Time to Wrap up Killer of Killers

Over the summer, I had been working on the second edition of Killer of Killers, between editing rounds of The Vase. And since late August, pretty much all of my time has been put into the second edition of KOK. And I can say, it's almost ready. I might have sent it in a couple weeks ago, but I really don't ever want to have to revise this book again. Melange, especially Nancy at Melange has been very nice about it. It's a pain for her, I'm sure, to have to reload this thing, especially after doing it repeatedly when it first got published. But it's more work for me, really, than anyone else, rewriting this thing. But when it comes to making it a better written book, I'm OK with that.

Well, it's not really rewriting anymore. At least not at this point. It was when I rewrote several scenes to adhere to the 3rd person limited POV, but since the first couple times going over it, it's been more of a polishing up. I've learned a lot more about comma usage, and I have fixed a lot of comma placements, and even some instances of verb usage. All in all, it's made for a vast improvement in writing quality in all aspects of writing. POV, literary composition, and prose being the top factors. It's a much improved book. I know I keep saying it's almost ready, but this time, it really is. I should be sending it in by the end of this week.

But after saying that, I'll probably be sending it in next week. Early next week. Monday or Tuesday.

The Vase Doing Well, and Killer of Killers Second Edition Imminent

The Vase, now, has been out for about two weeks. I think it's doing well, but I have no data to confirm that. That will have to come later. I just think that it is such a good story, such a unique and original story, that once people get word of it, it will sell well. Particularly to Christian readers. Not that Jewish and Muslim readers can't enjoy it, because I think they will. The main characters are Muslim and Jewish, after all. So of course they can relate to it, in that sense.

It's interesting to me, this third person limited POV. Both Killer of Killers and The Vase are strictly adhering to that guideline, and it makes the story and the writing of it so much better, now that I have come to fully understand it. I never write in first person POV, and any time I find a book in first person POV, I drop it like a hot potato. Third person limited is the way to go. And now that the release of Killer of Killers, the second edition is imminent, both books will be perfect in that regard. That's all for now.

Killer of Killers, Second Edition almost there

With The Vase wrapped up, and published now, I've been giving 200% attention to the second edition of Killer of Killers. I just have to. With the standard of writing quality set, for me, at least, in The Vase, I have to make sure that Killer of Killers measures up. And I think it does now.

Again, I attribute that to the strict and unbending standards of 3rd person limited at Penumbra, as well as the strict and unbending guidelines of verb usage, commas, tag lines, and just about everything else in the literary process. Melange was more loose with all of that, but since my second novel, The Vase, was held to that standard, I am compelled to make sure Killer of Killers meets those standards, too.

I'm just glad the publisher at Melange is willing to go along with that. But why shouldn't she? It will only make this particular Melange book a better book. And wow, is it better. Why else would I suggest that buyers hold off until the second edition is published? Because my name is on it, that's why. It's a book I wrote, and any author would want their best effort put forth. Any author who's a true artist, anyway. And an artist, I am.

And of all the arts that I have spent time with, it's writing and writing novels in particular which I find the most rewarding. Particularly when they're published and real people out there in the real world are reading them. That really makes it worthwhile. And exciting. Yep, this is a good year for me.

The Vase - different vases

There are different pictures of vases, one on my blog and one on the cover of the book. I chose that particular image for the book, because I think it's a closer representation of the vase that is in the story. Both are basically the same shape, and both, being black and white photos, are equally representative of the color, which I described as being gray. Both are unglazed, which is also a required quality, but the vase on the book cover has grooves in it. And that trait is a fundamental requirement.

I found the image that is on the header of my blog on the internet somewhere, and I like it, but it really is a smooth vase, isn't it? So when Penumbra showed me that other image, I chose that one to be the one for the cover on the book. And there's a similar looking one on the inside, too. Penumbra is more into using graphics on the inside of the book, like the big publishers do, and I like that. Every chapter has the image on the first page of the chapter, and it's a great addition.

Can't wait for people to start reading it. All people should like it. Christians, Muslims, Jews, and anyone else for that matter. But even though I include Christians as readers who will enjoy it, the funny thing is, there are no Christian characters in the story. Well, the Pope does make an appearance, but it's a very brief appearance. Still, it is in the climax of the story, so it's a very important appearance. And interestingly enough, even Jesus Christ makes an appearance. But is it the real Jesus Christ? Well, you'll have to read it to find out. And even then, the reader will have to make that determination for him/herself.

