Is Truth Relative?
The truth. We hear these two little words quite often. Two very important little words they are too. There are all types of truths and many of us spend our lives seeking truth. I once wrote, and indeed use it on my Facebook page, that the older I get the less I think I know about anything. Another way to say this would be that the older I get, the less I am certain of any truth – at least in the absolute sense. I don’t know what I am, nor what my purpose is. I don’t know what the Universe is nor its purpose – if there even is one. If there was, would I comprehend? These are the questions that I ask and the answers I seek in
Read More »Book Stuff
Periodically, but with decreasing frequency, I have another shot at promoting my novel The Last Observer. I ran out of ideas a while ago on how to promote it to be honest. I was hoping it would do quite well and maybe drag a few of my other books along with it but I am forced to conclude that I need to start writing eroticism to make a break through. My best sellers remain my business books and my very best selling book has now sold more then 1,700 copies. It doesn’t sound a lot does it but to be honest I am amazed. There were 300 give away copies of that book too so there are actually 2,000 of them floating around. I wouldn’t ever have believed there were
Read More »Playing with iMovie
I got an iMAC for my birthday!!!! Its a beautiful machine it really is.Though ham fisted amateur with video and stuff, I thought I’d play around with iMovie…. This is my first attempt and its a book trailer for The Last Observer. Once I figure out how it really works, maybe I will get better but I had fun ….
Read More »An Excerpt from The Last Observer
Edward looked into Stan’s face. There was expectancy about the look he gave Stan. “I am sure that you have many questions Stanley but take your time. I have as long as we need.” Somehow, Stan didn’t like this feeling that he had around Edward sometimes. It was a feeling that Edward was entirely in control and knew exactly how Stanley felt. “Well,” he began, “I have been doing some research along the lines that you had suggested.” He paused to think. “And, I have reviewed the files that you left with me as well.” Stanley could feel Edwards gaze. “What do you mean by the term observer?” he asked. “Well, an observer is someone who has the power to create reality,” replied Edward. “But, everyone creates their own reality
Read More »The Topless Skier
I think politicians are the scum of the earth. I have made this statement before and I will say it again. They are usually hypocrites, liars, cheats and eminently buyable. They use politics to polarize opinion, cause disruptions and sometimes war. Politicians work endlessly and tirelessly to find ways to be divisive. By being divisive, they gain a following and cynically they hope that the issues they divide us on are popular enough to give them a majority. I think the best strategy is to ignore them and certainly never to vote. The topless skier from The Lebanon emphasizes my point today. Here we have a country polarized by religion (another crock of polarizing crap) and politics with seemingly endless violence (just as the politicians and religious zealots like it).
Read More »The Anatomy of a Bad Review
If you take a look over on Amazon.com at the reviews for The Last Observer, you will discover a couple of 1-star reviews there. I’m not sure if these two people know each other but they sound remarkably similar. There is nothing wrong with bad reviews. We don’t all like the same things and constructive bad reviews are useful in growing as a writer or whatever it is we do. In fact, go to any book on Amazon with several reviews and you will find a range of reviews from bad to great. I was just reading Anthony Peake discussing a bad review he got for one of his books too. Sometimes, people are not just critical but personal and its then that I feel things cross the line to
Read More »Thrilling, Enjoyable, Classy, Fun, Fast-paced….
There is a common theme to the reviews of The Last Observer – see if you can spot it! Here are a selection of snippets – to read more please visit the publisher’s page. ..script-writers alert; this would make a cracking film! I enjoyed it immensely ..if you just want a great ride, this book will thrill you.. Really enjoyed the book.. The Last Observer is a classy, well crafted novella which leaves the reader satisfied and hooked. Great read. ..a small part of me would love to see the dialogue in Chapter Twenty – Zeltan Speaks performed by Al Pacino just as he did his famous defense of the human condition as Satan in the movie version of The Devil’s Advocate. If you liked that scene, you’ll enjoy this
Read More »Five Star Reviews
The Last Observer: A Magical Battle For Reality, Roundfire, 2013 Stan has a gift. He has always had the ability to affect his surroundings. He just does not realise the magnitude and potential of this ability. There are some though who know only too well what this could mean and the purposes to which it could be put and when a spate of psychics end up dead in mysterious circumstances it becomes clear that they are unlikely to give Stan the time he needs to discover his true potential. Help though is at hand and when Edward realises what is afoot it becomes a race against time and impending doom to find Stan and save him and the wider world from catastrophe. A thoroughly engaging career through the magical and
Read More »Pushing Books and Chasing Royalties
Over the holidays I managed to add a chapter and a half to The Lord of the Elements (the prequel to The Last Observer). To be honest, I am still trying to plan the story a bit….. I mean, I know what the plot is but it needs a few twists, turns and subplots and I am still ironing it all out so progress is slow. Meanwhile, I am starting a new business book with my colleague Patrick Reames that we hope will be out later this year. I am also preparing a new version of Poems for the Little Room that will be better suited for Amazon and Kindle….. Of course, books need to find a market too. It would be great if my books occupied a particular niche
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