The Transition Mission was the winner in the How-To category of the 2020 IndieReader Discovery Awards, where undiscovered talent meets people with the power to make a difference.
Following find an interview with author Herb Thompson.
What is the name of the book and when was it published?
The Transition Mission, December 2019.
What’s the book’s first line?
“Everyone except for our fallen brothers and sisters, will transition out of uniform.”
What’s the book about? Give us the “pitch”.
This book is not a checklist to follow for a soft landing upon exiting the military. There is no possible checklist, every service member’s situation is unique. What Herb has done is lay out a different approach and way of thinking for the transition. Instead of teaching you what to think, he opens your eyes with how to think about the transition.
Herb doesn’t sugar coat the process, but reveals his failures in transition and demonstrates vulnerability with personal anecdotes from hanging up his uniform. The reality of transition. The hard questions you need to answer. Techniques to be successful. Ways to succeed and others destined for failure.
What inspired you to write the book? A particular person? An event?
Speaking with so many other veterans that were transitioning I wanted to be able to help and reach more, so the book became a way for me to do that.
What’s the most distinctive thing about the main character? Who-real or fictional-would you say the character reminds you of?
Brutal honesty about the process with my personal failures and laughter.
What’s the main reason someone should really read this book?
If you want to better understand what a veteran goes through when they leave the military, this book will give you insights. Additionally, if you are switching careers this book will give you valuable information to use in the process.
When did you first decide to become an author?
I never dreamed about being an author. However, a conversation with a transitioning soldier, Esther, led to me becoming an author.
What do you do for work when you’re not writing?
I’m a Management Consultant focused on Change Management and Strategic Communication for my clients.
What’s the best and the hardest part of being an indie?
The best part is being free to write from the heart and not have people trying to make you change your thoughts or words. The worst part, is self-marketing the book which is harder than writing a book in my opinion.
Would you go traditional if a publisher came calling? If so, why?
I never rule anything out and I would be open to listening to a call from a traditional publisher. How that conversation went would dictate if I went that route.
Is there something in particular that motivates you (fame? fortune?)
I’m motivated to make a difference with the one life I was given on this planet. There is nothing like the feeling of helping others, it can’t be bought or just given. This special feeling and motivation is earned.