Douglas R. Dechow is researching and writing both a spy novel set during WWII and a nonfiction book about his grand-uncle Harry Dale Park, who died over France in World War II. Doug is Associate Dean of Research and Data Services and former Director of Digital Projects at the Center for American War Letters at Chapman University in Orange, California.
Doug’s article on the 100th Bomb Group was the cover story for the July 2018 issue of Aviation History. He has written about WWII and about aviation for The Atlantic, Air & Space Magazine, LitHub, Fifth Wednesday, Airplane Reading, Curator, the anthology Bombs Away!, and other outlets. He has also published articles and chapters in Creative Writing in the Digital Age, Parade, Poets & Writers, and elsewhere. Doug is the co-author of Generation Space: A Love Story and The Craft of Library Instruction and the co-editor of Intertwingled: The Work and Influence of Ted Nelson.
Doug has talked at libraries and with community groups, has been a featured author at Fall for the Book, and has presented at conferences, including the Association of Writers and Writing Programs conferences. He’s also appeared on radio and television; for a sample, check out his appearance on WGN-TV Midday News.
Residencies at Dorland Mountain Arts Colony, Ragdale, and the Norman Mailer Writers’ Colony have supported his writing.
If you’re interested in Doug’s projects, he would be happy to hear from you. If you’d like to host a presentation based on his homework of memory, the Center for American War Letters, the Boisjoly Challenger Disaster Collection, research techniques for creative writers, one of Doug’s books, or research and data services, let him know. Use the contact form on this website.
