Jim Potter's Blog, page 9

Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Choosing a Title

https://jimpotterauthor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Publishing-My-Childrens-Book-in-six-Months-Choosing-a-Title.mp3Choosing a TitleCover design by Gina Laiso, Integrita Productions. facebook.com/IntegritaProductions

Your book is copyrighted, your title is not.

Did you know that upon writing your book, it’s copyrighted, but its title is never protected? Other authors can use it again and again.  

I enjoy brainstorming titles for my books. I’m big on alliteration and I often use subtitles to help describe the book.

While writing a draft of a book, an author may change the title several times. It’s understandable because it’s incredibly important. You want to get it just right.

When writers are asked the title of the manuscript they’re working on, the reply may often include a disclaimer that it’s only a “working title.” I’ve changed the title of my children’s book during its draft phase several times, most recently this past week, and I may not be done.

Fifteen years ago, I wrote a draft for this same book. I titled it, B is for Badge.

Cover design by George Foster. Published by Sandhenge Publications.

Even when a title’s not catchy, it must be accurate. Let’s use my police memoir, Cop in the Classroom: Lessons I’ve Learned, Tales I’ve Told (2007), as an example. I believe it reflects my working assignment as a school resource officer, telling my deputy sheriff experiences. And the alliteration still gives me joy.

Unless there’s a spark, some manuscripts sit and wait but never meet a printing press. Alex, my gifted partner, first reader, and supportive wife, was my spark. “Have you considered having a police dog be the narrator of your children’s book?” she asked. Like a dormant volcano erupting, her question ignited my creative juices. Instantly, I imagined a canine character sharing police stories.

In a flash, I copied my rough draft from my spiral notebook to my computer. While transcribing, a police dog named Kudzu began narrating.

Since then, the book title has evolved. The ABCs of Law Enforcement was lengthened when we added “as Told by K-9 Kudzu.” Again, we thought it was perfect . . . until last week.

We were talking with Tim Givan in his office at the First National Bank of Hutchinson. After giving Tim my elevator speech and explaining how the book was for children ten years of age and up, he recognized that the title was inaccurate. Tim commented that a title with the ABC’s in it implies it’s a primer book, a first reader.

With his fresh perspective, Tim was correct and we understood that immediately. While my original draft was geared to younger children, it now targets a middle school audience and up.  

The ABCs of Law Enforcement as Told by K-9 Kudzu is history.

After considerable brainstorming with Alex, her descriptive suggestion has me pleased and smiling. Here it is. K-9 Kudzu’s Guide to Law Enforcement: Observations from a Working Dog Who Loves to Play.

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By Cheryl Unruh. cherylunruh.com Cover image & design by Dave Leiker. Published by Meadowlark Press. meadowlark-books.com

One of Cheryl Unruh’s masterful books is titled Gravedigger’s Daughter: Vignettes from a Small Kansas Town (2021). The primary title has a deep personal meaning to Cheryl because her father dug graves. The subtitle gives the reader a descriptive picture of the stories in her book.

Because of subtitles, Unruh’s book should not be confused with the The Gravedigger’s Daughter: A Novel (2008) by Joyce Carol Oates.

I don’t know if Unruh did a Google search of book titles or was aware of the similarity of her book’s title to Oates’ but if it was my decision, I wouldn’t have altered a single word. The title’s personally and professionally perfect.

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PS – Author Cheryl Unruh commented on the above blog post.  

Good info, Jim. And yes, I did search titles before publishing and noted the Joyce Carol Oates book. It had been published years before, so I didn’t feel like it would be confusing for anyone, or seem like I was “stealing” her uncopyrightable title. For my book, Gravedigger’s Daughter was the most concise and catchy title.With my subtitle, “Vignettes from a Small Kansas Town,” I was able to set up the reader for 1) short pieces, 2) the idea that the pieces are more story than poem, and 3) let readers know “small town” and “Kansas,” to draw in readers with those interests.Appreciate the shout-out!  *

Until next time, happy writing,

 

 

 

The post Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Choosing a Title appeared first on Sandhenge Publications.

Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Multitasking

https://jimpotterauthor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Publishing-My-Childrens-Book-in-Six-Months-Multitasking.mp3Multitasking

We live in the country. We have a pond—sometimes with water—but my life as an author isn’t even close to Henry David Thoreau’s at Walden Pond. I’m not on a writer’s retreat with minimal interruptions; I’m on the internet and have a phone.

I’m pretty much a cave dweller except for trips to town to mail books from the PO and to pick up groceries. Being retired, you’d think I’d have more time to write.

Deputy Jennings Meets the Amish (2022), a novella by Jim Potter. Cover design by Gina Laiso, Integrita Productions.

My business book time is divided into three areas: selling the books I’ve published, especially Deputy Jennings Meets the Amish; preparing the next book to be published and marketed, The ABCs of Law Enforcement as Told by K-9 Kudzu, and continuing to write a sequel to my English-Amish novella. It’s titled Jesse Jennings Meets the Amish.

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Sometimes I meet myself going. As I was falling asleep last night, I was considering possible grants and advertising for my upcoming children’s book.

This morning I was planning on writing a blog on the importance of indie authors having a website to market and sell their books. But that will wait. Instead, I’ll tell you how my time as an author-publisher requires a bit of juggling or flexibility on a wide range of projects.

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When I checked my e-mail this morning, I learned I have two orders and one payment for my novella. Eventually, I’ll write a blog on marketing, but here’s a snippet on selling in Amish Country. I advertise the old-fashioned way in a printed, not online, newspaper called The Budget. It’s read largely by subscribers who are Amish or Mennonite.

In The Budget, instead of advertising my website, giving my email address, or promoting online purchases, I share my mailing address and phone number. The two orders today are from Ohio—Navarre and Millersburg. The check is from Munfordville, Kentucky. One Ohio customer’s surname is Yoder. No surprise there.

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I’m having fun, but there’s stress in publishing and marketing. There are always the things I want to get done and the things I don’t get done. That’s called life.

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Yesterday I paid my sales taxes. Even though I’ve shipped books to 15 states this year, I’m only required to file in Kansas since the out-of-state sales were from here, not from sales made in person in another state.

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Gina Laiso, illustrator for The ABCs of Law Enforcement as Told by K-9 Kudzu, sent me her work-in-progress image of K-9 Kudzu, a German shepherd police dog. I’m so happy she’s creating him! The drawing of K-9 Kudzu wasn’t love at first sight, but I was pleased with his face. We all need to remember that writing a book is a process, and so is illustrating.

