Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Seekerville Welcomes Guest Bloggers Kathie Hightower and Holly Scherer

Debby here! A few months ago, Holly Scherer called and asked permission to include “Sisterhood,” a tribute to Army wives I penned and published some years ago, in a book she and three other military wives—Kathie Hightower, Tara Crooks, and Starlett Henderson--were writing about military life. Holly’s enthusiasm was infectious, and I knew Seekervillagers would enjoy hearing how their book went from beginning concept to published hardback.

1001 Things to Love About Military Life released November 2, and although busy with book signings and visits to military posts and bases around the country, Kathie and Holly promised to stop in throughout the day to talk about the military, their writing journey and the nonfiction side of publishing.

I received a copy of 1001 Things to Love About Military Life in the mail Monday and have enjoyed reading the anecdotes, vignettes and wealth of information captured within the covers of this heartwarming book. Some of the photos and stories have brought tears to my eyes, others have made me laugh, but all have underscored the uniqueness of military life.  As always, I am indebted to and so very proud of our brave men and women in uniform and the families who support them.

Please join me in welcoming Kathie and Holly to Seekerville…

It feels surreal…having a hardback book published by the “second-largest publisher in the world."


1001 Things to Love About Military Life was released this month by Center Street, an imprint of Hachette Book Group (HBG).

According to the press release our publicist (“our publicist!!”) created, “HBG is a leading trade publisher based in New York and a division of Hachette Livre, the second-largest publisher in the world.”

“The second largest publisher in the world!” we screamed at each other over the phone when we saw that. Wow…who knew?

It’s been quite a journey getting to this point, and yes we still have quite a journey ahead of us. We’ve pretty much run the gamut so far of ways to get a book published.
Kathie Hightower and Holly Scherer
Kathie’s first book was a booklet really. Joyful Living listed 75 ways to add more joy to your life. She self published, paying for everything, design and printing cost. Her next book, Simple Joys, was “sort of” self-published. She paid for the publishing cost and held full responsibility to move the books, but it was part of the “Short Attention Span Library” of books, all the same gift book size and shape. She didn’t have to handle the design or printing and there was a little bit of joint marketing.

The key with these books was that she had a way to move them, selling them Back of Room (BOR) at workshops and keynotes, or selling them in bulk to agencies who contracted with her to speak. 

When we decided to write a book together (after 10 years of talking about writing a book), we tried to sell it to a publisher. Rejection followed rejection.

We finally grew impatient and published it as a Print on Demand book. Help! I’m a Military Spouse – I Get a Life Too! is a book we brought out without huge upfront expense. We now had a book we could sell to clients who booked us for speaking engagements. We could sell them BOR at workshops. They were available for sale on Amazon. What we couldn’t do was get any distribution into bookstores, especially into military exchanges where our core market shops.

We continued to query publishing houses, only now we had a finished product and some sales record to back up the proposal. A small publishing house picked it up and brought out our revised Second Edition. Distribution was better but not great and we still had to do all our own marketing of course. That small publishing house was still not able to get the book into military exchanges.

All through the years, we kept researching the book business, attending workshops, reading books, networking with authors. For this latest book, we created a strong proposal and query letter and started querying agents, knowing that was essential in today’s market. Networking – and serendipity – connected us with our agent. With the agency’s advice, we strengthened the proposal and she sold the book to Hachette. (Of course, saying it like that sounds simple. The reality took six years from idea to published book, with many rejections along the way.)

We read Ruth Logan Herne’s recent blog about Query Letters here on Seekerville. Her advice to leave out biographical info, to include it in a separate sheet and let the writing and story sell the book is the opposite of how it works in the nonfiction world. The first question the publisher (and agent) has is “What is your platform? Why are you the one to write this book and how are you going to market it?” (Believe it or not, if you have a strong enough platform and idea, you could actually hire a ghostwriter, so the writing isn’t the key selling point as it is in fiction. Of course, we still think good writing is key because that drives word-of-mouth marketing which is critical no matter the genre.) 

Hachette bought our book based on the fact that we had four authors who have lived the life we are writing about, but most importantly, four authors who have some way to market the book. It was our platforms…our speaking engagements, our columns, our blogs, our websites, our radio show…that sold them on the book.

The writing and editing process was intense. Our original idea was changed pretty dramatically, from a small gift book with simple one-liners to a full-sized book full of stories, quotes, photos and cartoons. Whereas the norm is 12-18months from final manuscript to publication date, Hachette pushed this through in a much shorter time, really about 5 months from final manuscript to publication. With our other books the writing and editing was pretty much up to us. With this book, we not only had four authors (in 4 different geographic locations and 3 times zones), we now had an editor, a book packager, a book designer, and a copyeditor all involved. And with a large publisher, we were pushed to much greater detail and fact-checking with material and permissions.

Kathie once talked with Amy Fetzer, a romance writer who’d published 22 novels or novellas. She was also a military spouse, moving and dealing with deployments as we have.

“How in the world did you write 22 novels,” asked Kathie, “It took us forever to just write one book.” The author’s answer was, “The difference is you have to research and back every statement up…I just make everything up…it’s quicker.” There’s some truth to that (of course there is all that character development and plotting so not sure it’s that much quicker.) Plus we realized our time was spent so much on “platform-building” rather than book-writing, developing our workshops, doing proposals, traveling for workshops, writing columns.

Anyway, we are thrilled to have a big publishing house behind this book. It’s already helping with distribution, already in some military exchanges. We have someone else sending out review copies rather than us handling all of that as in the past. But the bottom line? Writing and editing the book, hard as it was, is only 10% of the work. Now we start on the 90% of the work, marketing the book. 

Kathie often quotes author Lynn Waymon, “Expecting your publisher to market your book is like expecting your Ob/Gyn to raise your child.” It’s up to us.

A first-of-its-kind celebration of military life, 1001 THINGS TO LOVE ABOUT MILITARY LIFE (Center Street, Hachette Book Group; Nov 2, 2011; Hardcover; $19.99) chronicles some obvious and not-so-obvious traditions, advantages and experiences military members, veterans and their families share. 


Full of heart-warming vignettes, laugh-out-loud lists, stories and quotes from military members and family members, and photos that speak a thousand positive affirmations, this inspirational look at those who dedicate their lives to serving perfectly illustrates why it is a profession and lifestyle to love. You'll find practical truths most service members wouldn't want to live without and learn the unique outlooks, services and advantages military life provides. Military or civilian, you'll witness the community and personal growth that the military offers. 


Whether you have a friend or loved one in the military, you're a service member ready to head out on duty, a spouse gearing up to take charge of the household, a veteran in need of a few good laughs, or a new recruit looking for encouragement, this book provides inspiration and insight into the lives of today's dedicated and courageous military families. 

