Marty Martin aka Warren Martin's Blog, page 6

Publishers Service Provider Showcase

Connect with the Best: Author Vendors and Service Providers Marketplace

If you are in the St. Louis area on Wednesday August 14th, we would like to invite you to stop by and visit us as we host an Author Service Providers Showcase (see a list of Vendors at the bottom of this post)
 As you know, the term "self-publishing" is widely used by authors and book industry people these days. And it's no wonder, as the number of independent success stories continues to grow.Even Publishers Weekly, the longstanding book business trade magazine, now puts out PW Select, a monthly update on what's happening in the self-publishing world.

But those four little letters - SELF - can be misleading. Writing, producing and marketing a book independently does NOT mean you do it alone. Most successful indie authors will tell you you shouldn't even try.

That's why you need to attend this special August event, where you'll get to meet and talk with the people who can help you publish your own book.

You'll get to know graphic designers, editors, printers, book coaches, and more. Ask questions and get a feel for who they are and how they work. This is your opportunity to explore potential team members you'll use to build your book publishing business. Please note that our AUGUST 14 meeting will be at The Lodge The Lodge1050 Des Peres RdDes Peres, MO 63131(near Manchester and 270)Map link
 
Admission to this Vendors and Service Providers Marketplace is FREE.

Also, drop your business card into the raffle bowl that night for a chance to win one of three $15 gift cards from St. Louis Bread Company (Panera).
Doors open at 6:30 PM for networking. The business meeting begins at 7:00 PM. The Author Service Providers Marketplace continues till 8:30 PM or so with networking and raffle drawings throughout the event.
 

Forgotten Soldiers Excerpt

Forgotten Soldiers: What Happened to Jacob Walden is a fictional account of a Pilot shot down over Vietnam in 1970 and never returned home, catching the attention of a curious Journalist who searches for answers, and encounters a secretive operative who may have the answer and story behind What Happened to Jacob Walden. 
  
