February 18, 2019
Author John H Brown talks to us about his book Augie’s War, which ‘explores the healing power of family to recharge the human spirit when wartime experiences threaten to darken the very soul of the protagonist.’
He draws heavily from his experience as a Vietnam vet to deliver the reader a blunt look at the ravages of war and attests to the true spirit of brothers-in-arms.
Tell us about yourself.
I was the owner of Brown Communications a public relations and marketing company. I retired three years ago to write my novel- Augie’s War. I have been a newspaper wine and food columnist for more than 30 years and I continue to write for the Charleston (WV) Gazette-Mail daily newspaper and for The State Journal – a statewide business weekly. I graduated from West Virginia University with a BS in Journalism and an MA in Speech Communications. I am a veteran of the Vietnam War (1969-70) and I reside with my wife of 48 years in Charleston, West Virginia. We have two sons and three grandchildren.
What is your favorite childhood book?
My parents bought me a set of books in the 1950’s and I spent hours reading fairy tales, mythology and various biographies of famous people like Napoleon, George Washington and Mark Twain.
When did you first realise you wanted to become a writer?
From grade school and into high school I wanted to write. At first, I concentrated on poetry and then when I returned from Vietnam I began to write about my experiences over there. When my career and family took precedence over my desire to write, I always hoped I could finish my Vietnam story.
How do you deal with bad reviews for your book?
So far I haven’t had any, but that probably is more a product of the limited number of people I have reached.
What are some jobs that you’ve worked? Have any of them had an impact on your work?
Obviously, my service in Vietnam was a prime motivating influence, but I’ve always written, particularly for newspapers, and PR clients. And through my wine and food columns, I have been able to keep my skills honed over the years.
With the rise of the self-publishing industry, do you think the writing market has saturated? How hard is it to get readers for your work?
It is exceptionally difficult to get a book attention in the broader reading public. I don’t have an agent so all the marketing is up to me and I find it daunting. My book is widely available, though. You can find it at online retailers such as Amazon, itunes, etc.
What do you enjoy about your writing style?
Sometimes I can amuse myself in developing odd characters and that’s a lot of fun.
What are some unconventional habits you have when it comes to writing?
Sometimes it takes months for me to “noodle” my story. I can’t seem to get started for all the thinking about I do about my work. But then once I begin, some force inside me takes over and I can write non-stop for hours. It’s weird, but sometimes I’ll spend four hours writing at my desk without getting up and then it’s usually because I have to go to the bathroom.
Do you have any regrets about your published works? Are there some things you wish you could go back and change?
I’ve only had one book published and I have made minor (grammatical changes) to the novel that I’ve sent to my publisher. But no regrets.
Tell us about your latest work.
Augie’s War explores the healing power of family to recharge the human spirit when wartime experiences threaten to darken the very soul of the protagonist. In the story, Augie Cumpton leans on, and flashes back to, childhood memories of his large and boisterous Italian-American family, the bakery where he worked and the humorous, sometimes outrageous, but always memorable characters of his youth.
As Augie’s Vietnam deployment draws to a close and enemy attacks are a daily occurrence, he must find a way to not only survive the war, but also make life and death decisions forced on him by a coterie of deranged and corrupt superiors. If he refuses to comply with their illegal demands, he may end up like another soldier in his unit who is murdered.
Do you have any advice for writers struggling for inspiration?
Write about things that you know or have a familiarity with. That’s always a good way to begin when your having trouble getting started. I find that just beginning the process of writing always seems to lead to something interesting.
What are your tips to help find the right publisher?
There is no easy way. You should do your research, talk to other writers and ask for an introduction. Try and interest an agent – which is almost impossible for debut writers. And send your work to publishers who publish your genre.
Editor’s note: The acclaimed author of #1 New York Times bestselling memoir ‘Rocket Boys’, Homer Hickam, had this to say about Augie’s War, “One of the most powerful novels I’ve yet read on the Vietnam War. As a veteran of that awful conflict, I was absolutely riveted by the tale of Augie and his buddies, and every word rang true.” Augie’s War is bestselling book of 2018 at Charleston’s iconic Taylor Books in West Virginia.
To learn more about John H Brown, visit him online at https://www.augieswar.com/.
To get a copy of Augie’s War please click here.
Read the article online here.
