We Bought a WWII Bomber Soars in Sales and Attention for Author, Sandra Warren

Copyright 2015 Sandra Warren
Copyright 2015 Sandra Warren

 “We Bought a WWII Bomber Soars in Sales and Attention for Author, Sandra Warren” by Joan Y. Edwards

Sandra Warren says to write what you know. She took her own advice and wrote a non-fiction book about something that the students in her high school did during World War II. They raised money and bought a B-17 Bomber to support the United States.

The full title is: We Bought a WWII Bomber: The Untold Story of a Michigan High School, a B-17 Bomber, and the Blue Ridge Parkway!

Sandra Warren

Sandra uncovered a mystery: What ever happened to the bomber?
She visited actual sites to find new information. I was lucky enough to win a paperback copy of the book on her blog. My husband, Carl and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It has all the characteristics of a good book.
Interesting characters
Unusual situation
Great plot
Problems
Mystery
Determination
Resolution
The link for purchase is: http://tinyurl.com/nprok9p
Here’s an update from Sandra Warren herself:
Writing non-fiction, especially this story continues to reap surprise benefits. At the Virginia Book Launch on October 1, 2015, the 71st Anniversary of the crash on the Blue Ridge Parkway, Levoy Bray gave me a finely tooled ring made from the instrument panel of the B-17 Bomber by a young boy, Coy Hall, who with his older brothers watched the bomber circle twice before it crashed in 1944. What a treasure!

Ring made from instrument panel of WWII B-17 bomber by Coy Hall.

Although written as an adult non-fiction, History teachers in Michigan, Virginia, and Alaska are already creating their WWII curriculum units around the book. I’m excited to learn how each teacher will incorporate the book into their classroom.
Astronaut Jack Lousma and GM Executive Bob Lutz are working to create a national museum out of the Willow Run Bomber Plant (Rosie the Riveter’s plant) near Ypsilanti, Michigan. On Oct. 24, 2015 over 2,000 Rosie the Riveter’s plus 46 original Rosie’s dressed appropriately came from all over the country and Canada to bring attention to the www.SaveTheBomberPlant.org. I have been asked to speak at the museum in the near future.

Within the week, I will be presenting a petition containing over 400 signatures from MI, VA and NC, to the National Park System requesting that a historical marker be placed at the crash site – Mabry’s Mill, Meadows of Dan, Virginia – to remind visitors of a time when home front America, even the children, did their part to support the war effort.

Giveaway is over. I hope you’ll win next time.

Here are Sandra’s blog posts that explains more about her writing process and the marketing ideas she’s used. Just click on the titles.

  1. The Perfect Venue
  2. Book Launch – New Autograph Party
  3. Go Where Your Writing Takes You

The Publishers Weekly/BookLife review What an honor! We Bought a WWII Bomber received a very favorable review on Publishers Weekly. Most self-published books aren’t reviewed in Publisher’s Weekly.
My interview with Sandra in 2013: Fascinating Ideas and Advice from Sandra Warren, Author

Links to Sandra online:
Website: www.arliebooks.com
Blog: http://sandrawarrenwrites.blogspot.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/SandraWarrenNC
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Never Give Up
Joan Y. Edwards, Author
Copyright © 2015 Joan Y. Edwards
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25 thoughts on “We Bought a WWII Bomber Soars in Sales and Attention for Author, Sandra Warren”

    1. Thank you Carol. It is exciting. The story fell in my lap and practically wrote itself. It was a labor of love from then on. I appreciate your comment.

    2. Dear Carol,
      Thanks for writing to share your thoughts with Sandra! You’re right. It is awesome news.

  1. Joan,
    I’m so glad you decided to share Sandra’s story and its influence on those who read it and hear of it. Very well done!
    Congratulations to Sandra! Well done. I hope those special invitations keep rolling in.

    1. Thank you Linda! I hope the invites keep rolling in also. I love talking about this incredible story. As one of my friend’s said, “It makes me proud to be an American.”

    2. Dear Linda,
      Thanks for writing. It was my pleasure to share Sandra’s story. It’s a true heart of America story. And it was a story from the high school where Sandra went, too.

  2. Hi Sandra! I knew it would be a success! I need a copy. Just so you know I am working on my 3rd Blue Ridge Parkway Book.

    1. Thank you Karen! Your comment means a lot coming from one of THE authorities on The Blue Ridge Parkway! The book has been approved for the parkway gift stores next season. I’m thrilled. Thank you for your encouragement and help.

    1. Thank you Darlene. It is a very interesting and unbelievable story. Even today, raising $375,000 in a short period of time for any reason would be a challenge. Kids did it in 1943 with NO Internet and NO television and NO cell phones. The equivalent in today’s money exchange rate is $5,210,325.44! An amazing story indeed.

    2. Dear Darlene,
      Thank you for writing. It’s amazing how those teenagers and that community worked together to buy the B-17 Bomber! Have a great day!

  3. I loved this post. Also, I would love to read this book and more of your posts about the marketing side of it. I wrote a book for younger children introducing them to the cooperative spirit of Americans on the Home Front during WWII. Museum directors are telling me they need books for their younger visitors, but I’m not sure I can convince publishers of that since WWII isn’t usually addressed until the middle grades.
    I look forward to reading your book!

    1. Thank you for your comment Sally.
      I’m interested in your comment about museum directors wanting more books for younger visitors on WWII. Although “We Bought a WWII Bomber,” is written as an adult non-fiction, the story itself makes it of interest to children. In the book it was an eighth grader who suggested the class participate in the “Buy a Bomber” program that started the whole thing.
      Good luck with your book about home front America during WWII. It certainly was an amazing time in history.

    2. Dear Sally,
      Thank you for writing. How cool that you wrote a book about the cooperative spirit of the people during WWIi, too. I bet you and Sandra could talk for hours. Good luck to both of you with your books.
      Never Give Up
      Joan

    1. Dear Becky,
      Thanks for writing. You’re welcome for the post. How those high school students raised enough money for the bomber is intriguing. (The contest ended at midnight last night. However, I can let you read my copy, if you like.)
      Sincerely,
      Joan

    2. I appreciate your comment, Becky and look forward to returning the favor. Joan did a wonderful job on the post. She made me look good. Keep writing!

  4. Six wonderful readers left a comment before midnight November 13, 2015.
    1. Carol Baldwin
    2. Linda Martin Andersen
    3. Karen J. Hall
    4. Darlene Koppel
    5. Sally Mathany
    6. Kathleen Burkinshaw
    Random.org chose number 1 as the winner. Congratulations, Carol Baldwin. You won a free autographed copy of “We Bought a WWII Bomber.” Please send me your snail mail address.
    Please post your congratulations on the blog post announcing the winner. Thank you to all of you for leaving Sandra a note so she’d realize what a difference her book makes in our world.
    Sincerely,
    Joan

  5. Dear Sandra,
    Thanks for letting me do this interview with you. I know my readers loved hearing about you and We Bought a WWII Bomber.
    Celebrate you!
    Never Give Up
    Joan

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