Onward Press

CRIME QUEEN OF LA
November 16 in all formats - Amazon link -
https://www.amazon.com/Crime-Queen-Timothy-Wurtz/dp/1954988117/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1637174755&sr=8-1
Johnny Lincoln is the world’s greatest investigative reporter, but he doesn’t know it. Yet. His gig at the weekly tabloid rag True Crime LA is his first job out of college. Hot on the trail of an exclusive with the crime queen of Los Angeles, Johnny uncovers a diabolical scheme. Hollywood’s young and beautiful are dropping dead all over the place, but not before the victims report their own demise to 9-1-1. This is Johnny’s scoop, his rocket to the big time and a ride to the truth about the buried secrets of his past.

Steve Miska wrote this for USA Today back in early May. He was way ahead of the curve.

As U.S. troops exit Afghanistan, 'leave no one behind' must include military interpreters In Iraq, I witnessed our former interpreters, their families, and other allies in a fight for their lives.

From all of our colleagues at USVAA and Onward Press: We want to wish everyone a fantastic 4th of July and a wonderful weekend.

Photo credit: A Belton (Texas) 4th by Jason Deckman, Veteran, U.S. Army, (OIF). Deckman's World

"Never before have we heard this story: the one of our Iraqi interpreters." - Tessa Robinson, We Are The Mighty
Fantastic review of "Baghdad Underground Railroad." Proud to be a part of the publishing team.
Published by a military veterans non-profit. All sales contribute to its mission to help veterans and their families tell their stories.
https://www.wearethemighty.com/articles/the-baghdad-underground-railroad-built-an-escape-for-iraqi-interpreters-it-was-just-the-beginning/

The Baghdad Underground Railroad built an escape for Iraqi interpreters. It was just the beginning. - We Are The Mighty Every generation has their war. And every war has its story. 1776. Battle Cry of Freedom. All Quiet on the Western Front. Band of Brothers. The Coldest Winter: America and the Korean War. We Were Soldiers Once… and Young. Black Hawk Down. Now, thanks to Steve Miska, Colonel, U.S. Army (Ret.), the ...

Join Gen. David Petraeus, Col. Steve Miska and Fraidoon Akhtari as they discuss:

The longest war in U.S. history is coming to an end with the planned withdrawal from Afghanistan. But what and whom will America be leaving behind?

Join Washington Post Live on Monday, June 28 at 9:00am ET,
when columnist David Ignatius interviews
General David Petraeus (Ret.), the former commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, Col. Steve Miska, author of "Baghdad Underground Railroad: Saving American Allies in Iraq" (Onward Press/USVAA) and Fraidoon Akhtari about the withdrawal and his concerns regarding the personal safety of Afghans who helped America on the ground for much of the past two decades. Petraeus will lay out his fear of an “indelible stain” on the U.S. unless we take care of those who helped us, including interpreters and contract workers.

To Register for this event please visit Washington Post Live https://www.washingtonpost.com/washington-post-live/

For more information about Steve Miska and Baghdad Underground Railroad: Saving American Allies in Iraq, USVAA and Onward Press please visit USVAA.org

Tomorrow. Don’t miss it.

Please join USVAA, Zócalo Public Square and the Pacific Council for this upcoming event, WHAT DOES AMERICA OWE TO VETERANS OF ITS 21ST-CENTURY WARS? with Steve Miska, Tuesday, June 1st at 9 am PDT.
Steve will talk to Emma Sky about his book "Baghdad Underground Railroad," and the critical work he and many others are doing to assist those individuals in Iraq and Afghanistan who helped the United States and our allies throughout the wars in both countries.
To register for the event please visit: https://www.zocalopublicsquare.org/

A Memorial Day remembrance from Steve Miska, author of "Baghdad Underground Railroad."
https://taskandpurpose.com/news/memorial-day-baghdad-iraq/

I’ll never forget how we honored our fallen heroes on Memorial Day in Baghdad The bell tolled 64 times for 64 dead.

