6 minute read
Local veteran nominated for Georgia Author of the Year.
Larry Freeland’s book, “Chariots in the Sky,” highlights the experiences of helicopter pilots in the Vietnam War through a historical fiction lens.
It’s a story I’ve been wanting to tell; it’s very gratifying to me the response it’s received and the reviews it’s received and just the feedback. – Larry Freeland, author of ‘Chariots in the Sky’
Freeland stands with a Boeing CH-47 Chinook during the Vietnam War.
Local veteran nominated for Georgia Author of the Year
‘Chariots in the Sky’ author Larry Freeland working on a new trilogy
Story by Erica Jones
Anorth Georgia author has been nominated in the Georgia Author of the Year awards for his historical fiction novel “Chariots in the Sky: A Story About U.S. Assault Helicopter Pilots at War in Vietnam.”
Larry Freeland, who served one tour in Vietnam with the 101st Airborne Division as an Infantry Officer and CH-47 helicopter pilot, wrote his novel as a historical fiction book based on his own personal experience and his memories from his time in Vietnam.
While the characters in the book are fictional, a majority of the novel is based off events that happened to him and those around him during Vietnam.
Freeland, a Dawson County resident, completed his book in 2020, signing a contract with Publish Authority and released it in early 2021. Since then, the novel has garnered a great deal of positive feedback from readers.
“The book itself has been doing very well; it’s been No. 1 on Kindle e-book off and on now since December in one of the two categories they carry it,” Freeland said. “It’s been in the Top 5 going back into November of last year
Continued on Page 18
and then it hit [No. 1].”
Freeland said he’s heard feedback from dozens of readers, including fellow veterans of the Vietnam war.
“I’ve had several people of various age groups [that said they] had no idea about this stuff, so it was kind of an eyeopener for a lot of people,” he said.
Recently, Freeland found out he had been nominated in the “First Novel” category in this year’s Georgia Author of the Year awards. He said he was surprised to hear about the nomination.
His publisher submitted the book and Freeland was told in December that he was being considered for the nomination.
“I didn’t hear anything and then all of a sudden I got a flash bulletin from a Facebook posting … that I was nominated, and I said, ‘wow this is terrific’,” Freeland said.
There are a total of eight authors, including Freeland, nominated in the “First Novel” category. All the books will be judged, and the winners of each category will be announced on Facebook Live at 10 a.m., June 11.
“I’m just amazed at how they can get the word out and just spread all over the place — it’s been a trip,” Freeland said.
“It’s a story I’ve been wanting to tell; it’s very gratifying to me the response it’s received and the reviews it’s received and just the feedback. It’s a very extensive process so I was just very pleased that I was nominated.”
New stories to tell
Freeland has signed a contract with Publish Authority for a trilogy, the first installment of which should be releasing this summer.
“We’re in the final stages of the editing process for the first book and if everything goes well, we hope to publish it in May or June; we’ll certainly have it out this summer,” Freeland said.
“‘Legacy of Honor’ … will [be] the main title, and then book one will be ‘The Patriarch,’ [and the book] will be ‘The Son’ and book three will be ‘The Descendants’.”
The new trilogy will cover a timeline of about 100 years and follow a family’s three generations of men who fight in all the nation’s battles and wars.
“Book one is a man fighting in World War I, book two will be about his son who is an aviator and will serve in World War II, and then he’ll have some sons that will be in the third book and that’ll cover all the things we’ve done post-Korea and the Cold War, which will start with Vietnam,” Freeland said. “It’s looking good, I feel really good about it.”
Freeland said he will keep readers updated on the release date of his new book and any other announcements through his website and social media.
For more information about the Georgia Author of the Year award including a full list of nominees and how to tune into the announcement of the winners, go to www. authoroftheyear.org.
To read more about Freeland and his book and to order a copy of “Chariots in the Sky: A Story About U.S. Assault Helicopter Pilots at War in Vietnam,” visit larryfreeland.com.
With this coupon. Not valid with other offers or prioor services. Offer expires 5/31/22.
With this coupon. Not valid with other offers or prioor services. Offer expires 5/31/22.
With this coupon. Not valid with other offers or prioor services. Offer expires 5/31/22.
family. ” Our goal is to exceed your expectations and become the primary provider for all of THE 2022 your automotive needs. Billy Howell Ford Lincoln carries all new Ford and Lincoln Luxury vehicle lines. We always have a large selection WINNERS of Certified Pre-Owned Ford and Lincoln vehicles, as well as an expansive selection of preowned vehicles of other DIRECTORYTHANK YOU FOR VOTING FOR US AGAIN! CELEBRATING OUR 43 rd ANNIVERSARY!
makes and models. We are a certified Featherlite trailer dealer also.
Our Service Department provides impeccable service with factory-trained and certified technicians for Ford, Lincoln, Commercial Trucks, Motor Homes, and Trailers.
Our Collision Center (2878 Canton Hwy) works with an extensive network of insurance companies and repairs all makes and models with state of the art equipment. This same location houses our Quicklane service center for fast oil changes, tires, and repairs on all makes and models.
We have generations of families that have become valued customers and friends
The listings below are from winners of Best of Forsyth 2022. For a complete list of winners, go to bestofforsythcounty.com.
PLACE TO WORK, NEW CAR DEALERSHIP, OFF ROAD DEALERSHIP
470-655-2969
HOTEL LUXURY CAR DEALERSHIP
“Our success can be summed up in two words – our people. Once you walk through our doors you are family.” -Billy Howell
770-887-2311 • www.howellford.com • Family Owned & Operated since 1977
866-499-2352 770-887-2311
PEDIATRICS
770-888-8888
OUTPATIENT/AMBULATORY SURGERY, GASTROENTEROLOGY
404-446-0600
MEXICAN FOOD, CATERING
678-456-8892
MEDIATION OR ARBITRATION SERVICE
770-889-0846
CHILD CARE CENTER, AFTER SCHOOL EDUCATION/EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, PRESCHOOL
PRIMROSE NORTH CUMMING
