Interview with Gerald Yankee

Author of Tales from the Wagging Tales

Where are you from originally and where do you reside now?

Birthplace is Franklin, Massachusetts. My current residence is Palm Bay, Florida.

If you currently reside somewhere besides where you were born, what’s the story that lead from there to here?

Enlisted in the Navy in 1944, my family moved to Rhode Island. I worked to support my family. I got married and lived and worked in Rhode Island until 1980. I obtained a position in Melbourne, FL. I have resided here since my wife passed away in 2003.

What made you decide to write and publish your first book?

My first Navy reunion. We were the last Navy ship casualty of World War II. The recollections of events created a desire to write an article in Sea Classics Magazine “Fate or Apathy” was published in August 1995. I wrote the history of the ship in a book “My Crew And I”. I self-published it and sold over 1700 copies. I still get requests from the kin of shipmates.

How would you describe your books to first time readers?

I write about life memories and families, military and animals are topics of life. I just completed a book “Humor along that Bump Highway of Life” 112 short true stories of humorous events in twelve categories. I am making copies. I hope to get it published.

Who do you feel is most likely to connect with the topics you write about?

Animal lovers, family, military. Anybody that doesn’t mind reading about their ancestors and how they lived.

What unexpected or surprising thing did you learn during the process of writing and publishing?

I wrote a book “Calm Seas, Friendly Beaches” about the life of an Amphibious sailor. Naval Institute press said they really liked it, but they felt the market was to small. I found out that self publishing is expensive, so i copy my books for those interested, family friends, et cetera.

If you could, what advice would you give to your past self before embarking on this journey?

Probably take some advice from people that say they like writing my comments like “You put the reader in the story”.

How many people would you ideally like to reach with your books?

As many as possible.

What has been the biggest challenge and frustration during the process to date?

Getting strangers to read my books.

What’s your biggest strengths when it comes to book a) writing, b) publishing and c) marketing?

a) I put the reader in my stories, b) need financial help, c)facebook.

What’s your biggest weakness when it comes to book a) writing, b) publishing and c) marketing?

a)topics, b) getting publishers to agree with my writings, c)Getting a little hold to travel

When do you think you will write your next book?

I just completed a book “Humor along that Bumpy Highway of Life”.

Are you self published or did you use a hybrid publisher, or a traditional publisher?

Oh! Make copies and sell them or give them as presents. “Tales from the Wagging Tales” I had self published.