Sandpoint author named IWL's 'Writer of the Year'

The Idaho Writers League named Sandpoint author Capt. Bill Collier “Writer of the Year” at their annual conference Sept. 22 in Moscow.

Collier was selected for the award was based on his activity over the past year, which included his prolific writing and his activity in promoting the organization and recruiting new members. During 2017, Collier submitted five pieces to the yearly IWL contest, three of which won prizes.

Collier has written two books about his travels around the world as a helicopter pilot for 32 years. The first is “The Adventures of a Helicopter Pilot, Flying the H-34 in Vietnam for the USMC” and “CIA Super Pilot Spills the Beans, Flying Helicopters in Laos for the AIR AMERICA.”

The second book won first place in the 2016 IWL contest for non-fiction books. Collier has already sold more than 6,300 books. These sales figures are phenomenal for a new author. Both books are available at local bookstores and on Amazon as paperbacks or e-books. Both books are still rated highly in their particular categories.

Idaho Writers League has been in existence for 77 years. There are six to seven chapters throughout the state. A different chapter sponsors their annual conference each year.

Collier is working on his third book of his trilogy, the civilian flying all over the world, and hopes to have it completed next year.