Many factors in life influence who we are and help shape our opinion of things that happen around us. What we learn from our educational background, glean from our career choices and realize from our life experiences form part of our character and mold our belief system.
In the case of self-published author James Sunwall, his training as a writer and the time he spent as a combat medic in the South Pacific during the Second World War lent themselves to the creation of his first self-published book.
Escape of the Unicorn is one part play and one part poetry collection. The play is set in 14th Century France
and focuses on Robert de Chanson, a troubadour who is imprisoned in the tower of a castle. The poems are glimpses into the author’s experiences as a boy growing up in a Midwestern town, and a glance at his thoughts on war, art and literature. The book encapsulates James’ observations on war and politics, women’s rights, the significance of art, the purpose of religion and the importance of life.
He shares his conviction: “I saw a remarkable similarity between the last year of the Crusades and the present war in Iraq – the futility of a far off war; the cost; the losses in human life; the suffering; all for no avail.” It was this opinion that prompted him to put his knowledge and his belief in a book for all to examine and evaluate.
For the publication of Escape of the Unicorn, James turned to the book publishing services of Xlibris. After seeing an advertisement for the print-on-demand company and upon further investigation, he decided to self publish his book. Of his completed book, James has this to say: “I thought Escape of the Unicorn was well done, so I had a second book (Dodge County Fair) published by Xlibris, which was equally well done in my opinion.”
In fact, the quality of Escape of the Unicorn combined with James’ effort to promote and advertise his work became a factor that led to the wide exposure and acclaim of his book. He put his belief on marketing his self-published book in action when he endeavored to circulate information about Escape of the Unicorn to let people know what it has to say, and why it should be read. James relates, “I have done my best to get my books advertised in book fairs and other means within my power. This includes present and future book fairs.”
Consequently, Escape of the Unicorn garnered praises from the writing community, which received readings of the poems and the play very well. Reviewers also welcomed James’ book positively, with Kirkus Discoveries calling the book a “thoughtful social commentary tossed with a dash of imagistic flare.”
James
Sunwall used his observations to form his social commentary, his writing experience to wield his imagistic flare; his understanding of war to make a compelling story; and his persistence to make sure word gets out on his book. These factors helped form Escape of the Unicorn into a self-published masterpiece and the outcome says a lot about the author’s principles, character and belief system.
Escape of the Unicorn may be purchased directly through Xlibris Corporation or Barnes & Noble.com and Amazon.com.
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