Biography | Self-Publishing Review

Review: Shot Down by Steve Snyder

In Shot Down: The true story of pilot Howard Snyder and the crew of the B-17 Susan Ruth, author Steve Snyder tells his father’s story in World War II in a riveting and unforgettable peek into the past. When Lieutenant Snyder and his crew are shot down over Nazi-occupied Europe during World War II, hope of survival is grim, and the brutal nature of wartime is fully revealed.

Based on hundreds of unique accounts, letters, interviews, and intensive research, Shot Down pieces together a profoundly compelling story of survival and perseverance. With such a strong body of material and […]

John Staughton, Senior Reviewer2019-02-11T09:22:42+02:00November 13th, 2017|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: Biography, History, World War II|

Review: Sophie by Edward “Skip” Biron

A dog can become almost human, according to author Edward “Skip” Biron, presenting a darling Bichon Frise as an excellent example in his non-fiction book, Sophie.

Being a rare breed, Sophie was rather expensive, but the woman destined to become her owner and best friend – Polly Pelletier – was very lonely, having recently moved from Maine to Washington state after a bad marriage. Working from home and rarely going out, she used a website for picking the best breed of dog for one’s personality, purposely describing herself as nearly impossible to get along with. “The answer came […]

Barbara Scott2019-02-11T09:22:53+02:00March 12th, 2017|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Biography, Pets|

Review: Candlelight in a Storm by Naveen Sridhar

Candlelight in a Storm by Naveen Sridhar is the historical biography of his wife. Born during World War II and fleeing the violence there, later fleeing communist regimes as a teenager, and traveling the world, meeting her husband in Berlin, her story is at once colorful and harrowing. John F. Kennedy came to Germany and said “Ich bin ein Berliner,” signifying that Germany did not need to be forever tarnished with the legacy of the Nazi party, and there was a generation of Germans looking to establish peace and freedom in the country. Candlelight in a Storm is the ode […]

Henry Baum2021-09-07T07:49:44+02:00October 29th, 2015|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Biography, Memoir, Naveen Sridhar, Non-Fiction|

Review: Lazarus by Roderick Wood

Lazarus is the autobiography of Roderick Wood, a fairly typical Englishman spurred into committing his life story to paper after a sudden heart attack in February 2014. This random tragedy had caused him to be declared medically dead for 27 minutes before a successful resuscitation. Following a several-month recovery period from which his family was told he may never function normally again, he defied expectation and found himself back on his feet and full of old memories and new ideas, “activated … from way back”. Both as part of his recovery process, as well as reignited by his experience, the […]

James Grimsby2019-02-11T09:23:23+02:00September 10th, 2015|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Biography, Non-Fiction|

Review: Legacy of Leadership – Zenon C.R. Hansen by Steve Myers

Zenon Hansen was an all-American enterpreneur with motivational skills who became the president of Mack Trucks, one of the biggest trucking companies in America. Starting off as an Eagle Scout, he won a badge that led him to give his life to the Boy Scout movement. Pitched by writer Steve Myers as an inspirational read for young adults who need a guide to take action into adulthood, this book is a detailed biography of an obviously very personal hero for the author.

Filled with photos and factoids on Hansen, as an historical document of 20th century America in the throes […]

Cate Baum2019-02-11T09:24:23+02:00October 14th, 2014|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Biography, Non-Fiction|

Review: From Particles and Disputations: Writings for Jeff by Philip D. Luing

Since the 80s when AIDS became rampant, its face has not changed. Its name, though not as raging in the headlines these days, has not been forgotten. What is different is each individual life it claims and the story of that life.

Philip Luing’s book, From Particles and Disputations, is the story of one of those lives lost – a celebration of Jeffrey Francis John Lalonde who succumbed to AIDS in 1994, twelve years after he met Philip. During their relationship, Philip liked to write down his thoughts and record their memories in brief passages and verse. This book is […]

shannonyarbrough2014-05-09T21:44:01+02:00September 21st, 2012|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: Biography, Memoir|

Who Are You? Writing an Author Bio

What’s in your author bio? Do you even have a bio? Believe it or not, your bio is an important tool in selling your book.

A few weeks ago, I was the featured author at a meet-and-greet book event. As is my custom, I made a point of making the rounds to greet the other authors, ask about their books, and collect book markers, post cards, and other souvenirs to check out their websites and purchase books later after I got home, since I didn’t have enough money to buy all of the books, even though I wanted to.

As […]

Lauren Carr2020-02-20T13:24:23+02:00May 26th, 2011|Categories: Features|Tags: Biography, Book Promotion|