Meet Sheldon Charles, Author

Sheldon Charles is the author of From Within the Firebird's Nest. He lives in Michigan, but his work is informed by years of international work and travel. He is a decorated Air Force veteran who was later hired by the Department of Defense to be the civilian Director of Information Operations for Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Learn more about Sheldon Charles and his work by visiting http://valkyriespirit.com.

1. What gave you the idea for From Within the Firebird's Nest?

In the beginning, I was mapping out the story of a young Arab man who was misled into jihadism by a manipulative teacher when I read an article about numbers stations. The stations gave me a method for Abdul-Malik Kaseem, the young man, to gain access to something much more substantial and catastrophic than anyone could have expected. Bringing in two characters from my earlier books, Evan Davis and Maksim Bondreovich, I was able to continue their good guy versus bad guy dynamic, weaving them into Abi's story. As the story began to develop, I included more and more things from current and recent history to give the story depth and the plausibility needed for a reader to more thoroughly enjoy it.

2. How has your perspective as someone who has served in the military and worked for the Dept of Defense influenced your work as a novelist?

The wealth and depth of experience that can occur over a military career provide realism and multiplicity unavailable elsewhere. As a result of that path, every geographic location used in every book I've written thus far, are places where I've been. When I was in Berlin, I went to the Glienicker Brücke (Bridge of Spies) at the height of the Cold War in the early 80s. If you did not know the history of the bridge, it might seem nondescript and unimportant--it was the events that occurred there that make it memorable. Likewise, the people that I have met, befriended, and worked with from many different cultures tend to show up in my book. This makes the characters fully developed rather than stereotypes or presumed personas.

I once heard a person saying that the draft forced people from many different regions, wealth levels, and backgrounds to meet and work with each other in a way nothing else in American society does. I have to agree with that. Unlike where you live or work--which might be determined by your geography, or what school you attend--which might be determined by wealth. Service in uniform and with the federal government forces a uniting with people who were unlike you but with a common goal to serve the public good--and many times in a location far, far away from home. The job takes people to unfamiliar situations and causes them to overcome their own assumptions and prejudices based on an actuality they are experiencing. Nothing could be better to unite the people of the diverse country such as the United States.

3. What were the most challenging aspects of writing your latest novel?

Making sure that everything worked. When I read a book that takes me on a journey into something I'm unfamiliar with or provides me with clues that can be sorted out or examined, I expect those things to be real and to work. In all of my books, I aim to ensure that everything within the story is as close to real as possible. All of the codes listed in the book work, the descriptions on how you could decrypt a message that was encrypted using a book also work. It may seem trivial, but to some readers, it is essential because they may want to try to decrypt the codes themselves. I realize that such things are not universal, I even got into a discussion about it with my editor, but for that one reader, they will find that extra bit of realism it makes them enjoy the book even more.

On a less intricate level, I also make the locations and scenery as factual as possible. In the book when Dieter goes to visit Fyodor in Munich, the description of his journey to the restaurant is entirely accurate--a reader could duplicate that trip by getting on the trains and subways mentioned and make the same exact journey. This may not matter to some readers, but if you had made that journey yourself you would expect it to be described accurately in the book or the book would lose plausibility.

4. How have readers been responding to the novel so far?

At this point, the book has only been out a month, so I am just starting to get feedback on what people think, and I am very flattered by the reception that the book has been getting. It has been well received overall, and in addition to good reviews, I am getting some surprising queries via email about topics I did not expect.

I have had readers write me about some of the more minor points in the book that I felt were an interesting asides when written, like Ashely's family heritage. Now I know they were appreciated; nothing could be more complimentary. I have also gotten queries about the fate of characters beyond the book and if I plan on bringing them back in the next "Evan Davis Tale." For some yes, for others no; but to hear that I have created a character worthy of interest or concern does make me feel a great sense of satisfaction.

I have also heard from readers who have their own ideas about the directions I should have taken the story. I see those as complimentary too--it means I created a story that the reader delved into so deeply they started to ponder the world I created. Some of my favorite books are those that I spent time thinking about how I might have changed things within the story.

5. What else would you like readers to know about you and your work?

My function is to be a storyteller--to take the reader on an enjoyable journey. I am not here to present you a particular political narrative or to examine social issues unless they relate to the story that I'm telling. I think there are plenty of authors out there who write books with an agenda or to support a particular narrative. You will not find that in my books. What you will see, is an exciting story with characters that you can relate to and enjoy as an escapist form of entertainment. To me, that is why you pick up a work of fiction in the first place.

