When Carol Vandesteeg’s book was released on September 1, 2001, little did she know that our country would soon be plummeted into a war on terrorism that continues to this day. Her book “When Duty Calls” focuses on military deployment, and provides a guide to help military families prepare for separation. Carol wrote this guide after her husband’s deployment to Desert Storm with only a 24-hour notice. She realized she was unprepared for what turned out to be a lengthy separation, and wanted to help other military families in similar situations.

Now, four years and 22,000 copies later, Cook Communications has picked up the rights and will be republishing “When Duty Calls.” Carol was not searching for a publisher, but was simply attending the Protestant Women of the Chapel convention in November of 2004 to promote her book. Her booth happened to be across from the booth for Cook Communications, and the representative from Cook came over, picked up her book, and said “What a great looking book! Who published it?” Carol said, “WinePress Publishing.”

The Cook representative asked Carol if she still owned the rights and would be willing to sell them. Carol said she would consider it, but had a few concerns, and one prerequisite: that the cover remain visually the same because it contains the five emblems of the active duty military components.

Carol received a phone call from Cook in December, 2004, to tell her that “When Duty Calls” would be going through their review process. Committee after committee reviewed it, all returning the exciting answer that they wanted to publish the book. Cook wants to expand their ministry to the military market and will use her book in that effort. They offered Carol a contract, which she signed in February 2005. Her book will be released September 1, 2005. Carol was surprised at how quickly the process proceeded.

Carol commented that her experience with WinePress was very positive. She was happy with the way things were going and her book had more than paid for itself. She wasn’t looking for a new publisher, but when the offer came she decided she was ready to let a traditional publisher take over the marketing and promotion, freeing her to do more writing. Says Carol, “The book is reaching people and helping people. My prayer and goal for the future is that it will continue to do so.”