Our author Steve Miska on CNN.
An important story.
The exploding humanitarian crises in Afghanistan.
https://twitter.com/SteveMiska/status/1396336168979943426?s=20

Steve Miska on Twitter “Thanks, Michael! Such a pleasure to join you. I really appreciate you keeping the spotlight on the issue. Flagging for many nonprofits and https://t.co/uRtIvYCALC”

Please join USVAA, Zócalo Public Square and the Pacific Council for this upcoming event, WHAT DOES AMERICA OWE TO VETERANS OF ITS 21ST-CENTURY WARS? with Steve Miska, Tuesday, June 1st at 9 am PDT.
Steve will talk to Emma Sky about his book "Baghdad Underground Railroad," and the critical work he and many others are doing to assist those individuals in Iraq and Afghanistan who helped the United States and our allies throughout the wars in both countries.
To register for the event please visit: https://www.zocalopublicsquare.org/

BAGHDAD UNDERGROUND RAILROAD by Steve Miska

Available now at Amazon https://www.amazon.com/s?k=baghdad+underground+railroad&i=stripbooks&crid=2E3WUZBLGJNR4&sprefix=baghdad+u%2Caps%2C209&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_9
General Barry McCaffrey, U.S. Army (Ret.) "This boots-on-the-ground memoir is absolutely riveting. A must-read for 2021.”

General David Petraeus, U.S. Army (Ret.) "A compelling, deeply personal account of the essence of the commitment to ‘Leave No One Behind.’”

During the war’s worst fighting in 2006 and 2007, a handful of Iraqi interpreters put their lives on the line to help American troops. Families threatened, a bounty on their heads, ignored by the powers that be, they faced ex*****on if they remained in their homeland. A Task Force Commander decides a promise made should be a promise kept.

Available MAY 19

BAGHDAD UNDERGROUND RAILROAD
Saving American Allies in Iraq

We're beyond honored to announce the next IN CONVERSATION with screenwriters Tony Camerino (USAF, TAKEN, PERSON OF INTEREST), and Sam Wolfson (TALL GIRL, ANDI MACK, JEWTOPIA) as part of our ongoing USVAA Veteran Writing Workshop Program, hosted by USVAA and Onward Press.

IN CONVERSATION with Tony Camerino and Sam Wolfson takes place, Monday, April 19th, from 6 to 8 pm PDT, with the workshop, table read component for our writing program colleagues, beginning at 5 pm PDT.

To register, please visit our USVAA Eventbrite listing at: https://www.eventbrite.com/.../usvaa-onward-press-present...
We look forward to seeing you at this event or any of our upcoming events.

March 15, 7 PM PDT - On ZOOM - Go to EVENTBRITE - Keyword - USVAA
USVAA and Onward Press present Emmy winner Kira Snyder and Timothy Wurtz in conversation as part of our regular Veteran Writers Workshops
About this Event
ABOUT KIRA SNYDER
Kira Snyder is an Emmy and WGA Award-winning writer-producer. She is the Executive Producer-Show Runner of HBO’s Demimonde.
She was the Co-Executive Producer of Handmaid’s Tale.
Other work includes the movie Pacific Rim: Uprising. For television, The 100, Incursion, Eureka, Alphas and Moonlight. Kira has written pilot scripts for Hulu, FX and Amazon. She is a graduate of the WGA Showrunner Training Program and the Warner Bros. Television Writers’ Workshop. The Parish Mail eBooks, her interactive Young Adult supernatural mystery series, are available from Kindle and other outlets. Kira began her career as a computer game designer. She created games for Microsoft, MIT, and Electronic Arts, including the seminal alternate reality game Majestic. Kira is a graduate of Stanford and is proud to be a Navy Brat.
ABOUT TIMOTHY WURTZ
Timothy Wurtz is a screenwriter, producer, and the Publisher of Onward Press. _____________________________________________________________________________________________
This event is free of charge and open to the public. Please visit USVAA.org for more information about our mission.

The Writers Guild Foundation 2021-22 Veterans Writing Project is now open to all veterans interested in writing for the entertainment industry.

This is an amazing program, mentored by industry professionals. We encourage veterans to apply.

Please see the flier and go to their website for information about the program and how to apply at wgfoundation.org.

