Tour Update!

After touring the country over the last fourteen months, sixty weeks, fifty-seven events, in seventeen states across the Southeast and Midwest, I have decided to go to ground in San Antonio, Texas.  I have made this decision so that I may gain the time needed to finish the work I have already started on “Charlie and Mike."  That is why I have decided to take the time over the next three months to get the research and manuscript completed.  Once the book is released, we will pick the tour back up and continue to travel and meet with readers. 

This last year has been an adventure, at times arduous and exciting!  We have met thousands of great veterans, people we should all be proud of.  It was for these veterans that I came up with the concept for the novel and it is for them that I will bring it to fruition.  That takes time, and by making this decision I am setting the time aside from the tour so that I may accomplish this goal. 

Thank you so much for taking the time to consider the KickStarter Project.  The decision to go to San Antonio versus continuing the tour onward toward California is something I see as a requirement.  We will go to the west coast, but now it will be with three novels versus two.  And don’t forget the screenplay!  We are very excited about its prospects! 

Be blessed. 

Steve Newman, Author

Charlie and Mike

I've heard it said that adversity is the mother of all creativity. After I retired from the Army in 2003, I went through several major events that forced me to take inventory of my life. I still had the incredible memories and a sense of pride from my military days. I still had my imagination. And, I still had a computer! The natural progression was to start writing./>
Having been an Operations Sergeant, the first thing I did was to write a mission statement. My mission is: Using solely my imagination, I will create a legacy of pride and hope for those I love and care about the most for generations to come. Five years later, I've written two Historical Fiction Novels about the Green Berets and several screenplays.

During the production process on my second novel, I discovered the screen writing process actually helped me produce better stories. The format of a screen play also gives me a fantastic outline for the creation of my novels. Since January 2013, I've been working on a screenplay titled "Charlie and Mike." I have pitched ideas to my audience during the multitude of book signing events at military installations and other venues I've held across the country this year.

The final draft of the screenplay is almost complete and I've decided to convert it into a novel as I continue the tour. The tentative release date for the novel is now set for the fall of 2014 and the tour will continue through December 2015. The mission has not changed over the years, but my intent has. My intent is: To learn and grow as a writer, so I may continue to bring stories about the men and women of the Armed Forces to print and screen. My goal is to write the next best selling novel and Oscar Winning screenplay about our men and women in the military.

"Charlie and Mike" is a modern war story about an Air Force Sergeant and her working dog. Together, they are the best there is and therefore, selected to join a team of Green Berets in their hunt for a Taliban bomb maker from hell. Charlie has to deal with not only being a woman in a man's world, but also with the difficulty of leaving her children and husband behind to go to war. The story takes the audience on a journey into the heart and soul of our military and the adversity they face every day on the battlefield. Often the decisions we make can have lasting effects on those we love and care about the most. What we learn is that sometimes the decisions we make, make us, and Charlie must make decisions under circumstances only a few could ever imagine.

Support for this project at the projected goal will be used for: Copy and Conceptual Editing, Layout and Cover Design, Marketing and Publicity, Printing.

Support provided above the project goal will go towards the task of promoting and selling the book as the Book Signing Tour continues from today through the official release date, plus one year. The tour is currently set to continue through December 2015. The most generous sponsors will have their name or logo prominently displayed on my travel equipment and my events display everywhere I go as stated in the rewards section.

Thank you!

S. B.Newman,
Military Novelist/Screen Writer

"Charlie and Mike" on KickStarter.com

Dear Friends,

For the last year I've been touring with my novels, “The Night Eagles Soared” and “Burnt Yellow and Red.” I have visited over 40 military installations since this time last year and I have met hundreds if not thousands of other veterans. I've learned that we all have a story to tell and that is what motivates me to continue writing about life as a soldier. Recently, I announced my next novel as a Kick Starter project, allowing me to give readers and enthusiasts for my work an opportunity to pledge support. This is a great way to not only sign up to receive any number of rewards but also a way to support the creative process.

