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Writer, Author, Publisher

August 29, 2018 by Jim Potter 2 Comments

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(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.)


 

· Bill Bush ·

Co-authors Bill Bush and Blake Bush

Bill Bush “lives in Halstead, Kansas with his two teenage children, who are the inspiration behind many of his stories.” Sydney and Blake are remarkable. Just ask their father. Or read the dedication to them in his science fiction book, Vetrix (2017). He states: “You inspire me more than you will ever know.”

I met Bill at the Newton Public Library (KS) when he was giving an author talk. Even though I wasn’t a fan of the science fiction genre and I don’t write for young adults, I enjoyed learning about this author’s journey. Because of Bill, I’m much more open to reading sci-fi and fantasy while appreciating what it takes to write for a young audience.

What changed in me? I think that once I heard of Bill’s journey I was reminded that storytelling can work in any genre when it’s done correctly. He also made me curious about how he plotted with Blake, his son, to create a planet named Vetrix and how a twelve-year-old boy became trapped there in the midst of an inter-planetary war.

Bill is “like an open book.” He’s willing to talk about anything. Just ask him. He’d be in trouble if he ever committed a crime, because once questioned by the police I think he’d confess before the crime fighting team had an opportunity to take on their good cop-bad cop roles.

Maybe this has happened to you. Have you ever met someone who reminded you of someone else? Bill reminds me of a friend of mine who lived in Pretty Prairie, Kansas. Tim Stucky was editor, publisher and owner of the weekly newspapers the Ninnescah Valley News and Mount Hope Clarion. He was a friend who was always fun to be around. I never wanted our conversations to end. Tim died much too young in 2008. Boy, I miss him.

So, in my mind Bill and Tim are linked as writers and friends. Maybe this will explain to Bill why I’ve been stalking him. I have no nefarious plans.

If you ask Bill about why he wanted to become a writer he will always give credit to his mother, Phyllis Roth Lewis. She was a published author who wrote numerous short stories, poems, and books. He also credits God for setting him on this path.

Bill shares that his “primary motivation comes from the desire to write for a living. I want to write full time for lots of reasons – lifestyle, influence others with my ideas, enjoyment, maybe even notoriety.”

Have you heard of NaNoWriMo? No, it’s not a foreign language. It stands for National Novel Writing Month. The challenge for writers is to write 50,000 words during the month of November. Bill continues to use NaNoWriMo as a tool for writing more books.

Bill’s publishing company, Snader Publishing Company, has already published eight books; five of Bill’s, two of his mother’s, and one by a new author. You can learn more about Bill, his publications, and his blog at his website: www.billbushauthor.com.

So far, these are Bill’s published books: Before Vetrix, Vetrix, Earth, Hodgepodge of Poetry, Maybe I Should Have Hit the Delete Key. The third book in the Vetrix series, Zentron, comes out next week.

The two books by Bill’s mother, Phyllis Roth Lewis, published by Snader are: Trapped on a Cloud and Legend of Aneeka. Ghosts in the Quarry, the third one, will be published next month.

Snader Publishing has just released Eating Crow, a comic strip by Christian Klopfer. Learn more at http://www.snaderpublishing.com/category/christian-kloepfer-books/

Since I write a weekly blog/podcast on my website, it should come as no surprise that my favorite Bush book is Maybe I Should Have Hit the Delete Key (2018). This collection contains Bill’s first one hundred newspaper columns—“So Many Thoughts So Little Time”—published in the Harvey County Independent.

I’ve used Bill’s example—his willingness to be open and honest about everything—as a reminder to me when writing my weekly articles.

If you want to write, then Bill can be a prime example to you of how a person’s inner drive can lead to the promised land.

Congratulations to Bill for his dedication to God, family, and to his writing.

Until next time, happy writing and reading!

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Comments

  1. Bill says

    Thanks for the great and kind words, Jim! And what a wonderful display of covers!

    I’m glad you made it to that author talk in Newton.

    Reply
    • Jim Potter says

      Bill, your covers are dynamite! I couldn’t pick one to leave out. How about you? Yes, I’m so glad that I got to Newton early so that I was able to get a front row seat. I think we both agreed that writing is our first choice but talking about writing is important too. Writers need readers. Peace out, Jim

      Reply

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Karleen Wilson-Moon

Terrific story relevant to today’s social issues . . . well written . . . likable characters . . . insightful perspective from an insider in law enforcement.

