In high school it was my dream of living in Europe while writing my books at a sidewalk café…I finally wrote my first book, Children’s Reiki Handbook, in 05 with my wife Pamela. I did spent a lot of time in sidewalk cafés (Greece, Italy, Turkey, France, Spain, Germany, England, Scotland, Switzerland, and Austria) but I was too busy eating to write.
We published a small alternative home-schooling newsletter for 2 years before selling it and starting our own publishing company. We currently produce two monthly local newspapers and publish niche books.
We are expanding the book publishing side of the house this summer with two new imprints; one for metaphysical books.
I am a (recently) retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, instructor pilot, and combat veteran of Bosnia-Herzegovina and the Gulf War and had the opportunity to log over 5000 flight hours in helicopters, supersonic jets, transports, aerobatic trainers, light twins, and gliders.
During my 25 years of service I was fortunate enough to live abroad for 8 years and travel to over 45 countries. Meeting the people and learning the cultures firsthand was the most rewarding part of all that…but eating all the different foods was the best!
I was also a student of the martial arts for over 30 years and actively taught for over 20 of those. I managed to obtain black belt and master level certification in five different styles and in 97 was an International Martial Arts Hall of Fame inductee.
Some of the pass time activities I love are Scuba diving and photography. I worked as a stringer for several newspapers and won a few awards as a photographer. I have a few hundred images published in international and local newspapers, magazines, and books, including 8 cover photos.
I have a couple of degrees that have nothing to do with writing…one in aeronautics and the other computers…but at least they look good sitting on the floor in the basement.
I have had the pleasure of over 21 years of marriage to my first and only wife Pamela and we currently reside in Colorado with our three youngest of five children.
Robert, It looks like you might be able to either profit by or contribute to my new Self Publishing group here on BMN.
Please take a look, we're trying to build it into a resource for writers who prefer to be their own publisher.
Are you exclusively a children's book publisher? I have an acquaintance who wrote a novel about the Libyan War in 1986. I noticed in your profile you are pilot and a veteran of the Gulf War. Would you be interested in publishing a war novel similar to "The Bridges at Toko-Ri?" The author is a pilot for FedEX and has little time to market his novel. He prefers to have a publisher help arrange the marketing. He'll participate and do what he's asked to do.
Thanks for signing up for the newsletter, I hope you enjoy it. As well, my blog is live at www.melissavanrossum.com. Just noticed on your profile that your hometown is Brevard. I was born in Atlanta, but grew up in Brevard - right there on the college campus! I have very fond memories of that sweet town - looking glass falls, sliding rock...small world.
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Please take a look, we're trying to build it into a resource for writers who prefer to be their own publisher.