Thanks, Sheldon!

Meet Steven Burton, Author

Steven Burton describes himself as a part-time author, chef, old soldier, little league football Coach, and best buddy of Jack Kitty. He writes about everyday people and real-life experiences. Later this year, he'll be releasing a book called Midlife Man in Crisis. You can read excerpts from that book and many other selections of his work on http://beneaththerainbow.com. And find him on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/beneaththerainbow/.

1. What inspires you to sit down and write about something?

My inspirations come from the world around me. I was in the U.S. Army for 20 years, and along the way I have lived all over the world, experienced many different cultures, and talked to people from all walks of life. Watching how other people interact with each other and listening to their stories has become a kind of hobby of mine.

Pop culture bombards us with tales of the rich and famous, but I think most people have great stories to tell regardless of their social or economic standing which is why I started the Beneath The Rainbow short story site. When you drill down in to the events of most people's lives, you will find heroes, villains, and protagonists worthy of a Shakespearean drama.

2. Would you tell us a little bit more about your forthcoming book?

Midlife Man in Crisis chronicles some of the defining events men (and some women) go through when they hit that period of life the dictionary defines as middle age. I try to approach the subject with a touch of humor although there are moments when some of the events can be described as drama, or so my beta readers tell me.

Tackling issues involved with the loss of youth, no longer being a parent of young children, and even the oft maligned "midlife crisis girl" event wasn't as easy as I thought it would be, although it has been fun. The events described in the book have either happened to me or someone I was close to, with maybe a slight bit of exaggeration in the telling. After all I am in old soldier, and we are supposed to add a little hyperbole to our stories.

3. Why do you think that our culture talks so much about the idea of the midlife crisis, and what does "midlife crisis" mean to you?

There are roughly 82 million people in the United States between the ages of 45 and 65 (27% of the population), so put into perspective that is more people in that demographic in the United states then there are people living in Germany, France, or any western European country. You could multiply the population of Canada two times and still not have as many people as the United States has in middle age category. A big reason we talk about it so much is there is a lot of us.

In my own experience, midlife crisis is what happened when I slowed down enough to realize how much the world had changed around me. Empty nest had hit, the kids had all moved out, my wife was now an ex wife, and even worse when cute college girls talked to me, they used the tone and demeanor reserved for friends of their parents and grandparents, not the flirty banter that always been our form of communication before. When you're a middle-aged man at a restaurant, and the 20-something girl who is your waitress says, "Thank you, sir".......she really means SIR.

4. You post original work on your website on quite a regular basis. What are some of the best responses you've received from readers?

I have received some great comments and words of encouragement since I put up Beneath The Rainbow, but my absolute favorite was when a guy I hadn't seen since boot camp posted, "I always wondered what happened to my buddy" under a short story I'd written about joining the Army. Prior to his comment, I hadn't seen or heard from him since 1981. We didn't have cell phones, computers, etc back then, and snail mail could take two to three weeks to travel one way overseas, so you couldn't really keep in touch with all the friends you made through out your military career. To hear from someone I hadn't talked to in 20+ years, that was a real treat.

5. What else would you like readers to know about you and your writing?

I have a kind of a sardonic sense of humor, and there are times people don't understand when I am laughing at myself, and I do laugh at myself a lot. My hope is that anyone reading my writing gets that aspect of my work.

Prior to this book, my writing has been confined to blog posts and ghost writing for others who have tailored my work to fit their own style. I am anxious, and I admit a bit scared to put out an entire book with my own name on it.

Thanks for spending time with me, Mandy.

Thanks, Steven!

Meet Igor Koshutin, Founder of HipStar

Have you ever been carrying a backpack and wished that you had an easier or more versatile way to carry things? HipStar is a hands-free, lightweight travel cart that you can use to carry 80 pounds of gear with you. The cart is also collapsible and designed to be able to roll easily across uneven surfaces. It can be used as a cart, backpack, or bike trailer. Learn more about this innovative product by visiting http://www.artmatrix.us.

Our interview is with Igor Koshutin, founder of HipStar.

