When I think of some of the storied histories of the better known  New York
publishing houses, I’ve been awed at how much influence they’ve wielded in the
universe of letters.   Some of them go back a century or more; most were already big names in  publishing long before I was first aware of books ... nearly six decades
ago.
             
All that is only to say:  each of the most famous publishers  you’ve ever heard of ... began with a concept, an investment, some sacrifice, a  marketing plan, and a good story to print.  At some point, every one of these big  name publishers likely started with similar general circumstances — someone  recognized a need that was not being met or believed they could do a better job  at meeting the needs and desires of readers / buyers.   Or perhaps they thought they could publish potentially great books that  were falling through cracks left by the other publishers currently  operating.
             
But they all started with the first functional day, that initial  manuscript query, the starting round of edits on their very first contracted  book.
 
Astraea  Press
             
And all this leads me up to the second anniversary of Astraea Press, the brainchild of
publisher Stephanie Taylor, who saw  a need not being met, believed she could assemble ‘clean’ stories which readers  wanted, and knew there were great books falling the cracks  elsewhere.
             
It took vision, concept, investment, sacrifice, good stories, faith ...  and lots of guts.  Stephanie has  admitted that several people tried to talk her out of trying and others (who  knew she was forging ahead anyway) tried to discourage her.   Yet she prevailed.  I won’t  attempt to represent the numbers here, because those statistics will be surely
be covered elsewhere during this anniversary month, but Astraea (in two short years) has  collected some 150 authors and published well over 200 titles.   Some have won awards and some have appeared on prominent best-seller  lists.
 
My  Journey
             
Having just completed my seventh (unpublished) novel manuscript in the  summer of 2011, I realized I was at a crossroads and struggled for  insight into WHERE that story should go.
             
I wrote down my goals (for writing and publishing) and listed the pros  and cons of continuing a search for the perfect agent.  I analyzed the pros and cons (as well as the mathematical  improbabilities) of ever reaching the ranks of the Big Six publishers.  I actually (no kidding) noted the pros  and cons of achieving fame and fortune as an author.   Yes, there ARE cons to that  status.
             
During and after all that deliberation – and with a great deal of  prayer – I realized it was more appropriate for me to seek one of the  smaller digital-first publishers ... of which there are MANY.   But one of the troubling issues was how my Christian witness might be  affected by aligning myself with a publisher which also produced some very racy  material. How comfortable would I  be telling my church friends to go to the site of Publisher ABC ... where they  would also find material which could make all of us  blush?
             
So my new prayer was:   “Lord, help me find a publishing outlet which will not reflect badly on  my Christian witness.”  And the  converse:  “Lord, help me find a  publishing outlet which will be a GOOD reflection on my Christian  witness.”
             
Several years of networking among authors, writers, agents, publishers,  bloggers, etc., had set into motion a series of contacts which led me to a very  short list of potential publishers.   On that short list, the SOLE publisher which published only ‘clean’ books
was ... Astraea  Press.

 
Finding  Astraea

To make a long story  short, I submitted this seventh manuscript to Astraea.  The result was a lengthy, personal reply from the CEO, expressing praise  and encouragement for my story and indicating potential acceptance if I was  
willing to revise and resubmit.   Which I  did.

Exactly one year after being  inspired to write this novel, I was proofing  the galleys for the romantic  suspense novel which resulted.  And it was only possible because of  Astraea  Press.

Stephanie and her crew have built a wonderful sense of community and  mutual encouragement  among the A.P. authors:  when good news is shared, we cheer for
each other  ... when it’s not so good, we commiserate and console.   There’s a healthy
sense of competition, but I believe all of us recognize  that when any  Astraea
title or author does well, it makes things  potentially better for all of  us.
 
As I’ve told Stephanie, I feel I have found a home with  A.P. and sincerely hope to publish  many other  novels here.

So, during the  anniversary month, I dedicate this blog column to Astraea
Press and to its Founder /  CEO Stephanie Taylor, who had the  vision, faith, and courage to launch a company  to publish clean fiction.  Also to  the A.P.  staff I’ve had the great  fortune to work with, including Kay Springsteen Tate,  Opal Campbell, Cheryl
Grey, Traci Pollitt, Elaina Lee, and Stephy  Smith.

Happy Second Birthday,  A.P.!

 I was invited by award-winning author Meg Mims to share a connecting blog
event called “The Next Big Thing.”   Meg’s column can be found here:
http://www.megmims.com/2013/01/23/meg-mims-the-next-big-thing/

I’m kinda fudging on the proposed concept, since “Called to Arms Again”  is not my work in progress — it’s my completed novel (with a new contract at  Astraea Press) which has just now begun the editing phase.  So, in that sense, it’s a WIP ... but in any case, it’s my next big  thing.
             
Why select this novel instead of one which I’m still composing?  Several reasons, a few of which will be  answered below.  The rest I’ll  pick up at the end.
             
Here are the standard questions for this connecting blog  event:
 
1) What is the title of your next  book/work?
             