Larry Kruckman, anthropologist

Jim Potter displays ethnographic skills in Taking Back the Bullet: Trajectories of Self-Discovery, creating vivid scenes and fascinating characters. The Greeks had a word for subcultures and people’s behavior: ‘ethos,’ or ‘ways of being.’ In colorful, sometimes marvelous detail, this novel captures various people and settings . . . the ethos of rural Kansas: a… Read more “Larry Kruckman, anthropologist”

Steve Becker

I’m impressed. It was an excellent read. . . . I hope you continue with more projects in the future.

Morgan Penner

Taking Back the Bullet is a novel that provides the reader with a window into the world of law enforcement. As the novel unfolds, the reader is able to see how split-second decisions alter the lives of the main characters in the story. Taking Back the Bullet also explores how humanity is impacted by mental… Read more “Morgan Penner”

Sean McArdle, Winchester, England

Retired police officer Potter’s novel centers on very disparate characters and through the tried and tested means of gradually introducing each one, builds a sense of anticipation about what is going to happen to them. This often used methodology is not easy to do well but is superbly handled by Potter who knows how to… Read more “Sean McArdle, Winchester, England”

Jane Holzrichter

I finished it last night around midnight. What a great piece of work. It kept me intrigued all the way to the end.

Deb Theis, LSCSW, clinical therapist/hypnotherapist

Jim Potter has done it again! After his book, Cop in the Classroom: Lessons I’ve Learned, Tales I’ve Told, Jim has written another great work. In Taking Back the Bullet: Trajectories of Self-Discovery, Jim Potter takes us on an insightful journey into the lives and relationships of numerous characters. Jim is such a talented storyteller… Read more “Deb Theis, LSCSW, clinical therapist/hypnotherapist”

Diana Dester

Good story line, building the characters along the way. Great job!

Wynona Winn, PhD, retired school superintendent

Three main characters walk different paths but with the same destination – each coping with his or her self-discovery, self-identity, and self-realization. Much like their earlier counterparts – Huck Finn and Holden Caulfield – their journeys are often joyous, often tedious and often tragic.

Judy Hawk

. . . I was impressed with the Native American information as well as the depth of character development . . . .

John & Cindy Morrill, 20 years Air Force retired, 17 years law enforcement

I enjoyed your book. When I am looking for a new read, I always read the first page, last page and choose a random page somewhere in the middle before I decide to buy it. You had me on all three pages. I also like reading a book where you can relate to the characters… Read more “John & Cindy Morrill, 20 years Air Force retired, 17 years law enforcement”

Sheryl Remar

I enjoyed the different stories of this book because Tom, James, and Suanna, the three main characters, represent in their own way the different struggles with themselves and society’s idea of what is normal.

Rebecca Schillaci

As a former law enforcement officer, I found the story very relatable as it details the life of a law enforcement officer and the struggles some face throughout their careers. . . Taking Back the Bullet is a journey of understanding, respect, and forgiveness . . .

Dennis Perrin, educator

Masterful storytelling, exquisite character development, so real as to HURT and HOPE, a real page turner. Begs for stage, screenwriters, and visual episodic development a.k.a. TV series . . . Thanks Jim Potter for telling it like it is AND providing us visions of how it could be. Well done!

Rebecca from Proud Police Wife

Taking Back the Bullet is an emotional, yet captivating novel. Jim Potter does a superb job of intertwining each character and putting their individual identities on display. All law enforcement storylines are a true reflection of Potter’s years as a police officer because they are realistic and relatable. This is a book I highly recommend.

Denise Low, author of Jackalope (Red Mountain Press)

Jim Potter is a cop, retired, but he brings deep understanding of this job to his novel Taking Back the Bullet: Trajectories of Self-Discovery. This layered novel has literary dimensions as characters explore crisis situations. Congratulations to this fine writer for his debut novel.

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Interviews with Jim Potter

Video interview with James Lowe outside Bookends Bookstore July 21, 2022

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