A Marine who went to war, how to publish his letters?
May 29, 2006 7:34 AM Subscribe
What steps should one take to see published the letters their grandfather wrote during the Second World War?
In the past couple years, I've taken an extreme interest in searching for family history. This has primarily been as simple as spelunking in my parents' attic, where boxes have been placed and eventually forgotten. As for my grandfather, he was part of a marine detachment on the U.S.S. Montpelier CL-57 in the Pacific theater of the Second World War. During the war, he began a correspondence with the woman who was to eventually become his wife. In the process, he chronicled his experience and also the romance that resulted in him proposing to her on his last leave home during the war.
Tragically, this marriage ended when she died from complications of childbirth four years later. It was thought that he had burned all the letters when he remarried, as a sign of fidelity to his new wife. Thus, it was a terrific discovery to find more than a hundred of these letters in our attic, which had been saved by the first wife's mother and eventually had made it to my father. There are also six letters that she wrote to him (the rest must of have been destroyed).
The individuals involved came from farming backgrounds in Appalachia in the southwest part of Virginia and had full high school educations (a first for both families). Thus, their words are elegant and witty, and also retain a sort of down home sense of humor that makes them quite fun to read. Not to mention, their romance is doubly sweet and heartbreaking with the knowledge that it was to end suddenly not long after.
My father, the only son of the two, has told me he would be happy to see them in a published form, and so I would like to take up the task to see if I can accomplish the goal. I see it as a way to honor my grandfather, whom I loved dearly, and the grandmother I never had the chance to meet. From an economic sense, if such a publication could make any money, I'd direct it to the restoration of my grandmother's home, a 200 year old farm house that her family had lived in for generations.
As for the publishing, while I'm aware of some of the self publishing sites online, like Lulu.com, I have had no experience with them. And I can easily say that I know next to nothing about the traditional publishing houses. I do know that about ten years ago there was a wartime diary that was published," Pacific War Diary, 1942 - 1945: The Secret Diary of an American Sailor," by James Fahey. Fahey actually served on the same ship as my grandfather, so I'm curious if the presence of this book would help or hurt my own chances at the task.
I appreciate all and any advice, my thanks in advance.
In the past couple years, I've taken an extreme interest in searching for family history. This has primarily been as simple as spelunking in my parents' attic, where boxes have been placed and eventually forgotten. As for my grandfather, he was part of a marine detachment on the U.S.S. Montpelier CL-57 in the Pacific theater of the Second World War. During the war, he began a correspondence with the woman who was to eventually become his wife. In the process, he chronicled his experience and also the romance that resulted in him proposing to her on his last leave home during the war.
Tragically, this marriage ended when she died from complications of childbirth four years later. It was thought that he had burned all the letters when he remarried, as a sign of fidelity to his new wife. Thus, it was a terrific discovery to find more than a hundred of these letters in our attic, which had been saved by the first wife's mother and eventually had made it to my father. There are also six letters that she wrote to him (the rest must of have been destroyed).
The individuals involved came from farming backgrounds in Appalachia in the southwest part of Virginia and had full high school educations (a first for both families). Thus, their words are elegant and witty, and also retain a sort of down home sense of humor that makes them quite fun to read. Not to mention, their romance is doubly sweet and heartbreaking with the knowledge that it was to end suddenly not long after.
My father, the only son of the two, has told me he would be happy to see them in a published form, and so I would like to take up the task to see if I can accomplish the goal. I see it as a way to honor my grandfather, whom I loved dearly, and the grandmother I never had the chance to meet. From an economic sense, if such a publication could make any money, I'd direct it to the restoration of my grandmother's home, a 200 year old farm house that her family had lived in for generations.
As for the publishing, while I'm aware of some of the self publishing sites online, like Lulu.com, I have had no experience with them. And I can easily say that I know next to nothing about the traditional publishing houses. I do know that about ten years ago there was a wartime diary that was published," Pacific War Diary, 1942 - 1945: The Secret Diary of an American Sailor," by James Fahey. Fahey actually served on the same ship as my grandfather, so I'm curious if the presence of this book would help or hurt my own chances at the task.
I appreciate all and any advice, my thanks in advance.