1. When you came up with HipStar, who did you imagine would use it?

HipStar is perfect for a wide range of travelers, from those who want to go on a short stroll, to professional mountain climbers. It works well for anyone who needs to comfortably transport heavy items, including tourists, hikers, mountaineers, backpackers, fishermen, foragers, hunters, and golfers.

It can even be used in professional or military contexts to carry important equipment and supplies over unpredictable terrain. For serious mountain hikers and military use, the HipStar comes in a more durable option featuring additional hardware that reinforces the structure and allows for heavier gear to be carried with the same ease and comfort.

2. How is HipStar different from existing backpacks or rolling luggage?

The rolling bags and backpacks currently on the market were designed for use mainly in areas with smooth flooring like airports and railway stations. Meanwhile, many tourists and hikers prefer to use conventional bags and backpacks instead of wheeled bags because the internal frame and wheels take up valuable storage space and add excess weight.

Our product is collapsible and can be easily converted into a backpack to maximize storage space and for those times when you are using stairs or negotiating some sort of terrain where you don't want to use the wheels. It also adjusts for height and angle between frame and handles, depending on the weight of the equipment (reducing the pressure on the body in the place of mounting), allowing you to comfortably pull the cart behind you without feeling strained.

3. How did you get this idea?

The idea came to me while traveling in Europe with my family. Between the three of us, we had one backpack with all of our things. After half a day of walking around, my shoulders were already sore. There was so much to see, but I was only thinking about my heavy bag. I only wished I had a companion who would carry all of our stuff for us and never get tired. No matter where and how you travel, even a light backpack begins to weigh as much as a few bricks. You get tired. You get impatient. You waste half your day dealing with back pain. All because there's no other way to carry your stuff other than on your back. What about seniors or people with back problems? They are even more affected by carrying weight around. Doesn't matter if it's light or heavy. This is why I invented the HipStar.

4. How much does it weigh? You show a strong muscular man using the HipStar, but how about someone smaller, or a senior citizen? ​

It is not heavy at all! Even a "heavy-duty" prototype's frame weighs approx. 10 lbs. We cannot count the weight of the wheels because we used the regular 2.5 lbs. wheels to prove a concept. Furthermore, the product design stage will result in approx. 50% decrease in weight by utilizing new materials and wheels. The total weight of the heavy-duty model with wheels will be no more than 7-8 lbs.

With the HipStar in a CART MODE a cargo weight is close to zero due to CG balancing. With the HipStar in BACKPACK MODE, users will not notice a 7-8% weight difference in a short run, when traveling over more difficult obstacles (rivers, ravines, steps, etc.) or when moving on rough terrain that the cart cannot traverse. Users would need to make their choice--to carry their load on the spine all day long or a bit heavier load just for a few moments to go over some obstacles.

5. What is your estimated retail price?

Our product designers are working on finalizing the design (mechanical development and integration) and pricing for the components. In the first year of operation, production cost will be higher until volumes are up. The light version's estimated retail price will be around $100. The mid and heavy versions should cost $150 and $250 respectively.

Note: The Kickstarter campaign for Hipstar is scheduled to begin in April. If you'd like to learn more and to be notified when the campaign launches, visit hipstar.us/pre-launch.

Thanks, Igor!

Meet Katia Sarti, Owner of DeSarti Boutique

DeSarti Boutique is online-only store that sells (plus size) clothing dedicated to curves. The shop offers cool and casual clothing to appeal to women of all ages. Their clothing ranges from dresses to pants to tops and tees. Learn more at http://www.desarti.com/. Our interview below is with the shop's owner, Katia Sarti.

1. How did Desarti first get started?

I'm a marketer by trade (but a fashionista by heart) and worked in corporate America for nearly 10 years, until one day, I no longer had a job. I immediately thought, "Why not start my own business?" Truthfully, I've always wanted to have my own business, and the perfect opportunity presented itself. What a blessing in disguise. I love fashion, and I love women. I saw an opportunity to combine both and do something I can be proud of.

2. How do you choose the items to sell in your shop?

It takes us a great deal of time to find clothes that we like and know will be well-received. That's why we don't have a very large selection. We go to market to meet new vendors and brands, and the ones we like most, we develop a special relationship with them.

3. Would you tell us a little more about the military discount you offer?

It's a small gesture to thank our active and retired troops for their immense courage and for all they do for our country. We offer them and their families an everyday 15% off discount on all orders. All they have to do is to verify their information on our page, www.desarti.com/pages/military-discount, which is powered by SheerID, and they'll receive the coupon immediately.

