National Author’s Day

November began with National Author’s Day and at Kast Publishing, we would like to celebrate our writers. Kast Publishing is honored and humbled to have helped these authors publish their books. Their stories are inspiring and transformational. They wanted to leave a legacy for their families and loved ones, but they have helped so many more. Help us congratulate our wonderful authors.


Here’s a little about Kast Publishing authors and their books:

Corporal Gene Cully settled down with his morning coffee and began his daily routine in Vietnam in September 1967. In an instant, Cully found himself in the midst of one of the worst firefights near the DMZ, providing cover fire to help save wounded Marines without regard for his own safety. In Warrior Forgotten: A Native American’s Perspective of Vietnam, Cully recalls the extraordinary accomplishments of Golf Company, Second Battalion, Fourth Marine Regiment during the firefight. For his heroic efforts, Cully was recommended for the Navy Cross, but never received this high military honor. After all these years, Cully still wonders about the missing documents concerning the recommendation and elusive medal. Cully was inspired to share his perspective of Vietnam because of the courageous, loyal, and dedicated men who sacrificed their lives so others could survive. Throughout the book, Cully draws parallels between his Native American culture and that of the Vietnamese people as he shares about his time in Vietnam. When Cully’s service was up, he re-enlisted for another tour of duty, which eventually led to a career in the military. Cully retired with the rank of first sergeant after more than twenty-three years of honorable and faithful service. Cully and his wife, Maribeth, were married in 1991. They are happily retired and live in Texas.

Megan Hurley was an English teacher, one of the best. She loved English literature and inspired her high school students to appreciate the classics by transforming her classroom into one of the scenes from Othello or showing up in class dressed as one of her favorite characters from The Great Gatsby. Megan had a command of the English language and could previously write without hesitation. That was until she suffered a traumatic brain injury. Megan was pursuing her master’s degree and while in a local library, she fell on the marble floor due to a grand mal seizure, fracturing her skull. The resulting traumatic brain injury left her without the ability to put thoughts and words together in a coherent manner. However, as Megan gained strength physically and mentally she was determined to be an author. Piecing her story together ever so slowly, she accomplished a long-time dream of writing her story. Through “Hope Survives: Strength After A Traumatic Brain Injury,” Megan shares an incredible story of survival while helping others understand the challenges and realities of traumatic brain injuries.

Gary Bulmer had a hemorrhagic stroke at the age of 20. Technically, an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) that ruptured. He and wife, Elaine, were just naive enough to listen to the professionals and follow their advice. Gary was told to develop a hobby…he did. All the artwork in this book was created by Gary. Additionally, he has worked as an advocate for the American Heart Association. They have flown him to Washington, D.C. to speak to a Senate sub-committee a few years back. In October 2019, he addressed Congress about stroke issues, including my story. He would encourage all survivors to explore some kind of hobby. He is grateful for the fantastic marriage that he and Elaine have achieved and for the wonderful family that they have. Most importantly, Gary has a good life.The purpose of his book, “The Compassionate Side of Compromise,” is to help those who have found themselves on a journey of brain injury recovery. By reading stories of how even the simplest of activities has been altered by this brain injury, other survivors can choose stories that may resemble an experience or emotion they are feeling. Then share that story or stories with those around them to improve conversation and to help create a balance of this new lifestyle adding some clarification and understanding. While the brain injury itself may have only happened to one, it can impact every dynamic of everyone around.

Sherry Kast has worked in the public relations field for nearly 30 years, enjoying a career of promoting the organization’s she’s worked for in both the nonprofit and corporate worlds. She currently serves as president of Kast Publishing, a company she started to share inspiring stories and give back to the community. She has been fortunate to cross paths with so many intriguing people throughout her career, but none as awe-inspiring as Mr. Phillip W. Coon. “A Soldier’s Silent Prayer” is the first biography written by Sherry and it chronicles Mr. Coon’s life and his service in WWII. He was a Bataan Death March Survivor and Ex-POW for three and a half years in Japan. It has been a love for her to write about such an incredible man and his survival story. Sherry is Cherokee and resides in Oklahoma.

To book a speaking engagement of these authors or to submit a inquiry to publish, please email sherry@kastpublishing.com.

Veterans Day Speech

We Will Not Forget – Veterans Who Gave Their Lives
November 11, 1990

This is a speech given by Phillip W. Coon, a WWII Bataan Death March Survivor and Ex-POW for three and a half years in Japan. The speech appears in his book, “A Soldier’s Silent Prayer.

“Veterans Day” – A time to honor our war dead who believe in our country, our freedom, and our way of life enough to fight bravely and even die for all we, as a nation, hold dear.

With heartfelt emotion we gratefully thank our war dead. They cannot hear us thank them for giving their lives in order that we might remain free. They cannot hear us praise their mighty deeds in battle on foreign soil. They cannot see the floral wreaths presented in their honor. They cannot see the tears shed by loved ones left behind. They cannot see each of us stand a little taller as our flag is raised and waves in the breeze. They cannot feel the pride swell within us as we sing “The Star Spangled Banner.”

But they knew in life – because they experienced it themselves – that AMERICA, and all she stands for to each AMERICAN, is worth defending, worth fighting for, worth
dying for.

They, our war dead who gave their very lives, are not truly dead. They survive as long as we take their torch of freedom, hold it high, bear it with dignity and honor, and pursue to a triumphant finish the race of freedom and peace for all
peoples everywhere.

