Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
“Green Card Soldier” is my first novel. For almost 40 years, I worked as a military journalist, newspaper editor and public relations practitioner around the globe. From drafting feature stories during the Vietnam era through coverage of the Lake Placid Olympics, I’ve documented service members at work worldwide with my writing, editing and photographic skills.
Today, I live in Fort Worth, Texas. I retired three years ago as the civilian public affairs director at Fort Hood in Central Texas. That was after serving 11 years as the Army’s spokesperson in the “media capitol of the world” – New York City. I like to describe myself as a freelance writer and quality management consultant, pursuing a creative writing future in both fiction and non-fiction.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My inaugural novel is titled “Green Card Soldier.” Since the Revolutionary War, it’s not been uncommon for refugees to take pride in America and want to show their patriotism by serving. Although newspaper, magazine and Internet coverage of “green card” troops has been extensive, little has been done to tell their stories through the heart and mind of a Green Card Soldier. That’s what my literary voyage attempts to do.
According to the U.S. Department of Defense, there are about 31,000 non-citizens (approximately 1.5 percent of the force) currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard. More than 4,100 deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan from all branches of the Armed Forces. These brave men and women may be permanent legal residents, but they are not U.S. citizens. At the same time, they have voluntarily chosen to defend the very country where they now live.
I find it an honor and a privilege to dedicate my book to those who routinely stand in harm’s way and especially the heroes who’ve made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of America’s freedom.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
The unusual might be that my writing habits are quite regimented. I’m sure that’s a reflection of my decades of military and civil service. I attempt to write creatively at least 5-6 hours daily, but since this is my retirement time, a beautiful day, interesting concert or visit with friends might easily get in the way.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
There are simply too many great writers out there for me to attempt identifying a specific group. I enjoy a wide variety of literary work with a focus on great writing style over genre.
What are you working on now?
I’m currently attempting to market my first novel through developing a comprehensive and integrated social media platform – something that’s much easier said than done. I can already tell this will take as much discipline as my attempts at writing. I can already see how people can find book marketing to be an all-consuming effort that such one into a black hole of publicity while the creative writing effort must wait it’s turn.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m trying to develop an integrated platform to publicize my new novel. A strong Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/GreenCardSoldier), Twitter (https://twitter.com/Bruceznyc) and Pinterest (http://www.pinterest.com/brucezielsdorf) presence is intended to compliment and drive visitors to my novel website (www.GreenCardSoldier.com). I’m proud of the website and what it has to offer those who view it.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
If you’re doing your own virtual marketing, be prepared to exert as much effort in its development and maintenance as you did in the writing and editing of your book. I was fortunate to have the assistance of a traditional publisher in bringing my book to print, but it was made clear to me up front the majority of the Internet marketing activity would be my responsibility.
With that said, the best advice this novice can offer is: Do you homework. If you’re not comfortable with online activities, then become so. There are a myriad of marketing essays, self-help articles, and how-to videos available on the web for free with which to develop your skills and confidence. Bottom line: If I can do it, you certainly can.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Oh, I’m sure it sounds old school and trite, but crusty ol’ colonel once told me to:
1. Clearly define the mission.
2. Set goals necessary to accomplish that mission.
3. Break those goals into manageable parts.
4. Accomplish each aspect of the journey with vigor.
5. Never look back until the mission’s complete.
What are you reading now?
I’ve become obsessed with Niel deGrasse Tyson’s “Cosmos – A Spacetime Odyssey.” I’m overwhelmed by the simple magnitude of each episode in the series and find myself scouring the library and Internet in an attempt to better understand the monumental concepts with which he continues to challenge viewers.
This has resulted in my reading many obscure articles and essays by Isaac Newton, William Herschel and Carl Sagan, to name but a few. If Tyson’s presentations are driving my curiosity to such a degree, I can only hope many young people are also being inspired.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Much of what I’ve read about Internet marketing of creative works, I doubt I will see much from the results of my labor for several more months, but I accept that and will continue to charge forward. At the same time, I feel the creative tug to start writing the next novel and don’t feel that pull should be ignored. I have a basic concept for a follow-on novel, a rough outline and the preliminary character development complete. Now it’s time to engage the creative juices and see what flows.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Again, this is too difficult a choice to make, but if forced to grab a few books and run, I would definitely include “The Holy Bible” (great war stories), Carl Sagan’s “Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors” (to make me think until my head aches), David Attenborough’s ” The First Eden” (encourages me to philosophise endlessly) and Kahlil Gibran’s “The Prophet” (for peace of mind).
Author Websites and Profiles
Bruce Zielsdorf Website
Bruce Zielsdorf Amazon Profile
Bruce Zielsdorf’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account