Maybe you could publish them on the Internet? It's so cheap it's almost free, lets you avoid self-publishing and trying to get family members to buy stuff and all that, and it means that a potentially unlimited number of people can read them. I honestly think the web works much better for stuff like this than books -- if it was me, I'd definitely consider it.
posted by reklaw at 8:17 AM on May 29, 2006
posted by reklaw at 8:17 AM on May 29, 2006
Not exactly an answer to your question, but a few years ago when my grandfather passed away, my father and I came into possession of my grandfather's D-day diary. He began writing it the morning of the invasion and continued this particular chronicle for about six months.
My father decided it would eventually be donated to the WWII museum in New Orleans, but before I let it go, I scanned the diary (a moleskine like book) and created a multimedia presentation from it as a gift to my family which was very well received, especially by my grandmother (who is a well respected genealogist) and my father who had no real clue as to the extent of the project until it was presented to him as a gift on his birthday.
I think Posadnitsa is heading in the right direction... in my case there were a few very dramatic moments in Grandad's diary, but on the whole it was much too short to do anything major with it. The trick with letters, I think, is for the editor to be skilled in connecting the dots that are missing. Again, as Posadnitsa points out, context is key.
I say do it yourself and let your focus be on preserving the history for your family. They will appreciate the work immensely and you may find deeper connection to your grandfather the same way I did.
Good luck.
posted by friezer at 8:26 AM on May 29, 2006
My father decided it would eventually be donated to the WWII museum in New Orleans, but before I let it go, I scanned the diary (a moleskine like book) and created a multimedia presentation from it as a gift to my family which was very well received, especially by my grandmother (who is a well respected genealogist) and my father who had no real clue as to the extent of the project until it was presented to him as a gift on his birthday.
I think Posadnitsa is heading in the right direction... in my case there were a few very dramatic moments in Grandad's diary, but on the whole it was much too short to do anything major with it. The trick with letters, I think, is for the editor to be skilled in connecting the dots that are missing. Again, as Posadnitsa points out, context is key.
I say do it yourself and let your focus be on preserving the history for your family. They will appreciate the work immensely and you may find deeper connection to your grandfather the same way I did.
Good luck.
posted by friezer at 8:26 AM on May 29, 2006
Transcripts. Double spaced. Inch around. Farm it out to agents and avoid the slush pile if you can.
Read these info entries by TOR editor:
Genre and overall publishing
The mechanics of making $ (or not) with books
Pitching and Catching
Submissions
Submissions #2
Basically she's got a ton of other advice:
Demystifying Publishing
posted by eatdonuts at 8:30 AM on May 29, 2006 [1 favorite]
Read these info entries by TOR editor:
Genre and overall publishing
The mechanics of making $ (or not) with books
Pitching and Catching
Submissions
Submissions #2
Basically she's got a ton of other advice:
Demystifying Publishing
posted by eatdonuts at 8:30 AM on May 29, 2006 [1 favorite]
There are probably some scholars of WWII letters and/or Appalachia who wouldn't mind a quick look at them, and who could help you judge the publication interest. Start at the local university history department, maybe? Or go to a good library and look for professors who've published about those topics? It may be that they get approached far too much with this kind of thing, but maybe not. Whatever the scholarly value, something like that Private Art site seems perfect - no waiting for someone else to approve it, just put it up yourself.
posted by mediareport at 8:31 AM on May 29, 2006
posted by mediareport at 8:31 AM on May 29, 2006
Response by poster: Thank you for the great replies. I have considered the direct internet publishing route (and still plan to create a family history in general site), as a historian (as much as an MA in history bequeaths me as one), I'm somewhat uncomfortable with the impermanence of such. That said, the Private Art website was absolutely fantastic...and way beyond my primitive coding skills. We actually have some recordings of my grandfather speaking about his life and I do plan to make those available online eventually. However, I feel that something hard and concrete like a book is the path I'd like to take with the letters.
As for auxiliary material, we do have some photographs, plus a cruise book of the Montpelier that has many pictures of the ship itself, courtesy of the U.S. Navy. As well, though only a couple, letters written to others besides his future wife. I'm also aware of the very dangerous "This is fantastic!....but only to family members." syndrome. I have read the Pacific War Diary, and I feel that the letters are just as good, if not more engaging. Course, I'm bias! If I have time, I may transcribe one of the letters here as a thank you (or punishment, depending on you're assessment of the letter) for offering your advice.
