Thursday, February 6, 2025
Author Spotlight

Glenn Bell shared about his book signing experience of “Back to Somalia” at the 2024 Los Angeles Festival of Books (LATFOB)

Author Spotlight serves to shed light on accomplished authors and their literary accomplishments, offering a systematic presentation of their published work and enabling readers to delve into the full extent of their inspiration and contribution on the literary landscape.

Glenn Bell, author of “Back to Somalia,” in partnership with Author Reputation Press, excitingly held a successful book signing event during the much-anticipated annual Festival of Books, the 2024 Los Angeles Festival of Books (LATFOB) at the University of Southern California.

The LATFOB is considered to be one of the world’s most significant literary gatherings. It has been held every year since 1996 with the goal of bringing together the people who create books and the people who love to read them. The mission of LATFOB is to feature vendors, authors, and publishers. Among the events are panel discussions, storytelling, and performances for children, as well as the Los Angeles Times book prize ceremony.

Glenn Bell, like the main character Ethan Breaux in his new action novel, was born in Lake Charles, Louisiana. He grew up hunting in the woods of southwestern Louisiana as well as fishing in the lakes and rivers in the confines of Calcasieu Parish. Glenn loves the spicy Cajun cuisine of his native state. The word is that he makes one of the South’s best, old-fashioned pecan pies. Glenn has not always been an author. In fact, most of his life has been spent as a pilot, flying helicopters and commercial jet transport airplanes. Just like his main character, nicknamed Cajun, he was a warrant officer. He has flown most U.S. Army helicopters. Glenn has experience as an air mission commander.

Just like everything that has been written about the event in Somalia where one of our Blackhawk helicopters was shot down, “Back to Somalia” gives the reader a sense of realism for action. However, the author of this book, Glenn Bell, explains in detail what it’s like to really be involved in mission preparation. The authenticity in the portrayal of several military engagements with aerial-to-terrestrial gunfights could solely have been written by an individual who has piloted these aircraft and physically activated the armament systems that expedite the settlement of hostilities.

Glenn Bell was interviewed on “This Week in America,” a prestigious radio show broadcast on numerous stations in the U.S. The program combines entertainment with education and information. Rick Bratton serves as the host. He has a long history in the broadcast profession and anchors the daily segment “Just So You Know,” which airs on over 40 radio stations across the country.

In addition, Mark Heisey of the US Review of Books highly praised this gripping narrative, stating that “Bell’s military adventure is a heist story at its heart. Having served as an Army helicopter pilot and air mission commander in real life, Bell fills his novel with his firsthand knowledge of the aircraft involved and the manner in which missions are conceived and executed. His writing is detailed and businesslike, and his sentences are clear. The protagonist speaks disparagingly of Muslims and Islam, which some might find offensive. There are also points where too much minute information is shared, but military enthusiasts will likely enjoy the additional particulars. The action scenes are engaging, feeling like a mix of the A-Team and Top Gun. Readers who are looking for an armed forces-inspired novel centered on mission planning and attack choppers will find all of that in this book.”

The author, Glenn Bell, shared in the interview the story behind the book, the reason and inspiration for writing it, and things he wanted to convey to others with the same dream as his.

“Being an author is a very special thing”. – Glenn Bell

Watch Glenn Bell talk about his book “Back to Somalia”:

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