Author: Randy
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6 Questions When Choosing Your Military Editor
If you’re writing a military-themed book—whether it’s a memoir, thriller, historical novel, or nonfiction account—hiring the right editor can make or break your project. Military writing carries unique demands: readers expect technical accuracy, emotional authenticity, and a sense of realism that honors the subject matter. Not every editor can deliver on those fronts. Here’s what…
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Selecing Literary Agents and Publishers for your Military Non-Fiction book
Writing military non-fiction is a unique mission—one that requires precision, integrity, and a strong understanding of your audience. Whether you’re sharing firsthand combat experiences, historical operations, or lessons in leadership and resilience, choosing the right publisher and literary agent is a critical step in making sure your story reaches the readers who need it most.…
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Why Reading Deeply in Your Genre is the Secret Weapon of Great Writers
One thing I’ve learned through my years of editing and writing books as a Military Editor is that Reading Deeply is a key factor to making a book great. If you want to publish a novel—whether it’s a swoony regency romance, a heart-pounding military thriller, or a twist-filled sci-fi epic—there’s one non-negotiable habit you need…
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What Is a Military Editor? (And Why You Might Need One)
When people hear the term editor, they often think of someone with a red pen, correcting grammar or suggesting word swaps. But what about a military editor? This specialized role goes far beyond basic editing—and it’s essential for veterans, service members, and military-affiliated writers who want to tell their stories accurately and effectively. So, what…
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Bringing Your Story to Life: The Power of Dialogue in Memoirs
As a Military Editor, I get a lot of questions about how to make memoirs more engaging. Memoirs are more than just timelines and facts—they’re about people, emotions, and the moments that shaped your life. One of the most effective ways to breathe life into those moments? Dialogue. When used well, dialogue transforms your memories…
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Types of Military Memoirs
As a Military Editor, I’ve ghostwritten and edited numerous memoirs with Veterans. Memoirs are a powerful way to share personal stories, offering insight, inspiration, and connection to readers. While all memoirs stem from personal experience, they fall into different categories based on their focus and intent. Understanding these distinctions can help writers shape their narrative…
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What Do Amazon Ratings Mean?
For most of my life, I have gone through life reading books on my Kindle (for as long as Kindle has been around at least) and leaving an honest rating on Amazon, thinking I was doing my duty to other readers by helping them identify their next best read. But what if I’ve been selfish? What…
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Establishing your Character’s Scene Goal
Establishing a goal for your character in each scene of a book is important for driving the narrative and engaging the reader. In all good scenes, your point-of-view character will have a goal or desire, something they want to achieve. Each scene in the novel should contain a mini-goal for the character, moving them closer…
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Military Matters
Are your military characters using the right equipment? Do they speak like soldiers? Does your character’s background support the story goals? These are just a few of the questions authors ask themselves when they are writing stories that involve characters with military backgrounds. And this is exactly why you need a Military Technical Advisor to review your…
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Keeping Romance Interesting
Part 2 about adding Romance Conventions to your action, thriller, crime, or military story that keep it interesting.