Thank you as well for the links on publishing, I read over a couple and have already found them to be informative. As for university professors, the thought had crossed my mind before, and actually with letters that I discovered previously from my great-grandfather in the First World War (he spent the entire time on guard duty after the war, never saw combat). I will have to check with Appalachian State University and the University of Kentucky, at least, I know they both have active Appalachia studies programs.
I also agree on the editing viewpoint for the letters. I think the more context I can place them in with the events and people involved make them much more interesting. One hope of mine, and I've not yet found a source, but there does not appear to be much material from the point of view of Marine detachments upon naval vessels. Sailors? Sure. Marines in the island hopping campaign? Sure. (Check out William Manchester's Goodbye Darkness for a great memoir on such). But nothing that I've found yet on the aforementioned detachments.
Thanks again for the advice, as well as for the questions I should be asking myself about the idea.
posted by Atreides at 9:10 AM on May 29, 2006
As for auxiliary material, we do have some photographs, plus a cruise book of the Montpelier that has many pictures of the ship itself, courtesy of the U.S. Navy. As well, though only a couple, letters written to others besides his future wife. I'm also aware of the very dangerous "This is fantastic!....but only to family members." syndrome. I have read the Pacific War Diary, and I feel that the letters are just as good, if not more engaging. Course, I'm bias! If I have time, I may transcribe one of the letters here as a thank you (or punishment, depending on you're assessment of the letter) for offering your advice.
Thank you as well for the links on publishing, I read over a couple and have already found them to be informative. As for university professors, the thought had crossed my mind before, and actually with letters that I discovered previously from my great-grandfather in the First World War (he spent the entire time on guard duty after the war, never saw combat). I will have to check with Appalachian State University and the University of Kentucky, at least, I know they both have active Appalachia studies programs.
I also agree on the editing viewpoint for the letters. I think the more context I can place them in with the events and people involved make them much more interesting. One hope of mine, and I've not yet found a source, but there does not appear to be much material from the point of view of Marine detachments upon naval vessels. Sailors? Sure. Marines in the island hopping campaign? Sure. (Check out William Manchester's Goodbye Darkness for a great memoir on such). But nothing that I've found yet on the aforementioned detachments.
Thanks again for the advice, as well as for the questions I should be asking myself about the idea.
posted by Atreides at 9:10 AM on May 29, 2006
Great advice above. Definitely transcribe them, for your own sake & ease of reading, as well. Then, as suggested, do background research and bridge letter to letter. Do this all for your love of the man and the family. Then see what interest you might be able to drum up. If you scan and put on the web you pretty much forego commercial publishing.
Once finished, if you are concerned about the family homestead (its not clear if there is a need for money to help maintain it, or just a desire for money), then talk to a local university library and see if you could get a tax credit/deduction for donating them. This would ensure they are properly curated and accessible to scholars, and they might be valued higher than you think, so long as no money has to change hands. You'd almost certainly net more than you would via commercial publishing (conceivably you could do both but publishers may want to have precedence, so to speak). Good luck with the project -- if you scan and post to web, be sure to put it in mefi projects.
posted by Rumple at 10:22 AM on May 29, 2006
Once finished, if you are concerned about the family homestead (its not clear if there is a need for money to help maintain it, or just a desire for money), then talk to a local university library and see if you could get a tax credit/deduction for donating them. This would ensure they are properly curated and accessible to scholars, and they might be valued higher than you think, so long as no money has to change hands. You'd almost certainly net more than you would via commercial publishing (conceivably you could do both but publishers may want to have precedence, so to speak). Good luck with the project -- if you scan and post to web, be sure to put it in mefi projects.
posted by Rumple at 10:22 AM on May 29, 2006
With self- versus traditional publishing, the question is what you are looking to get out of it. Do you just want a bound copy that you and future generations can enjoy, possibly also selling a small amount through special markets like museum shops or local businesses? That's self-publishing, and very unlikely to make any money (and actually could end up costing quite a bit) without a lot of time and effort on your part. Or do you want this to be on the shelves of B&N, cataloged with the Library of Congress, edited, marketed, publicized and sold by professionals, with you (or whoever the proprietor of the text is) earning a royalty? That's traditional publishing. For that, the most important thing is to do your research first, by finding the agents that represent and the publishers who publish the type of book you envision it becoming. Then submitting professionally, in a way that eatdonuts begins to describe. That's another area to do research in. There are lots of guides on how to do this, including a pretty comprehensive "for Dummies" guide. Keep in mind this process takes many years...but if this is what you're looking for, then self-pubbing won't cut it, and will probably harm your chances of getting it traditionally published in the future.
