1. What inspired you
to write this book?
Six and a half minutes.
That’s how quickly 17 lives were taken and 17 others were wounded during
Florida’s deadliest school shooting on Valentine’s Day 2018. It happened at my
alma mater in Parkland, Florida. The devastation shook the entire South Florida
community, and it changed me as well.
As I watched the news unfold and parents scream for their children, I felt
paralyzed, angry, and determined to make a positive difference. I knew I
couldn’t undo the tragedy, but I also knew I had skills that could help. As a
librarian and researcher, I could gather facts, identify patterns across 30
years of school shootings, and create something that might prevent another
community from experiencing this pain. My goal was simple: offer solutions
grounded in data, not politics, while respecting everyone’s Constitutional
rights. Every child deserves to feel safe at school. That conviction is what
drove and sustained my commitment for seven years to write this book.
2. What exactly is it about — and who is it written for?
A Safe Place: How to
Prevent the Next School Shooting is a meticulously researched and deeply personal exploration
of school gun violence in the United States. Drawing from 30 years of data
across 1,204 incidents, the book uncovers patterns and misconceptions
surrounding school shootings, offering actionable, nonpartisan solutions for
communities to prevent future tragedies. I challenge common perceptions,
revealing that arguments, feuds, and criminal activity—not mental illness or
bullying—are the leading causes of school shootings. I emphasize the importance
of emotional intelligence, responsible gun ownership, and community
involvement, while advocating for measures like threat assessment teams, panic
button systems, and consistent use of metal detectors. The book also highlights
the critical role of parents, educators, and students in fostering safer school
environments. With compassion and urgency, I provide a roadmap for communities
to work together to protect children and educators from the devastating threat
of gun violence.
3. What do you hope readers will get out of reading your book?
My hope is that this
book will inspire communities to move beyond offering “thoughts and prayers”
and laws that don't address the root issue of school gun violence. By examining
fact‑based, nonpartisan patterns across 1,204 school shootings, I want parents
and communities to feel empowered and to recognize that keeping children safe
from gun violence does not require an act of Congress. It requires
understanding the patterns, taking practical steps, and working together. That
sense of empowerment is what I hope readers carry with them.
4. How did you decide on your book’s title and cover design?
The cover image of my
book is based on a photo I took of the memorial at the front of my alma mater,
captured just two weeks after the Parkland mass shooting. The title changed and
evolved over time. I knew this is a heavy but important topic, and I wanted the
title to carry a sense of hope. That’s how "A Safe Place" was born. I
later partnered with a talented designer, David Provolo, through Reedsy.com to
bring the cover to life, and I couldn’t be more pleased with the result.
5. What advice or words of wisdom do you have for fellow writers – other
than run!?
Nothing pulls a reader
out of a book faster than poor writing, especially when you have an important
message to share with the world. The truth is, you don’t know what you don’t
know. That’s why I feel it's essential to invest in your work by building a team
of people who excel in different areas of writing, editing, publishing, design,
and promotion. Think of it as assembling your own literary Avengers… minus the
capes and creatine.
When I first attempted the traditional publishing route, I hired Windword
Literary Services to strengthen my query letter and book proposal. Their
guidance dramatically improved my book’s development and helped shape a more
compelling table of contents. I also worked with a developmental editor through
Writer’s Digest, who helped refine the prose, pacing, tone, and structure. Once
those revisions were complete, I hired a line editor on ServiceScape.com to
review every sentence for grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Finally, I
brought in two beta readers from Upwork.com to provide honest, unfiltered
feedback before publication.
These professionals are worth their weight in gold, but thankfully, their
prices are far more reasonable. The right team will elevate your work and help
you create a book you’re genuinely proud to share with the world.
6. What trends in the book world do you see -- and where do you think the
book publishing industry is heading?
As a librarian who helps
people find their next great read, I’ve noticed that most readers still prefer
physical books over their digital counterparts. There’s just something about
the weight, the pages, and the ability to accidentally drop it in the bathtub
without voiding a warranty. But as an author, I also know it’s important to
meet readers wherever they are, which is why I released my book in paperback,
eBook, and audiobook formats.
I’ve also seen a major shift in how books actually reach readers. Whether
you’re traditionally published or self‑published, you normally can’t rely
solely on your own platform to sell books. Authors today need to connect with
targeted bloggers, podcasters, influencers, writing contests, and reporters who
already speak to the audiences most likely to connect with your work. In other
words, even the best book needs a little help finding its people.
In addition, I find it intriguing that authors are now finding ways to use AI
to promote and market their books. I have used different AI platforms to check
the grammar of my blogs, tighten up my social media posts, and even create
instrumental background music for some of my videos. However, I have yet to use
platforms like Zeeli.ai to generate and run ad campaigns on social media. I
think more traditional and self-published authors are going to take advantage
of this technology to generate creative promotional campaigns and to save
precious time.
7. Were there experiences in your personal life or career that came in handy
when writing this book?
As a librarian, I help
people find credible information every day—whether they’re searching for jobs,
improving their language skills, or locating peer‑reviewed medical research.
After the Parkland shooting, I realized those same research skills could help
me identify fact‑based patterns that might prevent the next school shooting. I
just didn’t realize how big the project would become. Most books on school
shootings examine one to twelve incidents; mine are the first to analyze 1,204.