Please join USVAA and Onward Press on Zoom for this amazing event:
Ashley Miller in conversation with Timothy Wurtz
The USVAA Veterans Writers Workshop Series via Zoom
7 pm to 9 pm PST,
Tuesday, February 16th
This workshop is part of our newly expanded, free, monthly workshop series for military veterans who write screenplays, teleplays, novels, memoirs, and short stories.
Ashley Miller is one of the most sought out writer/producers in Hollywood with credits that include Thor and X-Men: First Class
Timothy Wurtz is a screenwriter, USVAA Colleague, and the Publisher of Onward Press, a publishing imprint of USVAA
Our regular USVAA workshop begins at 6 pm with an opportunity for participants to present material for evaluation by our USVAA mentors.
To register for this event, please visit:
https://www.eventbrite.com/.../usvaa-writers-workshop...

Want an opportunity to hear about a bestseller from the mouth of the author? Morgan Lerette will be discussing writing and the composition process behind his book "Welcome to Blackwater." If you're lucky you might hear some extra stories about the after-hours hijinks. The livestream begins at 6:00 p.m. MST, or 9 p.m. on the East Coast.

Welcome to Blackwater makes the London Sunday Sun. Does this mean we have an international hit?
https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/13742550/boxing-andy-ruiz-jr-body-transformation/

Ruiz Jr reveals major body transformation and leaves fans stunned with new look ANDY RUIZ JR has stunned his fans with his impressive body transformation and slimmed-down look as he prepares to return to the ring. The Mexican-American boxer, 31, tipped the scales at a staggeri…

Look at this - Amazon declares WELCOME TO BLACKWATER a Kindle BEST SELLER.

Season's Greetings to everyone from all of our colleagues and friends at USVAA. This has been an extraordinarily difficult year for so many and we sincerely hope we can put a smile on your face as we celebrate Christmas, the New Year, and all of the holidays.

This year our 2020 Season's Greetings features "Christmas Trees Red and Green," a wonderful painting by Lindsay Cordero, a Captain in the U.S. Air Force and one of our amazingly talented USVAA Fine Arts Colleagues. To see more of her work please visit artebybones.com.

Back on the charts! Amazon declares "Welcome to Blackwater" a category Best Seller!

Buy your copy now at Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/Welcome-Blackwater-Mercenaries-Money-Mayhem-ebook/dp/B08L1856T2/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1608776986&sr=1-3

Welcome to Blackwater: Mercenaries, Money and Mayhem in Iraq Welcome to Blackwater: Mercenaries, Money and Mayhem in Iraq

Do you have a compelling story that's ready to be told? Onward Press is always looking for new and inspiring stories. Whether you're a veteran, a spouse, a brat, or served in a different government capacity, there's a place for you here...with the right story.

If you have a story that you think we'll love, send us a letter explaining who you are and why you wrote your book. along with a two page synopsis of your book. We'll gladly evaluate all works, but we're most interested in stories that rattle the cage a bit. If you've got a story that is truly one of a kind, we want to hear from you!

Submission may be sent to [email protected]. For more information, check out our submission page on our main cite: https://onwardpress.org/wp/submissions/

Submissions | Onward Press Onward Press Submissions Guidelines

Did you know that Onward Press is the publishing imprint of the United States Veterans' Artist Alliance and is a 501c-3 charity? That means when you buy one of our books, that money goes right back into helping veterans tell their story.

Already have our available books? While you've got the wallet open tipping the paperboy, the milkman, the trash guy, the landscaper, the butcher, the baker, and the candlestick maker, you can always drop a TAX FREE donation into our coffer. (It's a ceramic piggy bank named "Gus." He's camouflage!)

Thanks for your support.

https://usvaa.org/donate/

Donate United States Veterans' Artists Alliance (USVAA) is a 501 (c) 3, non-profit, multi-disciplinary arts organization.

Think you could have handled being a Blackwater contractor? Morgan Lerette describes the job description as follows: "The risks include, among other things and without limitations, the undersigned being shot, permanently maimed, and/or killed by a firearm or munitions, falling from an aircraft or helicopter, sniper fire, landmine, artillery fire, rocket propelled gr***de, truck or car bomb, earthquake or other natural disaster, poisoning, civil uprising, terrorist activity, hand to hand combat, or disease, etc., killed or maimed while passenger in a helicopter or other aircraft, suffering hearing loss, eye injury or loss, inhalation or contact with biological or chemical weapons (whether airborne or not), and/or flying debris etc."