Author Kevin Miller talks to CBS 8 about the creation of his book, Heart of Steel
/in AMS Intel Page /by Allen Media StrategiesSAN DIEGO — The Holidays are a time for family, telling stories, and for some families, sharing history.
Author of “Heart of Steel,” Kevin Miller, on Tuesday shared his family secrets he has uncovered and gives advice on how to handle family baggage.
“Heart of Steel” is a true story that begins when Air Force veteran Miller accidentally discovers in an old yellowed newspaper clipping that his real last name isn’t the all-American Miller, but the very Polish, Puchalski.
Miller soon learns that his grandfather Stanley “Miller” Puchalski was a man with many secrets, and they were all buried with him.
This sent Miller on a dogged search back through time for clues from decades-old newspaper clippings that were his only hope to find out what happened. What he discovered shook him to his core.
Miller’s grandfather was involved in a murder-mystery, an indescribable tragedy, a major midwestern scandal and a daring escape, pushing him beyond impossible odds towards healing, redemption and finally true love and real forgiveness.
Read the article online now.
Dr. Rob Cohen talks Sen. John McCain on Fox 5’s On The Hill Podcast
/in AMS Intel Page /by Allen Media StrategiesWASHINGTON – Dr. Rob Cohen, a former staffer for Sen. John McCain, an Army veteran and host of the “Democrises” podcast, joins Tom Fitzgerald on the “On The Hill” podcast.
On the one year anniversary of Senator McCain’s death, Cohen looks how even after his passing McCain’s legacy still looms large over the Republican party, even as few in the GOP seem interested in carrying on McCain’s “maverick” reputation.
Have a topic you want Fitz to cover? Tell him about it on his Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or drop him an email.
On The Hill is a weekly politics podcast featuring FOX 5’s Tom Fitzgerald in which he expands on the conversations that are the staple of Sunday morning political talk in Washington, D.C.
Listen online here.
“Augie’s War” Author John H. Brown on The New Rationalist
/in AMS Intel Page /by Allen Media StrategiesFebruary 18, 2019
Author John H Brown talks to us about his book Augie’s War, which ‘explores the healing power of family to recharge the human spirit when wartime experiences threaten to darken the very soul of the protagonist.’
He draws heavily from his experience as a Vietnam vet to deliver the reader a blunt look at the ravages of war and attests to the true spirit of brothers-in-arms.
Tell us about yourself.
I was the owner of Brown Communications a public relations and marketing company. I retired three years ago to write my novel- Augie’s War. I have been a newspaper wine and food columnist for more than 30 years and I continue to write for the Charleston (WV) Gazette-Mail daily newspaper and for The State Journal – a statewide business weekly. I graduated from West Virginia University with a BS in Journalism and an MA in Speech Communications. I am a veteran of the Vietnam War (1969-70) and I reside with my wife of 48 years in Charleston, West Virginia. We have two sons and three grandchildren.
What is your favorite childhood book?
My parents bought me a set of books in the 1950’s and I spent hours reading fairy tales, mythology and various biographies of famous people like Napoleon, George Washington and Mark Twain.
When did you first realise you wanted to become a writer?
From grade school and into high school I wanted to write. At first, I concentrated on poetry and then when I returned from Vietnam I began to write about my experiences over there. When my career and family took precedence over my desire to write, I always hoped I could finish my Vietnam story.
How do you deal with bad reviews for your book?
So far I haven’t had any, but that probably is more a product of the limited number of people I have reached.
What are some jobs that you’ve worked? Have any of them had an impact on your work?
Obviously, my service in Vietnam was a prime motivating influence, but I’ve always written, particularly for newspapers, and PR clients. And through my wine and food columns, I have been able to keep my skills honed over the years.
With the rise of the self-publishing industry, do you think the writing market has saturated? How hard is it to get readers for your work?
It is exceptionally difficult to get a book attention in the broader reading public. I don’t have an agent so all the marketing is up to me and I find it daunting. My book is widely available, though. You can find it at online retailers such as Amazon, itunes, etc.
What do you enjoy about your writing style?
Sometimes I can amuse myself in developing odd characters and that’s a lot of fun.
What are some unconventional habits you have when it comes to writing?
