Marty Martin aka Warren Martin's Blog, page 5

St. Louis Public Library Fact vs Fiction Panel

The Truth Behind The Novel
[image error] This past Tuesday night I had the honor to participate in a Fact vs Fiction panel at the Central St. Louis Public Library. Evenings like this one provide both the Author Panels and those in attendance a tremendous opportunity to listen to personal experiences and learn from them.  The Panel discussion proved to be very interesting and we learned valuable insights about applying fact gained from personal experiences and/or knowledge learned over time to fictional novels.  Each of the panelist shared various tid-bits related to their backgrounds and applying it to their respective works, such as Eric Leuthardt who shared fascinating information on neuroprosthetics and neuro research, and Chris DiGiuseppi who discussed the impact on Law Enforcement Officers when they witness tradagey and how to cope. Our moderator Kevin Killeenfrom KMOX did a great job surveying the Panel and interacting with the audience.  The host for this event was the Central St. Louis Library and was organized by Stacey Lewis, Senior Subject Specialist for the Saint Louis Public Library. We had a great time time and what I believe to have been a successful event – Thank you Stacey and the St. Louis Public Library. [image error]
About the Panel: [image error]









Our moderator Kevin Killeen joined the KMOX News Team in July 1995 and has worked since as a general assignment reporter, covering everything from crime, politics, fires, business, medical stories, and features. Since 2003, Kevin has had a humorous radio column called “A Whole ‘nother Story” that airs during morning drive Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Typical topics include “The Job Interview I Forgot I had a Poopy Diaper in my Coat Pocket,” “Life and Death of a City Pigeon,” and “What Desperate Men Buy at Walgreens on Valentine’s Afternoon.” Kevin has also written and directed over a dozen plays that served as the centerpieces for the KMOX Holiday Radio Show.
[image error] Eric Leuthardt, M.D. is a neurosurgeon and biomedical engineer as well as a recognized pioneer in neuroprosthetics. He is widely published in scientific journals and has received a number of scholarly awards in recognition of his contributions. Dr. Leuthardt is the Director of the Center for Innovation in Neuroscience and Technology at Washington University School of Medicine, where he researches brain-computer interfaces. He is ranked as one of the most prolific inventors in the world, with more than 800 patents either granted or pending. RedDevil4 is his first novel about a renowned neurosurgeon Dr. Hagan Maerici on the verge of a breakthrough in artificial intelligence that could change the way we think about human consciousness. Obsessed with his job and struggling to save his marriage, Dr. Maerici is forced to put his life’s work on the line when a rash of brutal murders strikes St. Louis.http://home.reddevil4.com/

[image error] Sharon Woods Hopkins is a branch manager for a mortgage office of a Missouri bank and writes a mystery series featuring mortgage banker Rhetta McCarter and her '79 Camaro. In “KILLERWATT” Banker Rhetta McCarter's ongoing Battles usually involve mortgage loans, federal lending regulations, threats of bulges on her butt, and her closet-drinking husband. But after one of her mortgage clients dies in a mysterious car accident, she stumbles upon evidence of a terrorist plot to wipe out the entire Midwest power grid.http://www.sharonwoodshopkins.com

