Award Winning Author Dan Denton Publishes Fifth Book
Former UAW Chief Steward releases The Seven Stages of Middle-Class Life: An American Fable
Written by Midwestern writer Dan Denton, The Seven Stages of Middle-Class Life: An American Fable tells the story of a “lucky” 30-year union autoworker that makes a career on the assembly line.
Denton’s rich, entertaining plot allows its colorful protagonist to provide a rare bird’s eye view of blue collar, American factory life.
Known for his powerful prose, vivid imagery, and authentic working-class characters, Denton’s newest novel, published by Roadside Press, is easy to read and will cause you to lose track of time.
Denton is a former 10-year Toledo Jeep employee who worked on the Cherokee and Wrangler assembly lines and was elected as a chief union steward. He has lived in the Midwest, and worked in factories for most of his life, and that allows him to naturally set his story in some familiar places—a lake, a bowling alley, a break room next to the assembly line, a union meeting and a football game.
After reading an early review copy of The Seven Stages of Middle-Class Life: An American Fable, acclaimed Chicago writer, Westley Heine, author of the recently published coming of age tale, The Boys in Black, highlighted Denton’s working-class authenticity.
“I cannot think of a more relevant writer right now than Dan Denton,” Heine said. “With his background as a factory worker, a Union Steward, a man who has lived on the skids, and a true witness to the frontlines of the Rustbelt, he is in a unique position to comment on modern America and bridge the voice of the working class with the artistic intelligentsia.”
In another early review, local Toledo area colleague, Dr. Theresa Konwinski, author of the gritty, but riveting novel, Survivor’s Circle, emphasized the book’s dazzling imagery.
“Denton’s ability to describe simple things – a lake, a bowling alley, the clattering break bell at work, a sunset – will take your breath away.”
About his latest book, Denton said, “I haven’t seen any novels that have union autoworkers as main characters, but there should be. I’m excited to get this book out there, and I’m anxious to hear the reactions of my union brothers and sisters from around the country, especially the members of the United Auto Workers. I hope this is a book that does the working class proud, and one that provides teachers, professors, journalists, politicians, pastors, Popes, researchers and all library lovers a glimpse of blue-collar reality.”
The novel releases to all online booksellers Nov. 1st. Orders for signed copies are available at www.magicaljeep.com and copies will be available at an in-person reading and celebration that will take place at Gathering Volumes Bookstore, located at 196 E. South Boundary in Perrysburg, OH. The event is planned for the afternoon on Saturday December 12th, 2026. Light refreshments will be provided.
For more information about the book, for interview requests, or inquiries about electronic advanced reader or review copies, please contact Roadside Press editor Michele McDannold at roadsidepress01@gmail.com or Dan Denton at dandenton1978@gmail.com
Roadside Press, an independent Illinois publisher founded in 2022, has established itself as a leading small press that has published more than 70 books from a diverse group of writers from across the United States, Canada and the U.K. For more information about the company’s catalog and upcoming releases, please visit www.magicaljeep.com, and click “Roadside Press.”
