When I decided to start a brand-new hybrid publishing company in 2019, I was admittedly naïve about what went into growing and scaling a business. I began this journey mostly unaware of how to incorporate a company, hire and train talented employees, formalize internal processes and procedures, and analyze P&Ls and balance sheets. Insurance and payroll? Corporate taxes and HR? Software? I had to learn.
I tell our team that sometimes we need to “build the plane as we’re flying it, ”and that’s exactly what I did in the beginning. It worked. I realize now it was a good thing I didn’t know that I didn’t know those things. Figuring it out as I went led to the honest, organic, and genuine company you see today, one whose mission is pure and focused solely on producing and selling great books.
Fortunately, that was the part I did know. I understood what makes a great story and how to create books of high caliber. I was a reader, a writer, an editor, a storyteller. My talent and passion resided in those specific disciplines, and frankly, I didn’t pay much attention to the business aspect when we started out. I just wanted to write and publish quality books; if I could make a decent living doing so, great.
Having grown up in a navy household and lived on military bases throughout the world, I was naturally interested in stories with and about the great men and women o four armed forces. In my experience, those who sacrifice so much for our freedom often have compelling tales that can teach us so much. If I could write about them and make a living, even better.
I’ve been blessed to be able to do both of those things. I’ve had the opportunity to write books with Navy SEALs, publish them with Green Berets, and tell the stories of fighter pilots. Warriors who have endured so much yet keep their chins up and remain dedicated to helping others. I don’t know of a more selfless demographic. It only seems right that the genre I am most enthusiastic about, which also happened to put Ballast Books on the map, gets its own branding and resources to take these important books and authors to the next level. That’s why I’m so proud to introduce Ballast Books’s newest imprint, Valor Press, focused on books written by and about veterans and first responders. Valor Press will be single-minded in its mission: help those who have served tell their stories. And here’s why:
Indulge me as I paint a class of people with a broad brush. In the decade or so that I’ve had the privilege of helping veterans recount their narratives, I couldn’t help but notice some common characteristics among their confederation. Of course, the expected traits like honor, duty, and commitment are as prevalent as you’d expect. But I’ve always been equally impressed by their quiet yet competent humility. These are people who have seen and done things most of us can’t comprehend, yet rarely is there an accompanying hubris or ego associated with their accomplishments. Even while recounting enthralling adventures and life-risking experiences, these veterans remain quiet professionals, a dichotomous task for sure. Yet they seem hyper-focused on that mission—the only fear I’ve seen in the eyes of gnarled combat vets stems from a dread they could come across with puffed chests. This is nota forced or swallowed humility; they don’t place their exploits above the actions of others and certainly not above the brethren whom they’ve faced these crucibles alongside. I find that in most cases, the veterans who publish with us deign to tell their stories not for personal glory but in the hope that their trials and tribulations will help others experiencing hardships. In fact, a concerted effort is usually made to deflect the spotlight. To them, sharing these stories is a continuation of service, and it’s palpable in their work.
“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it” is an apropos quote for this sentiment. I’ve heard from elite warriors how a book they read as a child inspired them to serve. They aspire to give that to the next generation. By telling their stories, by saying the names of their brothers and sisters who gave all, our warrior class ensures those tales don’t end up in the waste bin of history. This is a noble and worthy task.
Telling the stories of service members is important. Highlighting the sacrifice and duty these men and women voluntarily shouldered is important. Inspiring other humans is important. What Valor Books does as a publisher is important. So it’s with great honor and a momentous responsibility that we open the doors to Valor Press. Publishing and promoting these vital stories is both our duty and honor, and something we do not take lightly.
Welcome to the family, Valor Press. If it feels like you’ve always been a part of Ballast Books, well, that’s because you have.
Sincerely,
Andy Symonds,
President & Publisher
Ballast Books, Blue Balloon Books, and Valor Press