Figuring out what Kudzu looks like is of major importance to the appeal of this book. I’m not going to show you the drawing yet, but when I do, it will be enjoyable to share both the first-generation image and the final illustration.

Good thing Alex, my wife, is a professional artist. She and Gina are now working together on improving the illustration. Before long we’ll have images of K-9 Kudzu and I’ll want to post them all over my dog-friendly blogs! Look for them.

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Photo taken at Hutchinson Community Foundation’s office, 1 N. Main St., #501, Hutchinson, KS.

I’ve mentioned previously that I’m researching grants. I contacted the Hutchinson Community Foundation (HCF) to see if my book would be eligible for a literacy grant. Even though I’m not a non-profit, there are ways for an entity to donate money to HCF and have it passed on to a worthy cause. If I can’t get a grant from HCF, they said they might be able to share some resources for me to contact. 

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I’ve been following the good work of the K-9 teams of the Wichita Police Department. Besides the traditional working dogs that detect drugs, search, &/or trail, WPD has their first therapy dog, named Stewie. He’s a Treeing Walker Coonhound; his handler is Officer Alli Larison.

Photo taken at the entrance of Credit Union of America, 2616 N. Main St., Hutchinson, KS.

On the Facebook page of the Wichita Police Foundation, I learned that the Credit Union of America (CUA), with many locations in Wichita, donated $10,000 to bring Stewie to town. I’m wondering, If CUA will spend that much money to help deliver exceptional police service to the community, maybe they’ll be interested in helping publish my educational book introducing children to the world of law enforcement as told by a fictional K-9. I hope so. Today, I contacted CUA to try and learn if my project fits their point of interest.

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I have a long list of organizations to approach to see if they’re interested in helping publish or advertise K-9 Kudzu. Have you heard of Cause for Paws? The non-profit covered the costs for the Hutchinson Police Department to purchase a trained canine, equip a patrol vehicle, and train the handler. If Cause for Paws gets financially involved with my children’s book, who knows, K-9 officers could hand out books to students when they visit schools.

If you have ideas for me about possible partnerships with my publishing &/or advertising, please contact me.

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2012 East Northern St., Wichita, KS, 1-800-767-6066, www.podprint.com Printed by Amazon’s KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing).

A future blog will discuss choosing where to have your books printed. I’ve had books printed—not published—at Mennonite Press, Amazon, Ingram Spark/Lightning Source, and POD Print.

What else have I been doing lately? I’ve had it with Amazon printing anymore books for my sales inventory. I just returned a carton of books that had all the covers heavily tinted yellow, and the title was crooked! I’m back in touch with POD Print to replenish my inventory because I know they produce high-quality products. I can’t have it both ways. POD Print costs more than Amazon but they are meticulous in their work, dependable, and local. Overall, POD Print, including price, is the place to go. They even answer their phone!                      .

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The internet is a blessing and a curse. I keep in touch with my friends and give encouragement to writers who post their literary progress. But, just like when I’m doing research, I can go down a rabbit hole and get lost.

https://amishamerica.com

One post I never miss is from Amish America. Erik Wesner is an excellent writer-journalist who shares his thoughts and discoveries whenever he visits Amish Country. I’m sure his insight on the Amish will help make Jesse Jennings Meets the Amish more interesting and accurate.

I don’t know when I’ll get back to writing my novel-in-progress. If I wasn’t writing this blog, I could be writing the book.

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Until next time, happy writing,

 

 

 

The post Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Multitasking appeared first on Sandhenge Publications.

Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Networking

https://jimpotterauthor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Publishing-My-Childrens-Book-in-Six-Months-Networking.mp3Networking

Preparing to publish my book requires a lot of multi-tasking and networking. It’s a process and I can’t do it alone.

I’ll bet you’ve heard the saying, “It takes a village to raise a child.” In publishing—whether traditional or indie—it takes a network to birth a book.

At its most basic level, networking is when a group of people support and encourage one another to achieve a goal. For writers, it might begin with purchasing a book, giving a “like” on an author’s social media page, or writing and posting a favorable book review.

If you’re questioning why I’m writing about networking, not publishing, then you need to understand that networking is vital to publishing. If you want to play baseball full-time, you don’t go to the park and wait for random people to show up. You join a team. And you take other actions to prepare for the games, like studying the sport and getting into excellent condition. 

If you wanted to sell a whole lot of Girl Scout cookies, you would take pre-orders and make an extensive plan beyond counting on your close friends and immediate family.

If you’re going to be publishing a book, you can take steps now to belong to a network of people—people who may become your good friends and who will eagerly help you achieve your literary goals.

Let me introduce you to three people in my network: Gina Laiso, Tracy Million Simmons, and Danielle Ramirez. They all empower other people. Each one has a passion, an incessant drive, to see people succeed in their quest to be published.  

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Gina with Rocky. He’s a rescue, 4-5 YOA, possible Rhodesian Ridgeback/Boxer mix. Gina Laiso

Like a mediation retreat instructor, Gina Laiso is a calming presence while she assists people through the self-publishing process. She designs my book covers, the interiors, and does the formatting. Gina’s become a BFF (Best Friend Forever).

My professional experience with Gina, who owns and runs Integrita Productions, has made publishing books a joyful process. If you don’t have a professional designer, then plan on spending time and energy finding the right one. Start looking now. Fortunately for me, Gina’s on speed dial.

In networking, generally, you meet people one at a time. If you’re lucky, some are keepers who will change your life. I met Gina through my wife, Alex. Gina and Alex took adult tap dance lessons together.

When I needed my first book cover designed, Alex suggested Gina. In no time, the three of us sat down together in front of Gina’s computer and worked together to create the cover for my play, Under the Radar: Race at School. The experience was uplifting. Gina’s creative cover designs continue to knock my socks off.

Braven (2022) by Kim Martin. Illustrated, formatted, and designed by Gina Laiso. www.facebook.com/IntegritaProductions

Recently, Gina worked with a client, Kim Martin, who wanted to publish a book especially for her grandchildren as a way for them to help remember her. It’s titled Braven. Gina designed the whole thing, including the illustrations and cover.

The other day, after googling “grants,” I asked Gina if she had any ideas for me on finding a literacy grant that could help me publish my educational children’s book, The ABCs of Law Enforcement as Told by K-9 Kudzu. We discussed some possibilities, understanding that non-profits (501-3c’s) were much more likely to be awardees than businesses like my Sandhenge Publications.

Gina reminded me that Tracy Simmons might know about literary grants.

