Getting Started

In the Spring of 2002, I decided to write a book about the startup of Federal Express, the difficulties and potential roadblocks we had to overcome, and the concepts and people that built the organization into a highly respected and successful international entity. I was the General Manager of the company during the startup, and was able to supplement my experience with interviews of other senior executives and other dedicated people who contributed time and effort to launch the new venture.

I completed my interviews near the end of 2003 and began preparing the book proposal and my first complete draft of the manuscript. For the next two years, I worked on writing, editing, researching, rewriting, and expanding the information for the manuscript. I sent out several versions of the book proposal to numerous publishers, and received a like number of obligatory or encouraging responses with various reason for rejection. Encouraging friends and family are especially important during the "writing and searching for a publisher" phase.