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.




Tuesday, December 18, 2012

What's in Store?

Killer of Killers got published in 2012, and The Vase, I'm pretty sure, will be published in 2013. Hopefully, Killer Eyes will be, too. Or should I proceed with John Dunn? 

It will be interesting to see how this new publisher differs from Melange. I think they are very similar, but I'm sure there will be differences. They are more restrictive in handing out contracts, I know that already. Melange went ahead and offered the contract for KOK, and then addressed POV issues.

This other publisher wants the POV issues tackled before offering their contract. Mind you, they said it doesn't have to be perfect, but enough so that they can tell I'm making a good effort to deal with it. They said it will show them that I am someone with whom they can work, and a working relationship is important to them and who wouldn't agree with that?

It's one of the good things I like about Melange. They were always open and always communicative, and very responsive to me. That was great. And I think this other publisher is, too. At least they have been so far. And I haven't even signed a contract yet, so that's something. But I'm taking too long now. I've gone through the manuscript once already, but knew better to send it then. Because going through it a second time, as expected, I'm finding things I missed the first time.

So, it could be that I might go through it a third time. No harm in that. I have to get over that eagerness, and be patient. As every author knows, or will find out soon enough. patience is a prerequisite to the publishing industry. Yep.

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