ARCHIE SATTERFIELD

Writing Commissioned Histories
By Archie Satterfield

“My career as a book author was just getting started when a wonderful thing happened. I had recently co-authored a book on Alaska bush pilots that involved some aviation pioneers who later became members of Alaska Airlines’ board. The new management liked the book and invited me to write a warts-and-all history of the airline for its 50th anniversary.

“A year or two later an advertising friend recommending me to write the history of Crescent Foods on the occasion of its 100th birthday.

“Then another writer friend recommended me to the incoming CEO of Darigold who wanted a history of the dairy cooperative.

“Finally the obvious occurred to me: I should seek out these commissions on my own rather than waiting for further generosity from friends. Since then I have written several other corporate histories, a family history and the history of the small town I lived in for fifteen years.”

Here is what clients say about Satterfield’s work:

ALASKA AIRLINES:
At the time this was written the airline had changed quickly from one with a history of poor or inefficient management into the highest-rated regional airline in North America. With their 50th anniversary approaching, they asked Satterfield to write their history.

"He did an outstanding job. He captured living history."
James A. Johnson
Vice President


DARIGOLD
The Seattle-based dairy cooperative, one of the largest and most successful in America, wanted a history of the cooperative written as its 75th year approached.

"Thank you for the tremendous job you did with the manuscript. The book is a major factor in our 75th anniversary celebration."
Wesley E. Eckert
President & CEO

TILLAMOOK CHEESE
The Tillamook Creamery and Dairy Association liked what he had written about their competitor, Darigold, so they hired me to write their history as well.

“Archie has captured the essence of Tillamook as well as anyone could. I have lived here all my life and reading the book brings back memories I had forgotten.”
Harold Schild
General Manager

PEMCO FINANCIAL CENTER
This insurance and banking company wanted to document its success that is based on service to members.

“He is an outstanding writer who brings forth historical reality for positive guidance for future generations.”
Stanley O. McNaughton
CEO


TRILLIUM CORPORATION
This timber and agricultural development company was just entering on the world stage when Satterfield was hired to write its history.

“Archie creates a whole new definition of concern and interest in his writing subjects. He really cares.”
David R. Syre
Founder and Chairman


CRESCENT FOODS
When the spice company's centennial was near, the owners hired me to produce a book based on interviews with the owners and longtime employees.

"Archie produced exactly what we wanted: A conservative chronicle that we used for gifts and public relations."
Dick Weaver
Vice President


SAHALEE GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB
After the Redmond, Washington, club became well established, the founders assembled material for a book and hired me and an associate to edit, design and print it.

"Archie was delightful to work with. We are very pleased. Our book is unique."
Harry Wilson
Founder, Sahalee Country Club.


CITY OF EDMONDS, WASHINGTON
The city council created a Centennial Committee for the statewide celebration in 1989 and offered a contract to me to write and produce a pictorial history of the city.

"Archie was cooperative and understanding. He considered everyone's suggestions. That is especially difficult when working with a committee."
Linda McCrystal
Centennial Coordinator
City of Edmonds




How I write commissioned histories

“I work directly with one person who is designated the project editor. This person knows where all the files are and how they are organized, can help arrange interviews and when the manuscript is completed, will show it to key people and decide which of the suggested changes and corrections I should incorporate.

“I do not require an office. I only need access to people, files and a copy machine. I go to great lengths to avoid disrupting the normal office routine.

“The writing process is simple but very time consuming. I go through records and scrapbooks, and I interview officers and employees about projects they have worked on and the changes they have witnessed or helped inaugurate.

“It is important that interviews be conducted in one-on-one sessions. The subjects set the time and place because it is important that we talk without interruption. I am available for interviews anytime seven days a week.

“When the research and interviewing is done, I write the first draft, often finding that I need more information and supplemental interviews. The draft manuscript is delivered to the client, who shows copies to a selection of key people to check for accuracy, make comments and suggestions. When this information is approved, I go back to work, do additional research and sometimes more interviews, and deliver a completed manuscript within a specified time frame.

“When the completed manuscript is accepted, it then goes to a book producer whose staff checks it for grammar, punctuation, spelling and consistency. At the same time a designer is at work merging text with illustrations and preparing a cover design.
When all of these things are approved, the book then goes to the printer."

For further information, please contact Satterfield at: byarchie@aol.com