My next novel so far titled; "Charlie and Mike," is a modern war story about an Air Force Sergeant and her working dog. Together, they are the best there is and therefore, selected to join a team of Green Berets in the hunt for a Taliban bomb maker from hell. Charlie has to deal with not only being a woman in a man's world, but also with the difficulty of leaving her children and husband behind to go to war. The story takes the audience on a journey into the heart and soul of our military and the adversity they face every day on the battlefield. Often the decisions we make can have lasting effects on those we love and care about the most. What we learn is that sometimes the decisions we make, make us, and Charlie must make decisions under circumstances only a few could ever imagine.

When it comes to the tour, it will continue.  We will visit practically every military base in the country over the next two years.  For a list of the sites we've already visited and will visit in 2013, please go to the link for my blog.  The schedule is strong and it will stay strong through 2015.  Pledges made for this project will be strictly managed to ensure success.  We will publish this novel and the tour will go on!

Again, thank you for taking the time to consider my Kick Starter project.  Be blessed. 

Steven B. Newman, Military Novelist and Screen Writer      

J. Webb reviewed The Night Eagles Soared

Highly recommended for those wanting a realistic picture of Special Forces July 23, 2013.

Having lived the life of a Special Forces operator, whenever I pick up a book about the special operations community I do so with some trepidation. Many of them are adrenaline filled self-aggrandizing crap. Not this one. I had a long chat with the author and he claims the work to be fiction. However, whether it is fiction or not, I found it to paint a very realistic picture of what life is like in Special Forces - from the training, to the missions, to the hardship on family lives - the author has managed to capture these feelings for the uninitiated. Not only is it well done from that perspective, the author has managed to draw you into that world with great storytelling that is worthy of best-selling authors.

Memorial Day, a Sacred Remembrance

                                     Memorial Day, a Respective

                                   All gave some. Some gave all. No greater love.

The soldier, above all other men, is required to practice the greatest act of religious training---sacrifice. In battle and in the face of danger and death, he discloses those divine attributes which his Maker gave when He created man in His own image. No physical courage and no brute instinct can take the place of divine help which alone can sustain him.      General Douglas MacArthur

Me and Barney

Memorial Day 2013 is a time to reflect upon the national treasure, heavily laden with mostly youthful dreams and vigor that has, over time, been offered upon the sacred altar of liberty. The selfless sacrifice, a fulfillment of an oath freely taken, was offered to protect and defend the Constitution and our cherished way of life.

It all began at sunrise on the freshly greening fields of Lexington on a foreboding yet monumental April day in 1775. By sundown in Concord, 49 patriots had died and 39 had been wounded, both black and white, and many from the same congregation. The shot heard round the world rang out and thus began a legacy of supreme giving that now extends to the barren terrain of Afghanistan. To date over 1.3 million Americans have died in the service of the nation.

  

In order to fully appreciate the magnitude and impact of this sacrifice it is instructive to review certain factors. The two wars that took the greatest proportional toll, the Revolutionary War and The War Between the States, were fought on American soil.  

It is estimated by some historians that as many as 8000 American patriots were killed in action and some 17,000 died as prisoners of the British during the Revolutionary War. Just ponder that a moment. That would have been about 1% of all colonist and 3% of all Patriots. Moreover, that is approximately 8.5% of all those who served in the Continental forces. Few armies have survived, let alone won wars with such heavy losses.

The War Between the States, that began 153 years ago, resulted in over 625,000 (364,500 Union and 260,000 Confederate) war related military deaths. This represented a sustained rate of 600 per day and totaled 1.9% of the American population. Often the order of magnitude of events is lost in history such as the devastation of wars or natural disasters. Consider this; a comparable proportional rate today would be on the order of 6 million military personnel to say nothing of the havoc on the economy and the culture in general.