4. What are some of your favorite designs when it comes to plus-sized clothing?

My favorites designs are the ones that flatter in the right places. I love our tunics, which flow nicely on the body and also gives you shape. Our dresses are like that as well. We are always looking at the right fit, so everything in our store is meant to flatter in the right places.

5. What is your advice to others who want to break into the fashion retail market?

My advice to anyone wanting to start a business in this field, or any other, would be to:

1) make sure you're passionate about what you're selling: it will make your "selling" pitch a lot less like selling

2) and make sure you have someone on your side, whether a partner, a friend or family member who believes in you and will give you support during the difficult times. We all need a cheerleader when things get rough.

Thanks!

Meet Dan Anton, Atlanta SEO Online Marketer

Dan Anton is an Army veteran who has found success as an online marketer and SEO expert. After experiencing a a combat injury in 2008, he found a new career online--in fact, within six months, his online business had made him over a million dollars. See a full list of Dan Anton's military achievements and awards at http://dananton.com/awards-testimonials.

1. Before you were known as one of the best online marketers in the world, you were in the Army. Can you tell us a little about your military life?

When the towers fell on September 11, 2001, I was 21 at the time and ready to graduate with honors from Mount Clair State University. This event altered my life forever; I decided right then and there that I was not only going to become a soldier, but I was ready to defend America and aggressively pursue anything that threatened her existence.

I didn't want to just "join"--I wanted to test myself, which is why I became an Infantry Army Ranger, and retired as a Major, completing two tours of combat duty in Iraq. I received two bronze stars for combat related actions, but on my last deployment my convoy was hit by an IED, badly injuring my spine, which directly led to my next career, online marketing.

2. You primarily focus on SEO, and software. How does it work?

SEO is short for search engine optimization. One of the lessons I learned from the Army was systemizing and streamlining processes. Creating large websites, optimizing them, and promoting them is more akin to a science than random happenstance. Of course, the human element is critical, which is why experience and the right team in place is critical to success. Simply put, I develop SEO software and services that deliver results.

3. How useful is your computer science background for your career?

I've always been fond of working with computers and technology. Even before going to Officer Training School, I studied Computer Science. Fast forward to today: it's invaluable as it allows me to not only see problems from a "coder" perspective but also intelligently lead and critique our development team. Considering the bulk of our business is software based, college helped prepare me well.

4. What was your first venture online?

I've been making money online since 1999, when I use to sell informational guides for video games such as World of Warcraft and sell used video games online. My military career always came first, so I had to back burner a lot of ideas until I had more time and more money. In 2006, around the time of Myspace and social networks popping up, my brother and I created a social network for gamers. We had thousands of loyal members but just didn't have the big venture capital required to launch a massive website to rival Myspace, Facebook, Reddit, etc. It taught me a great lesson on scaling properly, cash flow, and focusing on services to help others, versus trying to be an island and achieve success alone.

5. Do you have advice for anyone looking to switch careers?

Never switch careers because you are picking the lesser of two evils. There are so many different ways to make money and/or help others, so you should really sit down and think about what type of person you want to become, and not force a decision. In my case, I knew my military career was over, but a new, growing passion pulled me towards helping business owners achieve even more success. The more you attempt to help others, the more you will see a new career unfolding before you as a service is a need, and if it's a need it can become a fine-tuned skillset to earn a living as a career and not just a job.

If you are a business owner and wish to reach out about our Atlanta SEO brand, follow the website and contact form.

Thanks, Dan!

Meet Jim Allen, Sponsor of the Appliance Tech Scholarship

Jim Allen is the CEO of Appliance Zone, an online resource for buying parts and accessories for appliance brands like Whirlpool, GE, and KitchenAid. He worked for a number of years as an appliance repair technician and ultimately invented a tool called the Allenbar which is still popular today. In 2004, Jim and his wife Paula founded Appliance Zone.

Jim and Paula's latest project is funding a scholarship for military veterans to learn appliance repair. Visit ApplianceTechScholarship.com to learn about this unique vocational education program.

1. What inspired you to create the Appliance Zone scholarship program?

The scholarship program was really born out of our desire to do something positive for our military veterans. There is a shortage of high quality appliance repair technicians out there. We knew that if we could get some interested veterans the training needed to be successful in the appliance repair trade, it would be a win/win situation.

