mwsa-member
MWSA
We are a nationwide association of authors, poets, and artists, drawn together by the common bond of military service. Most of our members are active duty military, retirees, or military veterans.
705 posts
Don't wanna be here? Send us removal request.
Last Seen Blogs
lizardproblems
hard life of geck
crockettalbrechtsen24
The Life of Lawrence 332
cahyaprnm-blog
DreamWarrior
Text
Weeds of War: Those Who Bled at Dien Bien Phu by Paul Alenous Kluge
MWSA Review Pending
Author's Synopsis
It was clear by the first days of 1954 that impending battle at Dien Bien Phu would tip scales everywhere. By then, France was desperate for a win, and Ho Chi Minh was willing to roll the dice, betting on the support of the Soviets, the Chinese, and his own fire-eating army. It was the conscripts, the coolies, and the privates--who had the least to gain and the most to lose--who would pay the heaviest price. They were the weeds of war! The privates depicted are fictional, the battles are not; the historical context is real.
Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle
Review Genre: Fiction—Historical Fiction
Number of Pages: 236
Word Count: 103,837
0 notes
Text
Political Art of War: Winning Strategy for Local Campaigns by Shawn R. Frost, Sun Tzu, Gary Galiardi (translator)
MWSA Review Pending
Author's Synopsis
Two books in one. The left page is Sun Tzu’s Bing Fa, translated into English as the Art of War by Gary Gagliardi. The right page is Shawn R. Frost’s commentary on how this relates to winning local elections. There are also chapter summaries, a glossary of chinese terms, and an epilogue highlighting Frost’s 10 years working in politics.
This is a nonpartisan guide to winning that has resulted in Frost’s clients winning 31 of 33 contests, an unheard of 93% winning rate.
Read this book, or lose to by someone who has.
Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle
Review Genre: Nonfiction—How to/Business
Number of Pages: 237
Word Count: 45,149
0 notes
Text
The Believer within You by Tyrone Burnett
MWSA Review Pending
Author's Synopsis
Over 10 million children across the nation teeter on the brink of homelessness or unjust eviction due to wrongful foreclosures, even before they can call newly constructed homes their own amid a global financial and housing crisis. Enter Brenda Sue Bellamy, an ordinary 12-year-old with her trusty notebook by her side. She uncovers alarming information, sparking a daunting realization: “This could happen to my family.” Driven by her invigorated spirit, she delves deep, documenting each revelation in her trusty notebook. Through her journey, she presents invaluable financial and educational insights, enlightening both young minds and adult readers. Now, faced with a pivotal decision, Brenda Sue stands at a crossroads: to stay silent, or to speak out and risk being silenced.
Format(s) for review: Paper Only
Review Genre: Children & Young Adult—Young Adult (fiction or non-fiction)
Number of Pages: 82
Word Count: 4701
0 notes
Text
Writers Ed Series: Writing for Screens Big and Small (Part 3)
Part 3, “Your Bible: Establishing your World, Tone, Theme, and creating the well from which your characters emerge,” by Greg Elliot
Where does your story take place? When does your story take place? The past? The future? And what’s your tone? Dark, with a sense of humor? Light, but with a serious streak? Laying out the foundation of your story in your bible.
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/2245629439?pwd=Sk92UXVZNzBpK1Z3NWd1TWtPcUM3UT09
0 notes
Text
Crow Wisdom: A Seasonal Journey by Jasmine Tritten & Wanda Jerome
Author's Synopsis
Crows have symbolic meanings in many cultures. Incredibly smart, these birds carve a unique place between the natural and spiritual worlds. They fly into our lives and communicate important insights as harbingers of change to come. In homage to the family of corvids – especially crows – we compiled this collection of uplifting poetry, photography and artwork to shed light on their unique contributions to our human experience here on earth. We hope you enjoy this book and crows find their way to you when you need them.
Genre(s): Religious/Spiritual, Poetry Book, Picture Book
Format(s): Soft cover, Kindle
0 notes
Text
Unraveling the Myth of Sgt. Alvin York: The Other Sixteen by James P. Gregory Jr.
MWSA Review Pending
Author's Synopsis
On October 8, 1918, seventeen soldiers from the 82nd Division, American Expeditionary Force, led by acting Sgt. Bernard Early, flanked a German machine gun nest that had inundated their unit with withering fire. In this sneak attack, they successfully surprised and captured more than 80 German soldiers before an unseen machine gun suddenly opened fire and killed six men.
Acting Cpl. Alvin York, a member of the patrol, received the credit for taking control of the squad and single-handedly killing 20 Germans, capturing 132 prisoners, and eliminating 35 machine guns, all before leading the men back to Allied lines. For this act of bravery, York not only received the Medal of Honor and was promoted to sergeant, but he also rose to fame and glory. The 1941 movie Sergeant York, starring Gary Cooper, solidified York as a legend and one of the most well-known military figures in American history.