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Tracy and Rory, a “sweet dog,” male, miniature Pinscher/Schnauzer cross, rescued from a puppy mill. Tracy Million Simmons. meadowlarkbookstore.com                        Photo by Dave Leiker. https://daveleikerphotography.com/

Tracy Million Simmons is another favorite go-to friend. Our trust level with one another is off the charts. As far as I know, she doesn’t tap dance, but she multi-tasks. We met at a Kansas Authors Club (KAC) convention. Tracy’s a compassionate, welcoming person, with leadership skills and plenty of publishing experience. Tracy’s the founder and CEO of Meadowlark Press in Emporia, Kansas, and she’s president of the KAC, an organization that has been crucial in my networking.

Since 2014, Meadowlark Press has helped writers become published authors in the genres of fiction, memoir, and poetry. Besides books, for the last two years Meadowlark has published writers—some of them novices but all of them talented—in 105 Meadowlark Reader: A Kansas Journal of Creative Nonfiction.

Take a second and remember or imagine how it feels to see your story in print for the first time. Tracy and author-editor Cheryl Unruh (Quincy Press, www.quincypress.com) created this opportunity for writers to share true stories. It’s a first-class literary print journal.                   

Cover of 105 Meadowlark Reader, Issue 4: Fall 2022. Photo of Chad Decrow, a/k/a “Chad the Breadman,” by Dave Leiker. See www.kansasauthors.org

Tracy and Cheryl publish the journal twice a year. Each issue offers approximately 35 essays. If you want to be published and paid, what are you waiting for? Purchase 105 Meadowlark Reader, read the creative non-fiction, plan on submitting your story for an upcoming issue, and support a medium size press.

When I asked Tracy about grants, she replied, “Did you hear the presentation by Danielle Ramirez at the (KAC) convention? It’s called ‘Kickstart Your Book.’”

 

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Danielle Ramirez Danielle with Roz, a male German shepherd who loves carrots!

I watched Danielle’s time-limited archived video presentation and learned about fundraising platforms like Kickstart and Go Fund Me. The approach did not appeal to me, but I’m sure it’s ideal for others. Danielle used funds raised on Kickstart to help publish Being Wichita Women (2022). She was the compiler of personal stories for the collaborative anthology from “diverse women involving trauma, adversity, resilience and healing.”

At Danielle’s convention talk, she recommended that if you use Kickstart for funding, be sure to set a realistic goal. Her goal was $2,500 of the $7,000 budget to publish the anthology. If the goal had not been reached within the set time-period, Danielle would not have received any of the donations—not a single dollar. I do take risks, after all I’m an indie author, but with money on the table, all or nothing sounds too harsh for me.

Compiling the personal stories for Being Wichita Women changed Danielle’s life. She quit her dependable, quiet job working with non-profits and formed a publishing business, Quiet Storm Services (QS).

Being Wichita Women (2022), an anthology of personal stories from diverse women involving trauma, adversity, resilience, and healing. quietstormservices.com

When Danielle and I zoomed, I learned about her passion to help people find their inner stories and “get them out.”

QS Services, an indie hybrid publishing company with the author subsidizing the book, “partners with underrepresented individuals and groups to create authentic books that empower the writer and impacts the community.”

Quiet Storm focuses on creative non-fiction, anthologies, and short stories while aiming for wellness, community improvement, and social justice.

Danielle has big plans. Soon she will be adding courses to her coaching, story development, and grant writing services. I can imagine QS being successful because people want their book published sooner rather than later, they’re willing to pay to make it happen, and they don’t want to go through the process of learning to be an indie publisher. 

I was looking for funding and found Danielle. She’s given me some tips on grants and invited me to be interviewed on Facebook Live. I donated a copy of my latest book, Deputy Jennings Meets the Amish, for Quiet Storm’s monthly giveaway. Danielle and I are encouraging and supporting one another to achieve a common goal. 

I also learned that Danielle and Gina Laiso worked together on Being Wichita Women when Gina consulted and did the anthology’s layout. Their networking proves the world’s not that small, especially when you have passionate people empowering others.

Until next time, happy writing,

 

 

 

The post Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Networking appeared first on Sandhenge Publications.

Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Introduction

https://jimpotterauthor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Publishing-My-Childrens-Book-in-Six-Months-Intro.mp3Introduction

It’s a new year, and I’m excited to be on a path to my first children’s book. I expect it to be printed in June 2023.

Six months to go and every day is busy. Editing. Meeting with illustrators. Getting a range of cost estimates for printing even though I’m unsure of the book’s size. Looking for grants or other financial support since it’s an educational book.

Before I share about the present activities, let me tell you about the past. The idea for writing this children’s book began fifteen years ago.

My first law enforcement book was a police memoir titled Cop in the Classroom: Lessons I’ve Learned, Tales I’ve Told (2007). It includes true stories from my experience working for the Reno County Sheriff’s Office in Kansas.

Children and youth have read Cop in the Classroom, but the typical reader is an adult. After the memoir was published, I started considering an illustrated or picture book for literary beginners. I called it B is for Badge. It was an introduction to law enforcement, highlighting police vocabulary and organized in alphabetical order, for example: A is for Accident, B is for Badge, and C is for Car.

This is a page from an early draft of my planned children’s book. The working title was “B is for Badge.” Since then, I’ve added a police dog, K-9 Kudzu, as the narrator.

During my workday visiting children as a school resource officer, I kept a spiral notebook in my patrol car with ideas, a draft, and drawings. At one point, I considered presenting the narrative for each word as poetry, but that idea died a quick, painless death.

Today, B is for Badge has returned to my consciousness and is well on its way to being published in six months. The new title is The ABCs of Law Enforcement as Told by K-9 Kudzu. Now, children 10 years of age and up, are the target audience to read the book, but parents and grandparents are potential customers.

As you can see, with time, the title and reading level has evolved. In fact, until recently, I was stuck with this book’s rough draft. Then, Alex, my wife, suggested having a police dog be the book’s narrator. Her idea caused a seismic shift in my thinking. K-9 Kudzu will be an ideal icon for young readers.

Currently, I have illustrators working on drawings of what K-9 Kudzu, a German shepherd, looks like when he’s in different moods.

Meanwhile, I’m editing and planning my marketing.

If you’re interested in learning about my publishing progress, check back often. Tomorrow, I meet with an author-publisher who has a passion for helping people achieve their literary goals. Maybe she’ll offer me one new idea.

Until next time, happy writing,

 

 

 

The post Publishing My Children’s Book in Six Months: Introduction appeared first on Sandhenge Publications.

