Everyone sees the military hero . . . the outcome of a battle won. But few ever see what it took to get there.
In We Are the Legacy: What We Carried, What We Conquered, and What We Became, military-connected authors pull the curtain back on what it really took to become who they are today. They share stories that trace the arc from trauma to transformation, from transition to leadership, from surviving to serving in new, more intentional ways.
Each chapter reveals the defining moments that shaped these veterans, service members, and spouses.—leaders who chose to rebuild, to rise, and to tell the truth about what it means to carry both wounds and wisdom.
What legacy will you leave behind?
If you’ve carried experiences that shaped who you are—moments of service, sacrifice, transition, or transformation—your story belongs here. We Are the Legacy is a movement to bring the unseen into the light and remind the world what military life and service truly looks like.
If you feel the pull, it’s not by accident. It’s your invitation.
At E.P. House, we believe stories are more than words on a page—they’re bridges that connect generations, cultures, and hearts. We are a boutique, award-winning traditional publishing house dedicated to amplifying voices that create change, challenge assumptions, and leave a lasting legacy.
This mission is carried forward through our philanthropic arm, Military Memoir Project—a storytelling initiative created to honor, heal, and preserve the lived experiences of the military community. The project provides opportunities for veterans, service members, and spouses to share their truths and publish their stories through the anthologies we publish.
By giving voice to those who’ve served—and those who’ve served beside them—Military Memoir Project ensures that the legacy of service is not only remembered, but becomes a part of history.
To join this project…
The Writing Prompt:
Tell a true story connected to your military experience that reveals a moment of inner positive change. Focus less on the event and more on what it shifted within you.
What were you carrying at the time—responsibility, expectations, grief, identity, leadership, silence? What challenged you or forced a shift—a decision, transition, loss, failure, return home, or unexpected moment of clarity? Who did you become because of it, and does that shape the way you live, lead, serve, or relate to others today?
Write one story that shows the human experience behind the service—the part that continued.
The Details:
Contribute a short chapter, approximately 3000 words
Option to first submit a 1200-word framework for developmental feedback before expanding
Receive structured guidance using a proven author development process
Rough draft deadline: end of March
Be part of a collaborative project that gives back to the military community
Kristin Bentley is the founder and CEO of E.P. House, a boutique traditional publishing house dedicated to helping changemakers share the stories that matter most.
Her journey began in Seattle, where she worked as a journalist and developed a deep appreciation for the power of storytelling. That passion led her to serve as Editor-in-Chief of the National Infantry Association’s official magazine, a role that reinforced how stories can move people, build connection, and preserve legacy.
Kristin later transitioned into the corporate world as a creative executive for a startup serving major brands, including Hilton, where she specialized in translating big visions into compelling narratives.
Her work included helping launch global publications, one of which was distributed to nominees of the Oscars and the Grammys—an experience that affirmed her readiness to build something of her own.
In 2020, she founded E.P. House with a clear and ambitious goal: to create a publishing home where authors feel seen, supported, and empowered to bring meaningful work into the world. Since then, she has guided authors whose books have become bestsellers, earned awards, and created tangible impact for readers.
At the core of Kristin’s work is a belief that publishing should be personal. For her, it is not simply about placing a book on a shelf, but about sharing truth, creating impact, and leaving a legacy that endures.
After 9/11, she spent sixteen years as a special operations military spouse and now more than six as a veteran spouse. She understands firsthand the sacrifice required to support someone called to serve. Today, she uses her platform to invite others in the community to share their stories—preserving legacy by archiving them in the Library of Congress, opening dialogue beyond our own circles, and humanizing history.