In Unraveling the Myth of Sgt. Alvin York, historian James P. Gregory Jr. tells the story of the other sixteen soldiers who took part in the battle, capture, and return before fading into relative obscurity in the shadow of Sergeant York. As the tale reached mythological proportions, the other survivors began to speak out, seeking recognition for their parts in the engagement, only to be stymied by improper investigations, cover-ups, and media misrepresentations. Here, Gregory recovers the story of these other men and the part they played alongside York while revealing the process of mythmaking in twentieth-century America.
Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle
Review Genre: Nonfiction—History
Number of Pages: 216
Word Count: 58500
0 notes
Text
The Long Work Trip by Carson Cleveland
MWSA Review Pending
Author's Synopsis
This book relates to many children these days who have parents that have to travel for work. This heart-warming story is written by a father who is separated from his family for a long work trip, when duty calls. With wonderful illustrations, the author provides his kids with insight into what he does on his work trip. Most of all, he ensures his children know all the time he spends thinking about them back home. The story provides a perspective to kids that even though a parent might be away they continue to be loved and cared for.
Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle
Review Genre: Children & Young Adult—Picture Book
Number of Pages: 25
Word Count: 512
0 notes
Text
Writing for Screens Big and Small (Part 2)
By Greg Elliot
Scroll down for PDF copies of Greg’s slides.
Greg’s PDF files used in presentation
Sample Script
Speed Bumps
Dialog Example
Link to TV scripts online
0 notes
Text
Where the Seams Meet by Patrick Holcomb
MWSA Review Pending
Author's Synopsis
Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good. Just ask the Romanos.
Dogged by tragedy and broken dreams, they’ve learned the hard way that not every mistake turns into a foul ball—and sometimes, it’s the words left unspoken that cut the deepest.
After fleeing 1970s San Francisco to escape the shadow of his abusive father, Frank struggles to balance his firefighting career with the demands of raising his talented but challenging son, Danny. Determined to transcend his tortured past, Frank bridges the growing chasm between them the only way he knows how: through baseball.
Danny’s meteoric rise on the diamond draws father and son together, but a shared passion for the game can only carry them so far. When life throws the Romanos a series of knee-buckling curveballs, not even the sport they love can strengthen the withering ties that bind.
As the thrilling seventh game of the 2014 World Series unfolds and chance offers them one last swing at redemption, father and son must confront their intermingled traumas to finally answer the question that torments them both: Is there life after baseball?
Format(s) for review: Paper Only
Review Genre: Fiction—Literary Fiction
Number of Pages: 310
Word Count: 94,000
0 notes
Text
Hangar 4 by Isaac G. Lee
MWSA Review Pending
Author's Synopsis
The best of the best... Risk taker. Son. Badass. Husband. Combat Aviator. Father.
From Officer Candidates School to squadron Commanding Officer, Isaac G. Lee, Lieutenant Colonel, USMC (Ret.), reached the finish line at HANGAR 4 on MCAS Miramar at the conclusion of seven deployments during his two decades of service. In this memoir, he shares the lessons, the rewards, the losses, and ultimately, the personal cost.
Isaac pushed every boundary he encountered as a combat aviator, repeatedly testing his own mettle under harsh wartime conditions. He sets a high standard in HANGAR 4 with his candid accounting of a transformative journey that took place while he endeavored to balance life in the squadron, in the cockpit, in war zones, and at home.
Combat defines every warfighter, along with episodes of survivor's guilt, emotional numbness, and lingering grief. Personal reckoning occurs in the aftermath of war.
Truth triumphs. Once a Marine, Always a Marine.
Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle
Review Genre: Nonfiction—Memoir/Biography
Number of Pages: 366
Word Count: 119,545
0 notes
Text
A Grand Pause: A Novel on May 14, 1945, the USS Randolph, Kamikazes, and the Greatest Air-Sea Rescue by Gary Santos
MWSA Review Pending
Author's Synopsis
Gary Santos has worked in aviation for over thirty years. A lifelong New Yorker, he currently resides on the South Shore of Long Island. He has extensively studied the history of his father's ship, the USS Randolph.
Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle
Review Genre: Fiction—Historical Fiction
Number of Pages: 314
Word Count: 89,568
0 notes
Text
Knowing When by Mark Fleisher
MWSA Review Pending
Author's Synopsis
Under the mantle of its intriguing title Mark Fleisher writes of sadness and tragedy, lightens the mood with poems about love, nature, even baseball, as well as a mirthful look at technology. Fleisher’s blend of narrative and lyric styles cut to the heart of the matter, showing the ability to speak volumes in a minimum number of lines. His eclectic collection also invites the reader to contemplate questions posed in the title poem and other selections.