Charles Collins: First Reno County Sheriff

https://jimpotterauthor.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Charles-Collins-First-Reno-County-Sheriff-letter.mp3Charles Collins: First Reno County SheriffRestored from damaged photograph Cabinet photograph of Charles Collins taken at Leonard & Martin’s, Topeka, Kansas. Unknown date. Collection of Jody Johnson Buck.

September 1, 2022

Sheriff Campbell,

I’m sending you two photo files. Both are of Charles Collins who was the first sheriff of Reno County, KS. One is a scan from the original photo. The second is a restored image due to some photo damage.

This photo of Collins took me 40 years to locate. Jody Johnson Buck, Kit Carson, Colorado, shared some family photos with me. Like her great-great grandfather Charles Collins, she and her family are still raising cattle on the open plains.

Charles was born in Montgomery County, Alabama, in 1844 and died in Hutchinson in 1906. He and his wife, Loretta McMillian Collins (1848-1905), born in Leavenworth County, are buried in Eastside Cemetery.

Collins enlisted in the Union Army during the Civil War in 1861, at age 16, when his family lived in Leavenworth, Kansas, but because he was underage and his parents had not approved, his father located him and brought him home. The third time, the young Collins enlisted under an assumed name. He served his three-year enlistment, mustering out in 1864.

Charles and Loretta McMillian married in Lawrence, Kansas, in 1866. Collins was a deputy city marshal of Topeka (around 1867-1869) and appointed Deputy U.S. Marshal about 1869. His Deputy U.S. Marshal commission was renewed for several years, including during the time he was Reno County sheriff.

Charles and Loretta, and their three young children, arrived in unorganized Reno County in 1871. As one of the earliest homesteaders, Collins took up a claim in the sand hills four miles north of Hutchinson. (Today, the location of his homestead property can be described as on the southeast corner of Plum Street and 56th Ave.)

Collins was appointed sheriff by the governor the same year and served until the county became officially organized in 1872. In the county’s first election on March 12, 1872, he was elected to office two days after his 28th birthday. He still holds the honor of being the youngest elected Reno County sheriff.

Clinton Carter Hutchinson is known as the founder of Hutchinson, Kansas, but there is a Collins family story that C.C. and Charles Collins flipped a coin to determine the name of the newly organized town. Hutchinson won the flip.

Submitted by Jim Potter, Reno County deputy 1981-2014

Note: The Collins photo was taken at a Topeka, Kansas, photo gallery. How old do you think he looks? The date is unknown, but the gallery opened in 1870. There’s a possibility it was taken about 1870-1871. If so, this would have been shortly before Collins became Reno County Sheriff.

 

 

 

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Author Jim Potter interviewed by Author Bill Bush

http://jimpotterauthor.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Author-Jim-Potter-Interviewed-by-Author-Bill-Bush.mp3Author Jim Potter Interviewed by Author Bill BushAuthor Bill Bush, prolific writer, interviewed me in August for his website. He posted it on September 1, 2022.
The post was so well-received, I asked Bill if I could add it to my website. He agreed.

Bill and I have been friends ever since I attended one of his book signings in Newton, Kansas. He's friendly,
helpful, open, and talented.

If you like great writing, especially sci-fi, I encourage you to read one of his many books. His website address
is billbushauthor.com.Photo by Shelley StephensBiography

Retired Reno County Deputy Sheriff Jim Potter, a former School Resource Officer, has just released his latest book, a novella titled Deputy Jennings Meets the Amish. Potter is an award-winning writer for his play, Under the Radar: Race at School. His memoir, Cop in the Classroom: Lessons I’ve Learned, Tales I’ve Told, recalls his career in law enforcement. His contemporary, character-driven novel, Taking Back the Bullet: Trajectories of Self-Discovery, is about people who are stigmatized. However, once they discover their true identities, each is empowered to begin the journey of life’s purpose.

Jim and his wife, J. Alex Potter, reside outside Hutchinson, Kansas, in Greater Medora.

Tell us about your newest book, Deputy Jennings Meets the Amish.

Deputy Tom Jennings, a patrol officer for the Cottonwood County Sheriff’s Office, is a caring cop. He doesn’t understand the Old Order Amish and they don’t understand him. After being assigned to investigate the theft of soil from a county ditch, he meets Mrs. Rosanna Borntrager Yoder. Rosanna, and Adam (her husband) help Jennings begin to learn how the Amish and the English are different, and alike.

When and why did you start writing?

In college I learned the joys of research and composing, especially as part of my MA degree’s thesis on a Civil War regiment. Research meant studying the regiment’s original muster roll located in Springfield, Illinois. A trip to the National Archives in Washington, D.C. allowed me to read the pension records of “my” men. While I was focused on nonfiction, the work required me to use my imagination, to tell stories, and to learn the rules of writing.

I wrote a short play, Under the Radar: Race at School. It was awarded a fellowship for playwriting by the Kansas Arts Commission and the National Endowment of the Arts.

Over a long weekend, while preparing for a workshop I was leading about exploring and valuing diversity, an idea struck me. I wanted to find a way to personally involve workshop attendees in a fictional racist encounter at a high school. The play, read in a group setting with fourteen characters, became an effective tool that guaranteed participation while encouraging an examination of different mind-sets.

Tell us about your background in law enforcement and the role that has played in your writings.

One funny fact is that after 33 years working in law enforcement, it’s difficult for me to write fiction without a cop showing up in the story.

My years as a patrol officer writing reports made me a much better writer. It taught me to pay attention, to observe and listen, and how best to interview people. Our reports had a definite deadline. We couldn’t go home until the paperwork was complete. 

You are the president of the Kansas Author Club District 6. Why is it important to you to meet regularly with other authors and why did you choose KAC?

The KAC is a friendly group of people who range from novice writers to experienced authors. Writers and authors find support at KAC. It’s also gratifying and inspiring for me to see people I know improving their skills. When I have a literary or marketing question, the KAC is a knowledgeable place with answers.

I understand trying to do everything myself, but sometimes it takes a village to publish a book, from first readers to editors, from formatters to designers.

You manage an award-winning website. What can people expect if they visit your website?

People have access to over 200 blogs I’ve written. They range from tips on writing, to book reviews, to historical fiction, especially on the sheriffs of Reno County, Kansas. It’s also the place to purchase my books directly from me.

What is your favorite part about writing? What is your biggest challenge?

Whether it’s fiction or nonfiction, like a parent, it’s difficult to choose a favorite part of fun. It’s exciting to come up with an idea for a book and to brainstorm the possibilities. Creative writing and editing are work, but they’re also very rewarding. Editing is required and involves patience. It’s part of the process to improve the story.

