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!

Strict-ly Business

by Doyne Phillips, Managing Editor

The Association of American Publishers reported strong growth in year-to-year book sales in 2010. In 2010 there was $11,670,000 in sales marking a 3.6% increase versus the calendar year 2009. E-book sales continued to break records with a 164.4% gains for 2010. $11.67 Billion is an amazing amount of money for any industry especially in a time of economic challenges for most everyone. So the question might be what does that mean for each of us?

These large numbers should remind us that we are a part, whether large or small, of a major money maker in our nation. Our part may be as simple as one that purchases a book to read in our leisure time or as complicated as a writer, editor, agent or publisher. No matter our part we must remember it is a business.    

Many times we as writers get caught up in our emotions and feel what we have written is our baby. We want to nurture and coddle it but like our children we must let our work experience the world of publishing. It can be painful and emotional at times but it is a part of the business, the business that supports us and allows us the luxury of expressing ourselves in thought on printed page.

Many authors will tell you they seldom have the choice of titles. Many are great writers but aren’t the best at choosing titles. As a matter of fact each week I am anxious to see what the title for this blog turns out to be. Our editors here can be merciless. The truth is no matter the decision made by the “powers that be” I am glad to be a part of this wonderful industry. I must remember there are times it is “strictly business” and be thankful to be a part of it.

A Wonderful Feeling

by Susan Reichert, Editor-in-Chief

It’s a wonderful feeling to give back and help people. A writers group used their talent to do just that. Twenty-two of the members wrote a short story, published a book, and dedicated it to the Literacy Council. They used the Flesch Reading Score in the text so the Literacy Council could use the book in helping people read.  For every book the group sells, fifty percent of the net profit goes to the Literacy Council.

The same group is working on another book and has chosen the animal shelter to receive proceeds from this book when published.

Being able to invest in your community is a privilege––supporting your community is an honor.

We are all a part of a community and we have a responsibility to help those less fortunate than we are, and contribute to the common good of charitable organizations. They need us and we need them.

There is a warm feeling you get when giving back, one of connecting yourself to others and you know you are contributing to make someone’s world a better place.