  "No posterity, you will never know how much it has cost us to preserve your freedom. My hope is that you will make good use of it. If you do not, I shall repent in heaven that I have took half the pains to preserve it.” –John Adams  
VIETNAM
30 June, 1970 
Day 1
“Oh God, Oh God, Oh God!” Captain Jacob Walden yelled out through his oxygen mask as his ejection seat violently propelled him through the Vietnam sky. The sounds of his yells were muffled by the oxygen mask over his face and the almost deafening sounds of the ejection seat rockets that just seconds before lifted him out of the exploding aircraft he was in. Over the mid-morning sky of Vietnam, the rockets propelling Captain Walden’s ejection seat extinguished, his parachute opened, and the ejection seat separated, falling towards the earth almost 20,000 feet below. The entire time from initial ejection to the point where the parachute fully opened took about five to eight seconds, but for Captain Jake Walden it seemed like an eternity.For Jake, this was the first time that he had been exposed to this level or type of danger. The 24-year-old Captain had been assigned to Vietnam less than a month, and although he had received training in what to do if he were shot down—the training was still much different from the reality.The previous violent moments were now transitioning to a surreal quietness and peacefulness. The cold sweat Jake experienced was caressed by the breeze of the air as Jake drifted under his parachute. As he regained his composure, he looked around and then down to see what under normal circumstances any sport parachute enthusiasts would be thoroughly enjoying. It was eerily quiet, except for the slight sound of the air passing through the parachute as he had begun from an unusually high altitude of about 20,000 feet.During his descent, Jake was transitioning to becoming one more American falling victim to the Vietnam War. While Jake already had memberships in several personal and professional organizations and clubs, he was about to join a unique and somewhat ironic privileged membership in three more, one as a Prisoner of War and another as a Veteran of the Vietnam War. The third one, however, would not receive any real recognition for the sacrifices made by soldiers like Jake Walden. People like Jake did not receive recognition, memorials, or even a national monument in their honor or remembrance. Captain Jacob Walden was about to take up membership in a fraternity of “Forgotten Soldiers.”
Chapter 1Missing In ActionFour Months Later 18 November, 1970 Day 142 By mid-November of 1970, the fate of Jake Walden and many other Americans who were missing and presumed captured was uncertain. Months earlier in July of 1970, the outcome of the Vietnam War had, for the most part, already been determined, and while the war did not end for almost three more years, President Nixon had already put into place plans and negotiations for ending it. The Vietnam War was highly politicized, dramatized, and in some cases very personalized by the American people. In many instances, Americans were disconnected from the reality of the individuals making the sacrifices—individuals like Jake who had been shot down. Back in the United States, at places like the San Francisco airport, people were spitting and yelling at soldiers who proudly wore their uniforms as they walked through airport terminals.
While there was no lack of public opinion and political agendas, one view of the military leadership focused on the recovery and rescue of its own people. In June, 1970, discussions began in Washington DC concerning options to conduct rescue operations. President Nixon was quite interested in the possibility of not only rescuing prisoners, but also forcing the North Vietnamese to the peace negotiations.
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, FLORIDA 18 November, 1970
Air Force General Leroy J. Manor, his staff, and less than a hundred other military personnel were at a secret operations center at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. A few months earlier General Manor had been appointed the Commander of a secret operation, named Task Force Ivory Coast, to research, prepare, and possibly execute a rescue operation of American Prisoners of War inside North Vietnam. The second in command was Army Special Forces Colonel Arthur D. “Bull” Simons. Bull Simons recruited Army Special Forces volunteers—Green Berets—from Fort Bragg, North Carolina, to sign up for a mission that they were told nothing about, except it was classified and they may not make it home. Without hesitation, they all volunteered, as did the Air Force crews that would fly the helicopters and other support aircraft on the operation. 
During the mid-afternoon, another rehearsal of a rescue operation at a mock POW camp had just finished. General Manor, Colonel Simons and other staff members were going over their daily post rehearsal details, which had become more of a routine than rehearsal. On this day, however, the briefing was interrupted by a knock on the door of the briefing room, followed quickly by a Sergeant sticking his head inside the room.“General, call for you on one. Think you're gonna want to take this one, sir.”General Manor walked over to the table where the secure telephone was located and got on the phone with the Secretary of Defense. General Manor listened for a moment and then said, “Thank you sir.” After hanging up the phone, General Manor looked around the room at everyone and then at Colonel Simons with a slight smile: “The President has given his approval. We’re a go.”Eager to get the operation going, Colonel Simons cracked an ever so slight smile.
BANGKOK THAILAND 19 November, 1970 Day 143 
After General Manor had received the green light, it didn’t take long for the Task force to get loaded up on an aircraft headed for Thailand. When they departed Eglin, however, the members of the Task Force were told they were heading to California for more training. The flight ended up passing through Alaska, Japan and on 19 November ended up at Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base north of Bangkok, Thailand, an air base that also doubled as a CIA secret compound. The following day at 1800 hours the 56 men of the ground force were assembled at a theater on Takhli waiting for a mission briefing from Bull Simons. While they waited the men talked among themselves about the still unknown location of the upcoming operation. During the previous three months at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, the Green Berets and Air Force Crews had prepared and rehearsed for the upcoming tasking. During that time, they conducted a total of 170 rehearsals on a mock-up of the POW camp, but they were never told the actual location. The camp was a replica built from a photograph of the actual camp where the mission would take place. The entire operation and training, which included the daily breakdown of the camp and rebuilding of it to prevent pictures from being taken by the daily fly over of Soviet satellites, had to be kept secret...

For each Autographed paperback ordered from my website I donate $2 to the Green Beret Foundation.
The Kindle e-book is also available on Amazon 

Forgotten Soldiers Excerpt

Forgotten Soldiers: What Happened to Jacob Walden is a fictional account of a Pilot shot down over Vietnam in 1970 and never returned home, catching the attention of a curious Journalist who searches for answers, and encounters a secretive operative who may have the answer and story behind What Happened to Jacob Walden. 
  
