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FROM THE
SWORD TO THE
Pen
Self-published author and veteran helps fellow service members reach their dreams
Story by Grim Gilbreath Photos courtesy Donna Hoffmeyer
F
rom quill and parchment to computers and the internet, the concepts of the warrior poet and the soldier scholar have been around in one form or another for most of human history. When the first stick was sharpened, there was a storyteller telling us how sharp it was. As time marched on and became almost as complex as the stories and lives within it, the invention of books and publishing became a necessity, one that has both aided and hindered authors for ages. After tackling the ins and outs of self-publishing twice, local author and retired Air Force veteran Donna Hoffmeyer decided there must be an easier way. “The problem with self-publishing is it’s the wild west,” she said. “You know what it’s missing? It’s education and
educators in publishing.” Hoffmeyer set out to establish her own publishing company to help both fellow armed forces members and civilians who were ready to tell the world their story but were too intimidated or overwhelmed by the publishing world. Having served more than 20 years in the United States Air Force, she wanted to help fellow service members accomplish their dreams of becoming published authors. Hoffmeyer’s military career was one of community and was marked by teamwork. In the Air Force, she had various jobs including flight nurse (where she transported wounded all over the world), labor and delivery nurse and clinical case manager. Her years in the service were filled to the brim with accounts of helping fellow service