I'm not so familiar with the process of publishing historical documents by themselves, just as a record, but I like the idea of showing it to a few scholars first to see what they think. Also makes me think academic publishers might be an avenue worth pursuing once you're ready to start submitting.
posted by lampoil at 10:29 AM on May 29, 2006
I'm not so familiar with the process of publishing historical documents by themselves, just as a record, but I like the idea of showing it to a few scholars first to see what they think. Also makes me think academic publishers might be an avenue worth pursuing once you're ready to start submitting.
posted by lampoil at 10:29 AM on May 29, 2006
Response by poster: Rumple, thanks for the advice on donating them to a depository. As for the family homestead, I figured since my initial post was so long, I'd stop on the depressing story that is the homestead. In short, great-grandfather as he neared death, became easily confused. The son who cared least about the farm miraculously inheirited it. Immediately logged all valuable trees on the property. Died and the farm went to his kids, who have left it to become over grown and abandoned.
Racoons lived in the upstairs hallway, wasps were building nests on the ceiling of a bedroom off that hallway, while the bottom floor is hidden behind growth. So money earned would go towards helping to convince the children to sell it, and then repair it. So there's some of my motivation in this.
posted by Atreides at 10:34 AM on May 29, 2006
Racoons lived in the upstairs hallway, wasps were building nests on the ceiling of a bedroom off that hallway, while the bottom floor is hidden behind growth. So money earned would go towards helping to convince the children to sell it, and then repair it. So there's some of my motivation in this.
posted by Atreides at 10:34 AM on May 29, 2006
I think you have to realise that you're very, very unlikely to make any money on this, and if anything stand to lose a lot of money (if you self-publish) or time (if you try to get a 'real' publisher). It'd be an absolute miracle if you got enough money out of this to repair a house.
I'm not trying to be rude here, but I think you need to wake up and smell the coffee, as it were. World War II memories are ten-a-penny: sure, interesting to you, but not so much to anyone else.
As a nice project that members of the family can enjoy, this is well worth doing. As a money-making scheme, it sucks big time.
posted by reklaw at 10:51 AM on May 29, 2006
I'm not trying to be rude here, but I think you need to wake up and smell the coffee, as it were. World War II memories are ten-a-penny: sure, interesting to you, but not so much to anyone else.
As a nice project that members of the family can enjoy, this is well worth doing. As a money-making scheme, it sucks big time.
posted by reklaw at 10:51 AM on May 29, 2006
Whatever else you do, make copies of the letters and donate them to local history museums of libraries and to the Library of Congress Veterans' History Project.
posted by LarryC at 10:58 AM on May 29, 2006
posted by LarryC at 10:58 AM on May 29, 2006
I'm in a very similar situation with approximately 600 family letters from WWII (and am coicidentally an academic who studies literacy and writing). First, you are going to have to self-publish unless these letters have serious historical value that can translate into book sales, academic or otherwise (e.g. reveal some heretofor unknown mystery, clear up a historical problem, etc.) Having said that, you should definitely publish them in a reasonably cost-efficient manner for family.
A good way of going about it is to transcribe the letters and present them as a chronology, including a few B&W copies of the most interesting originals. I would also hold on to them rather than donating them anywhere. They will likely mean more to your own grandchildren than an archive, which would be more interested in major collections of historical documents or very rare pieces (i.e. a personal letter from Eisenhower to your grandfather).
