My journey as a writer began when I was 7; however, the path didn’t actualize until I was 27. In August of 2003 I was assigned to oversee a production crew videotaping celebrities boosting morale of the war wounded at Walter Reed Medical Center. It was my first experience seeing casualties of war, and the first time I understood what the context of ‘shrapnel wounds’ or ‘IED explosions’ really meant other than black words written on a white newspaper page. Months later I had the opportunity to meet and interview a Vietnam Veteran struggling with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Inspired to write, the result is my debut novel, ‘Still the Monkey, What Happens to Warriors after War,’ released one year ago yesterday.

A work of historical fiction, the novel portrays the mentor relationship between a Vietnam and Iraq War Veteran, historically accurate depictions of battles in Fallujah and the Vietnam DMZ, and the journey through the minds of post-combat warriors dealing with the rigors of rehabilitation for loss of limb, innocence and emotion.

Thus far it has been well received by the veteran and mental health communities; however distributors feel it doesn't have "wide-audience appeal" because it's a niche topic/market.

I'm trying to change that, given the number of our returning warriors who are attributing disabilities to PTSD. (30-40% of returning combatants have reported symptoms and disabilities to post traumatic stress.)

I’d to ask for your assistance in helping me celebrate National Small Press Month, the one-year anniversary release of Still the Monkey, and raise awareness on this very important topic.

How can you help?

1. Order a book!
I'm offering a free shipping special to those who order direct through the website now through April 1st. Ordering directly not only enables me to personalize your book (for personal library or gift), it helps me make a larger contribution to the charities I support from a portion of proceeds (USO and DAV) as it eliminates the middle-man (distributors, wholesalers, bookstores).

2. Write a review!
I’m updating the website in June to include a “Reader’s and Leader’s Review” Section.


3. Spread the word!
As a one-man band with limited resources, any assistance you can provide about notifying other readers, book clubs, or friends/family members of our troops and veterans about this endeavor would be fantastic!

For more information, please visit the website, www.ironcuttermedia.com
To order a personalized copy directly, please visit http://www.ironcuttermedia.com/order.htm...

Thank you all for your time, consideration and support of independent publishing!

I look forward to hearing your feedback and participating in future group discussions!

Best Regards,
Alivia

Alivia C. Tagliaferri
Author/Publisher
Ironcutter Media, LLC
alivia@ironcuttermedia.com

Alivia, you are an inspiration.

Beth Fehlbaum, author,
Courage in Patience, a story of hope for those who have been abused
http://courageinpatience.blogspot.com
http://www.amazon.com/Courage-Patience-S...

Alivia, that is in my eyes undoubtedly a very worthy cause. I have a couple of friends who suffered from PTSD and its not easy for them to live with.

Best Regards

Steve

As are you Beth. I know it wasn't easy to write about the subject matter - Did you find during the writing experience a sort of catharsis (for yourself and the characters) from visualizing the traumatic scenes to actually giving it physical form on paper? I ask, because when I allowed my mind to comprehend the traumatic events I was writing about in full scenery, I experienced nightmares and sleepless nights until I got them out of my head and onto paper, and wondered if you had a similiar experience.

I look forward to reading your book, thank you for writing it.

Thank you Steve. Please give your friends my utmost regards. I don't know what it's like first-hand, but I have compassion for those who do as PTSD is not easy to live with - that's actually the reason why I chose the title - PTSD for those whom experience it feels like an ever-present monkey on their backs. Another reason I chose the title is that Buddhists/Eastern Philosophers liken the mind to a monkey that swings from branch to branch. If it'swings too far to the branch of the past as to who they were or what life was like before the event(s) to swinging too far to the branch of the future wondering when they're going to feel 'good' again, the monkey is not kept still and the mind is not living in or enjoying the present moment.

Best Regards and take care Steve (and your friends!)
Alivia

Yes, it was a cathartic experience. I was very, very afraid to write what was inside my head and what I feared was lurking in the shadows of my mind. I struggle with PTSD as it is; writing the novel did not trigger my PTSD, though. I hope you will let me know what you think of Courage in Patience after you read it.
Beth