Kathie and Holly have partnered on writing and workshops for military spouses of all services since 1994. They’ve presented their trademark workshop Follow Your Dreams While You Follow the Military™ for military spouses all over the United States, Europe, Japan and Korea. They’ve keynoted many of the military spouse conferences of all services worldwide. Frequent contributors to military publications to include years of columns in Air Force/Army/Marine Corps/Navy Times newspapers, Military Money magazine, Military Spouse magazine, military.com, they are also coauthors of Help! I’m a Military Spouse – I Get a Life Too! in its Second Edition. They were designated two of the first Who’s Who in Military Spouses 2007 by Military Spouse Magazine. Kathie and Holly also keynote programs for corporate audiences and hospital wellness groups. They encourage their audiences to access possibilities and “Jump into Life,” to “Live Now, Not When.” 

Visit Kathie and Holly at www.lovemilitarylife.com, www.militaryspousehelp.com, and www.jumpintolife.net

Leave a comment and email address to be included in a drawing for a  choice of either Help! I'm a Military Spouse (although military spouse stories, the research on happiness and goal achieving tips apply to all) or Kathie's workbook, Jump Into Life (full of life exploration exercises).

Debby again:  I'll be giving away a copy of 1001 Things to Love About Military Life as well as my latest Military Investigations suspense, THE CAPTAIN'S MISSION, to a second winner. Be sure to include your email with your comment to be included in both drawings!

Buy 1001 Things to Love About Military Life now: http://www.amazon.com/1001-Things-Love-About-Military/dp/1455502839/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top






112 comments :

  1. Hello Kathie & Holly,

    The military life has always intrigued me, particularly the military wives.

    Please enter me in your draws:

    janet(underscore)kerr(at)msn(dot)com

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  2. Hi All:

    I would think that “1001 Things to Love About Military Life” would be required reading for all recruiters. That would be my top mailing list.

    BTW: does anyone know who reads the most military romances: people in the military or those who are not in the military?

    Vince

    vmres (at) swbell (dot) net

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  3. How fun! Most of my family on one side is in one branch or the other. This would be a great Christmas gift!

    Vince, I wonder about that, too. But I know the nurses who are friends of mine don't read much medical romance or medical fiction. Another friend, a lawyer, says he couldn't read John Grisham.

    I think this book would be different because it's non-fiction!

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  4. Janet...you didn't got to Lee HS did you? You have a name double from there (my class). If you read either of our books you'll get insight into military lives.
    Vince...We do hope recruiters read the book AND refer it to new recruits and new spouses! Our dream is that both books would become automatic required (okay we know you can't require that) reading for anyone new to the military (it's all the info that would have saved us a lot of complaining and learning curve early on!)
    Vince & Virginia...We don't know about everyone but we like to read romances and novels that are set in our world, so we can say "I remember experiencing that" or "it's not like that!" But we also love to immerse ourselves in worlds not the military too...hope that works in reverse. (Kathie)

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  5. Morning everyone!

    The coffee's hot. Plenty of hot tea too.

    I brought breakfast...eggs, bacon, hash browns, biscuits and gravy, chilled fruit, coffee cake and grits!

    Enjoy!

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  6. Hi Janet,

    Thanks for stopping by Seekerville. You're in the drawings.

    So what is it that intrigues you about military wives? That they're willing to travel around with world with their military husbands? Or that they're able to maintain the homefront while the guys are deployed?

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  7. Hi Vince,

    Recruiters would love the book, no doubt. Great to keep in their offices for folks who need to know a bit more about military life.

    Thanks for your service to our country, Vince!

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  8. Hi Virginia,

    You're right, the book would be a great Christmas gift. Also good for writers who want to create military heroes and heroines.

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  9. I'm dying laughing at Amy Fetzer's reply to your amazement! She gets to make evrything up...

    Amen to that, Sistahs!!!

    I love that you guys read our query letter post, and you're absolutely right. For Non-Fiction you have to have that platform, a reason for people to consider you smart enough to write a book...

    I am so glad that isn't a factor in fiction! :)

    Vince, I bet more of us outside the military read military romance, just like we LOVE NCIS...

    Because we tend to romanticize the life... the missions... the totally hot guys.... (not me, of course. Pshaw)

    Ladies, thank you so much for being with us today! I love the longevity of your work, and any friend of Deb's is a friend of mine/ours/Seekerville. Wishing you continued success and HUGE KUDOS to you for selling to Center Street.

    You guys rock. Totally.

    Deb brought breakfast.... Oh, yum, thank you, Deb!!! And coffee... Gimme. Loving this, it's chilly here today!

    But then it is mid-November!

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  10. Kathie and Holly,

    I'm amazed at how quickly you wrote 1001 Things. Five months from your initial query to completed submission?

    How did you divide the workload? And brainstorm ideas?

    Could you give us a behind the scenes peek at what life was like as the deadline neared?

    Of course, most of us know about deadlines, and the picture isn't always pretty! :)

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  11. Ruthy's right...

    Building the platform for a nonfiction proposal must be tough. That's what I find so interesting.

    I'm sure many of us have thought of nonfiction ideas but wondered how to query and what information was needed.

    Also enjoyed reading about selling BOR, which a number of speakers do with their own writing books.

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  12. I found lots of interesting information here. Thanks you for the info

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  13. Kathie and Holly,

    So great to have you here! I can’t wait to read your book! I’m not in the military, or have anyone currently serving, but I just can’t say how much I admire and respect those who give so much serving their country, and being the helpmate to those who serve.

    A few years ago I had the honor of assisting the Marine Corps with the career oral history of then Commandant Michael Hagee, and what I loved about this history is he insisted they interview his wife, as well, since she was his partner during his career. Her interview was riveting as she spoke about meeting with new Marine spouses and visiting the Marines in Iraq and Afghanistan with the General. Anyway, her history bolstered my already immense respect for military spouses.

    Congratulations on the book! I hope many will read it even if they’re not in the military or married to someone serving.

    --Kirsten
    kanavyhist[at]aol[dot]com

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  14. Hi Web Promo...you'll always find great info on Seekerville.

    And coffee!

    Thanks for stopping by today.

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  15. Kirsten,

    Nice story about General Hagee. Behind every great man...right?

    How exciting for you to have a role in the oral history project. Love hearing about your job, Kirsten.

    Also love YOUR love for the military!

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  16. It is said, writing a book is like giving birth… when you are in the midst of pregnancy everything you see reminds you of ‘your baby’. You are doing everything you can to take care of ‘your baby’; reading everything you can get your hands on about being pregnant; and making plans and taking care of all the details for when ‘your baby’ arrives. Towards the end of pregnancy all you want to do is ‘get this baby out’.