Phillip W. Coon

You can find Phillip W. Coon’s book, “A Soldier’s Silent Prayer, on Amazon.

Oklahoma City author Gary Bulmer has two metro book signings

Promotes his book, “The Compassionate Side of Compromise”

NORMAN, OKLAHOMA (May 6, 2022) – Oklahoma City author and brain injury survivor Gary Bulmer will be hosting two book signings in May to promote his book, “The Compassionate Side of Compromise; A Journey Through Traumatic Brain Injury.”

Containing a collection of more than 100 short stories about his brain injury and recovery journey, Bulmer’s book is designed to help other families start the healing process by having conversations around traumatic brain injury.

Book signings are scheduled for:

  • Friday, May 13 at Deer Clan Books in Bethany, 3905 N. College, from 6 to 8 p.m.
  • Saturday, May 21 at Best of Books in Edmond, 1313 E. Danforth, from 12 to 2 p.m.

“By reading stories of how even the simplest of activities were altered by my brain injury, other survivors and their families can use my book as a discussion tool and resource,” Bulmer said. “Knowing you are not alone and identifying with someone who has experienced the same situations can provide a great deal of comfort.”

Stories range from keeping a calendar to learning to use GPS to tracking chores in a black book that Bulmer calls his brain. He also addresses raising children and intimacy with his wife.

At the age of 20, Bulmer had a hemorrhagic stroke, his arteriovenous malformation (AVM) ruptured. After several surgeries and years of working through the difficulties of his brain injury, Bulmer had a lifelong dream of writing a book to help others.

Bulmer and his wife, Elaine, organize a support group in Oklahoma City for brain injury survivors. Additionally, Bulmer has worked as an advocate for the American Heart Association, having testified before a Senate sub-committee in Washington, D.C. In October 2019, he addressed Congress about stroke issues, including my story.

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Book Signing for OKC Author Gary Bulmer

Oklahoma City author Gary Bulmer will be hosting a book signing at Full Circle Bookstore, located at 50 Penn Place in Oklahoma City on Friday, May 15 from 3 to 5 p.m.

Gary Bulmer

His book is titled, “Compassionate Side of Compromise.” Bulmer hopes that others can start a dialogue of explanation, exploration or transparency of traumatic brain injury based on the stories he shares of his own recovery. The book also features Bulmer’s paintings, a hobby he developed based on his doctor’s advice.

“While the brain injury itself may have only happened to one, it can impact every dynamic of everyone around,” Bulmer said. “The purpose of this book is to help those who have found themselves on a journey of brain injury recovery. It is also intended as a discussion tool for survivors, family and friends.”

By reading stories of how even the simplest of activities has been altered by Bulmer’s brain injury, other survivors can choose from a collection of more than 100 short stories in his book that may resemble an experience or emotion they are experiencing. These stories are intended to start conversations around traumatic brain injury recovery.

Full Circle Bookstore is located at 1900 NW Expressway.

Oklahoma City Man Launches Book on Brain Injury

Brain Injury Survivor Gary Bulmer Achieves 40-Year Dream
Shares Stories of Hope during Brain Injury Awareness Month
 
“The Compassionate Side of Compromise” Helps Others
Navigate through Traumatic Brain Injury

NORMAN, Oklahoma, Feb. 9, 2021 — His book has been 40 years in the making, but an Oklahoma City man never gave up on his dream of helping others navigate the journey of traumatic brain injury.

At the age of 20, Gary Bulmer had a hemorrhagic stroke. Technically, an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) that ruptured. Following two brain surgeries, multiple physicians and specialists and numerous job changes, Bulmer wanted to help others. He has addressed a U.S. Senate Sub-Committee twice in conjunction with the American Heart Association regarding brain injury and stroke bills. Gary and wife Elaine both facilitate two separate support groups in Oklahoma City and Gary is now an author.

His book is titled, “Compassionate Side of Compromise.” Bulmer hopes that others can start a dialogue of explanation, exploration or transparency of traumatic brain injury based on the stories he shares of his own recovery. The book also features Bulmer’s paintings, a hobby he developed based on his doctor’s advice.

Buy Now on Amazon

“While the brain injury itself may have only happened to one, it can impact every dynamic of everyone around,” Bulmer said. “The purpose of this book is to help those who have found themselves on a journey of brain injury recovery. It is also intended as a discussion tool for survivors, family and friends.”

By reading stories of how even the simplest of activities has been altered by Bulmer’s brain injury, other survivors can choose from a collection of more than 100 short stories in his book that may resemble an experience or emotion they are experiencing. These stories are intended to start conversations around traumatic brain injury recovery.

With Brain Injury Awareness Month coming up in March, Bulmer hopes to continue inspiring others through his stories, letting them know they are not alone.

“All of these stories presented in my book are based on the authenticity and clarity from a lifestyle we were dealt, “Bulmer said. “My wife of 45 years, Elaine, and I lived these scenarios each and every day. These two elements are the basis for our group meetings and serve as building blocks to our new normal.”

“The Compassionate Side of Compromise,” has been published by Kast Publishing, LLC. The book is both emotional and inspirational, giving great insight into the struggles that individuals with traumatic brain injuries face. You can buy Bulmer’s book on Amazon.

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