Bookstore Owner:
Bob and his wife, Barb, have owned The Book Barn since 1979. They are members of the American Booksellers Association, The Association of Booksellers for Children, and are members and past board members of the Midwest Booksellers Association (MBA).
Author, Songwriter, and Musician:
Bob is the published author of ten books, two by a major publisher and eight via his own publishing company. He writes for several local and one national magazine. He has published a history of Leavenworth directed toward the tourist trade, as well as a musical CD album entitled, "The Music of First City, Kansas: Leavenworth."
Self-Publisher:
Bob started Universal Force Dynamics Publishing in 1989 and ran it until 1997. Two of his books sold over 30,000 copies each with Doubleday's Military Book Club. One book sold German rights and sold 2,000 copies in that limited market. Another sold over 25,000 copies in the US Military bookstore system overseas. He now helps self-publishers through his imprint: Spear's Mint Editions.
Direct Mail Catalog Experience:
In conjunction with his publishing company and an international radio talk show, which he hosted, Bob developed a catalog of 200+ books and a direct mail customer base of over 8,000 customers.
Reviewer:
Before starting his online book review company, Heartland Reviews, Bob was a prolific volunteer reviewer for Book Sense, the Independent Bookstore network associated with the American Booksellers Association. He has reviewed over 2,000 books since 2002.
Editor:
Bob is an intense editor, quickly reading manuscripts, locating their problems and errors, and recommending fixes to his clients. He edits a wide range of genres with over than 100 books under his belt. He freelance edits for a number of small presses and one NYC major publisher.
Book Designer:
In addition to his own books, Bob has designed the interiors of 50-plus others.
Storyteller/Musical Entertainer:
Bob, a past guitarist with the Warren Covington/Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, has been on the Kansas Arts Commission Touring Roster and The Midwest (15 States) Arts Commission Touring Roster. He brings entertaining educational programs to schools and communities.