  "No posterity, you will never know how much it has cost us to preserve your freedom. My hope is that you will make good use of it. If you do not, I shall repent in heaven that I have took half the pains to preserve it.” –John Adams  
VIETNAM
30 June, 1970 
Day 1
“Oh God, Oh God, Oh God!” Captain Jacob Walden yelled out through his oxygen mask as his ejection seat violently propelled him through the Vietnam sky. The sounds of his yells were muffled by the oxygen mask over his face and the almost deafening sounds of the ejection seat rockets that just seconds before lifted him out of the exploding aircraft he was in. Over the mid-morning sky of Vietnam, the rockets propelling Captain Walden’s ejection seat extinguished, his parachute opened, and the ejection seat separated, falling towards the earth almost 20,000 feet below. The entire time from initial ejection to the point where the parachute fully opened took about five to eight seconds, but for Captain Jake Walden it seemed like an eternity.For Jake, this was the first time that he had been exposed to this level or type of danger. The 24-year-old Captain had been assigned to Vietnam less than a month, and although he had received training in what to do if he were shot down—the training was still much different from the reality.The previous violent moments were now transitioning to a surreal quietness and peacefulness. The cold sweat Jake experienced was caressed by the breeze of the air as Jake drifted under his parachute. As he regained his composure, he looked around and then down to see what under normal circumstances any sport parachute enthusiasts would be thoroughly enjoying. It was eerily quiet, except for the slight sound of the air passing through the parachute as he had begun from an unusually high altitude of about 20,000 feet.During his descent, Jake was transitioning to becoming one more American falling victim to the Vietnam War. While Jake already had memberships in several personal and professional organizations and clubs, he was about to join a unique and somewhat ironic privileged membership in three more, one as a Prisoner of War and another as a Veteran of the Vietnam War. The third one, however, would not receive any real recognition for the sacrifices made by soldiers like Jake Walden. People like Jake did not receive recognition, memorials, or even a national monument in their honor or remembrance. Captain Jacob Walden was about to take up membership in a fraternity of “Forgotten Soldiers.”
Chapter 1Missing In ActionFour Months Later 18 November, 1970 Day 142 By mid-November of 1970, the fate of Jake Walden and many other Americans who were missing and presumed captured was uncertain. Months earlier in July of 1970, the outcome of the Vietnam War had, for the most part, already been determined, and while the war did not end for almost three more years, President Nixon had already put into place plans and negotiations for ending it. The Vietnam War was highly politicized, dramatized, and in some cases very personalized by the American people. In many instances, Americans were disconnected from the reality of the individuals making the sacrifices—individuals like Jake who had been shot down. Back in the United States, at places like the San Francisco airport, people were spitting and yelling at soldiers who proudly wore their uniforms as they walked through airport terminals.
While there was no lack of public opinion and political agendas, one view of the military leadership focused on the recovery and rescue of its own people. In June, 1970, discussions began in Washington DC concerning options to conduct rescue operations. President Nixon was quite interested in the possibility of not only rescuing prisoners, but also forcing the North Vietnamese to the peace negotiations.
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, FLORIDA 18 November, 1970
Air Force General Leroy J. Manor, his staff, and less than a hundred other military personnel were at a secret operations center at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. A few months earlier General Manor had been appointed the Commander of a secret operation, named Task Force Ivory Coast, to research, prepare, and possibly execute a rescue operation of American Prisoners of War inside North Vietnam. The second in command was Army Special Forces Colonel Arthur D. “Bull” Simons. Bull Simons recruited Army Special Forces volunteers—Green Berets—from Fort Bragg, North Carolina, to sign up for a mission that they were told nothing about, except it was classified and they may not make it home. Without hesitation, they all volunteered, as did the Air Force crews that would fly the helicopters and other support aircraft on the operation. 
During the mid-afternoon, another rehearsal of a rescue operation at a mock POW camp had just finished. General Manor, Colonel Simons and other staff members were going over their daily post rehearsal details, which had become more of a routine than rehearsal. On this day, however, the briefing was interrupted by a knock on the door of the briefing room, followed quickly by a Sergeant sticking his head inside the room.“General, call for you on one. Think you're gonna want to take this one, sir.”General Manor walked over to the table where the secure telephone was located and got on the phone with the Secretary of Defense. General Manor listened for a moment and then said, “Thank you sir.” After hanging up the phone, General Manor looked around the room at everyone and then at Colonel Simons with a slight smile: “The President has given his approval. We’re a go.”Eager to get the operation going, Colonel Simons cracked an ever so slight smile.
BANGKOK THAILAND 19 November, 1970 Day 143 
After General Manor had received the green light, it didn’t take long for the Task force to get loaded up on an aircraft headed for Thailand. When they departed Eglin, however, the members of the Task Force were told they were heading to California for more training. The flight ended up passing through Alaska, Japan and on 19 November ended up at Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base north of Bangkok, Thailand, an air base that also doubled as a CIA secret compound. The following day at 1800 hours the 56 men of the ground force were assembled at a theater on Takhli waiting for a mission briefing from Bull Simons. While they waited the men talked among themselves about the still unknown location of the upcoming operation. During the previous three months at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, the Green Berets and Air Force Crews had prepared and rehearsed for the upcoming tasking. During that time, they conducted a total of 170 rehearsals on a mock-up of the POW camp, but they were never told the actual location. The camp was a replica built from a photograph of the actual camp where the mission would take place. The entire operation and training, which included the daily breakdown of the camp and rebuilding of it to prevent pictures from being taken by the daily fly over of Soviet satellites, had to be kept secret...

