Connection Timeout: The PingStarved Chronicles - Book Release
A Cyberpunk Journey from the Digital Underground
I'm excited to announce that my first novel, "Connection Timeout: The PingStarved Chronicles," is now available for purchase! This has been a labor of love that combines my passion for cybersecurity, hacker culture, and storytelling into a dystopian cyberpunk narrative.
About the Book
"Connection Timeout" takes readers into a near-future world where the line between digital and physical reality has become dangerously blurred. Set in a society where network connectivity determines social status and survival, the story follows a group of hackers known as the PingStarved - those who've been cut off from the grid but refuse to surrender their digital autonomy.
Drawing from my years of experience in cybersecurity and the hacker community, the novel explores themes of:
- Digital resistance and hacktivism
- The consequences of hyper-connectivity
- Corporate control over information infrastructure
- Underground communities and mesh networks
- The human cost of technological dependence
Why I Wrote This
As someone who's been part of the hacker community for decades, I wanted to create a story that authentically captures the spirit of our culture while exploring the darker implications of our increasingly connected world. The characters face real technical challenges, use actual hacking techniques, and navigate the social dynamics that those of us in the security community know well.
No DRM - Because Freedom Matters
True to hacker ethics, the book is available DRM-free on all platforms. Once you buy it, it's yours to read on any device, share with friends, or backup as you see fit. Information wants to be free, and while I appreciate support through purchases, I won't lock down the content with digital restrictions.
Where to Get It
The book is available through multiple channels to give readers choice:
Amazon (Global Availability)
Indie Platform
Gumroad (Support independent publishing)
More Information
Detailed book information and excerpts
I specifically chose to offer it through Gumroad as well because I believe in supporting independent platforms that respect both creators and consumers. If you prefer to avoid Amazon's ecosystem, Gumroad is your best option.
Recent Free Promotion
I recently ran a free promotion (September 15-16, 2025) for friends and community members. While that promotion has ended, I wanted to ensure that cost wouldn't be a barrier for those in my network who wanted to read it. If you're facing financial constraints but are interested in the book, reach out to me directly - we can work something out.
What's Next
This is just the beginning of the PingStarved saga. I'm already working on the sequel, which will dive deeper into the mesh network underground and explore what happens when the disconnected begin to organize.
I'm also planning to release some companion technical content that explores the real-world hacking techniques and concepts mentioned in the book - turning fiction into educational material for those interested in cybersecurity.
Support and Feedback
Your support means everything to an independent author. If you read the book, please consider:
- Leaving a review on your platform of choice - reviews and thumbs up are even more important than sales!
- Sharing it with friends who enjoy cyberpunk or hacker fiction
- Reaching out with feedback - I genuinely want to hear what resonates with readers
Reviews help the book reach more people in our hacker culture, political activism, and privacy communities
Thank You
To everyone in the HispaGatos crew, the broader hacker community, and all my readers - thank you for your continued support. This book exists because of the incredible community we've built together.
Stay connected (but on your own terms),
ReK2 (Chris F.N. / Rebel de Alicante)
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