I am trying to transcribe a few each week myself, so that I can publish them in volumes of roughly 100 letters each (say 125 pages). Like I plan on doing, I would recommend reserving a copy of your book for the local organizations that might be interested in having a copy donated to them (library, historical society, etc.). Good luck and have fun.
posted by mrmojoflying at 11:03 AM on May 29, 2006
A good way of going about it is to transcribe the letters and present them as a chronology, including a few B&W copies of the most interesting originals. I would also hold on to them rather than donating them anywhere. They will likely mean more to your own grandchildren than an archive, which would be more interested in major collections of historical documents or very rare pieces (i.e. a personal letter from Eisenhower to your grandfather).
I am trying to transcribe a few each week myself, so that I can publish them in volumes of roughly 100 letters each (say 125 pages). Like I plan on doing, I would recommend reserving a copy of your book for the local organizations that might be interested in having a copy donated to them (library, historical society, etc.). Good luck and have fun.
posted by mrmojoflying at 11:03 AM on May 29, 2006
Response by poster: I do understand the realm of probability of achieving much if any monetary success with this venture, as I'm familiar with the field of history. At the same time, I feel that I'm better prepared than most, in part to my academic training, to really package the letters into something successful, versus your average joe with no experience outside of reading Stephen Ambrose. And, well, at the worse, if it seems that my snowball in hell is melting a bit too fast, I will simply turn to self-publication and disperse copies among families and friends. Feet are firmly grounded on this project.
Mrmojoflying, thats terrific about your grandfather's letters, I wish you success in your venture.
And LarryC, thanks for mentioning the LoC's Veteran's project. I've been aware of it and have planned to put together a "package" of sorts of everything, essentially what copies I can make of the letters, photos, and recordings, and ship it off to D.C. Its something I think everyone should strive to do.
posted by Atreides at 2:50 PM on May 29, 2006
Mrmojoflying, thats terrific about your grandfather's letters, I wish you success in your venture.
And LarryC, thanks for mentioning the LoC's Veteran's project. I've been aware of it and have planned to put together a "package" of sorts of everything, essentially what copies I can make of the letters, photos, and recordings, and ship it off to D.C. Its something I think everyone should strive to do.
posted by Atreides at 2:50 PM on May 29, 2006
Response by poster: Well, for those of you still paying attention to this thread, here's just a random letter I selected to transcribe and share with you folks.
Postmarked 11 Oct 1945
Kure, Japan
Oct. 10, 1945
Clarice Darling,
Well, here we are. Still “swinging around the hook” in Kure bay and waiting for a typhoon to pass. It hit Okinawa last night and did quite a bit of damage, but I don’t think it can hurt us here. This harbor is completely surrounded by islands, and it has rained every day we have been here except one. I had recreation today, to go over on a small island and drink two bottles of beer, but it rained as usual.
Yesterday a bunch went over and there was a lot of stuff lying around that looked like candy. Some of the sailors (stupid, as only sailors can be) brought some back to the ship because it had Jap writing on it. One showed his to the interpreter and he almost went through the overhead. “Dynamite, it says,” and then you should have heard him. The X.O. got on the loudspeaker and told all the Blankety Blank stupids to bring all they had to his office. About 25 showed up and a lot went over the side. Our Gunnery Sgt. was helping take care of it and found where one had been broken in to and a cigarette smashed out on it. He says, “I’m a broken man. Here I have lived through a war and the Japs have thrown everything they had at me. Now when I have relaxed and started thinking that maybe I’ll live to be an old man, some stupid sailor tries to blow me up with a G---- D---ned Candy bar.” ____
I don’t know why we didn’t get underway for Tokyo yesterday. Maybe this typhoon that is comming up. Now I don’t have the least idea when we’ll move from here. An A.P.D. was on the way from Wakayama with our mail, but turned around and went back. I don’t see why they don’t fly it directly here. Its been so long since we have had mail that I won’t know how to act with a letter.
Whoa --- The Captain just came into the storeroom and caught me writting a letter at 2 oclock in the afternoon. He didn’t say anything but he probably is thinking plenty. But what the H - - l. I’m going to be a Civilian when this ship hits the states so what do I care. You are more important to me than a Marine Capt. Anyway, anytime. ---- I must get to work tho.