For each Autographed paperback ordered from my website I donate $2 to the Green Beret Foundation.
The Kindle e-book is also available on Amazon 

Publishing Your Book

What I Learned Publishing My First Book

On Wednesday July 10th, 2013, three of us will be on a panel at our St. Louis Publishers Association (SLPA) monthly meeting to share our experiences publishing our first books. More details below from the SLPA site.

The idea of publishing your book can be intimidating and overwhelming. There are so many aspects to juggle: editors, interior layout, cover design, print books vs. ebooks, print on demand, distribution, sales, marketing – the list goes on and on. The St. Louis Publishers Association is filled with people who faced the same concerns prior to publishing their first book.

It’s one thing to read about independent publishing best practices from afar. It’s quite another to hear directly from authors who have “been there and done that.” On July 10 three SLPA board members will share the good, the bad, and the ugly of their book publishing journey.

They’ll let you know exactly what they did right, what they did wrong, and what they would do different knowing what they know now.

Our panelists will include:

Warren Martin is the author and publisher of the fictional book Forgotten Soldiers: What Happened to Jacob Walden. In addition to being www.warrenmartinbooks.com
an SLPA board member, Warren is a member of the St. Louis and Missouri Writers Guild, the American Legion, the Special Forces Association, and also serves on the Advisory Board for the Green Beret Foundation.


 
Kim Wolterman is the owner of Provenance Publishing Company and the author of Who's Been Sleeping in My Bed(room)? Researching a St. Louis County, Missouri Home, From and the ebook Keys to Unlocking House History. Kim speaks on blogging, book publishing, family history, and researching house history. www.kimwolterman.com


 
 Tim Hill is the author of the Joe the Crab series of children’s books. Based on bedtime stories he told his own kids, they reference the challenges young children face in schools and at home. Tim frequently speaks before school groups and appears at charity events. He hopes the characters in his books don't just entertain, but also teach children important life lessons as they mature. www.joethecrab.com


Join us as these three authors walk you through what is really involved in publishing a book and offer ways to avoid some of the mistakes they made along the way.

