DUKE CENTER — After using a traditional publisher for his first 40 books in the historical fiction, poetry and horror genres, local author Bill Robertson has made the foray into self-publishing for his latest four releases — three of which are photo books — a process that allows authors to retain more freedom than a traditional book deal.
Contrary to popular belief, photo books are not only for children; Photographers have been self-publishing volumes for many years while keeping complete control over artistic and business decisions.
Never one to be without a camera as he travels throughout northern Pennsylvania and western New York, Robertson has used his own photographs exclusively in the three photo books: “Tombstones and Shadows,” “Graveyards Glorious and Ghostly” and “Abandoned Dwellings.” “These are an extension of my horror writings,” Robertson said, “and just another way to express myself creatively.”
Robertson’s original photographs are also part of the fourth book, “The Pennsylvania Bucktails,” but this is a traditional text book that is meant as a brief history and introduction to the famous Civil War sharpshooters, their heroics, colorful leaders, weapons and legacy presented in an easy-to-read format. It is an e-book.
All four books can easily become coffee table books. They can all be ordered online.
The first of the four writings, “Tombstones and Shadows,” is a collection of eerie photos of desolate landscapes, abandoned houses and cemetery angels in McKean and Potter counties and western New York. Photos of spooky trees and haunted swamps add to the creep factor. Among the photos are one of the Kinzua Dam and another of the fallen Kinzua Bridge, as well as one of the Austin Dam.
“We have a lot of neat, old sites around here,” Robertson said. “And that’s where I started. I thought I’d do a collection of eerie photos, atmosphere photos that capture this area. There are just so many things to see around here — endless old farm houses, swamps, eerie woods and old overgrown cemeteries.”
“Putting this book together was so much fun, said Robertson of Duke Center.
For ordering information, visit https://www.blurb.com/books/95333337-tombstones-and-shadows.
Robertson’s second book was “Graveyards: Glorious and Ghostly.” It highlights the stark beauty and bountiful history found in 21 picturesque New York and Pennsylvania cemeteries. Tombs. gravestones and sorrowful statues disfigured by frost are all on grim display.
“The statues I encountered were very moving,” Robertson noted. “There were stone ladies of sorrow, angels with broken wings and stalwart firemen and war heroes.”
Photographing the grave markers and their carved symbols, such as fingers pointing skyward, led to Robertson’s fascination with the representations and researching their meanings. There are some pages explaining these interpretations.
The change of seasons adds a splash of sunlight, unsettling shadows, or grave clothes of snow. According to Robertson,
Visit https://www.blurb.com/books/9573269-graveyards-glorious-and-ghostly.
Robertson says that “Abandoned Dwellings” contains photos “of homes, barns, factories and garages that are decayed, dilapidated and doomed!” Struck by their dark art and infinite sadness, Robertson wants to preserve the spooky history of this region before these buildings crumble into dust.
To order, visit https://www.blurb.com/books/9574356-abandoned-dwellings.
Robertson’s photographs of Bucktail reenactors and monuments help bring to life the stories of the 42nd, 149th, 150th and 190th Bucktail regiments.
Robertson told The Era, “To my knowledge, this book is the only one that has been put out that includes information about all four Bucktail regiments.
The 13th PA Reserves, who are also known as the 42nd PA Volunteer Infantry, 1st Pennsylvania Rifles and Kane’s Rifles are the original Bucktails when Thomas Kane raised a group of hardy riflemen from McKean County. They served with distinction at many major Civil War battles, including Gettysburg.
The “Bogus Bucktails” were the 149th and 150th Bucktails.
“While they started out as Bucktails without having to prove themselves, but at Gettysburg, they definitely did that. The 149th and 150th formed an L-shaped line down by McPhearson’s barn and got pummeled by artillery fire and by charge after charge by the Rebels and never broke,” according to Robertson. “They lost 80 percent of their men in two hours and retreated orderly. But, their delaying action gave the Union army time to arrive so the fight could be continued.”
In the 190th Regiment were veterans and recruits whose terms had not expired.
To order a softcover or hardcover copy, visit https://www.blurb.com/books/9573251-the-pennsylvania-bucktails.
An e-book version is also available. Autographed softcover copies can be ordered from Robertson by sending a check for $23 to P. O. Box 293, Duke Center, PA 16729. Make checks payable to Bill Robertson.
It was at the end of June while recuperating from a torn retina in his left eye — a time that could last three weeks before he could return to work — when Robertson became restless and decided to work on the photo books. During that time, Robertson got the idea for producing these books from a cousin, a professional photographer who published photo books of birds.
Upon seeing one of his cousin’s books, Robertson said, “I thought — man, I can do this. I have a lifetime of photographs from this area. So why not do some photo books that capture what we do here in McKean County?”