2. Would you tell us a little more about the Samurai Tech Academy Appliance Repair Training Course and what skills students learn? 

Susan Brown of the Samurai Tech Academy states that the Fundamentals of Appliance Repair training course was designed to give a thorough and solid background in the essential knowledge needed to become proficient at troubleshooting and repairing appliances. It covers a broad variety of topics, but its particular strength is in teaching basic electricity, schematic analysis, and troubleshooting--skills that are increasingly vital to competently and profitably repair modern appliances.

Although Fundamentals was initially designed with the novice in mind, at least half of the students are experienced techs who recognized that they needed to fill in their knowledge gaps and are excited to see the resulting improvement in their skills after taking the course.  

Susan also says that in the Fundamentals of Appliance Repair training course, students learn about the tools used in the appliance trade, basic electricity, reading schematic diagrams, using schematic diagrams to develop troubleshooting strategies, gas fuels used in appliances, electronics in appliances, appliance parts, and electric motor systems in appliances.

3. How long does it generally take for students to complete the course--and how do they generally gain hands-on practice in applying the skills they learn from their online training?

According to Susan, the Samurai Tech Academy courses are self-paced, so the time to complete the course varies widely depending on the student's schedule and the knowledge and experience that they already have. Those who can devote a few hours a day to the course should finish in a matter of weeks. Others who have to fit it in around a work schedule might take a couple of months. Note that students have lifetime access to the course material, so they can go back and review anytime they want.

There are various ways that techs get the hands-on practice that they need. One effective way is to get hired as an apprentice at an appliance service company and spend part of their day taking the course, and part of the day riding along with a senior tech. (Being an STA student or graduate is a great selling point to a prospective employer!) Those with a strong entrepreneurial drive who want to have their own business will typically start tinkering around with their own appliances and those of friends and family, then slowly expand to take on regular customers. 

4. Based on your own experience in the appliance industry, what is your best advice for people who want to break into the field?  

I learned early on when I started in the repair industry to stay on top of new appliances that were being developed, then sold nationwide to consumers. Appliance designs and functionality has changed dramatically in the past several years. Today consumers are demanding "smart appliances," so from a technical perspective one would need the proper training on these appliances and the proper tools to successfully diagnose the problem and complete the repair. Technicians that are up to date on all the new products will have a much larger audience of customers vs. those that prefer to only work on the older appliances and only certain brands. Techs today, if properly trained and equipped, can rapidly expand their business into a leading appliance service and repair company that handles all brands of all appliances and furthermore are able to get the customer's appliance up and running in an instant regardless of what brand it is or where it was purchased.

5. Why is appliance repair a good field for veterans to explore?

Today's military veterans know what hard work and discipline are all about. You see something new every day in appliance repair. No two days will ever be the same. You have to be able to not only think on your feet and get the repair done right the first time, but you also have to be able to work with people and help them understand what you are doing to their appliance and why. We feel confident that this segment of the population has the dedication necessary to be successful in this field.

Thanks, Jim!

Meet Jordan Hernandez, Entrepreneur and Afghanistan Veteran

Jordan Hernandez is a veteran of the US military who served in Afghanistan. Now living in Texas with his wife, Dulce, he is working on starting his own business called Article Express. He is raising start-up funds for his business through this GoFundMe campaign. Jordan also hopes to help his parents and brother through his new business.

1. When it came to developing a business idea, what inspired you to focus on an online-based business?

The thing I love about doing anything online is that it's liberating--it's totally creative. I feel as though this was how the "American Dream" was back when we had such a massive and booming society. It allows anyone with a vision to create it and get the benefits from that creation.

2. Why did you decide to create a site focused on articles and content marketing?

Well, I started meditating a few years ago, and it has helped open up my consciousness so much. It helped me understand what thoughts ran through my head, and how to better interpret the meaning of those thoughts. The way I understood what popped into my head has led me to a gut decision that this is something that I am meant to do too liberate my family's life! So I'm doing it, one way or another!

3. For you as a reader, what makes for interesting web content--and what keeps you coming back to a website?

Anything that would keep me coming back would have to be giving me insight on something. It's that feeling whenever you hear something so true that you just can't help but smile and shout "YES!!! I know exactly what you mean!!".

