Once again you have made an excellent point.

I think looking to experienced writers and historians can help in two ways (at least):

a) they can help mentor you through the “process” – i.e., the importance of a well-crafted query letter/proposal to a publisher (many people think you just sit down and write a book)

b) your own points about how they can debate your conclusions, point you to other/better resources, and make your writing better

When I started writing magazine articles about a decade ago, I found someone who was willing to coach me through the process and critique my writing.

For my fisrt book, I was able to get comments, support, and advice from people I admire – Russell Bonds, you, Guy Hasegawa – an expert in Civil war medicine and a professional editor – and others.

Especially helpful were the comments and feedback I obtained from Mark Wilson -a professor at UNC-Charlotte – and Richard John – a professor at UI Chicago…both me challenged my assumptions and referred me to other research, and my book is all the better for it.

As I say in the first setence of my “Acknowledgments” in “Lincoln’s Labels” – “the romantic notion of writing is that it is a solitary venture…the fact is, it’s very much a collaborative effort.” Being a writer takes some courage and not a little thick skin…and if you do it right, and take the advice that’s given you – your final product will be all the better.

I look forward to future installemnts!

Jim