Called To Arms Again
 
2) Where did the  idea come from for the book/work?
             
I got the fundamental plot idea from the rather isolated retirement  neighborhood of my in-laws (both since deceased).   I noticed that several of the residents kept their garage doors up about  18 inches and remarked one day:   “it would be pretty easy for a kid to shinny under these doors and rob  these old folks.”
 
3) What genre does  your work fall under?
             
I’d have to say it’s a hybrid of action, comedy, and romance ... all  rolled into a story which is a tribute to the Greatest  Generation.
 
4) What actors would  you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie  rendition?
             
I’m stumped on this ‘casting’ thing.  I used to say that my heroine, Kelly,  resembled a younger Diane Lane ... and  my hero, Mitch, resembled a younger Harrison Ford.   But to name actors of the proper age range to play them on-screen now —  hmm, I’ll need some time on this.
 
5) What is the  one-sentence synopsis to explain where your work  begins?
             
Needing only a fresh angle to write her Veteran’s Day special, Kelly  discovers first-hand that the Greatest Generation still has enough grit to fight  back —against an urban gang of thieves while all the authorities are occupied  during a massive Homeland Security drill.
 
6) Will your book be  self-published or represented by an  agency?
             
It’s under contract (my third) with Astraea  Press.
 
7) How long did it  take you to write the first draft of the  manuscript?
             
Though I had begun work on this story in the late fall of 2007, it wasn’t  until Feb. 2008 that I renewed my work in earnest.  So I can say most of the (first draft) writing occupied the 60  consecutive days leading up to April 2 of that  year.
 
8) What other books  would you compare this story to within your  genre?
             
I can’t think of any...
 
9) Who or what  inspired you to write this book?
             
In addition to my reply to question # 2 (above), my inspiration came from  my late father-in-law’s involvement with the American Legion Post # 38 Honor  Guard, which had provided military honors for the burials of about 2000 veterans  in our county over the preceding 18 years.
 
10) What else about the book might pique the reader’s  interest?
             
Besides humor and action, I think older readers will recognize THEMSELVES  (and friends) in this tribute to the Greatest Generation.  Younger readers will recognize parents, grandparents, uncles and aunts,  among other relatives and friends.
             
Something else significant (to me):  besides the romance between the younger  Kelly and Mitch, my story features the loving relationship between a married  couple in their 80s ... as well as an undefined (but very close) relationship  between an 80-something man and a 60-something  woman. 
                       — 
Additional notes on my next big thing:             

Called to Arms Again features  a character inspired by my late father-in-law; this character had also appeared  prominently in two previous manuscripts which my father-in-law had read.  As he was in his last months of life in  the hospital, I kept him posted on the progress of my third novel to involve  ‘his’character.  It was my hope to  finish that draft in time for him to read it, but he died the day before I  completed it.
             
After I completed that very rough initial draft, this manuscript remained  basically idle for some 14 months.   Then I overhauled it and sent out copies to beta readers.   It was several years later before I found opportunity and time to  overhaul it yet again ... this time trimming some 45,000 words from its 164,000  word original length.

By Jeff Salter

I’m pleased today to share my blog space with David  Bowman, who has recently published a very compact lesson concerning  America’s constitution and federal
government.  It’s aimed at kids,  presumably of middle school age, but I think it’s a good reminder for adults as  well.
             
Many years ago I took a class called Civics  in high school; I don’t exaggerate much when I say I learned more about the  federal government and constitution in Bowman’s book than I retained from a  class which met for 50 minutes every school day in that  term.
             
Let me say this out front:   Bowman is a Christian and a Conservative and his study reflects those  values without apology.  I happen  to agree with him.  I only mention
this because some teachers and/or school systems would likely avoid any material
with those perspectives, regardless of their historical  validity.
 
What Would the Founding Fathers Think? 
A YOUNG American’s  Guide to Understanding What Makes Our Nation Great & How We’ve  Strayed
Written & Illustrated By David Bowman

Blurb:             
“History, politics, government — they’re not just for grown-ups anymore.  Today’s teens are about to be handed a collapsing nation and it’ll be their job  to fix it. Enter David Bowman. With wit, humor, and the occasional serious note,  he skillfully illustrates America’s biggest problems and  presents an interactive guide to understanding them that’s so much fun adults  will want to read it too!”