Meeting Location:

Brentwood Community Center (Brentwood Recreational Complex)
2505 S. Brentwood Boulevard, Room 101
Brentwood, MO 63144

Doors open for networking at 6:30 PM, meeting begins at 7:00 PM. The formal meeting concludes at 8:30 or so with networking continuing after the meeting.

Our regular meetings are free to Members. Guests: $10 at the door, cash or check only.

Forgotten Soldiers Book Award Winner

First Place - Military Fiction



LUCKYCINDA Publishing recently announced its 2013 Book Contest Winners and Forgotten Soldiers was honored with another Book Award taking First Place for Military Fiction.
This is the second award for Forgotten Soldiers; the first was for selection as a finalist for the 2012 Stars and Flags Book Awards.  A complete listing of all the catagories and winners for the LuckyCinda book contest can be found at their Contest Page - Also check out their Kindle Book Promo Homepage.
Forgotten Soldiers: What Happened to Jacob Walden is a fictional Cold War Story surrounding Air Force Captain Jacob Walden who was shot down over Vietnam in 1970 and the untold saga of why he never returned home.  Forty years later Journalist Ted Pratt investigates what may be the sudden reappearance of Jacob Walden and follows the trail to find Jacob, and encounters Charlie Smith, a secretive and seasoned Operative who may have answers to the question about “What Happened to Jacob Walden,” and why Jake never returned home.
Readers Comments and Reviews

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 listed as Historical Fiction but reads like history...

 At first, I didn't think that I would like this book. Very quickly, though, I was drawn into Jake's story and couldn't put it down.… 

 To say that this was an easy read would not be true. It is an emotional read but well worth your time. Buy it, read it and then go out and thank a veteran for their service. Never forget those who are still MIA.

 I must say that I was completely caught off-guard by this story. The building of tension and the execution of the story was top notch...something I expect from a best-selling author...certainly UNexpected from a self published work.

 I did not want to put it down. Looking forward to your next book Warren! Hoorah!

 “No posterity, you will never know how much it has cost us to preserve your freedom. My hope is that you will make good use of it. If you do not, I shall repent in heaven that I have took half the pains to preserve it.” John Adams




BUY THE BOOK AT MY WEBSITEORBUY THE KINDLE E-BOOK AT AMAZON

From Unknown to International Bestseller: How I Got on Oprah, the Today Show, and Landed Three Major Book Publishing Deals

If you're in the St. Louis Area on Wednesday, June 12, 2013, Don't miss out on our St. Louis Publishers Association event.  We will have Will Bowen as our Speaker and it's sure to be an informative and eventful evening.

Have you ever wondered what it's like to work with a major publisher?Would you like to know how people in the media spotlight prepare for a national interview? You'll get answers to those questions and more when bestselling author Will Bowen makes a rare visit to St. Louis.

Will Bowen has had an amazing journey as an author. It all started in a surprising manner just a few short years ago. He was inspired to give away "no complaint" wristbands to his congregants when he served as a minister of a Unity church in Kansas City. It was a way to remind people to stop focusing so much on what's wrong and redirect their thoughts to the positive.

The idea caught on in a big way and before long the local press covered it.This led to media exposure in other cities and eventually Will was invited to appear on Oprah, The Today Show, People magazine, and more. This major media exposure led to lots of interest from book publishers, which compelled Will to hire an agent to negotiate the ensuing bidding war.

His first book, A Complaint Free World, has become an international bestseller. His other books include Complaint Free Relationships and the new Happy This Year! He also struck a publishing deal with a new Amazon imprint and will be the first author to serialize a nonfiction Kindle ebook.

Join us June 12 as Will Bowen shares his colorful publishing journey and answers your questions about working with agents and major publishers, lessons learned from mass media exposure, how much work an author has to do when supported by a traditional publisher, and more.

You'll find a Facebook event page here , where you'll find details about Will's June 12 SLPA meeting, as well as his St. Louis talk on living a complaint-free, happy life the night before at a different location. Perhaps you can attend both!