Marketing is often ignored, but it’s part of the publishing process. A book is only new for so long. If you don’t promote your book, it’s often ignored or soon forgotten.

What writing tip most improved your writing?

Take it a step at a time.

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

I love reading but getting outdoors to garden and do lawncare is my opportunity to get a brain break. I call it dirt therapy.

What does success look like for you as an author?

Personally, it’s writing a story or a book and being pleased with the result. Professionally, it’s being regarded as a very good writer. However, we all need to be careful when we allow others to label us.

Is there anything additional you want to share with readers?

Nowadays, most businesses have an online presence with advertising and selling. However, currently I’m having a blast marketing my books the old-fashioned way. The Amish-Mennonite communities across the country are my target audience. I advertise in a country-wide weekly newspaper, selling direct to customers who send me a check in the mail, not by using my website or ordering from amazon.com.

Very soon an audiobook of Deputy Jennings Meets the Amish will be available to purchase online. Also, I’ve started brainstorming and planning a sequel. The working title is Deputy Jennings Visits Amish Country.

Excerpt from the audiobook, narrated by Bob Neufeld, Wichita, KShttp://jimpotterauthor.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Deputy-Jennings-Meets-the-Amish_sample.mp3

Happy writing and reading,

 

 

My books are available for purchase at my website, jimpotterauthor.com; bookstores everywhere, including at Bookends and at Crow & Co., both in Hutchinson, Kansas; the Dutch Kitchen; Glenn’s Bulk Food; Hutchinson Art Center; and online at amazon.com. If you prefer an e-book, you can purchase one almost immediately at Amazon.com. If you’re too busy to read a a novella, you’re really busy. An audiobook can be ordered at Amazon. 

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Indie Book Publishing – Q & A

http://jimpotterauthor.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Indie-Book-Publishing-Q-A.mp3Indie Book Publishing – Q & A 

Message sent by Michael: “Hi Jim, I was wondering if I could chat with you over the phone sometime in the next few days. I have some questions about publishing. I’m working on getting an ISBN, copyright, etc., but I’m not sure how to go about it.”

My reply: “CONGRATS on your big progress! I didn’t think you’d get back to writing your books until your baby grandchildren were graduated from college.”

*

A friend, let’s call him Michael, contacted me with some questions he had about publishing his soon-to-be book. His book designer suggested he contact me.

I was surprised to hear from him. Three years earlier, he had invited me to a bookstore to pick my brain about finding an agent to represent him as he searched for a publisher for his book manuscript. Now, I’ve just learned, he’s decided to self-publish and be an indie (independent) author.

*

On our phone call, Michael is ready to start asking me questions, but first, I want to catch up. He hasn’t been idle. Besides visiting grandchildren, he’s been busy cleaning up book number one for publication in a planned three-book, sci-fi series.

Since he has plans for publishing and selling more than one book, I know he’ll want to purchase a block of International Standard Book Numbers (ISBN). Nearly every book published today has a specific ISBN assigned to the literary work so it can be efficiently marketed over the country, even the world. The number is printed on the copyright page and the back cover.

Michael is a bit surprised to learn that his first book will require at least two ISBNs since he wants a printed book and an e-book to be available for purchase. He decides to buy a group of ten consecutive numbers at a discounted price from R. R. Bowker LLC (myidentifiers.com) for $295 rather than a single ISBN for $125.

An author can have their book printed without an ISBN, but it won’t be available to purchase in most bookstores or from online companies. If an author only wants a very limited number of copies for family members, and doesn’t expect or desire sales, then there’s no need to purchase an ISBN, but potential national sales mean following industry standards.

Cover of “Deputy Jennings Meets the Amish.” Design by Gina Laiso, Integrita Productions. Sculpture by J. Alex Potter.

I tell Michael, “I used three different ISBNs for my recently published novella, Deputy Jennings Meets the Amish, because it’s sold as a print (perfect bound) book, e-book, and audiobook. Hardback books, large print books, and revised editions each need their own ISBN. The numbers can never be reused.

ISBN: 978-0-9790697-2-7

The first three numbers in this 13-digit ISBN is called the prefix. It designates that it’s a book. The next grouping/identifier is the country, geographic region, or language area of the publisher. In this example, the “0” designates the book was published in the USA. The third group of numbers is the publisher identifier. The fourth grouping is the title identifier. The last single digit is used to check the validity of the complete number.

“Purchasing a barcode (which is not the same thing as an ISBN) is another expense.” A barcode is an electronic image that carries identifying information about the book, including its unique ISBN and price.”

The first “5” in the 51495 barcode denotes US dollars, so the retail price is $14.95 . When publishers choose to not print the retail price of the book on the barcode, the number 9000 denotes no price. Bookstores find the current price of the book when their electronic cash register retrieves the price from the store’s database. Expect to pay $25 for a barcode.

“What about the Library of Congress number?” asks Michael.

“It’s not required, but it’s free. There’s an application form that can be completed online. (loc.gov/publish/prepubbook/)

Library of Congress Control Number (LCCN) for Deputy Jennings Meets the Amish: 2022905348.

“Once the book is published, the library expects you to send a copy of the book to them, but there’s no fee, and no guarantee the book will be selected and catalogued for its collections. Can you imagine being a librarian trying to find one book out of 38 million, if it didn’t have an assigned number?”  

Books published by big presses that are more likely to have their books in public library collections, often go an extra step. They participate in the Cataloging in Publication Program (CIP) offered by the Library of Congress. It includes specific data on the copyright page, including a library catalogue number.

Indie publishers may not be eligible to have the Library of Congress issue a library number, but publishers can still include book information, including its genre and subcategories.

This information for Deputy Jennings Meets the Amish is printed on the copyright page.: FICTION / Literary. FICTION 1. Amish 2. Police 3. Culture.

“How do I get a copyright?” continues Michael.

“I’m not an attorney, but I haven’t paid to have my books copyrighted. As the author, I’m the legal owner of my books. I created them. When I wrote them, they became my intellectual property. Once a manuscript is written, printed, or posted online, the document becomes evidence of literary ownership.

“Each book I’ve published is listed on the copyright page. It includes the year of publication, and my name. (Copyright © 2022 by Jim Potter.)

“Formally registering your book is not required because the law already protects the written word, even if you don’t use the copyright symbol. Of course, if you want to have an extra layer of protection, there are businesses who will take your money.”

Since Michael is going to be an indie publisher, I wonder if he’s decided on the name of his publishing company. “Have you named your company yet?”

“What?” he asks.