From the Promo  material:
             
David Bowman’s latest work “is quickly becoming THE Constitutional /  conservative book for young Americans. In What Would the Founding Fathers Think? A  YOUNG American’s Guide to Understanding What Makes Our Nation Great & How  We’ve Strayed, David uses wit, humor, and a variety of visuals to  skillfully teach preteens and teens alike the wisdom of returning to our  nation’s founding principles, and in a way that they will actually ‘get it’. Even adults will enjoy the simplicity of its explanations. As Barbara Stowell,  Vice President of Constitution Week USA, puts it: “I’ve learned more from this  book than all the other government and constitutional course material I’ve  studied.”
Review  excerpts 
             
“If there is a work out there that will help  our young people understand why America is
  great, where we have gone wrong, and how we can restore liberty, What  Would the Founding Fathers Think?is it. Exciting, funny, inspiring, moving,  American! Our founding fathers would be proud. — Shane Krauser, Director  of the American
Academy for Constitutional  Education 
             
“If freedom is to survive, we must teach the rising generation the basic  principles that preserve liberty.   * * *  David’s book gives me  hope for the future of our nation because he has found a way to speak the  language of the youth and pass the torch of freedom to them in a way that they  understand and that motivates them to action.” — Rick Green Founder of  Patriot  Academy 
             
“History is not boring, but too often today’s  presentation of it has become so. David Bowman not only restores history, making  it fun again, but he also brings to life the core principles of America’s  founding and communicates them in such a way that youth develop a personal  interest in preserving them. — David Barton, Founder of  WallBuilders 
 
Buy  Links: 
Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Would-Founding-Fathers-Think-ebook/dp/B008Y65LU6/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

Barnes & Noble:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/what-would-the-founding-fathers-think-david-bowman/1110790059?ean=9781462110612


 
 
 

              Weather here in southeast KY has been relatively mild so far this winter.  In fact, we've only had one light snowfall (I think) so far, and a few frosty mornings.  Having lived many decades in Louisiana, I'm grateful for this reprieve from harsh weather, but I know winter is on the way. In fact, everybody's saying the next three months will be in the record books.  It reminds me how much I dislike inclement weather.

  Comfort
            Before I launch my topic, let me  provide my frame of reference:  Like most people, I worked full-time for many  years and always dreaded those days when I’d have to dash to my car in the rain,  slog my way along three city blocks from the parking lot, and arrive at work  soaking wet.  It was a horrible way to begin a long work shift.  Winter
rain was the worst because it was still dark … and cold.
            These  days, however — other than a handful of weekly commitments, I no longer ‘have’  to brave inclement elements … unless I choose to.  This is a luxury I don’t take
lightly.
            So, I’ve taken a side door to my tribute to First  Responders.  From the comfort of my warm and dry study, I sincerely appreciate  those folks who DO have to fight the elements as part of their daily job.  They  don’t have the luxury of saying:  “Uh, send somebody else … I don’t want to get  wet.”

  Tribute
            Foremost, I cite the members of the  U.S. Armed Forces – present and especially past – who’ve done their  duty in the worst of conditions.  And some paid the ultimate price.  Freedom  isn’t free.
            Next, I thank what we now collectively call ‘first  responders’ — law enforcement, fire and hazard teams, medical personnel, and  others on the ‘front lines’ of problem circumstances.  They have to respond  immediately, regardless of the conditions … no matter how uncomfortable (or  dangerous) to them.
            The next group often gets less attention, but  their services are extremely valuable.  I don’t know the official collective  term, so I’ll call them “infrastructure technicians”.  I’m grateful to  those who work on downed power lines, broken water mains, dangerous gas leaks,  hazardous roads/bridges … and whatever other destruction or malfunction that has  seriously disrupted what we view as ‘services’.  A lot of these problems occur  BECAUSE of terrible weather conditions.
            FEMA has gotten a lot of  bad press (and possibly deserves some of it), but many of their ‘on-site’  services are essential and highly valued by those who need them.            
             I’ve already mentioned firefighters, but I want to say a special word of thanks  to those individuals who battle forest fires.  Just last year there  were numerous, terrible fires in Arizona and Texas – as well as elsewhere –  which involved millions of acres.  It’s difficult to imagine worse conditions to  work in.
            During and right after Hurricane Katrina, there were  folks who went into harm’s way specifically to rescue abandoned pets … that  would otherwise have died horrible deaths.
            Don’t forget another  group of folks who brave cruddy weather so that you and I can avail ourselves of  their food, groceries, or supplies.  Yeah, on those days of worst conditions,  there are employees who haul themselves to the essential stores, stations, &
food places that citizens flock to … especially in bad weather.            
           It would be possible to stop there, but there’s another group which also  deserves my appreciation:  deliverers.  These are the folks who daily deliver  mail, newspapers, packages, gift orders, shipments, etc., in every kind of  weather imaginable.  I truly admire their dedication.

  Left anybody out?
            I may have, but it’s not  on purpose.  I really mean this.
            My whole point today – as I  write, indoors, about the nasty rain outside – is how fortunate I feel to have  the luxury of comfort.  And how grateful I am for those who forego that luxury …  in order for the rest of us to be safer, healthier, or more comfortable.     
        I don’t know how ‘loud’ I can get on a blog, but here goes:
THANKS  Y’ALL!

Questions
            Are there other individuals or  groups who deserve special recognition for working in inclement conditions?  
           Are any of y’all – or your family members – among these deserving
folks in my list?

A modified version of this column first appeared on Jan. 12, 2012 on the group blog, Four Foxes One Hound, where I'm the Thursday Hound.