“Broken Promises is a must-read for our military echelon, veterans, counselors, families of our veterans, and anyone who understands the value of healing a broken life.”
Veterans, their families, and the counselors who serve them have been neglected by the callous, dispassionate bureaucracy of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Quality mental health care and counselor welfare have been sacrificed and diminished for the sake of numbers in the VA VET Center Program, which has had a devastating impact on our veterans and the clinicians who care for them. Enter Lieutenant Colonel Ted Blickwedel, whose crusade to correct this injustice finally led to congressional legislation being signed into law, holding VA management accountable to protect quality care for veterans and safeguard the well-being of their counselors.
“Tenacious, passionate, focused: Ted is a pit bull. In Broken Promises he gives us a systematic and deeply personal account of going into combat against an unexpected enemy. An enemy that should have been an ally… His story will touch the hearts of all who care about our nation’s veterans.” —Chaplain Mary Washburn, CAPT, USN, Retired
“This is a story of travesty and triumph, of tragedy and hope, of heartlessness and soulfulness… Blickwedel is a rare breed, a standup guy who will gain your trust and respect, then leave you in awe, cheering for his perseverance and indomitable spirit.” —Cynthia Huertas, Wellness Consultant & Biontologist
“Ted Blickwedel is, in fact, a true American hero.” —J. Scott Fox, Retired COO, Voya Financial
Ted Blickwedel, a Marine Corps lieutenant colonel and combat veteran, became a licensed clinical social worker after retiring from the military. He worked as a counselor at the VA VET Center in Warwick, Rhode Island, where, in 2017, he began to “speak truth to power” in an effort to have management revise clinical productivity policies that were harmful to counselors and compromising quality care for veterans. Blickwedel’s crusade has been featured on NBC and NPR, to include the Military Times, other publications, and local news broadcasts.
Witness the Heroic yet devastating Crusade by WHISTLEBLOWER, combat veteran and retired Marine Corps LtCol, Ted Blickwedel, who took on the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to defend Veterans’ quality care and the well-being of those who serve them.
Blickwedel, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and VET Center counselor for the VA, fought valiantly to protect veterans, their families and counselors from the VA’s misguided, harmful and unethical clinical performance policies, which turned patients into numbers and severely compromised the mental health and welfare of both Veterans and the clinicians who serve them.
Consequently, VA management was no longer “keeping the promise” Abraham Lincoln made in 1865 after the Civil War: “To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan.” Now the VA was ‘breaking the promise.’
Broken Promises also uncovers the toxic, malicious and deceptive whistleblower retaliation tactics inflicted on Blickwedel by VA officials designed to silence him from ‘speaking truth to power, ‘ and it reveals the horrific impact these retributions had on himself, family members, clients and counselors.
Though defamed, marginalized, gaslighted, mobbed, and experiencing traumatic near-death health challenges, he marched steadfastly on. Despite being forced to leave the job he loved, counseling his fellow veterans, Blickwedel was compelled and determined to expose and correct the callous misconduct, injustice and abuse perpetrated by VA management.
A federal Government Accountability Office (GAO) investigation Blickwedel helped instigate substantiated his allegations, which led to the U.S. Congress passing legislation into law that ensures VA leadership is accountable for protecting the quality of care for our Veterans and their families, as well as safeguarding the well-being and morale of counselors who provide services to them at over 300 VET Centers nationwide.
Broken Promises further gives hope to those who undertake similar campaigns to report corruption, neglect and maltreatment by providing indispensable guidelines that will greatly enhance the effectiveness of the endeavor while granting a better chance for a more favorable outcome. Also, self-care strategies are offered which are essential to maintain good health and resilience throughout such an overwhelming ordeal.
Blickwedel’s unwavering Battle to rectify jeopardized mental health care and endangered counselor welfare within the VA VET Center program has been featured on NBC and NPR, to include the Military Times, other publications and local news broadcasts.
A man of courage, integrity and tireless resolve, Blickwedel epitomizes all that is great in our American heroes.
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As a self-published author, it is vital to continually “relaunch” your book for weeks, months, or even years after publication. No matter when your book was published, launching or relaunching a book is an essential foundation to any successful book marketing effort.
That’s why we are thrilled to offer our unbeatable Book Launch Bundle at a 15% discounted price this month.
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The CIA is hot on the trail of a triple threat in Andrew Ceroni’s latest white-knuckle thriller—First Bullet.
CIA Agent Dave McClure and his Special Operations teams face deadly action at a Chinese base hidden in the mist-covered Blue Mountains of Jamaica, as well as at a strategic missile base near the western forests of Wyoming, under attack by a German terrorist team. But there’s more. In Berlin, Garmisch, and the German Alps, intelligence sources warn the CIA of a plot by cabinet members in Germany to arrest the chancellor, overthrow the government, and invade Poland and the Czech Republic. The CIA must act fast and forcibly if they are to avoid the outbreak of World War III.