“When you assign an ISBN to your book, you’ll need the name of the publisher. It you’re self-publishing, you’ll want a unique name. I chose Sandhenge Publications because Alex and I live in the sandhills. We named our place Sandhenge after we planted trees in a circle on a sandy rise.”

“No, I haven’t thought about a name,” replies Michael.

“Once you decide on a name you like, be sure and google it. If you want amazon.com, it’s already being used.

“I’ve heard of it,” answers Michael.

“Do you have any blurbs or endorsements yet for the back cover,” I inquire.

“No, do I need one?” asks Michael.

“It’s your book, you can decide, but if someone is reading the back cover of your book, then a blurb can help influence the potential customer. Blurbs should enhance the synopsis. I want readers who are intrigued by my story. However, I don’t just want a sale, I want satisfied customers. If they expect romance or fantasy and the book’s a murder mystery, then they’ll be disappointed.

“Next time we talk, I’ll tell you about getting blurbs.”

“Thanks, Jim. Maybe on my second book I’ll seek an endorsement, but it seems too late to try and get one now.”

“Yes,” I agree. “You can’t expect an established author, especially someone you don’t even know, to drop everything to read your 90,000 word sci-fi book and write you a blurb just because you’re in a hurry to get your book published.”

Michael was learning from his publishing experience. He concluded, “next time, I’ll start earlier.”

To be continued

Happy writing and reading,

 

 

My books are available for purchase at my website, jimpotterauthor.com; bookstores everywhere, including at Bookends and at Crow & Co., both in Hutchinson, Kansas; restaurants, including Carolyn’s Essenhaus and the Dutch Kitchen; Glenn’s Bulk Food; Hutchinson Art Center; and online at amazon.com. If you prefer an e-book, you can purchase one almost immediately at Amazon.com. If you’re too busy to read a book, even a novella, in the near future an audiobook will be available. 

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Book Marketing “Deputy Jennings Meets the Amish”

http://jimpotterauthor.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Book-Marketing-Deputy-Jennings-Meets-the-Amish.mp3Book Marketing Deputy Jennings Meets the Amish (a novella)

Published authors will tell you that writing their book was the beginning, not the end of the journey. That’s certainly true for me.

Cover of “Deputy Jennings Meets the Amish.” Design by Gina Laiso, Integrita Productions. Sculpture by J. Alex Potter.

I still have a lot to learn about book marketing. I was so naive in 2007 when I published my first book, Cop in the Classroom: Lessons I’ve Learned, Tales I’ve Told. It’s an exaggeration to say that I was expecting Oprah Winfrey to call me, but I was at least hoping to hear from more friends.

I guess it’s human nature. After years of dedicated work on any project, a person usually expects to be recognized. I know I was feeling it. At least for a while, I had an extra bounce in my step. “Look what I’ve done! I’m an author!” Good thing I didn’t quit my full-time job. I’d have been homeless.

Sometimes it seems like nearly everyone I talk to wants to be an author, but they don’t know where to start or they’re too busy. I encourage them to write, to tell their stories.

Now, in 2022, I’m enjoying book marketing, still trying to figure things out. One thing that hasn’t changed is that people still want me to purchase their book to learn how to sell my book! I’m not opposed to spending money on advertising, I just want it to be targeted to an appropriate audience.

For example, after publishing Cop in the Classroom, I thought police officers and schoolteachers would enjoy the read. I remember telling one officer about the book and he responded that he already had plenty of his own stories to tell. He wasn’t my target audience after all. I appreciate his point of view.

Now that I’m marketing my novella, Deputy Jennings Meets the Amish, I understand that my targeted audience includes people who are Amish, Mennonite, and those who are fascinated with the Amish culture.

One of my first steps in marketing, before I had Ingram Spark print my most recent book–Ingram prints on demand (POD) and distributes to bookstores and libraries–was to approach Carolyn Bontrager who owns and operates Carolyn’s Essenhaus, a restaurant in Arlington, Kansas. It’s known for friendly conversation, delicious meals, and pleasing pies.

Carolyn agreed to give my novella a try and even requested my other books be displayed for purchase. Next time you’re at Carolyn’s, grab a bite and a book.

*

Stay tuned for my continuing story on book marketing in general, but especially my active steps in promoting Deputy Jennings Meets the Amish.

*

My books are available for purchase at my website, jimpotterauthor.com; bookstores everywhere, including at Bookends and at Crow & Co., both in Hutchinson, Kansas; restaurants, including Carolyn’s Essenhaus and the Dutch Kitchen; Glenn’s Bulk Food; Hutchinson Art Center; and online at amazon.com.  

Happy writing and reading,

 

 

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Medical Support of the Fifth Division in World War II-Part 4

http://jimpotterauthor.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Medical-Support-of-the-Fifth-Division-in-WWII-Part-4.mp3Medical Support of the Fifth Division in World War II (Part 4, Conclusion)By Harold L. Potter (1998); Presented to the Sojourners group, near Hot Springs, Arkansas.Edited and audio recording by Jim Potter

Lt. Harold L. Potter

Harold L. Potter, 1st Lt., Fifth Inf. Div., Third army, medical department supervisor of evacuation of combat casualties in the European theater. Overseas March 1944, serving in Normandy, northern France, Ardennes, and Rhineland campaigns, battle of Metz, Third army’s crossing of Rhine, the battles of Bulge and Ruhr pocket, and action in Germany, Austria, and Czechoslovakia. Formerly with 35th Div. Was Pvt., in medical detachment, 130th F. A. when it mobilized in Hutchinson, Dec. 1940. With 35th Division at Camp Robinson, AR, and in CA. To Europe from Camp Grant, IL, with hospital train, serving as a combat medic in ETO in five campaigns. In service five years, Dec. 23, 1940 to Dec. 8, 1945. Army Medical Service Corps officer insignia lapel pin

Army Medical Service Corps officer insignia lapel pin

End of Part 3: While we were located on Oppenheim, I was part of a little  incident which I will relate to you.

Part 4: It so happened that we had a new medical officer join our company on that day. His name was Captain Tom Dann from St. Petersburg, Florida. We had taken over a portion of one of the many buildings along the west bank of the river, and I had been out helping all day with the evacuation and came home after dark. It so happened that we had a wine cellar in our building, and I proceeded to relax with wine, and I went to bed feeling pretty tipsy. Shortly after I went to bed, the Krauts started bombing all the buildings along the river, including ours. The debris was starting to fall when Captain Dann reported in. The shelling was about as bad as I remember it at any time. The wine had put me into a pretty deep sleep and Captain Dann remarked to me several times after we got to know each other that he couldn’t understand how I could sleep as he didn’t get any sleep for most of that night. I never divulged my secret and now he will never know as he died several years ago.