  [image error] Bill Hopkins retired as a judge and now writes crime novels out of his home in Marble Hill, MO, about 25 miles west of Cape Girardeau. Last year, in “Courting Murder,” Hopkins introduced readers to Rosswell Carew of Marble Hill, a judge who dabbles in detective work. Now, Carew gets the starring role in “River Mourn” and opens in Ste. Genevieve, where Carew is looking for his young and attractive fiancé. She’s pregnant — and is apparently a kidnapping victim.
http://www.judgebillhopkins.com/
[image error] Dr.Raymond Scott Edge is the author of several textbooks on health-care ethics and law (The Ethics of Health Care: A Guide for Clinical Practice). Since his retirement from university teaching and administration he has pursued his passion for regional history and culture. Flight of the Piasa and Witches of Cahokia re the first two novels of a fiction series based on actual Mississippi River archaeological sites and artifacts.http://www.redoubtbooks.com/
[image error] ChrisDiGiuseppi has over nineteen years in Law Enforcement at various levels up to and including Assistant Chief of Police. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and Northwestern University School of Police Staff Command.  Chris has weaved personal and emotional experiences into “The Light Brighter” where COPS meets The Ghost Whisperer in a novel in which Sixteen people will die on Police Officer Alan Crane's watch. But while tragic and untimely death is no stranger to the jaded ex-Marine, his newfound supernatural ability to lead these people to their spiritual fates sends him on a sensational and frightening saga that will ultimately answer: Why these sixteen? What do they have in common? And why has Alan been chosen to bring them to the light?http://www.chrisdigiuseppi.com/
[image error] Warren Martin - As for myself, I served in the Army for 21-years, transitioned to business operations and later on business ownership. Still not knowing what I want to do when I grow up I have since transitioned to teaching business and leadership courses and also support and participation with fraternal, charitable, writing related organizations, and currently serve on the board of St. Louis Publishers Association.  My first fictional novel “Forgotten Soldiers” is a Cold War POW/MIA story that asks the question “What Happened to Jacob Walden,” and the trek of a Journalist who searches for answers about why Jacob Walden never returned home. http://www.warrenmartinbooks.com/
[image error] [image error] [image error]

Five Star Review for Forgotten Soldiers

★★★★★ Another Five Star Review for Forgotten Soldiers – that makes 20 Five Star reviews –
 Thank you to the Fans, Reviewers, Veterans, and everyone for your support and helping to keep the POW/MIA message alive “You Are Not Forgotten”
★★★★★Mind blowing truth and fiction, think about those who serve and thank god because we all Take our freedom for granted, thank all vets for their sacrifice.  ★★★★★Great story, almost thought it was a true story…
★★★★★This novel could easily be made into a movie! There are twists and turns that could only be written by a soldier. I enjoyed the great detail the author lavished throughout the book. I was there and could see what he wrote which made it even more exciting!
★★★★★This book is truly captivating… Once I got into the book it was very difficult to put it down.
★★★★★This book is listed as Historical Fiction but reads like history, or as one of my teachers once told me: His Story.  Get the E-Book at Amazon

Writers Roundup

If you are in the Texas Oklahoma area this Saturday May 10th, 2014, stop by and visit the Writers Roundup being held in Gainesville Texas. I'll have a table there with 30 other Authors and will be in very good company.
( MAY 10, 9am to 5pm Gainesville, Texas - First State Bank Conference Center - 837 E. California St.) NET PROCEEDS GO TO THE FRANK BUCK ZOO
Meet authors and celebrities at the 2014 WRITERS ROUNDUP and BOOK FEST in historic Gainesville, Texas. Authors autograph their books and talk about them throughout the day. Movie and TV Celebrities will be on hand to sign stills from their famous movies and TV shows.
Speakers will talk on writing and marketing .
        Key Note Speaker will be the author of over one hundred best selling novels with over 4.5 million books in circulation....LOREE LOUGH !
          Other speakers are T. C. Miller and  Amanda Thrasher  
AUTHORS COMING TO THE 2014 WRITERS ROUNDUP
LOREE LOUGH                     MIKE TRAHAN                     EMMA GINGERICH                     
T.C. MILLER                          AMANDA THRASHER          JOE HEWITT                    RITA DEAR
STEVE NEWMAN                  SHARI PARKER                     AUREL MIRCEA              DAVID McKOY
WARREN MARTIN                ELAINE FIELDS SMITH        PEGGY PATRICK            JAMES PATRICK
KEN FARMER                        RICH WEATHERLY               SUSANNAH CORD
BUCK STIENKE                     FRED FUNK                            BOB DOERR
DORAN INGRHAM              MICHAEL DRUXMAN          ANNA ALBERGUCCI     
ALEX CORD                          LAURA ECKROAT                 LYNN HALLBROOKS
SHARON SROCK                  KERI FRY                                TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF AUTHORS    CLELBRITIES ON HAND FOR PICTURES AND AUTOGRAPH   Click Here for Celebrity Page
Alex Cord - "Stagecoach", "Airwolf", "Grayeagle"           Michael Druxman - "Cheyenne Warrior"
Buck Taylor - (Artist) "Gunsmoke"                                  James Drury - "The Virginian"
Marshall Teague - "Walker, Texas Ranger", "Roadhouse"            
Anne Lockhart - "Battlestar Galactia"                               Cheryl Rogers - Roy Rogers daughter
Burton Gilliam - "Blazing Saddles"                                    Barry Corbin - "Lonesome Dove"
Dean Smith - Olympic Gold Medalist and Hollywood stuntman
James Hampton - "F Troup", "Teen Wolf"

