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.




Monday, November 1, 2010

Progress

Well, after querying about a dozen indie publishers, I am making some progress toward publication, as some have already responded with positive interest. Let's see how many offer a contract. I want two things. I want my book in paper. Not just an ebook. I want it in print, even if it's a trade paperback. And second, I will spend no money in the process of publication.

I already made sure that no one to whom I submitted is a self-publisher, vanity press, or subsidy press. That just wouldn't count. I promised myself when I started my first book that I would not spend a dime in the process. Now when it comes to marketing, that's something to think about. I'm all for book signings and library readings, stuff like that. But I am averse to hiring a publicist, or buying a ton of my own books.

Still, I understand being a debut author entails more effort toward self promotion than an established author. I hope my promise of not spending money is not broken. Fingers crossed.

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