Sometimes it takes months for me to “noodle” my story. I can’t seem to get started for all the thinking about I do about my work. But then once I begin, some force inside me takes over and I can write non-stop for hours. It’s weird, but sometimes I’ll spend four hours writing at my desk without getting up and then it’s usually because I have to go to the bathroom.
Do you have any regrets about your published works? Are there some things you wish you could go back and change?
I’ve only had one book published and I have made minor (grammatical changes) to the novel that I’ve sent to my publisher. But no regrets.
Tell us about your latest work.
Augie’s War explores the healing power of family to recharge the human spirit when wartime experiences threaten to darken the very soul of the protagonist. In the story, Augie Cumpton leans on, and flashes back to, childhood memories of his large and boisterous Italian-American family, the bakery where he worked and the humorous, sometimes outrageous, but always memorable characters of his youth.
As Augie’s Vietnam deployment draws to a close and enemy attacks are a daily occurrence, he must find a way to not only survive the war, but also make life and death decisions forced on him by a coterie of deranged and corrupt superiors. If he refuses to comply with their illegal demands, he may end up like another soldier in his unit who is murdered.
Do you have any advice for writers struggling for inspiration?
Write about things that you know or have a familiarity with. That’s always a good way to begin when your having trouble getting started. I find that just beginning the process of writing always seems to lead to something interesting.
What are your tips to help find the right publisher?
There is no easy way. You should do your research, talk to other writers and ask for an introduction. Try and interest an agent – which is almost impossible for debut writers. And send your work to publishers who publish your genre.
Editor’s note: The acclaimed author of #1 New York Times bestselling memoir ‘Rocket Boys’, Homer Hickam, had this to say about Augie’s War, “One of the most powerful novels I’ve yet read on the Vietnam War. As a veteran of that awful conflict, I was absolutely riveted by the tale of Augie and his buddies, and every word rang true.” Augie’s War is bestselling book of 2018 at Charleston’s iconic Taylor Books in West Virginia.
To learn more about John H Brown, visit him online at https://www.augieswar.com/.
To get a copy of Augie’s War please click here.
Read the article online here.
Following release of “Four Bears in a Box”, Dreama Denver visits WCCB Charlotte
/in AMS Intel Page /by Allen Media StrategiesNovember 15, 2019 by WCCB Rising
Dreama Denver, wife of late TV-icon Bob Denver, is in Charlotte for the Southern Christmas Show. She is launching her new children’s book “Four Bears in a Box.”
Watch online now.
D.C. Florist Alisa Rabinovich Sends a Message of Support to Congresswomen Targeted in Trump’s Tweets
/in AMS Intel Page /by Allen Media StrategiesWAMU | JUL 19, 2019
By Ashley Lisenby
A D.C. florist is sending encouragement in the form of fresh flowers to the four U.S. Congresswomen targeted in President Donald Trump’s incendiary tweets this week.
Alisa Rabinovich, who owns and operates Nosegay Flowers in D.C. and Galleria Florist in Falls Church, Virginia, said she designed custom flower arrangements to send to Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-New York), Ayanna Pressley (D-Massachusetts), Ilhan Omar (D-Minnesota), and Rashida Tlaib (D-Michigan) to show the women support.
“It’s really not about politics for me,” Alisa Rabinovich said in a statement sent to WAMU. “I’m not a terribly political person. It’s about these women being bullied by the President of the United States, the most powerful man in the world, and standing up for themselves.”
She delivered the flowers on Thursday with a note thanking the Congresswomen.
The notes read: “Thanks for being a role model for women everywhere. You are the best part of America!”
Trump told the representatives to “go back” to “the crime infested places from which they came” in a racist tweet.
The president’s intentions behind making the comments urging the women to go back to their countries of origin have been widely disputed by lawmakers and pundits throughout the week, some denying the hurtful usage of Trump’s “go back” comment and the context in which the statement has historically been used toward people of color.
Omar, a Somali refugee, is the only representative of the four women born outside of the U.S. She became a naturalized citizen as a teen.
Rabinovich immigrated to the U.S. with her family as a child from Russia. She said she identified with the four Congresswomen who received Trump’s taunts.
“I love America, and one of the things I love most about my home is that people here have been able to have civil disagreements, and also look for ways to come together for the common good,” she said. “That seems to be lost on the President sometimes.”
Read the article online now.