Most everyone knew it was a matter of time after we established ourselves in the Rhine, that the Germans were going to lose the war. We did go up to the Ruhr Pocket where we helped clean out thousands of Krauts before heading east down the Danube and into Czechoslovakia where we were set up when the war ended.

I have one more story which I have saved until the end. It is a romance and a tragedy which typifies the results of the war for many. We were set up in a little town in Czechoslovakia called Kunzvart when I heard about some Jewish slave girls in the city of Volary about 25 miles away. Recon elements of the Fifth Division had been able to save several girls from having the gas turned on them by German soldiers.

They were all that were left of 20,000 girls who had been on a forced death march from Silesia in Poland to the Munich area. As I remember, there were 2,000 when they left Silesia and these girls in this factory in Volary were all that were left. We went there and found them lying on cots under G.I. blankets. All were in their early twenties and their lives were saved only because they were good seamstresses who were needed to make and repair war material. An example would be making army parachutes. Gerda Weissman was one of these girls. All were in their twenties, yet they looked sixty.

Above, book cover of All But My Life. Gerda Weissman, born in Bielitz, Poland, in 1924, was a slave laborer of the Nazis for three years during World War II. She and others were saved from starvation in the city of Volary, Czechoslovakia, by some members of the Fifth Division, including Lt. Kurt Klein. Eventually, Gerda and Kurt married and settled in the United States. Gerda Weissman Klein, American writer and human rights activist, died April 3, 2022.

Gerda was from Bielitz, Poland, where she had lived with her parents and her brother prior to the war. The Germans had conquered Poland in 1939. Gerda still possessed the ski boots which her father had insisted she wear when the Germans took her, even though it was summer when she received them five years earlier.

As you might suspect, Gerda and Lt. Kurt Klein of our Division were married, moved to the United States, and raised three children in Buffalo, New York. She never heard from any of her family again.

Gerda was an exceptional lady who became prominent in Jewish affairs throughout the United States. When Nell and I were spending the winter in Sun City, Arizona, in 1989-1990, we became acquainted with them.

Nell Armstrong and Lt. Harold L. Potter in 1944

Knowing we were going to be in charge of our Battalion’s reunion in Libertyville, Illinois, that year, a member of our unit contacted us and gave us Gerda and Kurt’s address in Scottsdale, Arizona. Therefore, we invited them to be our guests. They happily accepted our invitation and came at their own expense that Labor Day which was September 1990. We are still in contact with them. I have a paper bound edition of her book entitled All But My Life: A Memoir, which Gerda published in 1957. It covers her story, and I would be glad to loan it to anyone who wishes to read it. She felt that writing this book was something that she had to do. It is autographed from both Gerda and Kurt.

All But My Life by Gerda Weissman Klein

Note from Jim:

Gerda Weissman and Kurt Klein weren’t the only two people with a love story. 

While stationed in Illinois at Mayo General Hospital in 1943, “Hal” Potter met Nell Armstrong of Galesburg. She was a civilian employee in medical supply. Hal and Nell married in July 1945 in Galesburg after victory in Europe (VE Day) while Hal was on leave, prior to him being trained for the Pacific theater, including the invasion of Japan.

Nell & Hal

The Fifth Infantry Division in the ETO: Pass in Review, Prepared by the Fifth Division Historical Section Headquarters Fifth Infantry Division (1945)

The Fifth Infantry Division in the ETO: Pass in Review book cover

In honor of the Fifth Division in World War II, serving from 1942-1945 in Iceland, England, Northern Ireland, France, Luxembourg, Germany, Austria, and Czechoslovakia, these are their battle casualties. (The Fifth Infantry Division in the ETO. Prepared by the Fifth Division Historical Section, Headquarters Fifth infantry Division, 1945.)
           Battle Casualties                                                     
Killed in Action or Died of Wounds: 2,659                                            
Wounded: 9,153                                                   
Missing: 1,050                                                   
Captured: 101                                                   
Prisoners Captured: 71,002                                       

          U.S. Medals Awarded
Medal of Honor: 1 
Distinguished Service Cross: 34
Silver Star Medal: 602
Soldier’s Medal: 10
Bronze Star Medal: 2,066

The following links display a Company “C” Fifth Medical Battalion roster on June 25, 1945, when German Marks were exchanged for their equivalent in French Francs. List totals 53 soldiers: including 2 captains, 2 Lieutenants, 2 staff sergeants, 4 sergeants, 1 technician 4th class, 2 corporals, 2 technicians 5th class,  25 privates 1st class, 1 unknown rank, 12 privates. (Two separate links below, one for each of the two pages.) 

http://Company C Fifth Medical Battalion list of soldiers June 25, 1945 p1 top

Company C Fifth Medical Battalion June 25, 1945 list of soldiers p2

– END –

Harold L. Potter was born near Rolla, Kansas, in 1920, the son of Clarence and Cleo Crandall Potter. He lived in the center of the Dust Bowl in the 1930s and moved to Hutchinson with his family in 1934. Potter graduated from Hutchinson Junior College prior to his military service, and earned a BSBA degree from Washington University, St. Louis, in 1947. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. He entered active duty as a private in December 1940 and transferred to the reserves after the end of World War II. He was discharged as a major in 1964. 

Happy writing and reading,

 

 

 

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Medical Support of the Fifth Division in World War II-Part 3

http://jimpotterauthor.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Medical-Support-of-the-Fifth-Div-in-WWII-part3.mp3Medical Support of the Fifth Division in World War II (Part 3)By Harold L. Potter (1998); Presented to the Sojourners group, near Hot Springs, Arkansas.Edited and audio recording by Jim PotterHarold L. Potter, 1st Lt., Fifth Inf. Div., Third army, medical department supervisor of evacuation of combat casualties in the European theater. Overseas March 1944, serving in Normandy, northern France, Ardennes, and Rhineland campaigns, battle of Metz, Third army’s crossing of Rhine, the battles of Bulge and Ruhr pocket, and action in Germany, Austria, and Czechoslovakia. Formerly with 35th Div. Was Pvt., in medical detachment, 130th F. A. when it mobilized in Hutchinson, Dec. 1940. With 35th Division at Camp Robinson, AR, and in CA. To Europe from Camp Grant, IL, with hospital train, serving as a combat medic in ETO in five campaigns. In service five years, Dec. 23, 1940 to Dec. 8, 1945. Army Medical Service Corps officer insignia lapel pin

We went across France south of Paris. We went through Fountainebleau, Rheims, and Verdun. Paris was saved from bombing by the Air Corps more than any other city that I know of. Paris was given special treatment by the Americans. They wanted to let the Germans continue to feed the French people for a while but the F.F.I. (Free Forces of the Interior) was in a hurry to get started to make the Germans pay! In any event, the Germans did not give much resistance in Paris—they surrendered the city on August 25, 1944.