World War II was the first war in which there were more actual battle deaths than from accident, disease and infection. It is noteworthy that by comparison the more modern the conflict the less severe the toll, e.g. World War II, 405,399 died at a rate of 416 per day or 0.3% of all Americans; Vietnam War, 54,204 died at a rate of 26 per day or 0.03%; and Iraq 4401 died at a rate of 2 per day or 0.0015% of the population.

You may not be aware that the actual, though unofficial, origin of Memorial Day can be traced to Charleston, SC and to the present day Hampton Park. In 1865 this area, known then as the Washington Race Track, had been turned into a temporary prisoner-of-war camp. During the camp’s operation over 200 Union prisoners died and were buried on the grounds in a mass grave.

Soon after the Confederate surrender the bodies were exhumed, mostly by former slaves, and properly re-interred individually in a marked cemetery, complete with white picket fence. All of this was accomplished in a 10 day period. On May 1, 1865 the Charleston newspaper reported that up to 10,000 people, mostly black residents, including 2800 school children, attended the new cemetery’s dedication. The ceremony included a procession, sermons, singing and a picnic on the grounds. This event in Charleston was, in fact, the first Decoration Day that, over time, evolved into Memorial Day.

On Memorial Day 2013, would be an ideal time to reflect upon this tapestry of selfless sacrifice so carefully woven into our national heritage. If possible, purpose to make it personal by remembering a classmate, friend or neighbor who has “given all”. I always try to concentrate on the ever fading memory of my 44 squadron mates (Navy Seawolves) or others I trained with or were in school with. They were warriors once and young…Nilon, Jim, Antonio, Mark, Dan, Paul, Jose, Bill, Richard…I do remember them.

But the bravest are surely those who have the clearest vision of what is before them, glory and danger alike, and yet notwithstanding, go out to meet it. Thucydides (460 BC-395 BC)

Developed by:

John R. “Barney” Barnes

Cdr                         USN® 

15 May 2013                             

                                                                           

“Greater love has no one than this than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”              Jesus

                         

                                                                           

                                                                       

Raising Money for the Green Beret Foundation!

Folks, I have set a goal of raising $500 for the Green Beret Foundation in the next thirty days through the sale of my novels through this site.  Please go to my “Little Online Store” and order today!  Send a copy to a friend, loved one, family member!  

While you are on this page, scroll down to the bottom and check out the most popular post.  An interview with the Green Beret Foundation's Chief Operating Officer, Jennifer Paquette.  

Now order your books, make sure to give me a good shipping address and instructions on how you would like them signed! 

Thank you very much!  

S. B. (Steve) Newman

2013 Tour Events

I will be visiting the Main Exchange on each of these military installations along with some other venues.   Hope to see you there!  

28 January - 03 February 2013, Randolph AFB, San Antonio,Texas

05-10 February 2013, Lackland AFB, San Antonio,Texas

12-16 February 2013, Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas

22 February - 02 March 2013, Barksdale AFB, Shreveport, Louisiana

05-10 March 2013, Little Rock AFB, Little Rock, Arkansas

12-17 March 2013, Fort Leonard Wood, Rolla, Missouri

21-23 March 2013, Rock Island Arsenal, Davenport, Iowa

28-31 March 2013, Offut AFB, Omaha, Nebraska

02-07 April 2013, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas City, Kansas

10-14 April 2013, Fort Riley, Manhattan, Kansas

17-21 April 2013, McConnel AFB, Wichita, Kansas

25-28 April 2013, Tinker AFB, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

03-05 May 2013, Fort Sill, Lawton, Oklahoma

08-12 May 2013, Fort Worth NAS, Fort Worth, Texas 

16-22 May 2013, Dyess AFB, Abilene, Texas

25-26 May 2013, Lone Star Gun Show, Fort Worth, Texas

28 May - 02 June 2013, Goodfellow AFB, San Angelo, Texas

04-09 June 2013, Laughlin AFB, Del Rio, Texas

12-13 June 2013, Lackland AFB, San Antonio, Texas

15-16 June 2013, Saxet Gun Show, McAllen, Texas

18-21 June 2013, Corpus Christi NAS, Corpus Christi, Texas 

26-30 June 2013, San Antonio, TX  for the SFA Convention...