  KEYNOTE SPEAKER - LOREE LOUGH
100 award-winning books ... & counting and with more than 4,500,000 books in circulation, best-selling author Loree Lough's titles have earned numerous industry awards and 5 movie options. She splits her time between her home in Baltimore and a cabin in the Alleghenies (where she loves to show off her "Identify the Critter Tracks" skills). With the release of Guarding Alyssa (#3 in the "A Child to Love" series for Harlequin's new Heartwarming line), Loree will have 100 books in print, including reader favorites like The First Responders series and the Lone Star Legends series. Loree loves to hear from her readers and answers every letter, personally. Visit her at Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and www.loreelough.com!  
Loree Lough: "You'll laugh, you'll cry...you'll always remember a Loree story...."    www.loreelough.com
AMANDA M. THRASHER
Author of Mischief in the Mushroom Patch, A Fairy Match in the Mushroom Patch, The Ghost of Whispering Willow - a ghost mystery, Sadie's Fairy Tea Party, and a YA novel, The Greenlee Project and What If...A Story of Shattered Lives, part of the D.R. S.R. program for the Texas Municipal Education Center.  She conducts workshops, shares her techniques with school children of all ages, and works closely with her local Barnes and Nobles raising funds through Book-Fair programs. Co-Founder and Co-Owner of Progressive Rising Phoenix Press, an innovative publishing company founded by authors, Amanda stays busy.
www.amandamthrasher.com     www.progressiverisingphoenix.comT. C. Miller T. C. Miller's twenty-four year Air Force career gave him the opportunity to live from coast-to-coast. It was during his assignment at Mather Air Force Base, California that he formulated the basic plot for his debut novel, BlackJack Bomber.
He is also an accomplished martial artist, and has studied Hakkoryu Jujitsu, since 1976. He operated Kiyoshi Dojo, his school, for over twenty five years.
T.C. started writing as a pre-teen, and has authored newspaper and magazine articles, lesson plans, and advertising copy.  BlackStar Bay, the sequel to BlackJack Bomber, is scheduled for release in spring, 2014.
He is the founder of Coffee With the Author, a twice-weekly book-signing in the center court of Shawnee Mall, Shawnee, OK that features no charge to local authors to access mall patrons and sell their books. He was also instrumental in helping The Bean and Berry coffee shop establish The Book Nook within their store to sell books about Oklahoma, and by Oklahoma authors.
T.C. has been involved in sales and marketing for forty years, including teaching direct sales, formulating marketing plans, and managing sales operations. He and his wife travelled the U.S. for fifteen years as manufacturer's representatives.

The 10 Best Cities to be a Writer

...and St. Louis is in the Rankings at # 1

The below is a re-posting of a interesting MyLife Blog post article by Christian Neeser on the best cities to be a writer.  At the bottom of the post there is a chart of all 100 cities evaluated.