    But what if you were expected to give birth to a healthy, fully developed baby within five months. Holy smokes, I thought our editor was insane. How in the world would we be able to ‘push out a healthy baby’ in five months, at first I said it was impossible. But since we did have the luxury of four authors we divided and tackled the workload.

    As with all people, we all have different strengths to build upon. As a group we focused on those strengths to divide the workload. Star and I did the dirty work of combing the list, organizing the list, double checking the list, doing the research, verifying the facts (not an easy task I might add) and sending out “to do list” the others. Kathie is our writer in the group, she could write a vignette in moments – she is a machine. Star and I kept saying, “We need to get Kathie to stop writing, because we can not keep up with her”. Tara said from the beginning that her strengths are in social media and web design. Check out www.lovemilitarylife.com and see what she was able to help create.

    On top of the four authors we were blessed with an amazing editorial staff from Center Street, Kate Hartson, Roberta Conlan, Julia Duncan and Tina Taylor. Now with eight of us, (including this editorial staff), and living in four different time zones,(from one side of the country to the other) the task of combing through the entire list of 1001 things began. Emails were flying back and forth all hours of the day and night. I will be honest and say it was really, really hard. There were many days I didn’t sleep at all. Trying to keep up was overwhelming. I wouldn’t know what day it was, I was glued to my computer and working non-stop for weeks on end. I got to the point of just “wishing this baby would just get out”. And so did my family who so patiently supported me during this time period.

    Once we pushed “SEND” on the finished manuscript we yelled “WE DID IT” and then I think all of us went into a sleep coma for a few days. HA!

    I have a saying, “If you were meant to do things all by yourself, you would have been put here on this earth – all by yourself.” What a blessing to work with a team who brought their strengths to the table and to help give birth to such an amazing book.

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  17. Welcome to Seekerville, Kathie and Holly!! Congratulations on the publication of 1001 Things to Love about Military Life! A wonderful tribute to our men and women serving in the military!

    We're thrilled Debby's essay is included!!

    Janet

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  18. Ladies, you are amazing! Thank you for all your active support of our military.

    Isn't it amazing how our projects tend to evolve? You started with a gift book and ended up with volume worthy of Keeper-ship. And 5 months from in the door at Hachette to out the door to distributors?

    Definitely a God thing.

    So wonderful to have you with us in Seekerville today! Please come back!

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  19. Thank you ladies!
    Congratulations!!!!

    We appreciate the peek into your journey also. :)

    God bless you and your families and your men for the service you so willingly give to our country. I am in awe.

    Would love to win your book (or Debby's!)...

    may@maythek9spy.com

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  20. God bless all military spouses! Thank you for supporting the military in such a personal but profound way. I appreciate you!!!

    I pray you sell millions.

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  21. Welcome Kathie and Holly!

    You've given us a fascinating look into the world of non-fiction publishing - thank you!

    We've lived near Air Force bases - in Texas many years ago and now in South Dakota - and I'm always intrigued by the military wives and how they seem to move their community around with them. There's a certain look or bearing to those women, often on their own for months at a time with their little ones, but they've given me a peek into the true cost of serving in the military.

    I'd love to read your book!

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  22. Hi Debby and welcome to Seekerville Kathie and Holly,

    What a great contribution and ministry to those dealing with military life. My dh grew up as a military brat. His dad was a prisoner of war in Korea for two years. I wish his mom was still alive to read this as she would have loved it.

    Great going and best wishes on the marketing. Wow. Center Street. That's big.

    And if you win Debby's Captains Mission, you'll love it. It's a "can't put it down" book to read as are all of her suspense novels.

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  23. Fabulous post! What a timely book :)Thank you for sharing your inspirational journey.

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  24. Wonderful post Kathie and Holly! What a journey you two have had in publihsing your book,and I'd bet in life. :)

    My DH retired from the AF a few years back. I couldn't be prouder of him and those who have served to protect us. I learned tons from speakers at the wives' clubs meetings as a new wife. I think it's great that you have an opportunity to speak and encourage other women/families.

    I hope your book does well! I'll be looking forward to reading it. Thanks for sharing here today!

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  25. Debby-thanks for the great link!
    Kathie and Holly-Thanks for the great overview of your writing and publishing process. I'm sure it will be of great help as I forage through the process myself (Eat,Love,PraiseHim, in progress).
    As a military spouse for 16 of a 23 year career, I can say the military is a life of benefits that brings you a sense of community and introduces you to a family you come to love.
    Your topic is very timely. Your publisher was wise to push it through. No wonder they are the second largest publisher!
    Every American household will want to grab a copy of your book to gain insight into military life, no doubt. I am eager to get my own copy!
    -Jackie Arnold

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  26. Kathie & Holly, thanks so much for being our guests in Seekerville today. And what a wonderful concept for your book!

    It's hard for me to even imagine the life of a military wife. I had a hard enough time in the early years of marriage when my husband's company sent him away to training schools for a week or two at a stretch.

    Movies and TV shows portray military wives as a supportive, close-knit sisterhood. Is that reflective of real life?

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  27. Hey there Kathie and Holly - great analogy to end your post.

    Hubby and I were both in the Cdn Armed Forces so I knew what I was getting into when we married. I think it was harder on him. About a year after our wedding, he said he wished there were Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's) for marriage like there are for military life. Heh.

    I know your book will be a blessing and not just to military wives. Consider:
    - military husbands (the smart ones)
    - extended families
    - fiction writers (military wife heroines)

    Bless you for having the tenacity to push forward with this needed book.

    Thanks Debby.

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  28. WOW, Kathie and Holly, WHAT A JOURNEY!!

    AND SUPER CONGRATS ON 1001 Things to Love About Military Life!!! LOVE the cover, and I agree with Vince -- I would think it would "be required reading for all recruiters" as well! Maybe you can contact the army to see if they might not want to purchase a couple thou of this baby??? :)

    LOL ... "“Expecting your publisher to market your book is like expecting your Ob/Gyn to raise your child.” SOOOO true and SOOOO funny!!

    God bless you, ladies, in this important endeavor, and THANK YOU for coming to Seekerville AND Deb for inviting you! Thanksgiving month is certainly an appropriate month to do so since each American owes a HUGE debt of gratitude to our troops, both yesteryear and today.

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  29. Hi Janet,

    The fact that Holly found me is a testament to their thoroughness in writing this book.