4. Why did you decide to kick off your project by seeking backers through a crowdfunding platform?

Honestly, I decided to go this route because I would like to avoid the debt of a loan. My wife and I are trying to get a new house which we got pre-approved for, and took on a new car bill recently as well. Reaching my goals this way will avoid all the excess debt we just can't handle. I believe when people see a legitimate cause, they are compassionate, and they are loving. I have high hopes for humanity.

5. As you and your wife look ahead to the next year or so, what are your goals?

I try to place myself in this present moment. If I do try to think of a future, I'm creating separation from this moment, and now have a chance to be dragged down by thoughts of anxiety and worry. In the present moment that will be in the "future" so to speak, we are hoping to accomplish an income that will take care of us and my family around us. I hope to help my father and brother who are addicted to antidepressants, and to free my mother from a household of gang retaliation due to my brother's lifestyle. I just wish to ease the pain and hurt from their minds. Thinking about that every day must be torture.

These pictures show my brother today, and back when we were kids.

Thank you for taking the time to interview me!

Thanks, Jordan!

Moulage: Help Save Lives with Creative Art

Have you heard of medical moulage? It's one of those things you've probably seen but maybe haven't heard the name for--it's the art of creating realistic injury simulation effects to help people train for emergencies. In fact, first responders depend on this type of training to be able to gain experience with detailed, realistic scenarios such as injuries that could occur in natural disasters, violent situations like shootings, military contexts, and accidents.

Taylor Wilmering is the daughter of a former police officer and since 2008 has found her career as a moulage makeup artist, using makeup and other supplies to create realistic injuries on civilian role-players during trainings for such groups as civilians in basic first aid classes, CERT response teams (civilians trained in disaster preparedness and response, light search & rescue, and first aid), EMS personnel, police, and the US military. Taylor is currently running a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for supplies for her moulage kit.

Taylor helps a lot of people with her work, and the cost for supplies really adds up as it takes a lot of equipment to simulate realistic injuries. The cool thing is that most of these supplies are reusable, so for a small investment, you are helping many different people train and practice their skills in helping people who are injured.

Based in Missouri, most of Taylor's work has been with local responders in her home state, but she's also worked in Colorado, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and New Jersey. And she's willing to travel wherever she's needed. You can learn more about Taylor by checking out her resume on her website, and you can also connect with her on Twitter.

Meet John Eakins of Military Tax Services

One of the main reasons that Registered Tax Return Preparer (RTRP) John Eakins started Military Tax Services is because of all the mistakes he kept seeing on military tax returns prepared by other tax preparation organizations. He also found most military tax returns are prepared by tax preparers who have very little or no military tax law knowledge on a state-by-state basis.

It occurred to John that no one was really one-hundred percent focused on military tax returns in all fifty states on a year-round basis. If the person doing the military tax return was only doing this part of the year on a part-time basis, how much of a military tax expert could they really be? He decided to start a tax preparation firm that is one-hundred percent focused on the military, full time and year round.

The aim of Military Tax Services is to help every one of their clients get the full refund they are entitled to for both Federal and State. MTS does this by carefully analyzing the military tax code and dedicating their services to doing one thing well, military tax returns. Military tax laws are complex. The highly trained professionals at Military Tax Services work exclusively with military taxes for both state and federal returns, staying current on the ever-changing IRS rules and the various regulations for each of the fifty states.

1. What are some of the factors that make tax preparation especially complex for members of the military?

What can make a military tax return complex are all the different state tax laws. Each state has their own way of taxing military income. This becomes especially important on a joint tax return with income from two different states. For example, the active duty person has a home state of North Carolina and spouse has income from a different state. Also, a big percentage of the military will have a different home state from whatever state they happen to be filing their military tax return in for the current tax year.

2. How do you help people make sure they aren't "leaving money on the table" when it comes to their taxes?

Most often when I see money being left on the table, it's due to state taxes. This is an easy fix, and you can always amend a tax return for the past three years.

3. Why would it be a mistake for military families to simply use one of the common tax prep software programs?

Software comes in several different versions and may or may not do a good job depending on your situation. Also, a lot of the free versions are the most basic stripped-down versions. Lastly, I have seen a huge trend towards Q and A in tax software. This does make it easier to complete a tax return, but if you answer any question wrong for any reason, you may be liable for an incorrect tax position.