We were finally stopped at the Moselle River near Metz. Actually, we ran out of gas. There was a political fight going on between Bradley and Patton on one side and Montgomery on the other. Ike had his hands full trying to keep peace in that family. Bradley was commander of the U.S. 12th Army Group. Patton was under Bradley but head of the 3rd Army. Monty was head of the British 2nd Army and the Canadian First Army up north of the American forces in Belgium. Montgomery, a good military man, was very confident and he felt he was entitled to be in charge of the whole operation. General Bradley, especially, was irked when Monty was temporarily assigned first Army for logistical reasons. Another American Army which was prominent at this time, was the 9th under General Simpson. Also at this time, Adolph Hitler had sent the majority of his troops to face the Russians in the east, thereby becoming less effective in his offensive performances in the west.

When we ran out of gas at the Moselle River, the Germans stopped their retreat and reestablished their defensive position at Metz, a fortified city of 85,000 people. It had never been taken by storm and was protected by about 75 forts. The cement walls were about ten feet thick, and the soldiers were able to extend their guns out of the fort for the purpose of firing, then mechanically bring the guns back inside. The 11th Infantry Combat Team, fortified by the many successes over the previous two or three months, attempted to cross the Moselle on or about September 4, 1944.

American soldiers, men of the 378th Infantry Regt., entering the outskirts of Metz, Germany on Nov. 17, 1944, in pursuit of the enemy. Public Domain.

The battle continued for about a week and was the roughest I’d seen, as the Americans attempted to cross the river into the forts upon much higher ground. One company of the 3rd Battalion of our Division had a 100% replacement that week. Of course, that didn’t mean they had lost all of their men. They were constantly receiving replacements. This was known at the Battle of Dornot and, in no way, received the publicity warranted. General Patton did not like to publicize his defeats. After a week, we had a strategic withdrawal and crossed the river later at Pont a Mosson ten miles south. Metz was finally taken November 20th and we headed for the Sauer River and Germany—our first day was at St. Avold.

“St. Avold, France, Dec. 4, 1944. “When we moved into this building it was whole. When the building was inspected, the explosives were discovered. We moved before the building blew up.”–Lt. Potter

When the federal building at Oklahoma City was blown up on April 19, 1995, I immediately thought of a building at St. Avold. We had temporarily set up there without having the engineers make their usual check to see if the building was wired for time bombs. They checked later and found that it was wired through the heating systems. We were able to evacuate the building before any bombs went off. As I recall, there were explosions shortly thereafter. That was the last time we didn’t have the building properly checked before entering.

Lt. Harold Potter, December 1944, Lauterbach, Germany.

The month from mid-December to mid-January 1945, covered a period which started with German victories in the Battle of the Bulge. This took place mostly in Belgium. It did not take the Americans long to reverse the early German victories which exploited a temporary advantage of American weaknesses.

The Fifth Division had just crossed the Sauer River and was starting to make headway on German soil. This change in direction did slow down our advance and we had to enter Germany through Luxembourg and Trier instead of the Sauer basin.

After the Battle of the Bulge was decided, it was clear who the winner would be. The Germans still managed to put up some opposition. It was enough to continue the war until the eventual surrender in May 1945.

Lt. Forbes & Lt. Potter, Jan. 5, 1945, at Kristnach, Luxembourg.

In the meantime, our Division was leading the Third Army in the race to the Rhine. We had been hearing about the Rhine River for months. Knowing how much larger it was than the other rivers across France and Germany, which had been most difficult, the Rhine sounded “impossible.” It was about noon on March 22nd (1945) and we still hadn’t reached the west bank of the Rhine when the word came to us that General Patton was ordering the Fifth Division to cross the Rhine that night. It was like electricity going through the troops, however, they were confident and certainly ready.

Collecting Company “C”, 5th Medical Battalion, Crossing Rhine River, March 24, 1945.

The Rhine River travels 820 miles before draining into the North Sea. Germany’s primary defense barrier west of the Rhine is the concrete dragon’s teeth tank obstacles, which they began constructing in about 1940. It stretches 400 miles to the Dutch frontier and proved to be a formidable barrier. This defense of the West Wall is also known as the Siegfried Line and consists of concrete dragoon’s teeth two to five feet high. The Germans had neglected the maintenance of the West Wall since 1940 until 1944 when they resumed the maintenance work. The Rhine had become a very important military supply route and important in the overall defense of the Reich, but for Ike the need to take the Rhine was as urgent as Germany’s need to hold on to it.

General George Patton, 1945. By Robert F. Cranston, Lee Elkins, & Harry Warnecke, color carbon print from National Portrait Gallery. Public Domain.

The reason General Patton wanted us to cross that night is because he knew that the First Army was going to attempt a crossing the next night (on the 23rd) and he wanted to be first. Without benefit of the usual artillery or aerial bombing, at 10 p.m. we made a surprise crossing of the Rhine. The Germans couldn’t have known about it because we didn’t even know. We crossed at Oppenheim which is about 10-15 miles south of Mainz in grape vineyard country. We crossed with assault boats and rafts. It was such a surprise that we found only one platoon of Krauts guarding the east bank, so the landing was very simple. Of course, the Luftwaffe showed up in force the next day. By that time the Engineers had some bridges working for us. While we were located on Oppenheim, I was part of a little incident which I will relate to you. 

– TO BE CONTINUED –

Harold L. Potter was born near Rolla, Kansas, in 1920, the son of Clarence and Cleo Crandall Potter. He lived in the center of the Dust Bowl in the 1930s and moved to Hutchinson with his family in 1934. Potter graduated from Hutchinson Junior College prior to his military service, and earned a BSBA degree from Washington University, St. Louis, in 1947. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. He entered active duty as a private in December 1940 and transferred to the reserves after the end of World War II. He was discharged as a major in 1964. While stationed in Illinois at Mayo General Hospital in 1943, “Hal” met Nell Armstrong of Galesburg. She was a civilian employee in medical supply. Hal and Nell married in July 1945 after Victory in Europe (VE Day), prior to Lt. Potter being trained for the Pacific theater, including the invasion of Japan. 

Happy writing and reading,

 

 

 

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