Award-winning author Andrew Ceroni served a distinguished career as a Senior Supervisory Special Agent in the conduct of global counterespionage and antiterrorism operations. He received his BS degree from the U.S. Air Force Academy, CO and his MA from Case Western Reserve University, OH, and studied the German and French languages at the University of Maryland, MD. He is a member of the Authors Guild.
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Seventeen year old Remy West is a typical high school senior. She is bright, popular with her friends and schoolmates, a leader on her cheerleader squad and looking forward to the next chapter of her life when she graduates and attends college. Like most teenaged girls living in an affluent area of Long Island and part of what many consider the popular group, Remy has her insecurities. One of the prettier girls in school, Remy has never had, nor wanted, a serious relationship or any relationship at all. She feels much more at ease in a small, quiet group of people or just hunkering down at home with a good book, rather than hanging in a big crowd or partying with whom many consider to be her popular group of friends.
Remy has always felt that a piece of her was incomplete and her quest for something deeper often cast her as cold, conceited and a bit of a tease by others. Even as a little girl, Remy had an intense feeling that something bigger was awaiting her, just out of reach. But now, as a popular senior with the all of the peer pressure that accompanied such a label, it would be so much easier if she could just let go, not care, and go with the flow her friends always seemed to want from her.
Such pressure was no more present than with Daniel Gatto, the tall, popular senior that most girls would kill just to get close to. Daniel had been courting Remy on and off all of senior year. While Daniel was attractive, something about him always made Remy apprehensive and a bit uncomfortable. Moreover, Daniel refused to take no for an answer despite Remy’s polite rebuff to his advances leading Remy to question whether Daniel’s interest in her was genuine or for some ulterior motive.
With a simple tap on the shoulder, Remy’s life would change forever. Logan Canino was unlike any boy she had ever seen. As soon as Remy lays eyes on him, she knows he is more then just a new guy at school. Remy does not know why, but she feels an instant connection to Logan. Little did she know that Logan had been keeping watch on Remy all her life and the connection she felt had been forged years before when she was just a little girl.
Remy quickly learns that Logan Canino is no boy at all. Although appearing to be just 18, Logan is in reality decades older and not exactly human, but instead a Canine Shifter and the designated future leader of the Shifter Council, the ruling body overseeing the four shifter clans created in ancient Rome by Diana, the goddess of the hunt and guardian of wild beasts, horses and domesticated animals. Logan’s sudden appearance in Remy’s life is no coincidence. He has known since Remy was a child that she is his one true soul mate and the only person who can help him attain his full potential and power as leader of the four clans. But there are dark forces lurking about that will take extreme measures to keep Remy and Logan apart and keep them from completing their bonding ritual.
Alternating between ancient Roman times and the creation of the four shifter clans, Druid life and Shaman Priests in Ireland during the Iron Age, the founding of an exclusive prep school in 1901 in Upstate New York and the present day social pressures experienced by high school girls. Remy, the high school dreamer looking for more than life has thus far offered; Logan, the canine shifter destined for leadership, who believes nothing is more important than finding one’s true soul mate; and Daniel, the shrewd, but evil, nemesis, who will stop at nothing to keep Logan from taking his rightful place as Leader of the Shifter Council.
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November is a month filled with days to celebrate, including Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and of course, one of our favorites here at Outskirts Press: National Author’s Day.
But did you know November is also National Memoir Writing Month?
We’re sure many of our authors do. You see, over the past 20+ years that we have been helping writers become published authors, we have published A LOT of personal memoirs and autobiographies.
So, on this last day of National Memoir Writing Month, here are ten award-winning memoirs from Outskirts Press. Click on the cover for more information or to order. And if you have a biography, autobiography, or personal memoir you’d like to publish, we are accepting new manuscripts.
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Imagine an easy and fast self-publishing process at a fair price. That’s what it’s like publishing your book with Outskirts Press.
During this month of giving thanks, we want to thank you for choosing Outskirts Press bygiving you a $500 spending credit when you publish your book with us. This credit isn’t just any offer – it’s your chance to customize your book with pre-production services like custom cover design, formatting, or editing.
Seize this exciting opportunity to bring your book to life with the expertise of a 20-year authority in self-publishing. Time is limited, and this offer ends tomorrow, so click below to get started and take your first step towards authorial success.
Today, Tuesday November 28, is “Giving Tuesday” so we’re extending our Cyber Monday sale one more day and giving you a 25% discount on our Ultimate Black and White or Ultimate Full-Color self-publishing packages for one more day.
Enter the promotion code cybergiving during checkout, and you’ll see your instant savings. This is a rare opportunity; we want you to seize it before it’s gone. Imagine seeing your words come to life in a beautifully designed print book (paperback and/or hardback) and a vibrant eBook, all while saving significantly. But act fast, as this offer is only valid through November 28th, 2023.
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Author LtCol Ted Blickwedel is taking his latest book, BREAKING PROMISES on tour – a Virtual Book Tour, that is, with Outskirts Press! Technology has created a wide variety of ways to reach audiences all over the world. All it takes is a little thinking outside the box, and nowadays you can market a self-published book in a variety of affordable and impactful ways. Virtual book tours, for example, are a great way to connect with readers from all corners of the globe, all from the comfort of your own home.
