Blog Archives
The Experiences of One Man
Indian Billy Ice shares the true story of your great-great-great-grandfather and how he survived being taken by a nomadic Native American tribe in the 18th century. Why was this an important book for you to write?
As the last member of the Ice family line, I felt a profound responsibility to share the incredible life story of my ancestor, Billy Ice. My book was initially a screenplay that garnered significant acclaim, winning 28 writing contests worldwide, including two in Russia. Despite Hollywood’s recognition of my writing talent, the screenplay never made it to the big screen. However, the book has allowed me to reach a wider audience and help people understand the challenges faced by 18th-century frontiersmen.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
In recent years, the colonial period has been scrutinized more critically, often through the lens of political correctness and historical revisionism. While it’s undeniable that atrocities occurred on both sides, my book offers a unique perspective by focusing on the experiences of one man, Billy Ice.
Did you find anything in your research of this story that surprised you?
I was astonished by how an eight-year-old boy could endure 11 years of unimaginable hardship without his spirit being broken. Billy was an extraordinary individual who survived indescribable horrors.
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from Indian Billy Ice?
I often remind friends and acquaintances to “honor your ancestors because history matters.” My hope is that history will once again become a key component of the educational process.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
As he matures, the young man becomes a formidable force on the frontier, dispensing his own brand of justice to those who cross his path. Along the way, he finds himself embroiled in the conflicts of the time, serving in every war that marks his era. Despite the turmoil of battle, he never forgets his ultimate goal: to reunite with his family and carve out a life of his own.
Eventually, fate leads him back to his kin, and with them, he establishes a wilderness community, a sanctuary in the untamed lands he has come to call home. Through hardship and triumph, he remains steadfast in his commitment to protect his loved ones and uphold the values of his rugged existence.
This is the true story of my great-great-great-grandfather, William Galloway “Indian Billy” Ice.
Bibs: Cabbages and Kings Lady of the House
BIBS: Cabbages & Kings is a heartfelt tribute to the remarkable life of Elizabeth Annette Nener, affectionately known as Bibs. Through a rich tapestry of anecdotes, poems, and personal reflections, Byrne L. Corbin captures the essence of a woman who lived her life with an unparalleled zest for learning, writing, and public service. From her early days in Boston to her impactful tenure as Braintree’s first female State Representative, this book offers a glimpse into the mind and heart of a truly inspiring figure.
Corbin’s writing is both engaging and intimate, making the reader feel as though they are part of Elizabeth’s journey. One of my favorite parts of the book is the inclusion of Elizabeth’s poems, such as “Aftermath,” which vividly portrays the day after Christmas with charming details that evoke nostalgia and warmth. The way Corbin seamlessly blends Elizabeth’s personal writings with his own narrative voice adds a unique depth to the biography.
The stories in this book highlight Elizabeth’s multifaceted personality. For instance, her column “Cabbages and Kings” for the Braintree Sunday News showcases her wit and wisdom. The excerpt where she describes the unpredictability of life at fifty and her journey from youthful apprehension to embracing the golden years is both humorous and inspiring. It’s clear that Elizabeth had a knack for turning everyday observations into thoughtful reflections.
The historical context provided by Corbin enriches the reader’s understanding of Elizabeth’s contributions. Her advocacy for women’s rights and her role in naming the Abigail Adams Overpass are particularly noteworthy. The anecdote about her legislative victory in securing funding for AIDS research in the early 1980s is a testament to her dedication to public health and welfare. This biography is a comprehensive and richly detailed account of Elizabeth Annette Nener’s life, offering an abundance of stories, poems, and personal reflections. While the depth and breadth of content provide a thorough understanding of her remarkable journey, condensing some sections could make the narrative even more impactful. I think streamlining the book would maintain its essence while allowing readers to appreciate Elizabeth’s legacy in a more concise format, making it accessible to an even wider audience.
BIBS: Cabbages & Kings is a beautifully crafted homage to a woman who lived a life full of purpose and passion. It’s a great read for anyone interested in women’s history, public service, or simply looking for an inspiring story of a life well-lived.
Pages: 698 | ISBN : 1412063248
Small Acts of Caring
World Citizen follows a seasoned humanitarian as she navigates war-torn regions, aiming to foster resilience and compassion while grappling with the harsh realities of conflict and displacement. Why was this an important memoir for you to write?
Conflicts continue to erupt in regions where I traveled with international humanitarian and human rights organizations decades ago. The stories in World Citizen provide an historic context and put a face on victims and survivors, invoking compassion and understanding. Small acts of caring can provide hope and healing to those who have lost everything,
Throughout your travels, you’ve encountered diverse cultures and hardships. Which experience had the most profound impact on you personally?
In 1984, I went to Central America during the height of the “Contra Wars” in Nicaragua and El Salvador. I met with Sandinista leaders, with peasant farmers working their fields under gunfire, people sheltering in a church severely damaged by a recent earthquake, and with women who were selling their bodies in order to feed their children. The journey taught me the consequences of war and ignited a lifelong passion to support humanitarian intervention and promote peace and justice around the world.
What were some ideas that were important for you to convey in your book?
We are all World Citizens and should be aware and responsive to the needs of others. At the end of my book, I included the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. After World War II, all United Nations member countries signed the UDHR and agreed to uphold the basic human rights of their people. As World Citizens, we must hold them responsible.
What do you hope readers take away from your book about their role in the global community, and what steps can individuals take to contribute positively to humanitarian issues?
I hope that readers will see themselves in my stories of survival and resilience and will understand that we are connected as a global community, more alike than different. What affects one impacts all. Love and hope can be powerful healing agents.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
Wounding to Life-Giving
The Road to Courage is the fascinating account of your upbringing and your family’s adaptation to rural life in the Alaskan wilderness. Why was this an important book for you to write?