    My "Sisterhood" has been circulating around the military for years. Many folks have reproduced the work and left off the author's name--my name. :)

    Holly wanted to include "Sisterhood" but had trouble tracking down who wrote the piece. Lucky for me, she persevered, eventually found my name and phone number, and as they say, the rest is history.

    I'm so proud my tribute to Army wives was included in their new book.

    A win-win...Tara and Star invited me to their Army Talk Radio program where I was able to connect with even more readers for my Military Investigations series.

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  30. Welcome to Seekerville ladies!!

    Thank you for visiting and thank you for supporting those who support us!!

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  31. A "God thing," for sure, as Audra mentioned. He connects people and opportunities, and uses everything to build up His Kingdom on earth.

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  32. Hi KC...thanks for all you do for our military! May, too!

    Hugs.

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  33. Melanie...I like your prayer. :) Bet Holly and Kathie do, as well.

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  34. I would love to win a copy of your book! We have just made our fist military move. Thanks!

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  35. I'm having a bit of computer problems this morning, I've been posting but nothing is showing up. I'm tracking and certainly appreciate your kind words.

    I love Audra's comment: "You started with a gift book and ended up with volume worthy of Keeper-ship." That's what's been the biggest surprise to me so far. How the readers are wanting to record their own memories of why they love military life and then pass it along to their children and hopefully to their children's children to remind them why they chose to servce their country in the first place.

    I would love this to be purchased by the military to give to everyone - but with the budget cuts, I do not see that happening so Melanie - please keep those prayers of selling millions coming.

    Thank you all so much for your comments - what a supportive friendly bunch you are - I want to have coffee with you every morning. (Holly)

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  36. I love the sound of this book, Kathie and Holly. I just bought two of them. One for me and one for my niece in the Army...great Christmas idea.

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  37. Hi Jan,

    Military wives have always been strong women, but today, even more is asked of them. Their husbands are deployed for 12 to 15 months at a time. Often hubby comes home for 12 months and then is sent back on another deployment. That's tough on any family! The worry about having a loved one in harms way makes the separation even more difficult.

    I should be saying spouse instead of wife. We know men who are married to military gals. The guys have to hold the family together during deployments.

    Some military couples end up being deployed at the same time. Hard when children are involved. God bless the grandparents and relatives who care for the little ones so mom and dad can serve.

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  38. Sandra,
    Thanks for your warm welcome for Holly and Kathie and your kind words for my story. :)

    God bless your father-in-law. One of our friends at church was a prisoner of war in Vietnam. My hat's off to all our brave POWs!

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  39. Thank you Mary! Please let us know what you think after you have a chance to read through it. holly@lovemilitarylife.com

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  40. Their journey is inspirational, as you mentioned, Sherri!

    Often we don't think the years of work before publication will bear fruit! As long as we keep working to achieve our dream, anything is possible.

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  41. Oh, what a lovely group of comments!

    I love that people are thinking, thinking, thinking of soldiers and veterans these days. I grew up in the post-Vietnam era and the attitudes were so bitter and embroiled.

    This is much better. Much, much better. God bless our military, their families, their homes...

    Hey, we made banana bread yesterday, with chocolate chips. I thought that might be a good mid-day snack! Well. Mid-morning!

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  42. Jeanne T...big hugs and thanks to your Air Force hubby from all of us in Seekerville!

    You mentioned wives clubs. Coffee groups too. The spouses band together and support one another, which is so important.

    I often say the military is like living in a small town that's always on the move. You say goodbye to someone today and then meet them again farther down the road. Or your friend is a friend of a friend...small world and an exciting, but challenging life.

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  43. Hi Jackie,
    Thanks for stopping by Seekerville today! And for all you've done to support your military hubby!

    Good luck with your own writing.

    I loved reading about the marketing platform needed for a nonfiction proposal. So different from a fiction submission.

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  44. Kathie, Holly and Debby,

    I wondered if you'd looked into having your book included on the services' Official Reading Programs. I don't know all the details regarding getting on these. Our previous Chairman sent in an official request for a book he wrote and now it's on the Navy's list.

    Here's the address for the Navy's program. Might be a start. Then again might be something you've already done, or are not interested in, but thought I'd mention it.

    Accelerate Your Mind
    Naval War College
    686 Cushing Road
    Newport RI, 02841-1207

    --Kirsten

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  45. Hi Myra,
    Because everyone moves often in the military, the wives and children make friends quickly. Plus, people reach out right away to the newcomer, and most military wives get involved in their communities almost before the moving van leaves their driveway.

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  46. Hi Anita Mae!

    Love your hubby's comment about SOPs for marriage!

    Thanks for your service and for hubby's service! Our Northern neighbors are strong allies!

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  47. Hi,

    I've gotten a glimpse into the life of military thru a light-hearted mystery series by Sara Rosett. The protagonist is an Air Force wife and mother. I didn't know if you have heard of those.

    I'm in for the drawings:

    cathy underscore shouse at yahoo dot com

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  48. Julie, thanks for the kind words about the military. You're right! November is a great month to give thanks for our brave men and women in uniform!

    Veteran's Day all month long!

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  49. Wow! First, thank you to all four of you authors for your service to our country, being a military spouse can't be easy. Second, congratulations on the book.

    christinainspirationals [at] gmail dot com

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  50. Amy...tell us about your move and your experiences so far in the military. Hope you're finding open arms ready to welcome you to the military.

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  51. Holly, sorry about your computer problems. Hope everything clears up!

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  52. Great idea, Kirsten!

    The other War Colleges probably have similar reading programs as well.

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  53. Debby,

    The Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard all have official reading programs. I just had the Navy's address close by. Sorry, I don't have a name, but I'm not sure who's on the committee. They can also tell you who to contact within the other services.

    The email (in case that's better than the snail mail) is:

    navyreading@nwc.navy.mil

    --Kirsten

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  54. This is the last comment and then I'll stop. But the Marines at Quantico offer a Spouse Workshop and might be interested.

    The contact information:

    Branch Head
    Professional Programs Branch
    Room B31
    2076 South St
    Quantico, VA 22134

    Commercial Phone: (703) 784-6850

    Sorry, I'll quit now.

    --Kirsten

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  55. Kirsten, don't quit!! This is excellent information.

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  56. I'll echo what Christina said. Thank you for your service to our country. Military spouses are also in service and they don't get thanked enough.
    I know the price my brother and sister-in-law pay for having a daughter in the Army. She's been deployed twice and it's hard. And these are parents, not spouses often with small children, coping without mom or dad in the home for long stretches.

    THANK YOU!!!! God bless you.

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  57. Okay then, here's the information for the Coast Guard's Reading Program. You fill out the following recommendation template then send to: Veronique.Freeman@uscg.mil

    http://www.uscg.mil/leadership/resources/Recommendation_Template_2010.docrogram.