Luckily for us, LtCol Ted Blickwedel was kind enough to answer a few questions as the tour was getting started so that we can give you a sneak peek into the mind of the creator of BREAKING PROMISES.
Join LtCol Ted Blickwedel as he discusses BREAKING PROMISES in features and interviews (such as the one below) in the weeks and months ahead!
OP: Tell us a little bit about BREAKING PROMISES. What is it about?
LtCol Ted: My whistleblower crusade to expose the callous and dispassionate leadership of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) whose unethical clinical performance policies sacrificed and diminished quality mental health care and counselor welfare for the sake of numbers in the VA VET Center Program. It also describes the toxic, malicious and deceptive whistleblower retaliation tactics inflicted on me by VA officials designed to silence me from ‘speaking truth to power,’ and reveals the horrific impact these retributions had on me, family members, clients and counselors.
It also chronicles how my courageous campaign led to a federal Government Accountability Office (GAO) investigation that substantiated my allegations, which resulted in legislation being passed and signed into law by the U.S. Congress that ensures VA management is accountable for protecting the quality of care for our veterans and their families, as well as safeguarding the well-being and morale of counselors who provide services to them at over 300 VET Centers nationwide.
OP: Why did you decide to write this story?
LtCol Ted: To raise awareness about the abuse and misconduct perpetuated by VA officials and their detrimental policies which have compromised quality mental health care for veterans and harmed the welfare of the counselors who serve them.
It was further written to inspire politicians, the news media, VA clinicians, veterans, whistleblowers, and the general public to take corrective action to make sure that the VA complies with the Congressional Legislation which is now law, so that this injustice is rectified and does not continue with impunity.
OP: How did you get your book published?
LtCol Ted: Through Outskirts Press, Inc.
OP: What types of readers would be interested in this story?
LtCol Ted: Veterans, Counselors/Therapists, VA employees, Department of Defense Employees, Whistleblowers, Whistleblower Attorneys, News Reporters, Bloggers, Politicians, and anyone who cares about the mental health and welfare of our nation’s veterans and those who care for them.
OP: What is special about your book?
LtCol Ted: It poignantly and passionately expresses the harmful impact of the VA’s unethical policies on veteran quality care and counselor well-being, as well as uncover the toxic and malicious retaliation tactics used by VA management in their attempts to silence me and others for addressing the issues I raised.
It further reveals the overwhelming support and opinions of veterans and counselors that validate the compromised veteran quality care and damaged counselor welfare claims at the VA, and the need for this to be resolved.
The book also exposes VA officials by name, which is rare, who are specifically accountable for implementing the harmful clinical performance standards and the unwarranted reprisals against me and others who ‘spoke truth to power.’
‘Broken Promises’ provides very moving reviews from prominent persons that are disturbing, which compels people to want action taken to correct this injustice for our veterans and those who care for them so they receive the proper treatment they deserve.
OP: What differentiates it from other books in the same category?
LtCol Ted: My character and credibility that is substantiated by local and national news coverage, as well as through pollical action and support in Washington, DC which led to a federal GAO investigation and U.S. Congressional Legislation that became law, which supported my allegations and held VA leadership responsible to restore and maintain veteran quality care and counselor welfare in the VA VET Center program.
Additionally, ‘Broken Promises’ inspires hope that ‘David can beat Goliath’ when taking on the federal government and winning, while empowering whistleblowers through providing the most effective tactics to enhance success in similar advocacy endeavors which can result in the most favorable outcome possible.
OP: Have you published any other books, and do you plan to publish more?
LtCol Ted: I have not published any other books, and I have not yet decided if I will publish more.
OP:How can someone learn more about your book or purchase it?
LtCol Ted:The book description, video trailer, and purchase options are available at www.VAbreakingpromises.com
OP: Thanks for your time, LtCol Ted! We look forward to learning more about you as you visit other bloggers!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Ted Blickwedel, a Marine Corps lieutenant colonel and combat veteran, became a licensed clinical social worker after retiring from the military. He worked as a counselor at the VA VET Center in Warwick, Rhode Island, where, in 2017, he began to “speak truth to power” in an effort to have management revise clinical productivity policies that were harmful to counselors and compromising quality care for veterans. Blickwedel’s crusade has been featured on NBC and NPR, to include the Military Times, other publications, and local news broadcasts.
What in the world could possibly make this old biker put on a suit?? Receiving the Silver Medal for my second book, “A Knock in the Attic,” at the prestigious Readers’ Favorite International Book Awards in Miami, FL!
Okay, but what’s with the multi-colored Crocs??? My wife, our son and his wife all conspired to agree that I had to wear my Crocs with my suit onstage when I received my award. So I did! 🙂
(VIEW THE PHOTO TO SEE MY CROCS; and yes, Bugsy came with us…those are his food and water bowls beside me.)
