Will iconic images recorded in the grooves of an ancient vase unite the Holy Land or rip it further apart?

THE VASE

A novel by Mark M. DeRobertis

Muhsin Muhabi is a Palestinian potter, descended from a long line of potters. His business is run from the same shop owned by his ancestors since the day his forebears moved to Nazareth. The region's conflict saw the death of his oldest son, and rogue terrorists are in the process of recruiting his youngest in their plot to assassinate the Pope and Israeli prime minister.

Professor Hiram Weiss is an art historian at Nazareth’s Bethel University. He is also a Shin Bet operative on special assignment. With the help of fellow agent, Captain Benny Mathias, he plans to destroy the gang responsible for the death of his wife and only child. He puts a bomb in the ancient vase he takes on loan from Muhsin’s Pottery Shop.

Mary Levin, the charming assistant to the director of Shin Bet, has lost a husband and most of her extended family to recurring wars and never-ending terrorism. She dedicates her life to the preservation of Israel, but to whom will she dedicate her heart? The brilliant professor from Bethel University? Or the gallant captain who now leads Kidon?

Harvey Holmes, the Sherlock of Haunted Houses, is a Hollywood TV host whose reality show just flopped. When a Lebanese restaurant owner requests his ghost-hunting services, he believes the opportunity will resurrect his career. All he has to do is exorcise the ghosts that are haunting the restaurant. It happens to be located right across the street from Muhsin’s Pottery Shop.




Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Don't React to Criticism

A big deal was made about how some self published author reacted to some negative comments in a review. And really the review wasn't even that bad. But a lot of people reacted to her reaction and criticized her lack of professionalism. Nathan Bransford talked about it and then took the position of promoting compassion for the author. As an author, I can say that's cool to support an author, but this particular author, imo, bullied the reviewer. I don't need to explain the whole thing, as it's well documented by now, but I'm a Middle School teacher. I see bullies everyday. I know what they are like. I was one person glad to see a bully get a taste of her own medicine.

OK, so maybe she got more than just a taste. Still, it's not wise to throw fuel on any fire. So I pretty much stayed out of it, and withheld my opinion beyond a short comment about the review not really being so bad. Then I made a little joke, and left it at that.

And when it comes to negative reviews, everyone is bound get them. Be ready for them. And don't react to them. If you do, just make a joke out of it. Everyone likes to laugh. That's what I hope to do. That's all.
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2 comments:

  1. BarbApril 6, 2011 at 8:34 AM

    The author really did herself no favours, but it was amazing to see the feeding frenzy that then followed. I hope she can come back from this and rebuild what she had going on. It wasn't a proud day for quite a few people.

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  2. Mr. DApril 6, 2011 at 9:12 AM

    I have found opinions on forums to be quick and often brutal, with the most vitriol coming from those concerning politics and sports. Writing forums have been the most gracious. This author was anything but.

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