08-13 July 2013, Fort Bliss, El Paso, Texas

16-18 July 2013, Holloman AFB, Alamagordo, New Mexico

03-04 August 2013, Tanner Gun Show, Denver, Colorado

05-11 August 2013, Fort Carson, Colorado Springs, Colorado

13-18 August 2013, Peterson AFB, Colorado Springs, Colorado

20-25 August 2013, United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado

27-30 August 2013, Fort Carson, Colorado Springs, Colorado

03-10 September 2013, Cannon AFB, Clovis, New Mexico

12-16 September 2013, White Sands Missile Range, White Sands, New Mexico

18-22 September 2013, Holloman AFB, Alamagordo, New Mexico

Soldier's Heart

http://embed.videodigm.com//1d02f9b77cacc8d461f06b8ac81225fb

A God Wink?

While at Keesler AFB, I met two WWII Veterans.

One was a tail gunner in a B-24. He said he was fifteen when he joined the Army Air Corp in 1942. Then they put him in as a gunner because he was only 5'3" tall, and 95lbs. That meant he could wear the bail out rig and actually fit through the bail out hatch. William Allen, was an instant friend and I nicked named him Wild Bill, after he bragged about having the Hooters girls visit him and his buddies at the Armed Forces Retirement Home there in Gulfport, Mississippi.

The Second was a beautiful 86 year old Japanese lady who stood at least 3"9" tall. She explained how before the war the Japanese Marines would train in the fields behind her house. Then during the war, she was wounded very badly when the Americans bombed her village. She was wounded despite having taken shelter in a hole in her back yard. She had scares on her face; on her left eye, and on the right side of hear face from the eye all the way back around the side of her head over the top of her ear. The years and her hair covered them well.

Then she explained how she had lived through the occupation, and at 18 years old was still shamefully unmarried. That is when an American GI with the most incredibly handsome pink skin and round blue eyes asked her out. She asked him, "Why do you want to take me out, I am all burned and scared?" He told her, "Beauty is only skin deep!" Long story short, with her parents permissiion, they married and had two wonderful children and are still together, living in Biloxi. She was adement about making sure I understood that she had her parents permission to marry. She understoond and lived by the honor of her family.

I met the two of them perhaps within a thirty minute window on Saturday. Bill 87 and Kazue 86 were both wonderful and happy people, complete strangers, yet their lives still remain inextricably intertwined by fate; although, they may never, ever meet. It was an incredible honor when they shared their stories with me, as if they had known me all their lives.

God bless our World War II Veterans! All of them.

Steve

Review from "Joker 4"

I met you  and your wife at the Exchange while I was on vacation in Jacksonville, Florida.   I purchased both of your novels on Amazon and I congratulate you on two top notch novels that should become movies. As one Infantry Grunt to another, I thoroughly identified with the combat aspects and really shed a few tears by the memories from Vietnam in 1965 and 1966 which were stirred up by your descriptive writing.  These past few years I have read all the Clancy, Vince Flynn, Cussler, Perry, Lee Child, etc novels and enjoyed them all.  I have put you on that list and hope you have another novel in the works.  I kept wondering if you were the “Mike” character?  