4. When did you start Military Tax Services, and what do you like the best about your job?

I have been involved in the military market for over ten years and actually look forward to tax season. The best part of my job is helping other people. I take great satisfaction in taking someone who is stressed out about their tax situation and getting them to a point where they are actually happy with their tax situation.

5. If you could give the average person (military or non-military) just three pieces of advice to keep in mind when it comes to taxes, what would you say?

First, if you get any letters from any taxing authority, do not ignore them. Also, if you don't understand what the letter is requesting, seek professional help, take action, and then follow up.

Second, everyone has a different tax situation. And yes, someone with the same rank and pay can receive a larger refund than someone else. This can be because of extra taxes being withheld, filing status, credits for education or savers credit, and dependents.

Third, if you are positive you are receiving money back in your tax return, don't stress out over your filing date. But remember, the Government owes you money! If you don't file within three years, you have given up your chance to file, and the Government keeps your hard-earned money.

Thanks, John!

Introducing Goodbye Monsters, a Children's Book and Toy

Kids scared. Monsters under the Bed. Sleepless nights. These are all phrases Msgt. Benjamin Hemme heard from his fellow Airmen whose significant others were struggling to maintain normalcy at home while they were deployed. While we tend to think often about the men and women fighting for our freedom, the struggles that loved ones at home, especially children, encounter sometimes get overlooked. This was quite evident by the number of children who were experiencing more bedtime fear than usual with Mommy or Daddy deployed. Recognizing a need to support fellow men and women in uniform and children everywhere who suffer from bedtime fear, Goodbye Monsters was born!

Goodbye Monsters is the story of a little boy named Ben who is terrified of monsters. One day Ben is introduced to a magical creature named Zimbobo who has supernatural powers that keep all of the bad monsters away. All you have to do is place Zimbobo in the scariest place, and you will wake up safe and sound with a smile on your face! Its creators recommend placing Zimbobo under the bed or in the closet, but you know best where the monsters are hiding!

Goodbye Monsters (ISBN 978-0-615-99704-9) was written by Benjamin & Susan Hemme. It is a hardcover 8.5” x 11” children's book with a plush toy named Zimbobo that measures approx 9" in height and 6" in width. For more information please visit www.goodbyemonsters.com.

A Great Site for Military Flash Patches

I have an abiding love for vintage and vintage-style objects, so I can understand why people admire and collect military uniforms, patches, and other items. The old designs are often very unique and striking. If you like military patches, Paul Harding's Military Flash Patches site is a great resource for you. The goal of the site is to assist people who are interested in preserving wartime history.

Paul is based in the UK and ships his patches all over the world. His site specializes in military items worn by American, British, and German troops in WWII, and he receives a lot of business from re-enactors. As he notes on the site, "Paul Harding's military patches in no way subscribe to any Nazi or right wing views, and the items we sell are purely to customers for re-enactment and military history purposes only."

The site sells a combination of original/vintage and high-quality reproduction items. In addition to patches, you can find uniforms, helmets, hats, boots, and more. Made-to-order items are available if you are looking for a particular uniform or other item for your collection or a historical display or event. Another reason to recommend the site is that Paul is working to help raise funds for the Staffordshire war memorial through his product sales. If you are a militaria collector or a military re-enactor, it's worth checking out Paul's site!

Meet David VanDyke, Author

David VanDyke is a former US Army Airborne enlisted Soldier and US Air Force officer. He served in and out of combat zones all over the world in the 1980s through the 2000s. He lives on the East Coast with his wife and three dogs.

To get a taste of David's writing style, check out his blog, and keep up with him on Facebook and Twitter. He's the author of several novels, his latest being The Eden Plague, described on Amazon as a "science-fiction military techno-thriller."

1. What inspired you to begin writing your Plague Wars series?

Frankly it was all a bit hazy at the start. I began with an exercise where I just imagined what would happen if a guy something like me came home and found armed intruders in his house. After about twenty recastings and false starts I had half a plot and some pretty good characters, backed up by a lot of knowledge from my time in the military, and it all went from there to the middle of the first book, The Eden Plague.

Another idea I'd always liked was the concept of extraterrestrial meddling in human affairs. I introduced this as the end of book one and it becomes an important theme in the rest of the series, even while most of the story revolves around the people on Earth and how they deal with plagues, nuclear holocaust, and their personal and political problems.

