No not #21 overall, of course, but #21 for Military > Regiments (NOTE: only two other Civil War regiment history books were ahead of mine as of this writing!), but hey, I’ll take it. [UPDATE: today (5.3.08) it's gone, oh well, it was nice while it lasted!]
I’ve been reading Eric’s recent posts about authors and publishing: Things I Wish I Knew Then But Know Now. For some reason it made me feel uneasy. My book, The 11th Wisconsin in the Civil War: A Regimental History, is no great historical work and I am very aware of that. I have to admit I wonder about my book in the same manner Eric questions others. I did not intend to write anything more or less than a narrative of this regiment of heroes.
I found I could not easily pull myself away from my desk once into the rhythm of my writing. This told me it was a good story. I am a screenwriter by trade, and have had to teach myself to think and write like a historian. I’m not even close yet, and I know that.
I did not write or seek out a publisher to stroke my ego, I just simply wanted to get the story of this incredible regiment in print for others to read. I wish this task had fallen on an abler man, but it did not! I do, frankly, worry that I made junior historian mistakes and perhaps that will come back to haunt me. I dunno…
I’ll leave that up to the reviewers. Anyway, thanks for all those who have given me words of encouragement and support!
Chris
Chris,
Someone thought enough of your manuscript for a real publisher to extend an offer and to actually publish the book. That means it passed muster. That’s good enough for me.
Congratulations on the strong sales, and I hope they continue.
Eric
Thanks for the support Eric!
Chris