In my personal life, the experience that kept me pushing through seven years of
research was the fact that I had to leave school a year early because of the
threat of gun violence. That memory stayed with me and fueled my determination
to finish this work.
8. How would you describe your writing style? Which writers or books is your
writing similar to?
My writing style is
conversational and casual because it is important for the average person to
understand the concepts that are in my book. I added personal stories and
stories of some of the victims and suspects so that readers can see themselves
reflected in these events. I didn't want it to be a neutral-toned study with
dry facts. School gun violence is personal and affects people all over the
country. It should feel personal, yet authoritative. I have too much respect
for the talent of other writers to try to compare my writing style to anyone
else.
9. What challenges did you overcome in the writing of this book?
One of my biggest
challenges was taking the mountain of data I collected and turning it into
clear, digestible insights that readers would actually want to engage with. At
one point, my spreadsheet looked less like research and more like something
that required its own IT department. That’s when I discovered a talented
infographic designer named Harrison Schell. I had seen his visually stunning
infographic, "The History of Pandemics," and immediately knew I
needed to work with him.
I shared my entire spreadsheet with him and asked what stood out. He became the
fresh pair of eyes I desperately needed. He was someone who could spot the most
compelling patterns and help give the book shape, structure, and visual
clarity. In short, he turned my data chaos into something readers could
actually enjoy and appreciate without needing a pot of coffee and Scotch tape
to hold their eyes open.
10. If people can buy or read one book this week or month, why should it be
yours?
No parent should ever
have to bury their own child. In my book, I talk about the four deaths I
believe parents experience when they lose a child, because grief doesn’t end
with the funeral. It echoes through every part of life. It’s summer now, but a
new school year is just around the corner. In the United States, at least one
school shooting occurs every week. If you have children or grandchildren in
school, how important is it to you to protect them from gun violence?
No one ever thinks it can happen in their community...until it does. Parkland
is an affluent city and considered one of the “safest” in Florida. No one
imagined a tragedy of that magnitude could ever be unleashed there. I don’t
want to see another parent endure that kind of loss. I dedicated seven years of
research to this book to empower families and communities with the knowledge
they need to help save the lives of the people they love.
If you read one book this month, let it be one that could help protect a
child’s life.
About The Author: Luis D. Aponte (he/him) is a librarian, U.S. Air
Force veteran, and author of four influential books on school shootings,
including A Safe Place: How to Prevent the Next School Shooting and The
Ultimate U.S. School Shooting Reference Guide, Volumes 1-3. An alumnus
of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School—the site of Florida’s deadliest school
shooting in 2018—Aponte turned his community's tragedy into a mission to
prevent future violence. Over seven years, he analyzed 1,204 school shootings
spanning three decades, uncovering patterns and evidence-based strategies to
save lives. His work has appeared in the EDUCATION peer-reviewed journal and in
Virginia-based newspapers. His books serve as vital resources for parents,
educators, policymakers, and community leaders. With a master’s degree in
Library and Information Science, Aponte blends academic rigor and personal
conviction to inspire safer schools and stronger communities. His work serves
as a powerful call to action, urging communities to unite around nonpartisan,
evidence-based solutions to end the epidemic of school gun violence. For more
information, please see: https://asafeplacebook.com/
Do You Need Book Marketing Help?
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For
the past three decades, Brian Feinblum has helped thousands of authors. He
formed his own book publicity firm in 2020. Prior to that, for 21 years as the
head of marketing for the nation’s largest book publicity firm, and as the
director of publicity at two independent presses, Brian has worked with many
first-time, self-published, authors of all genres, right along with
best-selling authors and celebrities such as: Dr. Ruth, Mark Victor Hansen,
Joseph Finder, Katherine Spurway, Neil Rackham, Harvey Mackay, Ken Blanchard,
Stephen Covey, Warren Adler, Cindy Adams, Todd Duncan, Susan RoAne, John C.
Maxwell, Jeff Foxworthy, Seth Godin, and Henry Winkler.
His
writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s
The Independent (https://pubspot.ibpa-online.org/article/whats-needed-to-promote-a-book-successfully) and (https://pubspot.ibpa-online.org/article/10-things-my-dog-taught-me-about-marketing-books). He was recently interviewed by the IBPA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0BhO9m8jbs
He
hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America several years ago, and
has spoken at ASJA, three times at BookCAMP, Independent Book Publishers
Association, Sarah Lawrence College, Nonfiction Writers Association, Cape Cod
Writers Association, Willamette (Portland) Writers Association, APEX, five
times at Morgan James Publishing Red Carpet, and Connecticut Authors and
Publishers Association. He served as a judge for the 2024 IBPA Book Awards.
His
letters-to-the-editor have been published in The Wall Street Journal,
USA Today, New York Post, NY Daily News, Newsday, The Journal News (Westchester)
and The Washington Post. His first published book was The
Florida Homeowner, Condo, & Co-Op Association Handbook. It
was featured in The Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald.
Born
and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester with his wife, two kids,
and Ferris, a black lab rescue dog, and El Chapo, a pug rescue dog.
You
can connect with him at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum/ or https://www.facebook.com/brian.feinblum
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