long blond hair. We both should have been more rattled by it. But I had seen worse. Stan had caused worse...
Read the full excerpt →Twenty songs. One story.
Character themes, story beats, and the long drive home — a curated soundtrack for the world of Rope Burn.
Listen & explore the playlist →Events & appearances
Kirk appears at bookstores, festivals and other events throughout the year. See the current schedule for upcoming signings and appearances.
See upcoming events →
Covering Rope Burn?
Press materials are available for interviews, reviews, features and event coverage.
For interviews, review copies and event bookings: kirk@kirksheppard.com
