Authors Marketing Cooperative

The only interesting events surrounding my youth was that I was placed in a seminary to become a priest, which I ran away from (I hated the 15 hour days and Latin-Latin-Latin plus I liked girls), and I ran with a street gang, The Scorpions, in South Chicago for a while. (until told to go into the army or else).

I was originally named Floyd E. Huff, but was unknowingly adopted into the Ladnier Family. I joined the US Army two days after President John F. Kennedy was assassinated, under the name of Huff, and opted to go Airborne Ranger Infantry (hard-corps).

During my military career, which included 2 tours of duty in Vietnam with 22d Infantry recon and the 5^th Special Forces, and a total of 12 years overseas, I had assignments with: USACOMZEUR Orleans France, 8th Infantry Division, Ranger LRRPS, 5th Special Forces, 75th Arctic Rangers , 82nd Airborne, The Atomic Support Agency, St. John's University in Queens, and the 7th Army NCO Academy.

My military awards include the Silver Star, several Bronze Stars, too many Purple Hearts, Cross of Gallantry, Air Medal, Master Paratrooper, Master Instructor, Ranger, Pathfinder, and many other goodies, more than half under the name of Floyd Huff. My secondary specialty was Military Police, and I was qualified in numerous sub fields.

As a result of my military career, I traveled the world and learned to speak a number of languages (not well).  I had the opportunity to work and play (mostly play) in many different areas of the world and, as an avid history buff, learned a lot about different cultures and social customs.

When I retired from the US Army, and after a short sojourn with the Southern Sentinel Newspaper as an Associate Editor, in an effort to provide my family with increased financial security I moved them to New York for greater opportunity.

In New York I found employment with Audax Automotive Interiors, a subsidiary of ATOMA-MAGNA International, a major Canadian Corporation.  I worked my way up through the ranks by attending numerous schools and applying that knowledge, to Department Manager, to Training Manager, then Asst. Plant Manager.  When the Human Resources Manager was released due to incompetence, I also assumed the duties of that position. Our single customer was General Motors, for whom we produced vehicle seats.  When General Motors closed down their Tarrytown Plant and moved it to Georgia, Audax was subsequently closed.

We moved to Florida where I searched and secured a position as Plant Manager in a Chemical Company - PCI Industries.  After three years with PCI, the company was bought by a larger corporation. 

Consequently, I returned to my family home in rural Mississippi, older, much wiser, but unemployed.  I have since been working as Editor for the Southern Advocate, a position which entails a considerable amount of work and a consummate degree of dedication.  I do not consider myself to be working for a small county newspaper, to me my position is just as important as if I were Chief Editor for the New York Times.

Last year I won 4 awards from the Mississippi Press Association, two of them first place awards, this year I received 8 awards, four of which were first place awards.

In New York I managed around 600 employees, in Florida a less number, however, I was burdened with an equal degree of responsibilities.  In the military I commanded everything from a small team or patrol to operations of a large academy.

I have taught at the university level and I hold a master instructors certificate from the US Army.

During a short break in service, I worked as a Private Investigator in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and have often moonlighted as a bodyguard, beertender, floor dick, and once as a bouncer (until I got bounced). I am also an ordained minister with a Doctor of Divinity. I can legally use the title of Doctor but as a normal rule do not do so.

My personal hobbies include oil painting and cooking.  I love to paint portraits of people, have a few in museums (this was one way I made money as a young Private in the Army), and Jeff Smith is my favorite chef, so I try to emulate his cooking.  I use to enjoy skydiving, mountaineering, spelunking, hang gliding, and many other extremely physical sports, however, age and old wounds have taken their toll on my delicate combat worn (old goat) body.

My favorite food is meat (any kind) and potatoes. My favorite actors are Charlton Heston, Jimmy Stewart and Morgan Freeman. My favorite authors are Robert Heinlein, John Jakes, William Johnstone and Harry Turtledove. I prefer theme music especially music such as in "The Sound of Music." My favorite movies are "The Ten Commandments & Ben Hur," "Gettysburg," and "Glory."

I am a member of the Disabled American Veterans, Military Order of the Purple Heart, and Sons of Confederate Veterans, Writers Guild, and American Press Association.

I have wanted to be a writer since I was a young boy.  In fact, I did write my first novel when I was 19, but never attempted to publish it because day-to-day survival got in the way. (It was pretty good for a first book-considering).

I completed Fame's Eternal Camping Ground in March 1999, after extensive research.  My first full length novel was Book One of my adventurous Rebel Chronicle Series, Top's Rebels, which I completed in 1987.  Book 2-3-4 in the Rebel Chronicle Series were finished by 1997. All four books are now published and can be purchased on line from Amazon.com, barnes & Noble, or other bookstores. They are scheduled to be published in Europe soon.

I look forward to publishing additional novels and am working on several at this time.  Two novels are a continuation of my Rebel Chronicle Series, the other two are fictional historic novels about the Civil War Battle of Fort Robinette in Corinth. MS, (which also contains Confederate Sergeant Major Keane Monday Stiehl, Of Fame's Eternal Camping Ground as one of the leading characters), The Battle of Fort Pillow, with Sergeant Major Booker D. Hooker, Of Fame's Eternal Camping Ground, still a fifth novel is in the horror genre (to make my youngest daughter happy). I plan a book on Vietnam soon.

ladnier@tsixroads.com

For more information about Gene Ladnier, sample chapters of his books and writing style, visit Tales from a Country Bumpkin

Information on the novel: Fame's Eternal Camping Ground at

nbforrest.com/ladnier.htm or at 

members.aol.com/psiwriter/fiction1.html

Information on the novels: Rebel Chronicles Series at

www.xlibris.com/html/browse_titles.html or 

www.barnesandnoble.com or 

www.amazon.com 

Then type in author's name for books Gene Ladnier

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