When you see people walk by, do you create a narrative in your head of what they might be talking about? Or invent the life story of the hamburger you’re eating? Then you might be a writer.
But it’s difficult to thrive as such in just any city – your surroundings have be inspiring, and you need to be able to find work until you pen the next great American novel. To help authors determine what city best makes a great writer, we did an analysis using criteria we thought would help find the best of the best.
Here’s How We Ranked ThemWe started with a list of the 100 most populous cities in the U.S. and ranked them from one to 100 in each of the following categories:
Cost of Living – We’re not all Stephen King; most writers don’t have a lot of disposable income so it’s good to know which cities are affordable. We sourced Area Vibes for this information.Writer Job Openings – In order to secure some of that disposable income, a writer needs a job. This only included jobs as a writer, not jobs that listed “writing skills” in the requirements. These positions were found on the job search engine, Indeed.Percentage of Population Working in the Arts - Writing is certainly an art, and the more people in a city with the same ambitions as you can be a great source of inspiration. There’s also a better than normal chance their inspiring work will be featured around the city. And the more of these folks there are to meet, the easier it will be to collaborate and grow as a writer. Figures for this were from the U.S. Census.Number of Bookstores/Coffee Shops Per Capita – Obviously, writers love reading, and hate Kindles and iPads. Nothing beats holding an actual book in your hands. And there’s just something about the mix of caffeine and people watching that gets the creative juices flowing. This set of data was found on Yelp.After establishing a ranking for each of those categories, we assigned a score to each city for those categories as well. Once those were added up, we divided the sum into an average; the lower that average was the better.
1. St. Louis, MOPhoto from Flickr User Nathan Lucy.The Gateway to the West, St. Louis ranked no worse than 26th in every category; that consistency vaulted them to number one on our list. STL ranked 11th in the percentage of population working in the industry category, and Dunaway Books helped it rank 14th in number of bookstores and coffeeshops.
2. Cincinnati, OHPhoto from huntingnighthawks.comNothing like killing two birds with one stone as Kaldi’s Coffehouse and Bookstore does, which helped Cincinnati rank second overall. The Blue Chip city ranked 15th in that category, and ranked no worse than 26th everywhere else.
3. Pittsburgh, PAPhoto via literarytourist.comComing in at number three on this list, Pittsburgh was able to rank sixth in the number of bookstores and coffee shops category. But Steel City is of course famous for its hardworking citizens, and the writers are no different; it ranked 31st in the percentage of the population working in the industry category.
4. Atlanta, GAPhoto by Dustin ChambersThere are jobs aplenty for writers here in Atlanta; the city ranked ninth in that category, bested only by San Fran. Writing workshops such as Kill Your Darlings help aspiring writers perfect their skills for the working world. ATL ranked tenth in number of bookstores and coffee shops as well.
5. Orlando, FLPhoto by Joe BurbankUniversal Studios isn’t the only way Orlando is drawing attention to itself; they were able to rank in the top eight in three different categories. The Kerouac House offers free rent for a period of time to writers so that they can focus on their work.
6. Minneapolis, MN
Photo from annieandbob.comThe bookstore pictured, creatively named in reference to “Where the Wild Things Are,” helped Minneapolis rank seventh in number of bookstores and coffee shops category.  They were able to rank in the top ten in percentage of the population working in the industry as well.
7. Buffalo, NYPhoto by Charles LewisBuffalo didn’t crack the top 30 in three of the categories, but used a number one ranking in cost of living to sneak into the top ten. The Young Writers Studio is molding aspiring writers to enhance their skills in the craft.
8. Denver, COPhoto via cupcakesandbacon.comThere is certainly no shortage of inspiration in the Mile High city; the mountains are good for a lot of things, and one of them is curing writers block. Denver ranked in the top 25 in three categories, including 11th in the number of bookstores and coffee shops, such as ink! Coffee.
9. Seattle, WAPhoto via kuuleilani.wordpress.comCreativity bursts at the seams in the Emerald City. Seattle has the most coffee shops and bookstores of all cities on this list, which is no surprise. But it also ranked tenth in percentage of population working in the industry, as demonstrated by the self-employed man pictured above, who writes poems for patrons at the Fremont Flea Market.
10. San Francisco, CAPhoto from avidreader25.blogspot.comIf it weren’t for its ranking of dead last in the cost of living category, the City by the Bay would likely have taken home the number one ranking, as it was seventh or better in the other three categories. San Francisco‘s world famous bookstores, such as City Lights, propelled it to tenth overall instead.
Where’s New York City and Los Angeles?Although there are several cities for writers to thrive, many might wonder why well-regarded cities like New York or Los Angeles didn’t rank better. If you want to be a screenwriter or playwright, this ranking may not be for you, as there are probably more jobs in screenwriting and playwriting in both of those cities.
But if your focus is more general and you just want to write, this analysis will make more sense, which knocked down those cities for extremely high cost of living and average scores in the other categories.

