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Andrew Lubin is a Bucks County, Pa. author and freelance foreign correspondent who writes on current events and international relations. His work appears regularly in such professional magazines as “Jane’s Intelligence Review”, “Leatherneck”, and “Proceedings,” and he currently serves as the military consultant to Stephens Media Group for their Valor Series.

A member of the U.S. Marine Corps Combat Camera Association, Andrew’s spent some 14 months embedded with Marine, Army, and National Guard troops in Iraq, Afghanistan, Guantanamo Bay, and Beirut since July 2006, writing from a “boots on the ground” perspective. He will be returning to Afghanistan in Fall 2009.

Andrew’s first book, “Charlie Battery; A Marine Artillery Battery in Iraq” won the 2007 Gold Medal for best Military Non-Fiction from the Military Writers Society of America, as well as Best Memoir from the University of Virginia’s “Festival of Books.” He was a co-author for the popular “Uncle John” series of books for “Uncle John Salutes the Military” His latest book, “Keep Moving or Die; Task Force Tarawa at An-Nasiriyah” is due out in 2nd Q 2010 (Naval Institute Press)

Thank you Andrew for taking the time to answer some questions for us!  What are you currently working on?

I'm finishing my 3rd book "Keep Moving or Die; Task Force Tarawa at An-Nasiriyah, and am also writing the "Valor Series" the stories of those Marines and soldiers who were awarded Silver Stars or Navy Crosses in Iraq - Afghanistan, for Stephens Media Group.

Have you received any awards for your work?

Yes. my first book "Charlie Battery; A Marine Artillery Battery in Iraq" won the 2007 Gold Medal for Best Military non-fiction from the Military Writers Society of America, as well as "Best Memoir" at the University of Virginia's Festival of the Book.

Do you also do speaking engagements, or seminars?

Yes, yes, and I also do radio and TV spots. 2 weeks ago I was featured on the Hugh Hewitt Radio Show, and I'm a regular on Joey Reynolds (WOR, 710 AM).

How has your education, profession or background helped you in your writing career? Or conversely, how has you writing success helped you in your  profession?

My background is international business, military, and economics; a perfect combination for understanding and writing on a counter-insurgency war where Marines helping with a jobs program in some Afghan village is more effective than a shoot-out with the Taliban.
 
What kind of other works (books, scripts, poems etc.) have you had published?

1 - Books: Co-author: Uncle John Salutes the Military (2009)
2 - Magazine Articles: I write reguarly for "Jane's Intelligence Review", "Leatherneck", and "Proceediings" on Iraq, Afghanistan, and Guantanamo Bay
3 - I also review books for "Leatherneck" and have my own page on "Midwest Book Review"

Is there any aspect to your profession that gets you in touch with your readers directly?

Yes, I'm the father of a Marine who has deployed 4x, and is leaving in a few months for a 5th tour. It lets me understand far better than most embeds what the moms and dads want to read about their sons and daughters overseas.

What will your next project be?

"The Battle for Ramadi"

Who inspires you on a personal or business level?

To be one of the leading combat correspondents in the field today; to become the David Halberstam of this generation.
 
When are you deploying again?
 
I'll be leaving for Afghanistan mid Sept for 5-6 weeks with Task Force Leatherneck in southern Afghanistan.
 
Where can readers find your work when you're in Afghanistan?
 
On themilitaryobserver-onpoint.com

What can you recommend for writers who are just getting started and are trying to make a name for themselves?

Know your topic!!  An editor can help you with grammar, flow, and the mechanics, but you need to be the subject matter expert in order to accurately convey your thoughts to your readers.

How did you get started as a writer?

By accident: when driving home with my son in June 2003 after he returned from Iraq, he was telling me about fighting at An-Nasiriyah and being involved in the Jessica Lynch rescue mission. I started making notes so I could throw them in my dad's old locker box for some grandkid to find in 30-40 years...50 pages later and a couple of phonecalls to publishers, I had a book deal for "Charlie Battery"

Which is your favorite book/work published? Is there a favorite?

Can I list just my top couple of books? "How Green Was My Valley" by Richard Llewleyn, "Strong men Armed" by Robert Leckie, and "Gates of Fire" by Steve Pressfield. I can pick up any of them and read & enjoy them as if for the first time.

What does a typical work day look like for you?

Writing - research - phone interviews - editing - more writing. This is a full-time job; it takes a lot of hours to do it professionally.
 
Have you ever had a mentor, or someone who sparked your passion for writing?

My dad, a college professor and Capt, USMC, who told me to do my best every day and to write something that would make me as proud of it in 20 years as today.
 
Who is your favorite writer/author?

Steve Pressfield
 
Finally, a most important question: what was the last song you sang out loud when you were by yourself?  :)

"The Minstrel Boy"

Thanks Andrew for the interview and good luck with your future projects!