Learn more about Will, his books and programs at www.WillBowen.com.

Meeting Location:

Brentwood Community Center (Brentwood Recreational Complex)
2505 S. Brentwood Boulevard, Room 101
Brentwood, MO 63144

Doors open for networking at 6:30 PM, meeting begins at 7:00 PM. The formal meeting concludes at 8:30 or so with networking continuing after the meeting.

Our regular meetings are free to Members. Guests: $10 at the door, cash or check only.

 

Hypnotic Book Marketing

How to Create Descriptions and Sales Offers That Mesmerize Readers and Sell More Books


For anyone in the St. Louis area this Wednesday, the St. Louis Publishers Association will be hosting another great presentation by Bob Baker who will discuss "How to Create Descriptions and Sales Offers That Mesmerize Readers and Sell More Books"
There are two ways to describe and promote your books: The typical ho-hum way that gets mediocre results ... and the "hypnotic" way. And when you learn the secrets behind the hypnotic method, you'll attract more readers and turn a lot more of them into book buyers.
Bob BakerDon't worry, this presentation isn't about casting spells or manipulating people to do things against their will. Not at all. What it will show you is how to present your message and your book in ways that captivate and motivate people to buy.

 
In a little more than an hour, Bob Baker will reveal:

How to write the most effective sales page headlines and email subject lines The #1 most important word you need to include in any book sales message How to craft magnetic sales offers (and the key aspects that most authors mistakenly leave out) Examples of book promotions that generated as much as $3,976 in five days Bob Baker is an author, teacher, musician, and visual artist dedicated to showing creative people of all kinds how to get exposure, connect with fans, and increase their incomes. He is the author of "Guerrilla Music Marketing Handbook," "55 Ways to Promote & Sell Your Book on the Internet," "Unleash the Artist Within," and more.

He has also been an SLPA member for ten years and is serving his sixth term as president of the board. Check out Bob’s free ezine, blog, podcast, video clips and articles at 
www.FullTimeAuthor.com  www.TheBuzzFactor.com.

Meeting Location:
Brentwood Community Center (Brentwood Recreational Complex)
2505 S. Brentwood Boulevard, Room 101
Brentwood, MO 63144

Doors open for networking at 6:30 PM, meeting begins at 7:00 PM. The formal meeting concludes at 8:30 or so with networking continuing after the meeting.

Our regular meetings are free to Members. Guests: $10 at the door, cash or check only.

The Man Who Claims To Be Lost U.S. Vietnam Vet John Hartley Robertson 'Is A Fraud'

The past few weeks have seen the marketing of what was being called a Documentary about Green Beret John Robertson, who was considered Killed in Action in Laos in 1968. The premise for the documentary film title Unclaimed was conceived when a Vietnam Veteran recently returned to Vietnam and while there met a man who claimed to be Robertson.
Filmmaker Michael Jorgenson tackled the project of making the documentary and as the story was described in the Toronto Star, the Business Insider, and the movie website, Jorgenson made what is being considered by many as a very emotional and tearful true story film about an American who never returned from Vietnam and a reunion with family and friends.

Fraud - Fiction as Truth Many of us remember and Loved Chuck Norris and his
Missing in Action Movies, and then there is also my book "Forgotten Soldiers," but these are FICTION, and although there may be an agenda to draw attention to the POW/MIA issue, they are not portrayed as Documentary or truth.   




Journalist and Army Veteran Robert Johnson of Business Insider did a follow-up story exposing the Fraud and the fact that the person impersonating Robertson is actually a Vietnamese citizen named Dang Than Ngoc. Check out Johnson's Article for the details including fingerprint, DNA, and US Government and first hand accounts of the impersonation of a US Military person going back decades. 

