Former Army Officer Signs Book Contract

Author and Security consultant, Jeffrey W. Bennett has recently signed a publishing contract with CRC Press. Managing the Security of Classified Information and Contracts is due to be published in August 2009. Landing a contract proved hard work, but he sold the idea with persistence and passion. “I’ve been in the security field for over 20 including my Army and corporate experience,” says Jeffrey W. Bennett. “I realized that there weren’t any commercially published books available to those protecting our nation’s secrets.

Though Federal regulations instruct defense contractors how to work on government contracts, no books have been made available at book stores, libraries or universities. That’s all about to change. “I’ve published a few books already. I wrote my last book to help security specialist study for the Industrial Security Professional Examination. I saw a need, but the market was too small for the editors, so I founded Red Bike Publishing and published it myself. Now it’s on Amazon.com.” That didn’t stop Bennett. He had a dream of getting a contract with a royalty publisher.

“I found the publishers in a market guide and contacted the senior editor about my idea. He left a message explaining the idea was too narrow. However, they left a phone number and that was all I needed.” Over the next year, Bennett continued to contact the publisher about ideas. Finally the publisher agreed to meet him during a Security seminar in Las Vegas. “We had breakfast together and I pitched the winning idea, a book about landing and working on classified contracts. He said it sounded great and asked me to put it in writing and submit it formally.”

Not only did Jeffrey W. Bennett present and idea, but he strengthened his position. “I wrote three sample chapters, a table of contents and a layout of the remaining chapters. I also turned in a market study of the more than 100,000 federal and contractor employees.” Bennett’s market study included the more than 400 defense contractor companies and major military commands in and around Huntsville.. “This book idea will not only help Security specialists, but will also educate college students about a career in Security.” Bennett also anticipates a need from industry as increasing numbers of defense contractors are taking on classified work.

Jeffrey W. Bennett encourages those who are thinking of writing professionally to treat their writing as a business. “Demonstrate a need, conduct a market analysis, get critical feedback, network with other professionals and promote your product. Publishing companies expect professionalism.” Sure enough, though seven months from production, Bennett is already getting the word out to libraries, professional groups and during his presentations.

What’s next? Bennett is already pitching a series of yet untouched Security topics. He is also formulating an espionage thriller. “I’ve done all the background research, to all I need to do is finish the story.”

About Jeffrey W. Bennett
Captain Jeffrey W. Bennett, USA (ret.) is a “former Army officer who has been stationed around the world and has met many peoples of various customs, celebrity and influence. He speaks three languages and holds a Masters Degree in Acquisitions and Procurement Management from Webster University and is an MBA candidate with Columbia College. His experiences have involved adventure training, recruiting, world travel, diving, and flying. He has spoken on many motivational topics to major civic organizations, church groups, college and high school campuses.”