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.




Thursday, January 23, 2014

Self Publishing Reportedly Better

I just read an author's blog post, which contained an interview that talked about self-publishing. This author had been published by Big 6 publishers, but decided to self-publish his books, and he is making a LOT more money doing it that way.

I don't doubt for a moment that for an already established author, self-publishing is a better way to go. Publishers will take 90% of the money your book makes. As a self-published author, you'll get 70-90% of the money. And if an author is adept at editing and cover art, he really has no need for a publisher.

But authors who are not established do need publishers. Especially if they are just learning the craft. As I learned. And I wouldn't have learned if it wasn't for having a publisher. Both of my publishers, Melange Books and Penumbra Publishing, have been instrumental in the learning of writing, editing, and publishing books. I'm a much better writer now, having had both of these publishers.

Does that mean I'll want to self-publish from now on? No. Not yet. Even though I have two books published by two different publishers, that doesn't mean I'm an established author. Not until my books actually earn some big money. THEN I'll be considered an established author. And only then might I consider self-publishing. But only then. Fingers crossed that THAT will happen.

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