PERSONAL STUDY LED TO COMBAT! (Part I)

Dennis L.Peterson  

Independent Author, Historian and Editor

             Writers get ideas for their work from a variety of sources, including overheard conversations, watching children at play (or adults arguing), commonplace events in the routines of daily life, and even their own fertile imaginations. The idea that led to the book Combat! Spiritual Lessons from Military History came from the intersection of the personal study of my two favorite subjects, the Bible and military history.

            While reading during a period of several months a few books on military strategy and tactics used during World War II, I began to realize that in many ways what I was reading dovetailed with what I was reading in the Bible. Desiring to share what I was learning; I began to organize various points for what I thought might grow into an article. Over time, however, as I continued to read and study the subjects, I realized that such writing would involve something much longer and more detailed than a mere article. It might even develop into a book!

            The first obstacle, of course, was to find a publisher who was willing to take a risk on a military history-based book idea. I submitted a proposal package to one publisher who seemed to look favorably on the idea. After several months, however, that publisher declined the proposal. Undeterred, having studied and rated several possible publishers for this idea, I submitted the package to a second publisher on the list. That publisher had only recently ventured into the Christian book market, and he thought they might be open to a book such as this. 

            That publisher replied that, although they liked the concept, there was something about the book as organized that just didn’t seem to click with them. I went through the book again but could not discern precisely what the obstacle to publication might be. I responded to the publisher, saying that I was willing to revise the manuscript if only the publisher would give a more specific critique so I would know precisely what needed to be changed. Much to my surprise, the publisher replied a few weeks later, saying they had reconsidered the package, decided it would work after all, and were offering a contract for the manuscript as originally written.

            The result was Combat! Spiritual Lessons from Military History, which was released by TouchPoint Press on February 7, 2020.

            Upon signing the contract, I realized the clock had begun ticking for my delivery of the final package to the publisher for production. I had to locate photographs and obtain permissions (if necessary) for their use. I hired an artist to create illustrations of scenes for which photos were unavailable. And, wanting to make the editor’s job easy I proofed the manuscript to ensure “clean,” error-free copy.

            Fortunately, the photographs were all in the public domain, so no permissions were necessary. I contacted a retired artist/illustrator with whom I collaborated with when we both worked for a major textbook publisher; he agreed to create the illustrations needed for the book. Next was the proofing process, giving the manuscript a final once-over with blue pencil.

            The entire package was now out of my hands. Next I began to compile several marketing lists: people who should receive advanced review copies, media outlets that might be interested in reporting about the upcoming book and perhaps even interview me, people who should receive complimentary copies in thanks for help they had offered, etc. Then came the waiting.

Dennis L. Peterson is an independent author, historian, and editor with numerous published credits in regional and national journals and magazines. A former history teacher and history curriculum writer, his areas of special interest include Southern history, the War Between the States, the Great Depression, and World War II. A native of East Tennessee, he now lives in Taylors, South Carolina.Dennis L. Peterson is an independent author, historian, and editor with numerous published credits in regional and national journals and magazines. A former history teacher and history curriculum writer, his areas of special interest include Southern history, the War Between the States, the Great Depression, and World War II. A native of East Tennessee, he now lives in Taylors, South Carolina with his wife. He is the author of Look Unto the Hills, Teacher,




A Goodly Heritage, Confederate Cabinet Departments and Secretaries.  His newest book just 










released is Combat! Follow Dennis at:  https://dlpedit.wordpress.com/