The Manhattan Prophet

All mankind watches as young Salem Jones emerges from his lifelong home at Rikers Island Prison, where he started a global spiritual movement in an attempt to spread a message of faith to the downcast surviving billions. Those living in fear and squalor meet the Manhattan Prophet with hope, but the threatened totalitarian governments, international corporations, and private militaries persecute Salem, declaring him a fraud and a terrorist. Beautiful TV journalist Maria Primera, from the privileged side of society, is on a mission to be the first to interview Salem. She is joined in a transformational journey by an unlikely love interest, Herbie Lipton, her brilliant techie, whose haunting family history begins with a rock-and-roll past and ends up holding the key to all humanity's redemption. Maria and Herbie take to the streets with Salem and his apostles in an all-out war of good vs. evil, one full of surprises and miracles.

Jake Packard is a Harvard graduate who has always been involved in the creative business. In college he co-founded his original rock band, The Walnut Band, and played primarily music that he wrote, which led to an LP, Go Nuts, before the band dissolved. A member of the Screen Actor's Guild, The American Federation of TV and Radio Artists, and the National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians, Packard worked as a cameraman, producer and actor on many film and TV projects in New York City before starting his corporate video production company, First Take Productions. His latest creative effort is his first novel, The Manhattan Prophet.

Jake Packard lives and works near New York City.