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, February 10, 2011

Time Frame to Print

So how long does it take for a book to get published once a contract has been signed? From what I’ve read and researched, a reputable publisher will get your book published in about a year from the point your contract has been signed. Any less time than that would be indicative of a lesser quality publication. The publisher and author must go through a few rounds of edits, which, in itself may take several months. There is the copy-editing, there is the cover design, there is the proof reading, there is the marketing and promotion strategy. I can see how it will take a year.

And that’s just what Virtual Tales has told me. In about a year is when I will see THE VASE in print. OK, so that jives with my information. So I don’t know if I should keep saying “…soon to be published...” Is a year considered soon? I supposed that’s a relative question. Relative to never, or yet to be sold manuscript, I guess it’s acceptable to say soon. But not so soon as in a couple months. Yet the months do go by quickly, and with that in mind, then, again, soon can be used appropriately in my promotion of the book.

Since I signed in January, I’m hoping THE VASE will be released in time for Christmas. They haven’t made mention of that yet. I am a newbie, after all, one of the latest kids on the Virtual Tales block, so I can’t be pushy. I will go with the flow, and trust the words I have received from other authors at this point. They seem to genuinely love being Virtual Tales authors, and I like what’s happened so far, which really isn’t a lot. I expect the editing to begin shortly, it’s what they said. So, like I’ve said, I will keep every step of the way chronicled right here on this blog. Stay tuned.

2 comments:

  1. Yeah, Mr. D, patience sure is the name of the game when it comes to getting 'it' into print.

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  2. As a husband, father, and teacher, I've learned patience a long time ago. Still, I can't wait to see this goal realized.

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