By Ed Marion
An Iraq war veteran, Lieutenant Colonel Ed Marion suffered quietly from post-traumatic stress for nearly two decades after he returned from the battlefield. Yes, he built a successful post-military career and went on with life. But a couple of years ago, he finally decided to write about his experience. He knew he had to tell his story–but he had no idea how much telling it would bring healing and redemption to his life.
He came to me with a rough draft and a request for help.
I edited his manuscript, then guided him through the self-publishing process. We got a cover designed–which he loved. I created an interior page design that included color photos of his time in Mosul. I knew how much Ed cared about this story, and I tried to offer the same care and compassion as we worked together.
His book, The Fighting Eagles, released in March 2026, which was of course quite timely since the U.S. was yet again engaged in a war in the Middle East. As soon as the ebook released, it topped the best seller list in “new releases” in Ed’s very specific categories of Iraq War History and Iraq War.
I wrote a compelling book description for the back cover and his amazon page, which included this:
In this searing and timely military memoir, Lieutenant Colonel Ed Marion takes us to the front line of the Iraq war and into the battle zone of every soldier’s mind. He shares the details of his path to joining the Army, his tour of duty as a platoon leader, but also his courageous work to face and deal with the post-traumatic stress that he carried home from the war.
Ed wanted to finish the book in time for a reunion with his old military comrades, which he did.
Ed told me that publishing his book was a personal triumph that brought joy and healing to his life. He said that when he held his book in his hand for the first time, he felt free. The story that he’d carried all these years was finally on the page. To order The Fighting Eagles on amazon, click here.