That's the great thing about The Vase. It ends up being the reader who makes the determination. And that's the way it should be. I can't wait to hear what readers decide.

The Vase and Killer of Killers

The Vase is now a published book and ready to be purchased. Killer of Killers was published a year ago, but I would suggest to wait until the Second Edition is released before purchasing it. That is, unless you're a collector. Collectors want the First Editions. That way, if Killer of Killers ever did get famous, or becomes a top seller, than those few First Edition copies might be worth more than their original purchase price.

But that's another thing, entirely. For me, as the author, I would prefer the Second Edition to be the version readers read. Why?  Because I'm applying all that I learned from Penumbra Publishing into that version. Third person limited POV will be perfect in Killer of Killers. Melange was good about it, make no mistake, but they just weren't severely strict about it. They follow Nora Roberts, I've been told, and I understand Nora Roberts herself is very loose about third person limited. So Melange, also, is somewhat loose about it.

Not so at Penumbra. They are as strict as can be. So much so, that not even the slightest stray from third person limited will be tolerated. At first, it seemed to me to be a little too strict. And I was glad that Melange wasn't that way. But after finishing The Vase, I realized that it really did make a difference. The literary prose was improved too. And by a lot. So much so that I just felt compelled to do the same for Killer of Killers. And wow. Killer of Killers has been improved so much now, that I can't wait to submit it for the release of the Second Edition.

I'm in the final stages of it now. It should be ready by next week. Stay tuned.

Black Sabbath Live - A Review

Last night my favorite band, Black Sabbath performed at the Shoreline in Mt. View, and I was there. I go to every concert Black Sabbath is at. And I have since the mid seventies. I don't go to any other concerts. I don't have the desire to. But Black Sabbath is different. They're my favorite band. I waited for a new studio album from them since 1978, and finally, this year my wait ended when they released 13. The album did not disappoint, even though the original drummer, Bill Ward did not participate in its production. And that was a problem for me.

But that didn't stop me from buying and enjoying the album. I've bought all the other Black Sabbath albums that didn't feature the original lineup. But my favorite musician, guitarist Tony Iommi was on all of them, and that's what mattered to me. Those albums really should have been called Tony Iommi solo albums, but whatever. There were a lot of them, and they had a bunch of different singers. Sure all of them were good singers, but one thing remains true in my opinion. Ozzy Osbourne is the voice of Black Sabbath.

And likewise, Bill Ward is the percussion of Black Sabbath. And when I learned that he wasn't going to be there, I was not happy about it. I met Bill Ward, you see. I was part of a back stage tour in L.A. during one of the Ozzfests when Black Sabbath performed, and managed to linger on the stage when the tour moved on. And shortly thereafter, Bill Ward came out to tune up his drums. My friend and I were astounded. We're thinking, "That's Bill Ward!"

When he finished tuning his drums, Bill was departing, so I blurted, "Hi Bill!" just for the hell of it. He turned around and returned the greeting, but that wasn't all. He came over and talked to us. Yeah, that was a thrill. Perhaps the biggest thrill of my life after the birth of my sons. And it just goes to show, that some celebrities can be really cool, and humble, too. When I told him I had been a fan of his for over thirty years, his response was that he was honored. HE was honored. How about that?

So, it did bother me that not only was he not recording the new album, he was also not a part of the tour. But, just as I still bought the album, I still went to the concert, and I am very glad I did. They sounded great. They played a great variety of their music, even some songs that I had never heard them play live before, including Wall of Sleep, which is a song from their first album, (and one of my personal favorites,) along with Paranoid's Rat Salad, and Volume 4's Under the Sun.

Bottom line, the band was in top form. But they always are. They always have been, and I believe they always will be. Doesn't matter how old they get or how ill they get. (That's a reference to Tony's cancer, which I've heard is in remission and didn't seem to slow him one bit.)

You know, I almost decided not to go to this concert. But if I made that decision, it would have been a mistake. I was glad I was there. Even without Bill Ward, it was still Black Sabbath.

The Vase - Click on Image to Buy!

Well, that didn't take long. I have now added the image and link to which the page on my publisher's site can be accessed to buy a copy of The Vase. But reviewers can get a free copy. By emailing me, reviewers can receive a special promotional code for which a copy of The Vase can be acquired for free. This will be available for the next couple of months, so if you wish to review The Vase don't take too long, because my publisher says that promotional code will be discontinued in December.