    The Army's list I believe is through the Center of Military History. Jeffrey J. Clarke was the Chief of Military History last I heard.

    U.S. Army Center of Military History
    Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, DC 20319-5058

    Sorry, I don't have and email. And Air Force, I'm sorry I don't have any of their information, but I know they have Chief of Staff Reading List.

    Hope this gives some leads. And if you can get on these lists then the Exchanges (and in the case of the Navy ship libraries) have to carry the books.

    --Kirsten

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  58. Wonderful post! I so very much appreciate our military and their spouses!!!

    I went with a friend to see Muse Watson [Mike Franks from NCIS] in a play last weekend. During the first act he came out and said "Let me borrow this body for a minute" and the NCIS music started playing and he morphed from Sam into Mike Franks and had all the veterans stand up. There were lots of them and it was so neat to see.

    Then he gave the body back to Sam ;).

    I have a cousin who is an Army wife. I would love to win one for her.

    carolmoncado at gmail dot com

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  59. AMEN to what Mary said! Military spouses live truly sacrificial lives. We honor you and we thank you!

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  60. Kirsten, that was so interesting! I'd never heard of that program...

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  61. Virginia,

    Most haven't heard of these programs. It was established a few years ago to encourage Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines to read and to learn about the military. Most programs cover everything from history to critical thinking to their individual service's heritage. Unfortunately, no romance. :o)

    --Kirsten

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  62. Wow! What a wonderful group of supportive authors. I echo Holly...I want to have coffee (well Earl Grey tea for me) with you every morning.
    I have so many thoughts to share from reading your comments. First I have a walking meeting with a fellow local writer. Will be back later with lots of ideas that your comments triggered.
    And some "platform" ideas for fiction writers. I know it's not the same, but there are some ways to use ideas from NF platforms. more later. Fresh air on the beach in the rain first.
    And yes, I'm getting Debby's books to read. My husband worked in Army Criminal Investigation for awhile so that world will hit home for sure!

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  63. Hi Debby:

    There are many different types of military lives. Some wives actually travel with their husbands to oversea bases. When I was in Italy, the wives often worked on the base in civilian jobs. They traveled all over Europe on weekends or on leave. Some were photographers, some writers, some went to cooking school. (This was during the Vietnam war.)

    Once when I was trying to buy a Volkswagen in an Italian dealership, I saw a sergeant, his wife, and their 8 year old son negotiating to buy a car. The 8 year old was translating the Italian for his parents. He had already developed a working knowledge of Italian. Kids can learn a new language so fast it will amaze adults.

    There were always lots of kids running around on the base. I really envied those kids their childhood. Serving in the military was also a great gift these parents gave to their children.

    The military life can be the best of worlds and it can also be the most difficult of worlds.

    Bless them all.

    Vince

    P.S. I found that the easiest and best way to write a self-help book is to have a title like “100 Ways to X”. One or two good ideas alone can be worth the price of the book. It can be read in very short bursts. (Not challenging to poor readers). Best of all, multiple authors can write the individual ideas in any order to be arranged later. “1001 Things to Love About Military Life” is a great title.

    BTW: Free pamphlets are a great way to develop a mailing list and build a platform.

    For example:

    “The 10 Most Common Mistakes Service Wives Make When Planning a Move and How to Avoid Them”

    “The 10 Most Overlooked Benefits Military Families May Claim Right Now”

    “The 10 Best Free Ways to Communicate with a Deployed Spouse”

    “He’s Coming Home: Ten Proven Ways to a Smooth Transition back to Home Life”
    .

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  64. Welcome Kathie and Holly. Thanks for sharing your fascinating journey with us today--WOW! You've worked very hard, but it sure seems to be paying off now--Congratulations on your success! ~ I have a niece/Godchild who's married to an Air Force Major (we're so proud of him--he served 3 years on AirForceOne!). Anyway, I'm planning on purchasing this latest book for them. ~ In honor of your visit today, I've brought my Georgia Pecan Praline Pie to share with you--Enjoy! ~ Blessings from Georgia, Patti Jo Moore :)
    pattijomoore(at)yahoo(dot)com
    p.s. Debby, thank you for bringing these wonderful guests today!! :)

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  65. Home from Bible Study.

    Now we're under a tornado watch. My daughter is under a warning. Praying everything passes by without problem.

    Waving to Cathy and Christina...you're both in the drawing!

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  66. Kirsten, don't stop! You're a wealth of info. Love it! Keep it coming! :)

    Hugs.

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  67. It's me again...

    I spoke with our (National Museum of the United States Navy) Gift Shop Manager and if you will send me the information (publisher information of who he should contact) he will order a few (probably start with 5) books to have in the shop. If they sell he will definitely order more. Might be a start.

    He'll also give me the contact for the Marine Corps Museum Store if you'd like.

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  68. Kirsten,

    Another wonderful bit of information...on the list and your book is in the Exchanges.

    (I've been able to have book signings in a few Army Exchanges. Strange though. Some say only contracted vendors can come in for an event. Other managers gave me the green light.)

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  69. Carol, you're in the drawing. Prayers for your cousin and her military hubby!

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  70. Kathie,

    I brought Earl Gray just for you!!!

    Would love more info about marketing platforms. Many of the Christian houses ask for platforms from their fiction authors.

    Often folks will talk to me about their nonfiction projects. I'd love more information about what they should include in a proposal.

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  71. Vince, great marketing ideas! You're writing a how-to book. Are you gathering information for your marketing platform?

    You mentioned military families iin Europe. Love the little boy who translated for mom and dad! :)

    IMHO, one of the benefits of military life is being stationed overseas. Hubby and I loved our three years in Germany. We traveled all over Europe with our children.

    Living in the country allowed us to get to know the wonderful German people and understand their culture. We were included in so many special events that most tourists would never be able to experience.

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  72. What a blessing y'all are to military wives! And what a journey! I've never lived a military life. It's all pretty foreign to me. My FIL retired, twice, from the Navy. :-) So I get a touch of info that way, but I've never LIVED it. Amazing how God places us all in his providence to minister to others who suffer like we do.

    My email for the drawings: lr dot mullin at live dot com. :D If any or all of these books would help me get a perspective of what military life is like, I'd love to own them.

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  73. Patti Jo...

    Georgia Pecan Praline Pie! Be still my heart. No calories in cyber food, right? :)

    Mary Connealy sent me a link to buy the book on Amazon:

    http://www.amazon.com/1001-Things-Love-About-Military/dp/1455502839/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

    I'll post it on the blog.

    Thanks, Mary!

