O Happy Day
Here I am, continuing my saga of how www.vietnam-air-rescues.com came about.
Not too long after that, Kaye heard about a guy in Hawaii who was showing people how to print their own hard and paperback books. I contacted him, built my own press from his specifications (with a change or two of my own) and decided to see how it worked by redoing my Vietnam book.
Again, the changes were minimal. I did add some anecdotes that I had regretted leaving out of the first edition and produced six, large-size, paperback copies of the Vietnam book—sending one to each son (who seemed nonplussed at receiving yet another copy of a book they already had) and keeping two for myself--one for me and one as a loaner.
Time passed. George did an excellent job on his book, secured a publisher, who released his book in 2004, and sold a lot of copies.
Around the end of 2005 or the start of 2006, I received another email, this time from Kenny Fields, who, noting the success of Marrett’s book, decided to write a book of his own that would cover in detail and from every angle, his rescue. I gladly authorized Kenny to use my notes I had written in counterpoint to his and supplied him with several pictures. (by the by, Kenny, if you are reading this, I never got the pics back).
Kenny’s book came out this year (2007) and was an immediate hit. I was ecstatic for him. Both he and George are such an unassuming and humble people, they deserve any success that comes their way. Kaye and I went to Kirtland AFB in New Mexico in May, 2007 to help him introduce/promote his book. There I met his wife for the first time, who gave me a big hug and said, “Thanks for saving my husband.” A touching moment for all.
Kenny allowed me to go to a book signing with him, and I was surprised when people began asking me to sign the book also.
Then began an upsurge of requests from friends and outright strangers who heard about and wanted a copy of my book in spite of my telling them it was printed just for my sons. Wearying of making CD’s, I began to toy with the idea of putting it on the internet in eBook form. In fact, I told one requestor that, in about two weeks, the book would be available on the net.
Little did I realize what I was getting myself into. While possessing a comfortable familiarity with computers, I had zero experience with web pages, other than to assist my local church with a cookie-cutter variety. Fortunately, both David and Mark have a vast experience in websites. Although living many miles away (California for David and Italy for Mark), both promised help and advice.
BREAKING NEWS…I am nearly up to real-time in these musings and now break into these rambles with an announcement of momentous importance (at least to me)---I have sold my first book! Hallelujah, what a joy to finally see the fruits of my labors!
More good news—Kenny Fields, the guy I rescued on my last mission, sent me a forward of a press release he sent to the Abilene paper, suggesting they contact me and do an article for Veterans’ Day. What a guy! He is so thoughtful. If that does happen, I might get some local interest in the book.
Dave
Not too long after that, Kaye heard about a guy in Hawaii who was showing people how to print their own hard and paperback books. I contacted him, built my own press from his specifications (with a change or two of my own) and decided to see how it worked by redoing my Vietnam book.
Again, the changes were minimal. I did add some anecdotes that I had regretted leaving out of the first edition and produced six, large-size, paperback copies of the Vietnam book—sending one to each son (who seemed nonplussed at receiving yet another copy of a book they already had) and keeping two for myself--one for me and one as a loaner.
Time passed. George did an excellent job on his book, secured a publisher, who released his book in 2004, and sold a lot of copies.
Around the end of 2005 or the start of 2006, I received another email, this time from Kenny Fields, who, noting the success of Marrett’s book, decided to write a book of his own that would cover in detail and from every angle, his rescue. I gladly authorized Kenny to use my notes I had written in counterpoint to his and supplied him with several pictures. (by the by, Kenny, if you are reading this, I never got the pics back).
Kenny’s book came out this year (2007) and was an immediate hit. I was ecstatic for him. Both he and George are such an unassuming and humble people, they deserve any success that comes their way. Kaye and I went to Kirtland AFB in New Mexico in May, 2007 to help him introduce/promote his book. There I met his wife for the first time, who gave me a big hug and said, “Thanks for saving my husband.” A touching moment for all.
Kenny allowed me to go to a book signing with him, and I was surprised when people began asking me to sign the book also.
Then began an upsurge of requests from friends and outright strangers who heard about and wanted a copy of my book in spite of my telling them it was printed just for my sons. Wearying of making CD’s, I began to toy with the idea of putting it on the internet in eBook form. In fact, I told one requestor that, in about two weeks, the book would be available on the net.
Little did I realize what I was getting myself into. While possessing a comfortable familiarity with computers, I had zero experience with web pages, other than to assist my local church with a cookie-cutter variety. Fortunately, both David and Mark have a vast experience in websites. Although living many miles away (California for David and Italy for Mark), both promised help and advice.
BREAKING NEWS…I am nearly up to real-time in these musings and now break into these rambles with an announcement of momentous importance (at least to me)---I have sold my first book! Hallelujah, what a joy to finally see the fruits of my labors!
More good news—Kenny Fields, the guy I rescued on my last mission, sent me a forward of a press release he sent to the Abilene paper, suggesting they contact me and do an article for Veterans’ Day. What a guy! He is so thoughtful. If that does happen, I might get some local interest in the book.
Dave
posted by Dave | 8:19 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home