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Award-winning and best-selling authors are also veterans, and there is more to look forward to in 2026.
Even though no statistical datasets reliably exist that track how many veteran authors are published, veterans make up less than ten percent of the U.S. population. While veteran authors are a small subset of this population, all authors and their works have garnered millions, critical acclaim, and Hollywood representation. For example, Navy Seal Chris Kyle’s American Sniper memoir inspired the film in 2014 after landing on The New York Times bestseller list. Greg Cope White’s The Pink Marine later became a Netflix adaptation called Boots in 2025.
Veteran authorship and success are not only impressive but also offer widespread literary contributions about military culture and themes, whether nonfiction or not; the professionalism and storytelling prowess of the veteran community of authors deserve continued recognition.
2026 Anticipated Reading List
Chris Rivers (Army) – Released this month. You Shouldn’t Have to Kill to Get Ahead: Reimagining Wealth, Power and Belonging in America. Theme: Policy analysis, nonfiction.
Leon Carroll Jr. (Marine) – Expected release of Ghosts of Sicily in April 2026. Theme: World War II, nonfiction, and co-authored with Mark Harmon.
Jack Carr (Navy) – Expected release of The Fourth Option in May 2026. Theme: Action thriller series, fiction, and co-authored with M.P. Woodward.
Brian Andrews and Jeffrey Wilson (Navy) – Expected release of book series Insurgent in July 2026. Theme: Action thriller, fiction.
Brad Taylor (Army) – Expected release of Shadow Strike in April 2026. Theme: Action thriller, fiction,
Rob Zettel (Air Force) – Expected release of American MiG Pilot: Inside America’s Top Secret MiG Squadron in February 2026. Theme: Memoir, nonfiction.
Chad Robichaux and Jack Stewart (Marine/Navy) – Expected release of Riptide in May 2026. Theme: Action thriller, fiction.
Isaac Lamberth (Marine) – Expected release of Overshadowed: US Marines in World War II in June 2026. Theme: World War II, nonfiction.
Recognizing Veteran Authorship
Veteran authors continue to make a sizeable impact in the publishing world with their depth and genres of books, often providing perspectives on military life, social issues, leadership, and history. Audiences that enjoy authentic narration or imaginative enrichment can look forward to more to come this year. Although veterans make up a fraction of the population, their works have been included in bestseller lists and represent voices from the military community. This reading list highlights just some of the many veteran authors out there whose contributions shape modern literature.
Recognizing veteran authorship not only honors their lived military experiences and post-military life creativity, but it also offers inspiration for more aspiring authors in the future.
(U.S. Army Reserve photo by Staff Sergeant Emilie Lenglain/Released, DVIDS)
Check out Commandant’s 2026 Reading List Unveiled – 15 Must-Reads That Every Marine Needs Now or 5 Must-Read Military Spouse Books for more reading list ideas.
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14 Comments
Brian Andrews and Jeffrey Wilson’s Insurgent series, scheduled for release in July 2026, will likely captivate readers with its action-packed plot and the authors’ Navy backgrounds.
Isaac Lamberth’s Overshadowed: US Marines in World War II, expected to be released in June 2026, will likely provide a unique perspective on a pivotal moment in history.
Lamberth’s Marine experience will undoubtedly add depth and authenticity to his nonfiction account.
The release of Brad Taylor’s Shadow Strike in April 2026 is highly anticipated, and I’m curious to see how his Army background influences his action thriller writing style.
It’s impressive to see the diversity of genres and themes among veteran authors, from action thrillers like Jack Carr’s The Fourth Option to memoirs like Rob Zettel’s American MiG Pilot.
This variety showcases the range of experiences and perspectives that veterans can bring to the literary world.
The impact of veteran authors on modern literature is not only significant but also inspirational, encouraging more veterans to share their stories and perspectives.
The fact that veterans make up less than ten percent of the U.S. population yet have such a significant impact on literature is a testament to their storytelling prowess and professionalism.
The collaboration between veteran authors and other writers, such as Jack Carr and M.P. Woodward on The Fourth Option, demonstrates the potential for innovative storytelling through co-authorship.
Recognizing veteran authorship is crucial as it honors their military experiences and post-military life creativity, providing a platform for their voices to be heard.
I’m looking forward to reading Ghosts of Sicily by Leon Carroll Jr., a Marine veteran, which is expected to be released in April 2026 and co-authored with Mark Harmon, exploring World War II themes.
Chad Robichaux and Jack Stewart’s Riptide, expected in May 2026, combines the experiences of a Marine and a Navy veteran, promising a thrilling narrative.
I’m excited to read Chris Rivers’ book, You Shouldn’t Have to Kill to Get Ahead, which explores policy analysis and nonfiction themes, and I’m curious to know how his Army experience influenced his writing.
His unique perspective as a veteran will likely bring a fresh voice to the conversation about wealth, power, and belonging in America.