For years I’ve done a very minimal amount of marketing and advertising for my books. That has changed, and you may have already noticed that I’ve begun advertising on Facebook. These ads will continue, and yes, you may even see your own words in them. I have used quotes taken from your reviews, and I want to express my sincerest appreciation and thanks to all who have written and posted your book reviews on Amazon and Goodreads. Your words have given me the motivation to continue telling my stories. And with that said, I commit to you that I will never use AI to tell them. My work is MY work.
My stories come from my own creativity, historical events, and the recollections of veteran friends. My goal is to show readers what the average soldier faced in Vietnam through a soldier’s eyes. Yes, I have blended those realities with somewhat fanciful stories to keep you reading, but they are no less real. I say this because I occasionally receive the response, “I only read non-fiction.” I completely understand and often reply that I too read mostly non-fiction, but with that said I also explain that non-fiction is only marginally better than an AAR (After Action Report) and seldom displays it through the eyes of the front-line soldier, nor does it delve into the psychological experiences of combat nor its aftermath. My work does that.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch: my wife and I made a road trip up into west Tennessee last week. We drove through a number of small towns, including Alamo, Owl City, and Frog Jump (unincorporated the sign said), and the latter home to a 12-foot skeleton sitting on a toilet in someone’s front yard—really! There was more, but I haven’t been able to get past the scene in Frog Jump.
“So,” you say. “What’s next?”
My writing endeavors have run upon rocky shoals. I spent the last 12 months writing a novel that I will not in any manner take credit for and hopefully, you will not see. As you may know, I donate 10% of my book royalites to veteran charities. Co-authoring this book led me into a situation that was morally counter to that goal. I’ll leave it at that, but do not despair. Rawlins Saga Book #5 is in the works. It will focus on the years of 1886 and 1887 in the Montana Territory and the next Rawlins generation. Maybe by February 2026, it’ll be ready. We’ll see. More on that in the next blog post.
Until then, here’s a link to my author page on Amazon where you can purchase a book: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Rick-DeStefanis/author/B00H2YO2SS .
Send me your emails, comments, and reviews. I need your encouragement.
