Dear Pete,

I have just finished a book on a very unassuming RAF veteran who migrated down under here to Australia some years back. (In fact it’s being ‘launched’ at Duxford Legends next week.) In researching this book, and with all veterans, I have always set my primary goal as recording the story for their family. If no-one else reads it and the story is preserved for them; mission accomplished. However, some tales definitely stand out and beckon to be more widely published. The decision to do so is solely theirs. At 85, if he is happy with the status quo, then let it be.

If he is interested in publication, I would suggest that his 100 pages would equate to a few more when examined more closely by a biographer/writer. Such brevity and understatement is commonplace amongst this marvellous, dignified and modest generation.

As Garry relates, publication is very competitive, so the story and the style in which it is written must be just right. As a suggestion, you may wish to put a proposal together to submit to Publishers, based on the 100 page manuscript. (Again this will have to conform to Publisher guidelines) The proposal permits an opportunity for publishers to show interest without the project prematurely become all-consuming. Pondskater has also raised some good options in private publishing and the like.

Overall, if the veteran is happy with the way things are, I would suggest leaving it be. There is quite a lot involved in turning a story into a published book and all parties must have their heart in it. Perhaps a copy can be donated to the IWM for their records. At the very least, it is great that he has recorded the story in its present form.

Best of luck,

Owen