Format(s) for review: Paper Only
Review Genre: Poetry—Poetry Book
Number of Pages: 36
Word Count:
0 notes
Text
Trust No One by Glenn Dyer
MWSA Review Pending
Author's Synopsis
Loyalists meant to rid their country of a double-dealing collaborator. Instead, they created a threat that could destroy Allied unity.
Algiers. Winter 1942. Conor Thorn is devastated. He’s been fired from the OSS. His wife, Emily, has been fired from MI6. They allowed their morals to bend certain truths concerning the outcome of their last mission. Forever dedicated to defeating Axis powers, these skilled operatives jump at the chance to secretly help General Eisenhower deal with a political time bomb threatening Allied harmony and to redeem their honorable standing. To recover a rumored archive holding the truth about an assassination plot, they must travel deep into perilous Axis territory.
In the crosshairs of those determined to keep the information out of Allied hands, Conor and Emily fall victim to a violent assault. Though the resulting injuries leave him severely concussed and confused, Conor refuses to stand down while his beloved ventures deeper into danger.
Can Conor and Emily piece together a political puzzle in time to keep Allied unity from fracturing?
Trust No One is the high intensity, gritty fourth book in the Conor Thorn WWII espionage series inspired by true events. If you like heart-pounding action and white-knuckled tension, then you’ll love Glenn Dyer’s thrill ride through history.
Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle
Review Genre: Fiction—Historical Fiction
Number of Pages: 402
Word Count: 107,710
0 notes
Text
MWSA Writers Education Series: April 20--Mark your calendars!
A sneak preview from Greg Elliot:
Many of the ways we tell stories for the movies and television are similar to how we construct a tale for a novel, or a short story. One of the big differences is how we use dialogue.
MWSA Writers Education Series continues on Saturday, April 20, at 5:00 PM EST with Greg Elliot. In this installment, Greg will continue his presentation about screenwriting and writing for television.
The Zoom link is here: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/2245629439?pwd=Sk92UXVZNzBpK1Z3NWd1TWtPcUM3UT09 and is also in the graphic. We hope to see you there!
0 notes
Text
Phoboudenopanophobia by Dan Wetmore
MWSA Review Pending
Author's Synopsis
Penning a previous book, My Mother’s Gentle Unbecoming, about her descent into dementia, got me contemplating a similar fate, so I wrote this volume as an extended last letter to my family, sort of an “epitaph in absentia”; hoped insurance against having last feelings go unexpressed, in the event the body outlives the being. An exploration of the emotional toll taken on the leaving and the left behind, the title is a braid of the three fears which predominate: fear of having nothing (Oudenophobia); fear—at a point when all is unknown (and the unknown is easily alarming)—of everything (Panophobia); and, as the product of those two, a fear of being reduced to a constant state of dread, i.e., fear itself (Phobophobia).
Format(s) for review: Paper Only
Review Genre: Poetry—Poetry Book
Number of Pages: 75
Word Count: 8,000
0 notes
Text
Always Remembering by Kathy Kasunich
MWSA Review Pending
Author's Synopsis
Based on a real-life couple's experience, Always Remembering” intricately weaves together the heartfelt love story of Mike and Helen, amid the turmoil and battles of World War II. Their blossoming love, abruptly interrupted by the war, thrusts them into a world of separation, uncertainties, loneliness, and the relentless struggle to preserve their bond. Mike confronts the brutal realities of war, while Helen grapples with a domineering mother and a meddling family that strain their relationship. Intertwined within the narrative are unedited letters penned by Mike to Helen, signed with the touching sentiment: “Always Remembering, Never Forgetting, Loving You Forever, Mike.” These letters and the nostalgic memories they evoke become their anchor amidst the chaos, empowering them to endure and cherish the person who captured their hearts.
From the tranquil streets of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to the harrowing battlegrounds of the 42nd Rainbow Division, the pangs of heartache, and the destruction of war resonates deeply. In a story told through both of their perspectives, Mike, an outgoing, confident medic, and Helen, a diffident, humble grocer, bare their souls as they navigate situations beyond their control.
“Always Remembering”, seen through the lens of two ordinary souls is a testament to enduring love, unveiling the emotional toll and unseen collateral damage that war imposes on the human spirit. Echoing the essence of Capra’s stirring narratives, this captivating tale celebrates the resilience of love and the powerful strength found within treasured memories.
Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle
Review Genre: Fiction—Romance
Number of Pages: 356
Word Count: 98,000
0 notes