The Military Writers Society of America, also known as the MWSA, is not-for-profit association of several hundred authors, poets, and artists, most of whom are U.S. military veterans or family members of veterans. Current membership numbers around eight-hundred, but the organization is purportedly growing quickly.
The experience level and relative success of the membership varies widely, from relatively obscure writers to best-selling authors like Joe Buff, Gayle Lynds, and David E. Meadows.
The Military Writers Society of America was the brainchild of its founder, W. H. (Bill) McDonald Jr. A crew chief/door-gunner on UH-1D Huey helicopters in 1966 and 1967, Bill flew with the 128th Helicopter Assault Company out of Phu Loi, South Vietnam. He was awarded numerous medals, including: the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star, fourteen Air Medals and the Purple Heart.
Like most who encounter the moral extremes of combat, Bill discovered that war is a crucible of spiritual transformation. It is, quite simply, impossible to live through that sort of experience and not be changed by it. To better understand his own experiences, Bill began to write about them. In the years since, he has discovered literally hundreds of other warriors who are driven to explore and reveal their experiences through fiction, non-fiction, poetry and art. It was Bill's vision to bring them together to share and promote their respective arts. With more than 800 members, the Military Writers Society of America is that vision brought to life.
The MWSA started off as branch of The American Authors Association (AAA) before becoming a fully separated organization of its own. There are annual awards given for books, music Cds and short films.
The current (2009–2010) President of MWSA is Joyce Faulkner. She is a ghostwriter, an editor and a web, newspaper & book designer. She has been a member of MWSA since 2006. Her goal is to help veterans record their piece of history—for themselves, their families, their communities—and our country, to make sure that all of our history is recorded and recognized. Her interest in military writing stems from her book In the Shadow of Suribachi, the story of her father's experiences as a young Marine at the Battle of Iwo Jima.[1]
The previous president was Tony Lazzarini. Like Founding President, Bill McDonald, Tony Lazzarini also served on UH-1D "Huey" helicopters during the Vietnam War. He flew as a helicopter door gunner with the 25th Aviation Battalion "A" Company "Little Bears" and participated in over 250 missions. He served two years at Cu-Chi, Vietnam from 1966 to 1967 and received 12 Air Medals to include three for "Valor."
After returning to the states, Tony worked for IBM as a service technician on communicating systems with their advanced products group. He left after 10 years to open his own high performance automotive shop. Along with racing and building cars, his other passions include writing and motorcycles. Tony started Voyager Publishing and his writing accomplishments include two award winning books, a prize winning musical stage play and two short films.