To read more about Morgan's adventures, get your copy of Welcome to Blackwater on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Welcome-Blackwater-Mercenaries-Money-Mayhem/dp/1734098333/ref=sr_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=blackwater&qid=1607971162&sr=8-6

Welcome to Blackwater: Mercenaries, Money and Mayhem in Iraq Welcome to Blackwater: Mercenaries, Money and Mayhem in Iraq

It's Cyber Monday. That means you don't have to feel guilty for buying something online today. Might we suggest a book? Morgan Lerette's "Welcome to Blackwater" and Dave Lara's "Zippo Boys" are both stories that tell a unique part of the veteran experience. Every purchase benefits Onward Press, the publishing imprint of USVAA, a 501-c-3 educational non-profit.

Signed copies of "Welcome to Blackwater" are available at: www.welcometoblackwater.com.

"Zippo Boys" can be found at: https://www.amazon.com/Zippo-Boys-Dave-Lara/dp/1734098309/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=zippo+boys&qid=1606759920&s=books&sr=1-1

Zippo Boys Zippo Boys

It's Cyber Monday. That means you don't have to feel guilty for buying something online today. Might we suggest a book?

Morgan Lerette's "Welcome to Blackwater" and Dave Lara's "Zippo Boys" are both available online. Signed copies of "Welcome to Blackwater" are available at www.welcometoblackwater.com.

https://www.amazon.com/Zippo-Boys-Dave-Lara/dp/1734098309/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=zippo+boys&qid=1606759920&s=books&sr=1-1

Home | Mysite Morality has no place in combat. Blackwater is the most notorious Private Security Contract of the Global War on Terror. Were they a necessary evil?

Saturday, November 28

SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY

Support Onward Press. Buy a book.

Welcome to Blackwater by Morgan Lerette - signed copies at
welcometoblackwater.com

Zippo Boys by Dave Lara - available at Amazon

Every purchase benefits Onward Press, the publishing imprint of USVAA, a 501-c-3 educational non-profit.

Check this out...

https://www.wearethemighty.com/mighty-culture/welcome-to-blackwater-author-interview/

Exclusive interview with ‘Welcome to Blackwater: Mercenaries, Money and Mayhem in Iraq’ author - We Are The Mighty Morgan Lerette, a former Army intelligence officer who spent 18 months in Iraq, writes about his experience as a Blackwater operative with over 40,000 missions.

ZIPPO BOYS - Serving Gay in Viet Nam

It took Dave Lara 50 years to get an honorable discharge from the U.S. Navy after he was found guilty of the "character disorder" of being gay.

As a Combat Corpsman Dave saves lives, becomes a man, and falls in love at a time when being him was a crime. ZIPPO BOYS takes the reader into the fog of war and hearts of young men who face prison if their truth is told.

https://www.amazon.com/Zippo-Boys-Dave-Lara/dp/1734098309/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=zippo+boys&qid=1605552180&s=books&sr=1-1

Zippo Boys Zippo Boys

"I'd been in Vietnam twelve days. It seemed like a month already. Time had begun to slow down. I worried that a month would seem like two, that two months would seem like six and that six months would turn into years. My orders were for thirteen months. I was eighteen-years-old and it seemed like forever already."

Time was only one of the hurdles that Dave Lara had to struggle with. To learn more about Dave's story check out his website or visit Amazon to get your copy of Zippo Boys.

http://davelara.com/zippo-boys/?fbclid=IwAR27-736jkOojyqn2APUL3cq_Pt0JNi5_4jVlvuDoRlOyTOHC4VOb5Ej_yg

https://www.amazon.com/Zippo-Boys-Serving-Gay-Vietnam/dp/1734098317/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Zippo Boys – Dave Lara: Zippo Boys A Memoir David Lara was 14 years-old when his father tried to kill him. The shocking event launches a story that begins with struggle, leads to war and hurtles to revolution. Though the world vilifies him, with Dave and his friends as targets of military witch-hunts, he finds strength and...