Printing and Publishing Options for Authors

St. Louis Area This Wednedsay
Printing and Publishing Options for Authors

Imagine that you’ve finished writing your book. You have also completed the important tasks of hiring a competent editor and graphic designer. Now it’s time for you to take the next step in the publishing process and get it into a form (either physical or electronic) that readers can consume.

You’ve probably heard of such terms as traditional, independent, and self-publishing. You may also have come across words such as offset, digital, and print on demand. But what do these terms means, how are they different, and which one is right for you?

What are your best options for getting your book printed so that you can hold the very first copy in your hands? And let’s not forget making your creation available as an ebook. Also, how much will all of this cost you?

At our next meeting, Warren Martin, Linda Austin, and guest speaker Leland C. Shanle Jr. will answer these questions and more in our presentation, “Printing and Publishing Options for Indie Authors.” Our panel will also share some of their personal experiences with the publishing process as they cover the following topics:
Traditional PublishingSelf-PublishingIndependentBuyer BewarePrintersEbooksDistributionSome Things to Know and Remember 
Warren Martin independently published his first novel, Forgotten Soldiers: What Happened to Jacob Walden , in 2012. He served twenty-one years in the U.S. Army and, after retirement, transitioned into corporate business operations and, later, his own business. Warren divides his time among writing, research, teaching business courses, and pursuing a PhD. in business and leadership. In addition to serving on the SLPA Board as vice-president and secretary, he is a member of St. Louis Writers Guild and the Military Writers Society of America (MWSA). Visit: Blog , Website, Book Trailer, Amazon Page, YouTube Channel, St. Louis Green Berets.

Linda Austin is the author of Cherry Blossoms in Twilight , a memoir of her mother, who grew up in Japan around the time of WWII. She also writes poetry and published Poems That Come to Mind: for those who love someone with dementia. Linda encourages life writing on her website, www.moonbridgebooks.com and consults on indie publishing and social media. She can also be found on Facebook and Twitter.

Leland C Shanle Jr. Lieutenant Commander, USN (Ret), is a pilot, an award-winning author, and a military/aviation technical adviser for the movie industry. His consulting projects include Pearl Harbor, Behind Enemy Lines, The Day After Tomorrow, and Stealth. Shanle is the author of three books: Project Seven Alpha, Vengeance at Midway and Guadalcanal, a novel of war, and ENDGAME in the Pacific. His fourth is slated for release in 2014. He has also written for Aerospace Testing International Magazine and is a contributing editor to Airways Magazine. Shanle has adapted his book, Project 7 Alpha, as a screenplay for a major motion-picture studio.
***********************
Our regular Monthly Meeting location
(the second Wednesday of every month)
Brentwood Community Center
2505 Brentwood Blvd - Room 101
St. Louis, MO 63144
Here's a link to Google Maps for location and directions.

Doors open at 6:30 PM for networking. Business meeting begins at 7:00 PM and continues till 8:30 PM or so with networking continuing afterward till about 9.

Monthly Meeting Admission 

Members – FREENon-member Guests – $10 per person, cash or check at the door(Guest fee will be applied to Membership if you decide to join at that meeting)

Authors Supporting Our Troops 2014

154 authors sending 1260 books... so far
  Recently I was introduced to Armand Rosamilia via a mutual friend on Facebook. Armand came up an idea to offer some sort of support and also a way to show some appreciation for our US Troops overseas by creating a Facebook Eventto collect autographed books from authors that will be sent to Afghanistan and other places where US Troops are stationed.  Aside from being a worthy cause, being a retired Army guy myself I have a personal interest in anything that can be done to support our people and so I jumped on board and donated some books.  At the time of posting this, 154 Authors have donated 1260 books, with more on the way.

  If you are an Author it’s not too late to participate, click Here to get to the Facebook Event Page and contact Armand.   We also purchased event T-shirts to assist with shipping costs and so if you like to get a T-shirt you can go this link and get one.   