As for myself, I retired in 1983 and had become an Army JAGC in 1969.  I retired in 1983 and worked as an Assistant General Counsel for L-3 communications Corporation since 1987 (after starting with  Ford Aeronautic in Newport Beach in 1983 and Motorola in 1984 to 1987, followed by Loral and Lockheed Martin which spun off into L-3 .   I got my Infantry “Grunt” status through ROTC at  the University of Illinois at Fort Benning where I attended the Basic Officers course followed by Airborne and Ranger School and then Helicopter School  at Fort Wolters; followed by three years in Munich in the 2/9^th Cavalry before going to Vietnam.  I came back to the University of Illinois on Active Duty to finish a law degree in 1967 after finishing a year at Fort Campbell as a  101st Company Commander.  After law school I was assigned to the University of Virginia for the Advanced JAGC one year Course and had tours in the early 70’s at Fort Carson and the Pentagon in the litigation division and a LLM course in Government Contracting at George Washington University, graduating in 1976.  I also got to be the SJA at Fort Rucker in 1978 before returning to DC to eventually become the Chief Trial Attorney (Contracts) for the Army.

The reason for my long resume is so that you understand that I am more than just an English major and Speech major who likes to read..   I figure between my flying Huey B model gunships and commanding troops seasoned by a JD and Masters degrees, I am not just an ordinary “Grunt” with an ordinary compliment.  I recognize talent and you really deserve recognition.  I am very happy that  Linda and I ran into you at the Exchange.   I am living my 73^rd year  now and will be 74 in May.  I will be retiring this coming April and hope to put out my own fictional novel  which will center on my life to date i and will include my tour in Vietnam.  F.N . My call sign in Vietnam was “Joker 4” and I named the Jokers.  The Jokers are still on active duty and are stationed in Germany.  They had several tours in IRAQ.  

In short, you have been an inspiration for me and God bless you and your family.  Your service to the Country is greatly appreciate are your novels are great!

Sincerely,

James (Jim) Price

Colonel, Ret. USA

“Joker 4”   

Most Recent Review

I just received this review from a reader. Thought I would share it with you!

Steve:

I just finished reading "The Night Eagles Soared"....thanks for a great book!

I've read hundreds of Special Ops, SF, Viet Nam books and yours was one of the best.

My Daughter-in-law got the book from you when you were at Hurlburt...she then gave it to me for Christmas along with "Burnt Yellow and Red".

Really enjoyed the specifics of the Panama portion of the book because I was on a Special Ops Weather Team in Panama for three years, 1968 - 1971. Things were considerably different then than when you were there.

I was stationed at Howard, but Went thru H.A.L.O. school in the first and probably last class that the 8th SF Group provided.

Anyway, good show, I like your writing style and your ABILITY to put together a good story...keep writing!

Thanks for your service...civilians don't have any idea what we all went thru.

Sincerely .... De Opresso Liber!

Dennis Davis
CPT USA Ret.
Master Parachutist


Thanks Dennis!

Home of the Brave!

For the last six months I have been traveling around the South Eastern United States with my books, visiting military installations and meeting a great many members of the military.   I’ve met veterans from every branch of service, from every war this country has ever fought.  Well, at least as far back as WWII.   Some of those wars are well known, others forgotten or just never known to the public.  What strikes me as amazing?  The names and faces change but the stories are always extraordinarily similar.  Heroic in nature, incredible to hear, consistently painful, yet told with such pride.

Yesterday, I grabbed two young troops and introduced them to a little ole lady I was talking to.  Her name is Joan and she was born in England.  When she was nine years of age she had survived the German onslaught of bombing raids that hit London, almost daily.  She told them, “I could see the pilot’s faces as they flew overhead, low, looking for us.” It dawned on me, this is why we serve, and this is why we all do what we do.

Everyday, while I am at the Exchange selling my books, people tell me their stories, and they almost always say, “Thanks for your service.”  I usually reply, “Ahhh don’t thank me, I was like a rock star with a machine gun; all I ever did was do what I loved doing, be what I loved being, a soldier.”  And the most common reply I get…  “Me too!”   

It isn’t Veterans Day, but if you love your life?  If you love the freedoms we have here in this great nation?  Thank a vet!  God bless the United States of America.  Land of the free, home of the brave! 

S. B. Newman, Author

The Night Eagles Soared and Burnt Yellow and Red