2. How much did you plan out early on in terms of how your characters and plots would develop over the course of the series, and how much has evolved over time during the process of actually writing the books?

I often write some scenes before I ever write an outline. I don't want to lose the muse if I am inspired. But once I get that out of the way I usually outline the novel very roughly. Later on I may fill in those pieces. Then I start writing threads--storylines. For example, if I have three threads--protagonist, antagonist, side plot--I will write one until I am written out, then pick up another, and so on, writing in parallel. Then I will start fitting the pieces together like a puzzle, often based on the chronology of the events.

3. How has your experience in the military informed your work as a writer?

Very much so. In fact, sometimes too much for some genres. Along with thrillers with a strong military element, I write military science fiction, for example. In that genre my real-world military knowledge can get in the way of the expectations of the genre. For example, the real world specifies certain roles for certain ranks of the military, but often those roles are warped in the genre--yet they are expected. That's how you get oddities. Let's use Stargate for example. Colonel O'Neil, at that rank, would never be just leading a handful of guys. He'd be promoted to something in charge of more but getting in the action less.

On the other hand, I get the details right, as far as I can, on weapons, tactics, etc. Sometimes I read thrillers by people that don't know some obvious things--like modern soldiers don't use M16s any more, or that a 5.56mm rifle isn't something that snipers would use, or they have their heroes charging straight into a hostile room instead of using proper breaching and entry procedures. If I have my heroes doing something crazy or non-standard, there has to be a reason, or I just can't write it.

The final answer to that question is more general--living overseas for 12 cumulative years has given me a breadth of experience that others simply might not have. The settings in my books already range from the US to Central America to Africa and Europe, and because I have been there, I can write with some authenticity. I will use more settings of places I have been in the future, I am sure.

4. In addition to your Plague Wars books, would you tell us about some of your other published writing--and what you're working on now?

Right now, and this is very exciting to me, I am finishing up a novella that will launch a new military sci-fi series. This is what I was referring to above. While my first series, Plague Wars, is really a mixture of the thriller and sci-fi genres with lots of action, these will be more straightforward combat sci-fi. The first piece is called First Conquest, and the new series is titled Stellar Conquest.

The novella is set a century after Plague Wars but continues the storyline. Earth is under constant attack by aliens, and they have sent out a task force to attack the enemy in a star system nearby--well, in interstellar terms, nearby. It takes 40 years to get there, and there is no warp travel or anything like that--just good old-fashioned physics. The people use the "coldsleep" technique that many people know from movies like the Alien series or Avatar, and they wake up on getting to their destination.

So now it's do or die time. Without some fancy high-tech way to escape, they have to beat the enemy defenders and conquer the planet, and for the readers who like the combat sci-fi genre, I think I've written a damn fine story that will get their hearts racing: action, cool tech, creepy aliens, self-sacrifice, and the warrior ethos.

This novella will be published in an anthology alongside stories from bestselling authors BV Larson and Vaughn Heppner. These guys are childhood friends of mine who genuinely make a living by writing, and so they are doing me a great favor by allowing me to join them, and hopefully it will help some of their fans discover me and like my work. Look for that sometime in April, or perhaps early May.

To capitalize on this release, I have already finished book 2 of the series. Called Desolator, its story takes place three years after the first, and according to my beta readers who have seen it, may be my best work yet.

5. What advice would you give to authors who want to break into writing science fiction / techno-thriller novels?

The best advice is something I did not do. I wrote a cross-genre book--a thriller that morphs as the series goes on into a science fiction technothriller series. Imagine if Michael Crichton has written a sequel to Jurassic Park. How well would that work out?

Oh wait--he DID write a sequel, and you know what? It did not do well. Because the first one was a thriller, and the second one settled into science fiction. It just seems to be part of the landscape that if you have one techno-twist in your story--a disease, a nuke, gene splicing (like Bourne 4)--it's a thriller, but if you do a sequel that incorporates that sci-fi element into it, it's viewed as sci-fi.

So I'd say, pick your genre and stick with it. Cross-genre books are great when they work but they are very risky, so for the new author, establish yourself in a genre and stick to the conventions of the genre until you get some experience under your belt. I didn't do that and have had perhaps a slower start on success than I had hoped. People read Eden Plague and they don't exactly know what to make of it. The reviews have been good but it's hard to build a fan base out of such diversity--I feel like it's very broad and shallow.

Thanks, David!