  
Thank you for reading and for your support, and please remember  that there are numerous ways to support our Troops.  Most of you may not be Authors but there are other ways to provide support. While there a lot I could mention, I'll share the Green Beret Foundation with you and will admit to being a bit bias since I'm on the Advisory Board.  The Green Beret Foundation provides resources to facilitate the special needs of our wounded, ill and injured and imparts unique support to the Special Forces community in order to strengthen readiness and uphold Green Beret traditions and values.  You can go to the link and read move about what this organization does and how to make a donation.  

Like I said, there are many ways to support, be it though a Facebook event like Authors Support Our Troops, the Green Beret Foundation, or one of the many other organizations that provide support to our Troops - it's up to you who and how you support.  


 In closing I'll leave you with a version of the Star Spangled Banner that I like and find to be very inspirational performed by Madison Rising

Free Burma Rangers

Photo Essay of Relief Mission in Western Karen State - See more at: http://www.freeburmarangers.org/2014/... Essay of Relief Mission in Western Karen State (Eastern Burma)


Although this is not a book or publishing related blog post, it is a human interest post worth attention and writing about.  The Free Burma Rangers (FBR) is an organization I have a personal interest in not just because of the oppression and human rights issues in Burma, but also because the organization was created by David Eubank who is a long time friend as well as a fellow Green Beret and former Team Commander of mine. 

With everything that takes up our time and interest in the world, most people are unaware of what is happening outside their own circles, and places like Burma is one of those places.  Since 1997, FBR has trained over 110 multi-ethnic relief teams and there are 48 full time teams active in the Karen, Karenni, Shan, Pa'O, Arakan, Kachin, Chin and Lahu areas of Burma. The teams have conducted over 350 humanitarian missions of 1-2 months into the war zones of Burma. On average between 1,000-2,000 patients are treated per mission with 2,000 more people helped in some way. The teams have treated over 360,000 patients and helped over 750,000 people.

The following is part of a photo essay of a relief mission and you can see and read about the rest of it at the FBR link.  When you get to the site check the About tab and other parts of the site that provide some extensive background about the organization, its mission, and efforts being taken to assist the peoples of the region. 
Sign up for their Newsletter and Like and Follow thier Facebook page and check out their YouTube Channel  
  Excerpt from Photo Essay: Six of the newly trained relief teams were led by the Kler Lwe Htu FBR leader, Koala Bear, to Ler Doh Township for a relief mission in December 2013.  The people visited on this mission were Team en route during mission forcibly relocated in 2006 and have just now begun to move back to their original villages. 15 percent of the people are farmers, 30 percent survive by gardening (betelnut, durians) and the rest are day laborers. Since the ceasefire, the people have more right to work and travel, but are facing food and health problems still.


In Kywe Ja, three villages have two schools with 12 teachers and 181 students. In Sa Le, three villages came but there was only one school, with 10 teachers and 143 students. Both places had nursery schools.  All the school teachers are from the Burmese Government and get a salary from them; the school head master/mistress salary is 105,000 kyat per month (about US $100). The schools are going well but there are some children who cannot go to school.



Follow the link for the rest and learn more about the efforts to help the people in Burma. 
 Facebook page and  YouTube Channel 

Since 1997, FBR has trained over 110 multi-ethnic relief teams and there are 48 full time teams active in the Karen, Karenni, Shan, Pa'O, Arakan, Kachin, Chin and Lahu areas of Burma. The teams have conducted over 350 humanitarian missions of 1-2 months into the war zones of Burma. On average between 1,000-2,000 patients are treated per mission with 2,000 more people helped in some way. The teams have treated over 360,000 patients and helped over 750,000 people. - See more at: http://www.freeburmarangers.org/about... Essay of Relief Mission in Western Karen State - See more at: http://www.freeburmarangers.org/2014/...

Photo Essay of Relief Mission in Western Karen State - See more at: http://www.freeburmarangers.org/2014/... Essay of Relief Mission in Western Karen State - See more at: http://www.freeburmarangers.org/2014/...

What’s Stopping You From Writing and Publishing Your Book?

If you are in the St. Louis area this Wednesday night, February 12, 2014, don't miss this event presented by our St. Louis Publishers Association (SLPA).  The details below and on our SLPA website
What roadblocks are getting in the way of creating a book that is successful beyond your wildest dreams?
Are you being held back by:Family obligations?Your job or small business?Technology issues?Money?A lack of time?Or are you simply overwhelmed with everything?