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  74. Back from the beach. Rainy, windy, foggy day on the Oregon coast...the kind I love...not pounding rain.
    Okay...a few thoughts:
    1. Kirsten...you are a wealth of information. We know about the libraries (Army and AF have them on post/base) and have been successful getting them to pick up the Help! book in the past. Are definitely marketing this one to them. Knew about the Professional Reading Programs (our Help! book wasn't appropriate for those)...thanks for the contacts...saves us research!
    We quote Silke Hagee in our Help! book...she is a great inspiration of having your own interests while supporting your husband (she's a big cello player.)
    2. Cathy--I love Sara Rosett's books...nice to have a military spouse main character...we can certainly relate...AND you learn house organizing tips as well. Plus I think she had THE BEST lead line for a press release ever...something like "Military Spouse Turns to Murder during Deployment." You know that caught the media's eye. Of course she meant turned to writing murder mysteries:)
    3. A clarification. Our Help! book is geared to military spouses. This new book is geared to military members, military spouses, military families (children and parents of), veterans...and anyone curious about military life.
    4. another clarification. We didn't write it in 5 months. the 5 months was the time from final manuscript (fully edited) to publication. We sold the book to Hachette Oct. 16, 2010. We did intensive brainstorming, researching, writing, editing from then on. Four authors spread out the work; however four authors also added work...trying to keep it all straight! Our conference calls were long and crazy:) I hula hoop during long conference calls and I got a lot of hooping in!
    okay I'm posting this in case they cut me off lengthwise and will start another.

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  75. Okay, a few more thoughts. We have high winds headed our way, so let's hope we keep power!
    1. We really hope people will use this book to write down their own military life memories that are triggered by stories/list items in the book. We have "Journal Pages" for them to do so. My mom and dad were older when they married and had kids. My dad served in WWII, in the Battle of the Bulge. As a teenager and young adult I was too self-focused to ask questions or care about his service. He died when I was 23...never wrote his memories down, so they are gone. Hope others write theirs!
    Amy--your first military move! Hope you read our Help! book (2d ed)...hope you win it today. ANd you should get Sandee Paynes That Military House, how to move, organize and decorate it. Even after 20 moves I learned new tips from her.
    Vince--the numbers is a good thing. Just met Jay Payleitner. His 52 Things a Kid Needs from a Dad is doing amazing! and he has others with numbers. One key inspiration for our book for me was one of my favorite books, Barbara Ann Kipfer's 14,000 Things to Be Happy About.
    And yes, we have plans to write short pieces, 10 Things You Might Not know about military life, etc. for media interviews, to hand out, to post. Great tip.
    3. Some platform ideas,because I think every writer needs a platform of some sort these days (a big following as a fiction writer would qualify!)
    A good book on the subject: Get Known Before the Book Deal by Christian Katz
    I started trying my hand at fiction (will be on the back burner for a bit as we dive into marketing this book)...my main character deals with high anxiety issues (hmmm, wonder how I know about that). Part of my plan will be to have her experience things she can do to help that. And I would plan to pitch that as a mini-talk for various groups (reading from the book but also sharing key resources/tools)and would blog/share resources on my author website...author Jennie Shortridge's first book has a character who is bipolar. She ended up speaking to quite a few groups focused on that subject.
    Is there a character or a career path or a business highlighted in your novel? Is there an association tied to that bit that you can target market to?
    4. Debby asked about NF proposal. Key is the Book Marketing plan. I've been researchng book marketing for years. One of the best books is John Kramer's 1001 Ways to Market Your Book. (hmmm, maybe that's where the 1001 number came from subliminally). Not everything in there will apply to every genre, but sure triggers ideas.
    5. Question for Debby
    what time period are your books set in?

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  76. Thank you for introducing me to this blog, Debby. I'll have to pass it along to Jacque, a Ft. Irwin friend who I know would enjoy it.
    And please enter me in the drawing!
    Dee Lohr
    lohrd(at)juno(dot)com

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  77. Kirsten

    here's the basic info. I'll send a press release to your email address. SO appreciate you passing the info to your Gift Store Manager. And yes, we'd love the Marine contact too.
    Holly and I hope to do a book tour Dec. 15-19 in the VA/DC area...maybe we'll get to meet you!

    1001 Things to Love About Military Life
    Tara Crooks, Starlett Henderson, Kathie Hightower, Holly Scherer
    Center Street, an imprint of Hachette Book Group
    On Sale: November 2, 2011
    5 ½ x 4 ¼ • 352 pages • ISBN 13: 978-1-4555-0283-7
    Hardcover, 100 Black and white photographs throughout
    $19.99/ $21.99 CAN
    www.LoveMilitaryLife.com

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  78. Two tips from a book marketing session that our literary agency (MacGregory Literary) put on recently:
    1. Look at The Daily Retort, Thor Constantine. He does a daily 7 questions with an author, has 11,000 followers. Once know the style/types of questions, he said any of the authors there Sat can contact him.
    2. Do up an author page on Goodreads (largest book website in the world)…can also include events, FB, etc. there…and provide a few books for prizes.

    We haven't pursued these yet so no personal experience, but they are on our list of Marketing To-Dos.

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  79. So fun to read all the comments today. Thanks to Vince and Kathie for the marketing ideas. :)

    I forgot to include my e-mail address earlier for the drawings, so here it is:
    wetalk2biz(at)q (lowercase Q)(dot)com

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  80. Kathie,

    Looks like the storms have passed through my area! Hope you're having clearer skies, as well!

    Thanks for mentioning GET KNOWN BEFORE THE BOOK DEAL and 1001 WAYS TO MARKET YOUR BOOK. Both sound great.

    Love your idea about linking speaking programs to our fictional stories. A wise writer might consider his/her platform options as she begins to plot her novel.

    If only we could learn to create more hours in each day to do it all! :)

    I write contemporary fiction so the stories are set in current times.

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  81. Holly, I found one of your comments in moderation (probably because you talked at length about having a baby! lol) and I...uh...pushed it (the comment, not the baby) on through.

    Everybody ooh and aah over Holly's "baby" if and when it shows up!

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  82. Dee, so glad you could stop by Seekerville today.

    Dee and I were stationed together with our military husbands at Fort Irwin, CA, in the middle of the Mojave Desert.

    My first completed manuscript was a single title suspense set at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin. I called it HONORABLE MEN. The story will never find a publisher, nor should it! But I loved writing about that special desert environment and the fantastic training our military received when they rotated through the NTC. Of course, I added a few dead bodies just for fun! :)

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  83. Well, Holly's comment DID show up after that last push, but Blogger put it in sequence of when she posted it at 7:59 AM this morning...

