PSHS graduate self-publishes first novel
By NATALEE SEELYCINCINNATI - Author Jeff Simmons, a native of Washington, W.Va., recently finished a novel nearly 20 years in the making.
"Wipers: A Soldier's Tale from the Great War," follows the adventures and trials of a British soldier during World War I. The historical fiction novel is available at amazon.com and at select stores in Cincinnati.
Simmons, a 1984 graduate of Parkersburg South High School, earned a bachelor's degree in education with a focus on history from Ohio University and worked as a substitute teacher for several years in the Wood County school district.
"After doing some substitute teaching in Parkersburg, I realized I didn't really like teaching very much," said Simmons. "But I've always been fond of writing. I started writing stories in second grade. So, I started hanging around The Marietta Times newsroom for a while to find out if I liked journalism."
Simmons went back to Ohio University to earn a bachelor's degree in journalism in 1990.
He moved to Cincinnati and worked for several Cincinnati newspapers, including The Downtowner, where he served as managing editor.
He has been happily married to his wife, Melissa, for 18 years, and the couple has a 6-year-old son, Jacob.
Research for the novel began in 1990, when Simmons read a book about a series of WWI battles in the Belgian town of Ypres between German and Allied forces.
It was also the site of the first use of a weapon of mass destruction - chlorine gas.
"There were thousands of killed every day for four years. I thought, someone should really write about this. Then I thought that I should be the one to write about it," said Simmons.
The title of the book is derived from the British soldiers' pronunciation of the town Ypres, often pronounced "Wipers," Simmons said.
While the characters in the story are fictitious, the novel is based on accurate historical information.
"The difference between average writing and great writing is the research you put into it," said Simmons. "I researched the book as a historian would. I gathered all the facts, from specific battle plans and how to use certain rifles, right down to the card games soldiers liked to play in the trenches."
Simmons read WWI soldiers' diaries, studied maps and battle plans sent from the United States Military Academy at West Point and read countless books before he started writing the novel in 1999.
"A lot of events that happen in the book are hilarious, but ultimately, the novel is a tragedy. War is tragic by nature," said Simmons. "I didn't set out to write an anti-war novel, but that's what it turned into."
"Wipers: A Soldier's Tale from the Great War" was self-published through Amazon, and since its release last week, more than 50 copies have been sold.
"Self-publishing is a great way to get your foot in the door," he said. "I'm really excited about the novel, and I think it will appeal to all kinds of people. History buffs would like it, and anyone who enjoys war stories or military fiction would like it too. It even has some romance."
Simmons credits his exceptional elementary school and high school teachers from Wood County with his success as a writer.
"None of this would have been possible had I not had the wonderful, inspirational English and history teachers. They are the ones who got me interested in writing and history," said Simmons. "History is a passion of mine. Regardless of how much you think you know, there's always more to learn. It's a never-ending subject."
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CrazyJohn
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10-03-09 11:09 PM
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awesome jeff. congrats!
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DebHolder
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10-03-09 10:30 AM
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Congratulations, Jeff! I, too, was inspired to write and publish by my PSHS teachers. I've received my copy. I look forward to reading it. I'm proud of you!
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sunsetrose
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10-03-09 7:14 AM
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Can't wait to read it!! We also have a PHS graduate who has several books in print...Pam Brandon (Florence) of Winter Park Florida....a story on her would be nice also.
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