How do successful authors like Jack Canfield, Dr. Seuss, Stephen Covey, and J.K. Rowling get so much done and achieve such phenomenal success?

How are they different from smart, talented, and passionate people who haven't seen that level of success yet? (HINT: it has nothing to do with money, staff, resources, connections, or anything that can be bought).

The difference is simple, and anyone can make the changes necessary to break through any roadblocks. Author and speaker Jeff Steinmann has researched and lived these principles. And now he wants to share them with you.

Come to the February 12 SLPA meeting if you want to learn:About all the tools, attitudes, and habits of the highest-performing people in the world.How to blow past family, job, technology, money, and time issues.The keys to charging ahead and leaving that feeling of overwhelm behind forever.Are you ready to learn how to make your book more successful than you ever imagined? Then you won't want to miss this one!

Jeff Steinmann is the founder of the boutique lifestyle consulting company, Braveau Experts, and author of How to Quit Working: A Simple Plan to Leave Your Job for a Life of Freedom. He is a speaker and hosts a weekly podcast called “The How to Quit Working Show” that features lifestyle fanatics who have rejected the idea of having a JOB and chosen to put what they want in life first.

Jeff’s extensive knowledge of marketing, sales, business strategy, and technology, combined with his experience in building businesses, have made him a sought-after consultant to experts and gurus. Most of all, Jeff is a lifestyle fanatic himself, fiercely devoted to finding better ways to “do life.”***********************
Our regular Monthly Meeting location
(the second Wednesday of every month)
Brentwood Community Center
2505 Brentwood Blvd - Room 101
St. Louis, MO 63144
Here's a link to Google Maps for location and directions.

Doors open at 6:30 PM for networking. Business meeting begins at 7:00 PM and continues till 8:30 PM or so with networking continuing afterward till about 9.

Monthly Meeting Admission 

Members – FREENon-member Guests – $10 per person, cash or check at the door(Guest fee will be applied to Membership if you decide to join at that meeting)

The Son Tay Raid – November 21, 1970

Forgotten Soldiers – Forgotten History Like the saying “Old soldiers never die, they just fade away”made by General MacArthur's address to Congress on April 19, 1951, unfortunately the same applies to history which is quickly Forgotten.   On November 21st, 1970, one of most famous military operations in US history was executed in the backyard of Hanoi in North Vietnam.  The Operation was a rescue mission to free Prisoners of War being held in the Son Tay Prison Camp located just 20 miles outside of Hanoi.  Numerous articles and books have been written about the raid, and I too have incorporated the raid into the first chapter of my Historical Fiction “Forgotten Soldiers: What Happened to Jacob Walden.”  The Son Tay Raiders as they have come to be known did not lose anyone on the mission: although they estimated killing over a hundred of the enemy soldiers they encountered during the raid.  The planning and execution of the raid has been credited as a brilliantly executed operation, and has been used as a model for similar missions, and even has stark similarities with the more recent operation of the killing of Osama Bin Laden.
 For a brief account of the Son Tay Raid check out my book “Forgotten Soldiers: What Happened to Jacob Walden.”  
Another great source about the Son Tay Raid is a book by Colonel John Gargus (USAF Ret) who was the lead navigator of one of the MC-130s that led the raiders to Son Tay and wrote "The Son Tay Raid"
For other books related to the Son Tay Raid check these out:







 




Short Excerpt from Chapter 1 of Forgotten Soldiers: At 1800 hours, Simons entered the theater where the team had assembled. The men were anxious and eager to get on with the mission and although they didn’t know the exact location, they had speculated among themselves as to where it could be; however, none of them had anticipated what Bull Simons was about to tell them. As he arrived, silence had blanketed the room and everyone’s attention was on the Colonel. As a member of the staff uncovered an oversized photo of a camp, Simons started his briefing. “Gentlemen, we are going to rescue 70 American prisoners of war, maybe more, from a camp called Son Tay. This is something American prisoners have a right to expect from their fellow soldiers. The target is 23 miles west of Hanoi.” There was complete silence in the theater for a few seconds as the men realized that Colonel Simons just said, 23 miles west of Hanoi. They knew without question not only the significance of the operation, but also the real danger and that the mission was also in Hanoi’s backyard. The 23-mile distance might as well be in downtown Hanoi. The silence was broken as a few men let out some whistles before the entire group stood up and began applauding. After the group calmed down and the applauding stopped, the Colonel and his staff continued the briefing. Afterward, the men of the Task Force prepped for the tasking and at 2030 hours loaded up on a C-130 and took off for Udorn Air Base in Thailand.