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  84. I don't know about The Daily Retort, but a number of Seekers are on Goodreads.

    From 2-3 EST today, I sat in on a video class that LI authors were invited to attend.

    The speaker said the best time to Tweet in the USA is 4-5 PM EST.

    I'll retweet about this blog at 4PM and see if more people stop by Seekerville. :)

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  85. Thanks, Jeanne! You're in the drawing.

    Glad you're enjoying the comments. So am I!

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  86. Hi Debby:

    Actually my self-help book has the working title of: “How to Reward Your Way to Writing Success” but I do have chapters with numbered lists. On my website right now are the below lists that will be in the book in some form or other:

    200 “Triggers” for creating emotional responses.

    100 Ways to Show Character Growth in Your Romance.

    106 Ways To Show Your Hero & Heroine Falling in Love.

    Over 100 Examples of Physical Proxies.

    111 Ways to Add Conflict to your Scenes.

    108 Ways to Have Your Hero Demonstrate a Sense of humor.


    So I do practice what I teach. : )

    Right now, between running my school, I’m trying to recapture my 20,000 lost words for my NaNo quest. I hope all the other NaNos are doing well and that they backup their work.

    BTW: since speaking is such an important part of platform building, did any of our authors today take Toastmasters or the Dale Carnegie Courses?

    Vince

    P.S. Is there any chance you would do an historical military romance? Just read ”So Far from God: The U.S. War With Mexico, 1846-1848” by John S. D. Eisenhower, and you’ll get a hundred great ideas for a romance. In one scene the future great generals of the Civil War were almost all killed at one time when they mistakenly sailed into artillery range to watch a shore landing. I’ll bet your husband has read this book.

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  87. Thanks, Pam, for finding Holly's earlier comment and pushing it out into cyber land.

    I went back and found it in the earlier comments. Such good info needs to be repeated to ensure everyone sees it.

    So...here's what Holly wrote earlier...

    It is said, writing a book is like giving birth… when you are in the midst of pregnancy everything you see reminds you of ‘your baby’. You are doing everything you can to take care of ‘your baby’; reading everything you can get your hands on about being pregnant; and making plans and taking care of all the details for when ‘your baby’ arrives. Towards the end of pregnancy all you want to do is ‘get this baby out’.

    But what if you were expected to give birth to a healthy, fully developed baby within five months. Holy smokes, I thought our editor was insane. How in the world would we be able to ‘push out a healthy baby’ in five months, at first I said it was impossible. But since we did have the luxury of four authors we divided and tackled the workload.

    As with all people, we all have different strengths to build upon. As a group we focused on those strengths to divide the workload. Star and I did the dirty work of combing the list, organizing the list, double checking the list, doing the research, verifying the facts (not an easy task I might add) and sending out “to do list” the others. Kathie is our writer in the group, she could write a vignette in moments – she is a machine. Star and I kept saying, “We need to get Kathie to stop writing, because we can not keep up with her”. Tara said from the beginning that her strengths are in social media and web design. Check out www.lovemilitarylife.com and see what she was able to help create.

    On top of the four authors we were blessed with an amazing editorial staff from Center Street, Kate Hartson, Roberta Conlan, Julia Duncan and Tina Taylor. Now with eight of us, (including this editorial staff), and living in four different time zones,(from one side of the country to the other) the task of combing through the entire list of 1001 things began. Emails were flying back and forth all hours of the day and night. I will be honest and say it was really, really hard. There were many days I didn’t sleep at all. Trying to keep up was overwhelming. I wouldn’t know what day it was, I was glued to my computer and working non-stop for weeks on end. I got to the point of just “wishing this baby would just get out”. And so did my family who so patiently supported me during this time period.

    Once we pushed “SEND” on the finished manuscript we yelled “WE DID IT” and then I think all of us went into a sleep coma for a few days. HA!

    I have a saying, “If you were meant to do things all by yourself, you would have been put here on this earth – all by yourself.” What a blessing to work with a team who brought their strengths to the table and to help give birth to such an amazing book.

    November 16, 2011 7:59 AM

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  88. Great info, Vince. Why don't you post your web site url so folks know where to find your lists.

    Bet you've been a Toastmaster! I haven't had time, although we have a great local group. Anyone else?

    I'll ask hubby if he's read So Far From God. If not, Santa might stick it in his Christmas stocking! Thanks for the tip.

    I loved KILLER ANGELS, by Michael Shaara. Excellent read.

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  89. I'm with Vince on the importance of speaking skills. As a recovering introvert I had to learn those skills. I found Toastmasters very helpful early on. I belonged to the National Speakers Association for many years and learned a lot through them. I also watched a lot of videos of speakers/trainers I got from the library. I'd watch them with the sound, and also without the sound to see what kind of impression movement and gestures and facial expressions made.
    When I moved to the Oregon coast a few years ago, I started a monthly author series with a friend. We bring in a regional author with a solid track record and a new book each month. they read from their book and do Q&A before our second part, Open Mic for local writers.
    It's SO evident that the authors who sell books at the event (and most likely later too) are the ones who can engage with the audience, who can use a microphone, who can share personal funny stories about themselves, as well as read bits from their book. (people especially love to laugh!) We try to preview all authors now. A full hour can be painful if the author is painfully shy and doesn't know how to engage the audience! (and they don't sell books.)
    One thing about the microphone. We usually have 50-70 or more people attending (not bad for a town of 850 permanent residents). Authors will often say, "Oh I don't need a microphone." YES you do. for over 20 folks if at all possible you need a microphone.
    ANd of course, doing a reading to a more intimate group of 5-10 or so in a bookstore is a different thing. You can talk more personally and don't need a mike. But be prepared for the other events too.
    And yes, Debby, wish we all had more hours in the day for all the stuff that needs to get done for a writing life/career. have to simply do one thing at a time and think long term/long term. I plan to be writing late into life!!

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  90. Kathie, you're amazing.

    FYI to all the Seekervillagers, the four military wives who wrote 1001 Things have outstanding resumes. These gals have done BIG things and done them so well...lots of awards and recognition.

    Congrats on all your success!

    Hula hooping during conference calls! I'm sure you will be writing into old age, Kathie!

    I hope to be there with you.

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  91. I have to confess...

    Early on I spoke to a group of ladies but failed to mention the book signing following the talk. At the end of the program, the gals started to get up and leave.

    I learned a valuable lesson. Mention the book and the book signing during the program. :)

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  92. What a great post! Welcome to Seekerville, ladies! Thanks so much for sharing your experience with us.