I love you an awful lot Clarice, and will always
Charles.
posted by Atreides at 7:51 AM on May 30, 2006
Postmarked 11 Oct 1945
Kure, Japan
Oct. 10, 1945
Clarice Darling,
Well, here we are. Still “swinging around the hook” in Kure bay and waiting for a typhoon to pass. It hit Okinawa last night and did quite a bit of damage, but I don’t think it can hurt us here. This harbor is completely surrounded by islands, and it has rained every day we have been here except one. I had recreation today, to go over on a small island and drink two bottles of beer, but it rained as usual.
Yesterday a bunch went over and there was a lot of stuff lying around that looked like candy. Some of the sailors (stupid, as only sailors can be) brought some back to the ship because it had Jap writing on it. One showed his to the interpreter and he almost went through the overhead. “Dynamite, it says,” and then you should have heard him. The X.O. got on the loudspeaker and told all the Blankety Blank stupids to bring all they had to his office. About 25 showed up and a lot went over the side. Our Gunnery Sgt. was helping take care of it and found where one had been broken in to and a cigarette smashed out on it. He says, “I’m a broken man. Here I have lived through a war and the Japs have thrown everything they had at me. Now when I have relaxed and started thinking that maybe I’ll live to be an old man, some stupid sailor tries to blow me up with a G---- D---ned Candy bar.” ____
I don’t know why we didn’t get underway for Tokyo yesterday. Maybe this typhoon that is comming up. Now I don’t have the least idea when we’ll move from here. An A.P.D. was on the way from Wakayama with our mail, but turned around and went back. I don’t see why they don’t fly it directly here. Its been so long since we have had mail that I won’t know how to act with a letter.
Whoa --- The Captain just came into the storeroom and caught me writting a letter at 2 oclock in the afternoon. He didn’t say anything but he probably is thinking plenty. But what the H - - l. I’m going to be a Civilian when this ship hits the states so what do I care. You are more important to me than a Marine Capt. Anyway, anytime. ---- I must get to work tho.
I love you an awful lot Clarice, and will always
Charles.
posted by Atreides at 7:51 AM on May 30, 2006
Thanks for transcribing that. Yeah, I'd read a book of those with pleasure. It would be essential to have some photos etc. Seeing the date on this letter, one angle on this could be the whole demobilization process -- it garners way less attention than the war (obviously) but has its own interesting dynamic -- buttloads of personnel suddenly going to mundane, boring, tasks with no real danger of being killed, in a kind of limbo, taking months to get back home.
posted by Rumple at 10:37 AM on May 30, 2006
posted by Rumple at 10:37 AM on May 30, 2006
Response by poster: Three week update! Been busy transcribing, here's one more letter:
Postmarked Sep 14, 1945 – U.S. Navy
Sept 13, 1945
Wakayama, Japan
Hello Darling.
I just came back from Wakayama and Wakanoura, Japan. I have been over all afternoon and since I haven’t been working much the last few years, I’m sorta tired. The first thing I did was take a patrol into town to return Naval personell that had strayed into “Off Limit” territory. I think it was the first look the Japs have had of the “Yanks” for the kids and most of the grown ups would run into the house and close the door when they saw us comming. They live so crowded, the streets are very narrow and part of them are dirt. Nearly everyone rides a bicycle and they wear wooden sandals. I wanted some one to start something so I could throw some lead but nothing happened. We have strict orders about talking to them. “Not to fraternize.” One of the kids that was with me (P.F.C. bobby Wilfong from Missouri) saw a fairly good looking girl (In the states no one would look at her) so he said “You had better watch me Sgt. Brown I’m being tempted to fraternize.” I had to laugh at him, because he is a good kid. He has been my Gunner for a long time. [end page one]
The liberated prisoners of war begin to arrive tomorrow morning. We get up at 0530 and go back to the beach. I hear that some of them are Marines that were captured at Guam and Manila. I’m looking forward to talking to some of them. I know they will be a happy bunch, I think about 10% of them are hospital cases.
Here I am on the second page again and still haven’t told you that I love you. I think you would know it even if I didn’t tell you. For you did promise there would never be any doubts, and to me, your word is as good as gold. ‘Cause I do love you and will love you more and more each day, if that is possible, until I see you again. There was very few minutes today that I didn’t think about you and thank God that we won the war so my people and the girl I love will never have to live as these people do.
