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While working with
my Dad over many years in the private development of water and energy
resources, I found writing was a passion of mine. I very much loved to
read and to put words on paper. I wrote many reports, applications for
Federal, State and local permits, progress reports and articles.
I started writing
my first book about Water and Water Rights in Colorado in 1987. It
started as a short report dedicated to my dad. It finally became a self
published book in 1991. It sold reasonably well over the next ten years.
In 2001, I formed
BurgYoung Publishing with a friend and very polished writer Diana
Burg. One of my first projects was to revise and publish my water book
entitled Understanding Water Rights and Conflicts, Second Edition.
At the time BurgYoung Publishing had also revised and reprinted my
partner’s book entitled How to Get to Know God (currently
re-titled
Getting to Know God, Beginning the Journey). My newest book to
be published in 2006 is entitled The Orphan Boy, A Love Affair with
Mining. It is the story of my Dad after World War II in Colorado. My
partner Diana has just finished a book that we have published entitled
Mourning Glory, A Devotional for Grieving.
After finishing
updating Understanding Water Rights and Conflicts, Second Edition, I
started on my second book. This book stemmed from on of the chapters in
Understanding Water Rights and Conflicts. Just after the
infamous terrorist attack on September 11, 2001, I became interested in
the vulnerability of our water supply systems to terrorism. My chapter
entitled Water Conflicts, Wars and Terrorism was expanded into a book
entitled
Understanding Water and Terrorism. This book explores our water
supply infrastructure and the potential for terrorism. It also discusses
the potential vulnerability of out inter-coastal waterways, and our
ports. This book was published in 2003.
As a member of my
local water board, watching over a water district that serves 600 taps
and about 1,200 customers, I saw firsthand a vulnerability not being
addressed. Very small water systems were not getting any federal, state
or local help with security or terrorism resources. I published a book
entitled
Practical Guide to Water Supply and Terrorism, A Resource for Water
Systems. This book is designed as a resource to help small
public water system owners and administrators.
I have also
written, compiled and published a variety of eBooks and CD-ROMs on
various subjects. Two of my favorite eBooks published on CD-ROM involve
meteors and asteroids and my father’s Army Air Corps unit in the South
Pacific in World War II.
Falling from the Sky, A Meteorite Resource
CD-ROM is an extensive resource about meteorites, asteroids, meteorite
falls, impact craters and strewn fields. As a geologist, I find
meteorites to be very special rocks from “out of this world.”
My father left a
lot of information about his World War II days as a B-25 pilot. I took
this information and made it a tribute to his unit, entitled
Strike, The Fighting 17th. This CD includes many
combat photos, information about the Fighting 17th, and
background on this little known theater of World War II.
One excellent way
to sell informational products such as CDs and eBooks on the internet is
to use EBay, as well as your own web site. I found two different courses
about selling on EBay that are very informative. One is by Dave Espino
and the other is by Corey Rudl. These two internet marketers both
promote selling informational products on the web and on EBay. I urge
you to take a look at the EBay course, entitled The Insider Secrets
of a ‘Regular Guy’ Who Made a $8 Million on eBay Last Year, produced
by Internet Marketing Center.
The internet has
the potential to reach 6 billion people around the world. I have put
together several web sites that provide information on how big this
market is, how to come up with ideas about what to sell and what to do
once you have a product or service to sell (Marketing
in a Flat World). I also offer information and ideas on how to
create products of services, how to research ideas, how to generate
informational products, where to get the best content for your web site
and how to publish your informational product (Specializing
in Research, Writing, Internet Marketing and Self Publishing).
Another passion of
mine is computers and new technology. As a geologist and computer
consultant, I became interested in the internet as it grew into a global
phenomenon. My first computer was a Radio Shack TRS-80, and I was
hooked. Over the next thirty years, I learned to repair, troubleshoot
and program computers. Because I am fascinated with Laptop computers,
and use my two laptops extensively, I put together a website entitled
WritersLaptop.com to help people select the right laptop, software
and peripherals for their needs. My ebook entitled Ten Most Needed
Features in a Laptop provides you with information you need to make
the best laptop choice for your needs. By getting just the right
features, you will save money and time.
Writing,
information and communication skills are going to become more and more
important as the internet brings the world closer and closer together.
Technology will continue to advance at an ever faster pace. More and
more people will come into the world marketplace. Having the skills to
write and communicate with people, as well as new and creative ideas,
will determine whether you and your business are successful in this new
flat world, as defined by Thomas Friedman in his best selling book
The World is Flat. Being left behind is neither a very good nor a
very exciting option.
To Your Success
H. Court Young
Writer, Author and Publisher
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