SGM Randall Surles (Ret.) (Randy) was born in Houston, Texas and served for nearly 32 years in the U. S. Army. He was assigned as an infantryman to the 75th Ranger Regiment, where he parachuted into Panama during Operation Just Cause. He then served over 20 years as a Green Beret in various positions as a Special Forces Weapons Sergeant, Medical Sergeant, Intelligent Sergeant, ODA Team Sergeant, Company Sergeant Major, Battalion Operations Sergeant Major, and Group Operations Sergeant Major. During that time, he deployed to Honduras, El Salvador, Panama, Guatemala, Guyana, Peru, Colombia, Ghana, Nigeria, Malawi, Kuwait, Benin, Togo, Tunisia, and Afghanistan.
While still serving on active duty, Randy completed his BA in U.S. History from Campbell University and his MFA in Creative Writing from The University of Texas at El Paso. After retiring from the U. S. military, Randall Surles trained under editor Shawn Coyne to become one of a handful of Story Grid Certified Editors. He currently works as a Podcaster, Developmental Editor, Ghost Writer, and Author. He specializes in editing military fiction and non-fiction books, but also enjoys editing/ writing Fantasy, Science Fiction, and Thrillers.
Additionally, Randy was the co-host for three podcasts. The Story Grid Showrunners podcast analyzes different television series to determine how the story works using the Story Grid methodology. Selling Girls in America is a podcast sponsored by Guardian Group about human trafficking in the United States. The Passionately Wrong Podcast is about a variety of topics to include writing, editing, US military, the Camino de Santiago, worklife, and fitness, among others.
Information about Randy’s editing and ghostwriting can be found on his webpage at www.militaryeditor.com.
Published books edited by Randy:
Nexus Point by K. Pimpinella
Burning Man by K. Pimpinella
I am Justice by D. P. Watkins
Books co-written and edited by Randy:
Task Force Pineapple by Scott Mann and James Meek (Simon and Schuster)
The Wise Investor by Rich Fettke (Rich Dad Advisors Press)
Published stories and books written by Randy:
“Any Soldier” – Southeast Missouri State University Press: Proud to be: Written by American Warriors Vol 5; Dec 4, 2016
“The Army’s Debt” – Southeast Missouri State University Press: Proud to be: Written by American Warriors Vol 5; Dec 4, 2016
No Mas Secuestros – Rue Scribe; Sep. 29, 2016
An interrupted Meal – Rue Scribe; Sep. 29, 2016