I had better “hit the sack,” and get some sleep for tomorrow promises to be a busy day. I’ll try to write you tomorrow night but I think I have the duty on the beach.
Goodnight Sweetheart.
I love you so much and will always
Charles
posted by Atreides at 5:20 AM on June 26, 2006
Postmarked Sep 14, 1945 – U.S. Navy
Sept 13, 1945
Wakayama, Japan
Hello Darling.
I just came back from Wakayama and Wakanoura, Japan. I have been over all afternoon and since I haven’t been working much the last few years, I’m sorta tired. The first thing I did was take a patrol into town to return Naval personell that had strayed into “Off Limit” territory. I think it was the first look the Japs have had of the “Yanks” for the kids and most of the grown ups would run into the house and close the door when they saw us comming. They live so crowded, the streets are very narrow and part of them are dirt. Nearly everyone rides a bicycle and they wear wooden sandals. I wanted some one to start something so I could throw some lead but nothing happened. We have strict orders about talking to them. “Not to fraternize.” One of the kids that was with me (P.F.C. bobby Wilfong from Missouri) saw a fairly good looking girl (In the states no one would look at her) so he said “You had better watch me Sgt. Brown I’m being tempted to fraternize.” I had to laugh at him, because he is a good kid. He has been my Gunner for a long time. [end page one]
The liberated prisoners of war begin to arrive tomorrow morning. We get up at 0530 and go back to the beach. I hear that some of them are Marines that were captured at Guam and Manila. I’m looking forward to talking to some of them. I know they will be a happy bunch, I think about 10% of them are hospital cases.
Here I am on the second page again and still haven’t told you that I love you. I think you would know it even if I didn’t tell you. For you did promise there would never be any doubts, and to me, your word is as good as gold. ‘Cause I do love you and will love you more and more each day, if that is possible, until I see you again. There was very few minutes today that I didn’t think about you and thank God that we won the war so my people and the girl I love will never have to live as these people do.
I had better “hit the sack,” and get some sleep for tomorrow promises to be a busy day. I’ll try to write you tomorrow night but I think I have the duty on the beach.
Goodnight Sweetheart.
I love you so much and will always
Charles
posted by Atreides at 5:20 AM on June 26, 2006
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The second is obviously much harder than the first. There are a lot of war diaries and memoirs and letter collections out there. You're going to have to really sell your grandfather's story to the publisher. Read a bunch of similar books. (Your local library should have at least five.) What do your grandfather's letters have that the other collections don't? (I'd also advise tracking down the book by your father's shipmate and reading that.) You're also going to have to edit the letters. How do you want to present them? Would the story be enhanced if you had "bridges" between the letters describing what was happening at home/on the ship/including quotes from friends and family members? Do you have any other source material for your grandfather's life during this period which could be included? Photographs? Letters from the first wife (or your grandfather) to other people during the period? Diaries? Anything?
If you don't want to spend a huge amount of time and energy on the project, then I'd advise self-publishing. You can edit and polish the book as much as you want to, and then you have copies which can be distributed to relatives, and if you want to try selling it a bit-- putting up a website, getting it listed on Amazon-- you can do that, too. There are a lot of WWII books out there (and non-books, too-- for a good example of how the Internet was used to handle information like this, see Private Art; a thorough Googling should turn up a bunch of other examples) and I suspect getting another one professionally published would take a lot of effort and some pretty extraordinary source material. (Which you may have, I don't know.)
One thing to keep in mind, and I don't mean this in a bad way, is that other people may just not find your family history as interesting as you do. We dug up my great-grandfather's diary of a boat trip to Vladivostok in 1919, but while there are a couple of stories in there which are great, the whole is unpublishable. It's short, a lot of it is boring, and there's no context for most of it. He played a lot of chess with some guy named Ivanov who was the head of a relief mission. What relief mission? He didn't know, or didn't write it down. It would take a lot of work to whip that thing into shape, and I just don't care enough about pineapple plantations in Hawaii to do that research. Lacking that context, the only people who care are his descendants.
Let us know whatever you decide to do, though... I personally will read just about anyone's letters/memoirs from long ago and far away, and would love to hear what you do with this.
posted by posadnitsa at 8:09 AM on May 29, 2006