    I know what I'm going to get my MIL for Christmas!! (my FIL was career Army). :)

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  93. Hi Kathie,

    Got your e-mail, and I'll get you the Marine contact tomorrow when I'm back in the office. I'm sure they've heard of it, but I'll also pass along the info to my contact with the Officers' Wives Club.

    Hope it all helps!

    --Kirsten

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  94. Hi Missy,

    I know your mother-in-law will love the book!

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  95. Debby and new friends on Seekerville, Thank you for welcoming Kathie and me with open arms today. I thoroughly enjoyed reading your comments. What a bummer that my computer wanted to chose this day to be uncooperative. Seekerville was definitely a joy-ful place to spend time today.

    It was fun to see other military spouses here today. Debby would you mind posting your sisterhood poem to share with our military sisters who joined us today.

    I've loved this poem from the first time I saw it sooo many years ago. As Debby said, her poem was traveling around the world and somehow along the way her name was dropped off and it started being published as "author unknown" we hope by publishing it in our new book we have stopped that mistake from happening again.

    Thank you Jackie for this statement -
    "As a military spouse for 16 of a 23 year career, I can say the military is a life of benefits that brings you a sense of community and introduces you to a family you come to love." Perfectly said!

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  96. What a wealth of information today. I picked up some good tips for my non-fiction writing too. Thank you Kathie and Holly, for your generous postings here, and for your untold sacrifices for us.

    LyndeeH

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  97. Enjoyed the post. I was born and raised up in the military and have a pride in our men and women in the Armed Forces. They are special SPECIAL people.

    Smiles & Blessings,
    Cindy W.

    countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  98. In response to Holly's suggestion...

    Sisterhood
    by Debby Giusti

    I am an Army Wife – a member of that sisterhood of women who have the courage to watch their men march into battle and the strength to survive until their return. Our sorority knows no rank for we earn our membership with a marriage license, traveling over miles or over nations to begin a new life with our soldier husbands.

    Within days we turn a barren, echoing building into a home, and though our quarters are inevitably white walled and unpapered, we decorate with the treasures of our travels for we shop the markets of the globe.

    Using hammer and nail, we tack our pictures to the wall and our roots to the floor as firmly as if we had lived there for a lifetime. We hold a family together by the bootstraps and raise the best of “brats,” instilling in them the motto, “Home is Togetherness,” whether motel, or guesthouse, apartment or duplex.

    As Army wives, we soon realize that the only good in “Good-bye” is the “Hello again.” For as salesmen for freedom, our husbands are often on the road, leaving us behind for a week, a month, an assignment. During the separation we guard the home front, existing till the homecoming.

    Unlike our civilian counterparts, we measure time, not by age, but by tours – married at Knox, a baby born at Bliss, a promotion in Missouri. We plant trees and never see them grow tall, work on projects completed long after our departure, and enhance our community for the betterment of those who come after us. We leave a part of ourselves at every stop.

    Through experience we have learned to pack a suitcase, a car, or hold baggage and live indefinitely from the contents within; and though our fingers are sore from the patches we have sewn and the silver we have shined, our hands are always ready to help those around us.

    Women of peace, we pray for a world in harmony, for the flag that leads our men into battle will also blanket them in death. Yet we are on an optimistic group, thinking of the good and forgetting the bad, cherishing yesterday while anticipating tomorrow.

    Never rich by monetary standards, our hearts are overflowing with a wealth of experiences common only to those united by the special tradition of military life. We pass on this legacy to every Army bride, welcoming her with outstretched arms, with love and friendship, from one sister to another, sharing in the bounty of our unique, fulfilling Army way of life.

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  99. Hi Lyndee,
    So glad the information was helpful!

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  100. Hi Cindy!

    So you're a brat? Air Force, Army, Marine, Navy, Coast Guard?

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  101. I echo Holly...thanks for inviting us. It's been a fascinating and rewarding day "hanging out" with you all. What a wonderful group.

    If you think of questions for us after today feel free to email us.
    holly@lovemilitarylife.com

    for now, for me kathie@militaryspousehelp.com (can't seem to get my email system to work with the new email address, kathie@lovemilitarylife.com)

    Once we know who wins the book, in fact, we'll offer one Help! I'm a Military Spouse book, and one Jump Into life Workbook...get us snailmail addresses and I'll send those off.

    And if any of you are in the N. Va/DC area we hope to be doing some book signings there Dec. 15-19. Maybe we'll get to meet in person.

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  102. Kathie and Holly,

    Thanks for being with us in Seekerville. You've made the day so very special.

    Come back often and keep us posted on your future writing projects.

    Wishing you continued success in all you do!

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  103. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  104. Kathy & Holly, sorry it took my so long to get here. I agree with Vince that this book should be required reading for recruiters, but I wonder why the military itself doesn't buy a few copies.

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  105. What a great book idea! We're a military fam-- Go Air Force! My husband is retired mil. and our son flies Predators from Creech AFB. He will be deployed for the first time before Christmas who knows where (he can't tell us). I wrote about his application/acceptance to the US AF Academy in Chk Soup for Soul- Teens talk about getting into college. His acceptance changed our lives. Thanks for this book. I'll look for it to read.

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  106. I forgot to leave my email:
    kjreusser@adamswells.com

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  107. Debby - I'm an Air Force brat and extremely proud of it!! :) I was born on March AFB in Riverside California and raised on Tachikawa AFB in Japan and Travis AFB in Northern California and then came back to March AFB. My dad served 20 years, 11 months and 3 days. My brother served 13 years in the US Navy as well.

    God Bless our Military!

    Smiles & Blessings,
    Cindy W.

    countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  108. I think it is awesome that you all wrote a book about the lives of military and the wives. They sacrifice so much for us and our country. Thank you for making a tribute to them! jumpforjoy@gmail.com

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  109. Cindy--my husband Greg Hightower spent some time at Tachikawa (he just turned 59, so might have been a different timeframe). If you haven't read Sarah Bird's The Yokota Officers Club...I highly recommend it. So many memories for a military (or like me civil service) brat. Even though I didn't spend time in Japan I totally related to that book.
    One big hope we have for our book is that people will write down their memories triggered by stories/examples/photos in our book...to capture their military lives for their kids and grandkids (not to mention themselves.)
    Joy...noticed your email. Holly and I always have our workshop/keynote audience members jumping up and down, for energy and joy. Great line for someone name Joy.

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  110. Cindy and Kathie, I lived in Japan as a child...Camp Zama was where my dad worked. We lived in Sagamihara. I'll check out the book, The Yokota Officer's Club.

    Families always went to the club on Sundays. "Smilie" had a full string orchestra and played as the moms and dads and kids danced. We all dressed for the event. Very fun and formal. Such nice memories!

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