Warren Martin, Midwestern Mystery Author, Cold War Military Mystery

I was recently interviewed by Pam DeVoe, President of the Greater St. Louis Sisters in Crime and am honored and humbled by what she has written.
Warren Martin's debut novel Forgotten Soldiers is a compelling story which begins in the Vietnam War and runs through the Cold War period.  Warren’s documentary style of writing makes this riveting tale more real, more apparently credible and honest, than any other style could possibly create.  As with Martin Limón’s style (note the August 2012 blog interview), Warren’s voice is Hemmingway-esque.  Perhaps this is the voice best suited to military based mysteries, I can’t say, but it works for both of them and for their readers.  I actually forgot that I was reading fiction until I reached the very end of Warren’s Forgotten Soldiers.  It seemed that real.

Warren’s own background was perfect for producing Forgotten Soldiers.  He was in the military, serving in the Infantry, Military Police and Special Forces (Green Beret) for 21 years.  So, he is himself a veteran of the Cold War and is intimately aware of the POW and MIA issues and the stories, both real and maybe-real, surrounding those issues and concerns.  While you will find a few editing issues in his initial volume (even with his having hired an editor), they are minor, don’t let them bother you.  This noteworthy and powerful MIA/POW mystery should definitely be on your must-read list.   
Given his sharp, terse style of writing, it was his voice that I was most intrigued with initially.  Warren said that his paramount concern is getting his readers to suspend disbelief and to fall into the story as a true, plausible tale.  At the same time, while suspending disbelief in his audience, he wants to entertain, enlighten, and educate them.  The latter is what he calls the 3 Es: entertain, enlighten, and educate.  Thus, he uses the fiction format to create awareness of issues close to his heart. In the case of the Forgotten Soldiers, it’s the issue of POW/MIAs.  As a result, he creates his story line first and, as he goes along, his characters develop as he works through the story.  It’s not that characters are unimportant, but they have to carry the plot, therefore, plot come first. 
Tips for Writers :Write for yourself, not for others. Many people will read your book, everyone of them will have a different opinion.  Remember to be true to your own vision, to what most satisfies you as an author.  In other words, Warren believes each author should take into consideration comments from others, think about it, and decide if it makes sense within the parameters you’ve set for your story.  This is your work in the end.  “Write what you love.” “Write for youself.”
You’ve got to get an editor. Know what you’re doing, but still get a good editor.
On the publishing side: do your homework.  There are a lot of people out there who claim they will help you, but they just want your money.  If you’re an Independent Author, it will cost you money, at least $1,000.00, and that’s with an inexpensive editor.  But remember, it’s a business and you must “do your homework; don’t jump into anything right away.”  As you do your homework, you’ll change your mind (he did) as to what you want to do and to understand what’s good and what’s not.
Use the 3 Es: That is, Entertain, Enlighten, and Educate people.  Fiction matters.  It can influence the way and how people think.
Join writing groups.  Warren belongs to about a half dozen groups, such as the Military Writers Association, St Louis Publishers Association, and the St Louis Writers Guild. “People learn from each other. They get inspired by going to meetings once a month.” Groups can keep you motivated, keep you going.  When you meet with other writers you feel “Okay, you’re not wasting your time and you can get through it [whatever your problem is].”

Where to find more information on Warren Martin and his future books: Go to
 http://www.warrenmartinbooks.com/
 http://warrenmartinbooks.blogspot.com/
http://www.amazon.com/Forgotten-Soldiers-Happened-Walden-ebook/dp/B007WMQWGK/

Enjoy!Pam De Voe