The Unclaimed documentary is not for entertainment, but rather to present an emotional injustice, and seems to portray an anti US Government slant implying that Robertson was not wanted by his country. Suspicious minds would ask how can a filmmaker make a documentary about a man and not do their homework, ignore existing evidence, not obtain physical evidence, and ignore the known citizenship and reputation of a man whose real name is Dang Than Ngoc. Many would believe an ulterior motive, be it political or financial gain.

Is it possible that Americans were never returned after the Vietnam War? Many of us believe it is, and base that belief on personal knowledge, Cold War related documents and Communist policy from WWII, Korean War, the French Vietnam War, and Cold War practices. As for the mis-classified documentary Unclaimed, the damage has already been done: a fallen Green Beret’s identity has have been stolen (Stolen Valor ), a filmmaker will profit, and an unknowing audience will have fallen victim to trusting a filmmakers movie to be true and develop yet another false perception of the US Government, the American people, and the Vietnam War.


 

SLPA Presents Robert Fishbone

Our Next Meeting: Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Yes, Authors ARE in Business: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Publishing, Product Development & Entrepreneurship
According to author and speaker Robert Fishbone, whether you are going the independent or traditional publishing route, you ARE in business. And you will be a lot more successful if you learn to think like an entrepreneur. That means you will have a burning passion to get your idea out into the world, the courage and perseverance to see it through, and (often overlooked) enough humility to ask for expert help.

In this interactive and entertaining talk, Robert will use his own saga to illustrate "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Being an Entrepreneur." He will discuss creativity, innovation, marketing, and more. Having self-published three very different books, along with 200 other products sold in 20 countries, Robert will share what he did right and wrong along the way, and what he would do differently today. There will be ample time for Q&A.

Robert Fishbone is the author of "Selling the Scream." It tells the story of how he took a crazy idea for the Scream; an inflatable figure based on Edvard Munch’s famous painting, and turned it into a million-dollar business. Now, over 500,000 Screams later, Fishbone tells his saga of starting a business, learning the ropes one mistake after another, and growing a successful company known worldwide for edgy products and excellent customer service.

He also published "Onward Is Best, A Christmas Journey," a book by his late wife Sarah Jean Linquist. Visit www.RobertFishbone.com and www.OnwardIsBest.com for more info. 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.
Monthy 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)

 Visit our web site for more information and resources: www.stlouispublishers.org 

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

The Nations
Many people may not make a connection with a Western Novel and Black History Month, but Authors Buck Stienke and Ken Farmer's best selling, top rated historical fiction western, The Nations , have done that with the lead character Bass Reeves. 
Did you know that Bass Reeves was the first black Deputy US Marshal west of the Mississippi. A former slave, he was appointed to the US Marshals service in 1875 first as a tracker then as a full-fledged Deputy US Marshal under Judge Issac C. Parker of the 9th District Court of Western Arkansas—also known as the 'Hanging Judge'. 
Bass, along with some 200 other white, black and Indian deputies and local Indian Police called Lighthorse, were charged with administering law and order in the eastern portion of what is now  Oklahoma—known then as  Indian Territory or The Nations. It was also known as "Robber's Roost" and "No-Man's Land" and was regarded in the latter part of the 19th century as the bloodiest and most dangerous place in the world. Sixty-five of those courageous marshals would give their lives in the line of duty during the twenty-one year span under Judge Parker, 1875 to 1896. 
Bass Reeves was one of the survivors. During his 32 year career as a Deputy Marshal, he would serve over 3,000 felony warrants and kill 14 men in the line of duty—twice as many as Marshal Wild Bill Hickok. He is regarded to this day as one of the greatest marshals in the long and storied history of the US Marshals Service. A larger than life size statue depicting Bass was recently erected next to the site of the US Marshals Museum in Ft. Smith, Arkansas.
 
Bass Reeves was a true American hero and is so depicted in the novel, The Nations , now available where ever good books are sold in print or E versions. Bass will again star in the sequel to The Nations, entitled, Haunted Falls, due out this summer. Watch for it.