Janet B.

The WWII Roots & War Writing Group is helping me to start turning research and recollections into concrete, written form. Reading the work of fellow writers is fascinating in itself and is also prompting new insights about my project. The constructive feedback is leading me to consider directions I had not thought of before. Another valuable benefit of the group's format is strengthening the conviction that our writing matters -- whether we are writing for personal understanding, to preserve a legacy for our families, or for a wider audience.

Jacqueline H.

I appreciate the office hour time. In my working life I looked forward to weekly team meetings to discuss issues, ideas, what each team member is working on, round table discussions and how we can help each other. This monthly meeting is like that. It helps to build trust among the team or participating members. By having a dedicated time I can jot down questions or ideas in preparation for the next meeting.

Phil R.

I found the office hours very helpful. I got two very good ideas from the guest expert, Liv Lowe, when she showed us one of her awesome books. I am going to incorporate two of her design ideas into my book. The discussion our group had about references was very helpful also. I had been wavering on what to do. I now have a plan.

I like the monthly set office hour time. I had it on my calendar and that seemed to serve my purposes.

Doug Hall

As a writer and researcher of a family biography, I have used Ms. Holik’s expertise in military research, editing, organization and drafting skills now for several years. Jennifer has the ability to take a body of work, in any stage of development, and evaluate the contents and direct an action plan that moves the project forward in a superior way, on all fronts. I have depended on her professional insight into my family biography that is both complicated with multiple time periods and source material also requiring the insight to understand how to engage the reader. The finished product will in no small way reflect her dedication and professional research, guidance, suggestions, edits and actions. I can, without reservation, recommend her military and publication research services for any personal or commercial publication project.

Doug Hall Freelance writer, Boston, MA, 2024.

Pick up a copy of Doug's book Legacy of the Skies on Amazon today.

Rachel and Bill Riley

My son had been asking me for many years to consider writing a book about my uncle, Captain William Bruce Overstreet, Jr.  Uncle Bill, as we both called him, was just my uncle. A golf-playing, summertime fishing, certified public accounting, and part of an entertaining-loving couple  known as “BillandNita”, which must be spoken as all one word because they were one thing.

After my grandparents passed away, we rotated venues for Christmas observances.  One Christmas held at the Overstreets’ home in Roanoke, Virginia, Nita posed a question to those dining which changed my life. She asked, “Did you know your Uncle Bill was a war hero?”  I had to answer “no”, but it was lame and embarrassing to speak.

I vowed then and there to learn and become involved in this part of his life.  My son, William Bruce, and I, Rachel Bruce, (see a pattern here?) have studied, questioned, and collected over the years.  I joined a local genealogical society when Jennifer Holik showed up as our speaker one day to teach us about writing about our ancestors who had military service.  I attached myself to Jennifer and have not let go.

We scheduled a conference call for the three of us and have not looked back.  The book is under development. We could not be happier.  Jennifer has technical knowledge, but what sets her apart is her insight and judgment.  We have adopted her into our family as an honorary member.  I would recommend Jennifer to anyone who needs research, writing, advice, or projections about projects.  She will know what to do.

Rachel Bruce Meiselman Riley, December 11, 2024, Alexandria, Virginia

Watch for this book to be released in 2026.

Phil Rosenkrantz

If you are involved at all with trying to follow and understand your family’s journey related to loved ones who served in the military, I highly recommend working with Jennifer. Jennifer is passionate about helping people with their journey–whether is it doing research, trying to understand the impact on the family, or putting thoughts and findings to pen and paper. All of the webinars I have participated in have been fun, interesting, and useful. 

For over 20 years I have been trying to learn about my uncle who was MIA in Europe during WWII. At first, I thought my quest was to learn all the facts and details about where he was, what he did, and what happened to him. What I have started doing along the way–and why I appreciate Jennifer so much–is delving into the equally compelling and more important story about the impact of my uncle’s loss on the family. In many cases, I knew things from my own memories and previous conversations with relatives that I had not connected to the war. After going through a Master Class with Jennifer based on the book Reconciliation with War, I was able to connect the dots and get a much better picture of what the collective family had been going through. Jennifer is now helping me edit the draft of a book about my uncle’s story and the impact on the family. I greatly appreciate her insight and expertise. 

Besides being knowledgeable, Jennifer is friendly, warm, and genuine. I enjoy working with her and now consider her a good friend.  

Pick up a copy of Phil's book Letters from Uncle Dave on Amazon.