I began writing stories of life in the Alaskan wilderness as part of a healing journey. My brother, James, with whom I had been very close, was lost in a commercial fishing accident at age 23. Forty busy years later, I recognized that my unresolved grief was affecting my closest relationships. Following a class on writing memoirs, I wrote over sixty chapter-length stories of our lives together, about twenty of which are included in The Road to Courage. At some point in the process, my memories transformed from wounding to life-giving. This book is an incidental but satisfying outcome of figuring out what to do with all the stories.
During the writing process, I also came to value the legacy of Old Valdez, destroyed in the 1964 earthquake, and the importance of preserving its story.
What is a common misconception you feel people have about life in Alaska?
Many people I’ve talked to imagine Alaska as a land of endless snow, igloos and Innuits, or misfits struggling to survive in isolation.
The truth is that Alaska is vast, and Alaskans are uniquely diverse, with a wide range of skills and personalities. Forged by the rugged landscape, the unforgiving climate, and social isolation, they tend to be independent, self-reliant, and charitable but with a well-tuned “BS meter”.
What were some of the challenges faced by your family you felt were important to share with readers?
Poverty was a defining challenge. Arriving in Valdez with $5 and everything we owned in the back of a truck forced us to be quick learners. Mom and Dad, having grown up during the Great Depression on self-sustaining farms, brought numerous skills for living off the land. As the book relates, the significance of seasoned Alaskans generously sharing their knowledge cannot be overstated.
The climate challenge required crucial lifestyle adjustments when twenty hours of light in the summer and twenty hours of darkness accompanied by forty feet of snow in the winter became our new reality.
What story are you currently in the middle of writing?
I am revising the sequel, which includes tales of finding a homestead and Dad teaching us boys to hunt. The underlying theme is in the question: If you turn two young boys loose in a frontier town without supervision, what could possibly go wrong? The title, The Trouble with Courage, hints at the answer.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | LinkedIn | Website | Amazon
The family’s faith remains a central thread as the preschool brothers work beside their minister father to construct a log church in Valdez without power tools. Along the way, the reader is given a rare glimpse into life in Old Valdez, a town destroyed by the 1964 earthquake.
Literary Titan Gold Book Award: Fiction
The Literary Titan Book Award honors books that exhibit exceptional storytelling and creativity. This award celebrates novelists who craft compelling narratives, create memorable characters, and weave stories that captivate readers. The recipients are writers who excel in their ability to blend imagination with literary skill, creating worlds that enchant and narratives that linger long after the final page is turned.
Award Recipients
The Song of Immaru: Earth’s Door by P.J. Dudek
Visit the Literary Titan Book Awards page to see award information.
Literary Titan Gold Book Award: Nonfiction
The Literary Titan Book Award recognizes outstanding nonfiction books that demonstrate exceptional quality in writing, research, and presentation. This award is dedicated to authors who excel in creating informative, enlightening, and engaging works that offer valuable insights. Recipients of this award are commended for their ability to transform complex topics into accessible and compelling narratives that captivate readers and enhance our understanding.
Award Recipients
Enough Is Enough: An Addict’s Guide to Self In-Power-Ment
Visit the Literary Titan Book Awards page to see award information.
Literary Titan Silver Book Award July 2024
Celebrating the brilliance of outstanding authors who have captivated us with their skillful prose, engaging narratives, and compelling real and imagined characters. We recognize books that stand out for their innovative storytelling and insightful exploration of truth and fiction. Join us in honoring the dedication and skill of these remarkable authors as we celebrate the diverse and rich worlds they’ve brought to life, whether through the realm of imagination or the lens of reality.
Award Recipients
Gracela by Lowell Duane Pabst
Candid Idylls of a State Representative by Byrne Corbin
Visit the Literary Titan Book Awards page to see award information.
TOSSA: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF AN IRISH COWBOY
In Shaun Flynn’s memoir, he recounts an adventurous life full of many twists and turns. From his formative years, he shares entertaining tales, vividly recalling all the places he has lived and visited across Australia. Flynn delves into his biological family, comprising his parents, his brother Peter, and his estranged sister Sharon. He also reminisces about his schooling years at St. Flannan’s Primary School and Aspley High School, his teenage passion for rugby league, and his numerous escapades with women. Additionally, he captures his profound love for his wife, Michelle, and their three children, Kacey, Matthew, and Bethany, as well as his vocational years as a fireman.
As I read, Flynn reminded me of my younger self—an adventurous young man who enjoyed a few drinks and sought to be the life of the party. I resonated with his need to be the center of attention, as I, too, fought and strived for the limelight in my youth. Flynn’s memoir evoked memories of my own love for a good party during my younger years. Flynn is an unflinching writer with a detailed and captivating style that held my attention throughout his memoir. His passion shines through in his writing, and as a writer myself, I appreciate his vulnerability and honesty in telling his story. Flynn’s ability to vividly depict his life’s journey is truly impressive. His descriptions of the places he’s been and the experiences he’s had make the reader feel as if they are right there with him. I found myself particularly moved by his accounts of family and love, which are written with heartfelt sincerity. His reflections on his vocational years as a fireman added depth and a sense of duty and service to his narrative. However, it is Flynn’s candidness about his flaws and mistakes that I found most compelling. He doesn’t shy away from discussing his youthful indiscretions and his struggle for identity and belonging. This level of honesty is refreshing and adds a layer of relatability to his story.
Tossa The Life and Times of an Irish Cowboy is not just a recount of a life lived but a reflection on the lessons learned along the way. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an excellent read that is both engaging and thought-provoking. Flynn’s journey is a testament to the highs and lows of life, and his story is one that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page.
Pages: 240 | ISBN : 0975638408
LITERARY TITAN 