The Backstory of Books By Veterans
The Backstory of Books By Veterans
There I was, knee-deep in writing my own memoir, wrestling with self-doubt, overthinking every sentence, and wondering if I had any business calling myself a "writer." The thought crept in: Who the hell am I to tell this story? I wasn’t some bestselling author. I didn’t have a fancy book deal. But the truth was, I had lived something real. I had a story worth telling. And if I was struggling with this, there had to be other veterans out there facing the same thing.
That’s where Books By Veterans started. Not as some grand, well-thought-out plan. Just a simple thought: Veterans need a place where they can be encouraged, get real feedback, and actually finish their books.
The Problem with Writing as a Veteran
The hardest part wasn’t just writing—it was finding a community that understood what I was going through. Most writing groups felt… off. They didn’t get it. They didn’t understand the weight of certain stories, the hesitation to put things on paper, or the mental battle of “Am I even qualified to do this?”
And then there was the publishing world—old-school, slow, and packed with gatekeepers who wanted to water down stories, over-edit them, or make them fit into some box. I started realizing that self-publishing wasn’t just an alternative; it was the future. The days of begging for approval from a big publishing house were over. We could take control of our own stories.
The Mission: Coaching, Encouragement, and No-BS Feedback
At its core, Books By Veterans exists to help fellow veterans navigate the book-writing and publishing process—whether it’s the emotional side, the technical side, or just getting past that internal critic that keeps saying, “Who do you think you are?” Writing is a battle, and I want veterans to know they don’t have to fight it alone.
What We Offer (In the Future):
✅ Encouragement – Because let’s be real, the world doesn’t hand out confidence boosts, but we can lift each other up. ✅ No-BS Feedback – Honest, constructive, but always in a way that pushes you forward. ✅ Practical Guidance – Self-publishing, editing, marketing—getting your book finished and in front of readers. ✅ A Platform Beyond Social Media – A place where veterans can have proof of their work, get backlinks, and establish credibility outside of their personal channels.
Where We Are Now: Phase 1
Right now, Books By Veterans is in Phase 1—a starting point built to promote friends and family who have written books. The site is still under development, and at this time, we are not taking on clients or offering coaching services just yet.
The long-term vision is to offer resources, guidance, and a solid community for veteran authors, but for now, we’re focusing on getting this platform up and running. If you’re a veteran who’s considering writing a book, stick around—more opportunities are coming in the future.
The Future of Books By Veterans
I don’t see this becoming a publishing house. That’s not the goal. I see it becoming a strong community of veterans helping each other grow—not just as writers, but as creators, thinkers, and storytellers. It’s about getting our stories into the wild, leveling up together, and making sure no veteran feels like they have to go through the process alone.
If you’re sitting on a book idea, stuck in your draft, or wondering if your story is worth telling—it is. Your experience, your voice, your journey matters. And you don’t have to do this alone.
Welcome to Books By Veterans. Let’s get your story out there… when the time is right.
In the meantime, definitely hit us up on email so we can start a conversation. Our hearts are TRULY to help… we’re just a small outfit at the moment and have extremely limited time & resources. But we’ll do what we can!
email: BooksByVeterans@gmail.com
