Do You Really Want to Publish a Book?

World War 1 - An Ukept Promise

The Great Promise 
My physical reality

Is it vanity or physical reality? After spending so much time researching and writing I truly believed I had written a damn good story others would want to read. But most of all I wanted a physical representation of my efforts, something I can give to others to read, which they seldom do.

If you decide to self-publish you need reviews in order to sell books and it is only natural to turn to family and friends to accomplish this necessity - WRONG!! Unless your support group is different than mine, which I doubt since human nature is universal, you'll discover that they will be more than willing to accept a copy of your work and promise to read it and write a review. But it will not happen or perhaps a few honorable ones will follow through, but for most they never find the time and since they didn't invest a dime in purchasing the manuscript, in fact they didn't even select it so they do not have an emotional or financial commitment.

I gave everyone time to read it - some obviously were slow readers, before I reminded them of our agreement - which very few responded to. They were either embarrassed or didn't give a damn so don't bother me again. Out of thirty 'friends and family' I received zero responses. I even told them to be honest and if they didn't like it, let me know.

Perhaps your support group is more committed than mine - getting just one response would prove that. It is commonly known that several authors use this method to pad their book reviews, knowing full well that those who mark your book with less than four stars risk being defriended on facebook or shun from the family. This is especially true for new authors who no one knows but whose book had been reviewed by twenty-five people who gave it an other rating of four stars.

E-books

From the cost of self-publishing to the zero cost of publishing on Kindle. I really tried to find a literary agent or publisher for my non-fiction rewrite of the Great Promise - 'World War 1 - An Unkept Promise', but for all of my efforts not one agent was interested, or perhaps I didn't write an acceptable book query. I find it disturbing that the quality of one's book is dependent upon writing a query that meets an agent's strict requirements, which is not standardized, thus forces the author to write a query for each agent.

After feedback on my e-book, 'An Unkept Promise', some thought that the chapters on researching for the three chums and my trip to England was too drawn out. So I rewrote my second book eliminating a lot of the details, as well as reducing details from the chapter on his military career after the journal ended.

I rewrote the book and titled it "From Notes and Well Remembered Incidences" then converted it to e-book format and published it on Kindle.

What I am finding is there is increased interest in "World War 1 - An Unkept Promise". I'm also discovering that the volume of sales increases the more I blog.

Western Front Association

Just received an email from the London Branch of the Western Front Association showing their speakers for 2013. I'm on for Sept 5th. Now I have to create a 45 minute presentation and find a way to pay for the trip. This is an exciting opportunity to promote my book, tell my grandfather's story and donate his documents to the Imperial War Museum.

While in London I want to visit the National Archives to perform a search of the 43rd Brigade's diary and to see if there are any documents on the 40th battery.

I'll also be united with my second cousins, which will be marvelous. Perhaps I'll meet a few others I've been in contact with through various website and blogs.

Could It Be Possible

Days past quickly and for many of them few things happen that are worth remembering. I've been working on another book and decided to return to my favorite website, "Great War Forum". For some reason I decided to post a request to all members to send me any information they might have regarding any relatives that may have served in the 43rd Brigade, 40th Battery in 1914.

Today I checked my post the the following information was added:


I have a few names of men in 40th Bty in 1914
Shoeing Smith George Henry Beardmore  49286    
Gunner Harry Bloor 70835    
Saddler Staff Serjeant Thomas J Boyton  19980    
Serjeant Percy Bramwell 33916
Driver William Brittain  73069    
Lieutenant  D J  Handford    
Driver George  Hillyard  73070    
Corporal George James  Hodge 42275
Gunner  Christopher Johnson 2725         
Gunner  Harry  Walsh 74411 

Then he added:
Having done a little checking 40th Bty was created in 1913 from what had been 148th Bty during the reorganization of Brigades and some of them can be identified in the 1911 census records of 148th Bty - then stationed at Woolwich - I can see that Boyton, Bramwell and Hodge [see above] were all serving in 148th Bty in spring 1911.... as was Driver William John Glew ...and Driver Frank William Taylor

Suddenly a thought struck me! Could William John Glew be Bobby Glue? Since my grandfather referred to Percy Bramwell as George, could he have used Bobby instead of Billy? Then what about the Driver, Frank William Taylor. Might this be Pudgie Taylor?

I replied to his post by giving him the particulars about the death of Bobby Glue and that he and Pudgie Taylor died in one of the battles of Ypres. I added that I believe it might have been the first battle of Ypres since my grandfather's letter stated that he lost his friends within the first few months of the war.

In my grandfather's journal he states the "Hodge" (his lube off-man) was killed. 

Wouldn't this be a find!!!

Royal Air Force Uniform

The uniform that my grandfather was wearing was identified as:

It's a standard RAF issue Sidcot Suit (from the inventor, Australian RNAS aviator Flight Sub Lieutenant Sidney Cotton) made from proofed khaki twill over a rubberized muslin inter-lining and a mohair liner.  However, he may not have been going to fly in the immediate future, as he's wearing ordinary shoes, rather than an airman's fur-lined 'fug' boots, though sometimes airmen flew without the boots if the flight was to be short and/or at low level.

It seems strange that a man that served in the RFA since 1907 ended his career in the RAF. He remained in the RFA even-though he was sent to the RAF from Jan 1, 1918 to 1919. 

Still Learning

My grandfather's story continues to unfold as I learn more about his English heritage. Just recently I made contact with second cousins in the UK and they are supplying me with new information. them sent me three photos of my grandfather.
One showed him in what appeared to be a flying suit. Through the Great War Forum I was informed that the suit was a standard RAF issue Sidcot Suit (from the inventor, Australian RNAS aviator Flight Sub Lieutenant Sidney Cotton) made from proofed khaki twill over a rubberized muslin inter-lining and a mohair liner.  However, he may not have been going to fly in the immediate future, as he's wearing ordinary shoes, rather than an airman's fur-lined 'fug' boots, though sometimes airmen flew without the boots if the flight was to be short and/or at low level.

Is it The Man or The Opportunity

While writing The Great Promise the thought came to me, "Does heroism come from the person, or is it the result of the opportunity presented?" Deliberating I've concluded that it is both opportunity and the person. It is the person's response in the critical moment that defines heroism.

However, recognition for a heroic deed is dependent upon a multitude of factors; such as witnesses that substantiate the act and the magnitude of it.

I pondered this while reading some of grandfather's journal entries, such as:

     The shells were falling like rain with such horrific force that
they caused all the Gordons to run for it. The shelling was so
murderous that I also felt like running. However, I realized
that if I left my instrument that our guns would not be able to
return fire. I stuck while the Gordons ran, all except Bruce. He
asked me if I was going to stay and I said yes. He replied, “If
it’s good enough for you, it’s good enough for me.”

To remain in position under those circumstances was a heroic act that required risking his life while performing his duty. I suppose that his act wasn't considered beyond the call of duty, even though its elements were of heroic proportions.

Recognition of heroism is different from the action itself since it requires criteria that is judgement based. Appreciation of one's actions is rewarding it doesn't alter the act itself, it is more for the benefit of others than  the perpetrator.

I salute all the everyday heroes. Those who's response places their lives in question for the prospect of saving another.