Changing with time

Very soon my blog will have a new title and hopefully a new location that will keep it within my new website michaeljparker.com. THE THIRD SECRET may have run its course within a few weeks and my attention will turn to my next book, A COVERT WAR. I have no idea when it will be published, but expect it to be out in about ten months. My son, Terry is working on my website and together we hope to get my name further out into the public domain than it is now. I have had good reports from people about my work, but precious little from the professionals who seem so difficult to involve. I have signed up with the International Thriller Writers as a contributing editor and hopefully that will put my name into the American heartlands. So for now it's a case of 'wish me luck'. Perhaps I'll hear from some of my 'followers' with tips and suggestions.

Reviews.

It's always nice to get good reviews. Here is one from Nik Morton, a prolific writer, editor and illustrator. You can learn more about Nik at www.freewebs.com/nikmorton.

Nik's review:

THE THIRD SECRET
Michael Parker

Spanning the period 1941 to 1970, this sixth book by Parker is a relentless page-turning adventure that should appeal to fans of Frederick Forsyth.

It opens in the Vatican in 1941 and a Cardinal is substituting an important document in the Secret Archives. He is fearful for the original’s safety, as it, together with Vatican gold, was being shipped abroad before either the Nazis or the Russians might plunder Rome. While passing through Chad, the secret Italian convoy transporting the Vatican gold is attacked by British troops led by Captain Miles Roselli. The transport truck is hidden away…

Some 22 years later, one of the Vatican gold ingots is located and the hunt is on to find the hiding place. In truth, the document is more valuable than the gold, as if it is revealed to the world as a fake it could discredit the Roman Catholic Church. Those involved in the search are Roselli, the Vatican’s special agent Cellini, the Mafia family Galliano, a French Foreign Legion commandant and Roselli’s children Angelina and Bruno.

Until her stepbrother arrived on the scene, Angelina’s life had been pretty ordinary. Once she decided to take the chance ‘to change from a kind of quiescence that characterized her life into something that promised the unknown’, she found herself fighting for dear life in dark wet caves and dodging bullets.

Parker has peppered the story with telling description, notably of the inhospitable mountains, and nuggets of information whether about bullion dealing or the Vatican Institute for Religious Works. Also, there are plenty of great phrases, for example: ‘… once he stopped trying, he would start dying.’ Another: ‘… began to think of other things rather than the footprints of a memory that he didn’t know he possessed.’

If you like your adventure tales with pace, intriguing characters, believable heroes and exotic locations, then this is definitely for you.

Nik Morton

Here is another review by Thomas Duffbert, a top reviewer with Amazon.com

I received a pretty good recreational read the other day in the mail... The Third Secret by Michael Parker. It had a bit of everything... intrigue, conspiracy, buried treasure, and a number of people all after a single item, but most all for different reasons.

There are two driving forces in the story. One is the third secret of Fatima from the Catholic Church. During World War II, it was thought that perhaps the German soldiers might overrun the Vatican and loot a number of treasures. A priest, acting on his own, decided to take the unrevealed third secret document, substitute a fake document, and send the real document out of country for safekeeping. The other force is a shipment of Vatican gold being sent out for the same reason. It just so happens that the document is also with the gold. While the Italians are transporting the gold shipment, it's attacked by an Allied patrol in the middle of the desert. They decide to hide the shipment in an unmarked cave until they can figure out how to divvy up the spoils. Of course, human greed takes over, a gun fight ensues, and only one(?) person is left alive that knows about the hiding spot. The rest of the story revolves around his plans to head back, recover the gold for himself, and potentially figure out exactly what that strange piece of paper was that was also with the gold. The main problem is that he's not the only one who gets wind of the recovery, and there are some very powerful people who are willing to do just about anything to make sure they are the winners in the search.

I've grown a bit tired of the Catholic conspiracy genre, as it's been done over and over. But in this case, the story line didn't seem to go overboard on the topic. There were enough competing interests so that the story stayed fresh. And even when I thought most everything was settled and I knew who was on what side, I found out I didn't. The Third Secret was an entertaining novel, and one that I'm glad I had the chance to read.
--
Thomas Duff (aka "Duffbert")
Duffbert's Random Musings: //www.duffbert.com
Top 25 Amazon Book Reviewer: http://www.amazon.com/gp/cdp/member-reviews/A3R19YKNL641X3/
Follow me on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/duffbert

Any movement?

MONDAY JUNE 22nd.

Long time since my last entry, I know, but without followers asking questions or adding comments, there isn't much I need to add myself that often. My book has been out a little over three weeks now, and I am still waiting to hear the sound of heavy footsteps beating a path to my door because the world wants to buy my book. But to put things into perspective, I went into our local Card & Gift shop where I had placed five, signed copies of THE THIRD SECRET together with a small, A4 display poster. They told me they had sold four copies. It brought a big smile to my face. It means I may get a run on the book! I might have to put another five copies in! So, Dan Brown, watch your back! It's funny, isn't it, how lttle things please little minds? But I jest; I really want to see my book up there on the bookshelves with all the other top authors. I have had some good comments about the book from friends and strangers alike, but they don't translate themselves into sales. I'll keep trying though. My first publisher once told me that I would need about five books in print before I could establish a readership. Although I have six books to my credit, only four are in print. Next month I will be sending my next manuscript, A COVERT WAR to my publisher. God willing it will mean I will eventually have five books out there. Wish me luck!

What now?

Last week saw the official publication of my novel. All I can do now is wait and see if any of my efforts at promotion will be rewarded. I have had a review posted on Amazon.com by Thomas Duff, an Amazon reviewer (top 50). He gave THE THIRD SECRET a four star rating and a good review. Check it out. A friend of mine was almost ecstatic about the book and got annoyed because my publisher wasn't rushing out hundreds, ney - thousands of copies. But in the end it's down to the agents to sell the book, and for the buying public to get out there and buy it. Wish me luck!

They're out there somehwere!

Two of the books I ordered from the Book Depository for onward posting to America are on their way, which means my book must have reached the distribution warehouse. Now I am patiently waiting for my copies to arrive here in Spain from Robert Hale, and I can get on with the business of promoting and admiring my work. This is the time now when I learn if all the extra work I put in pushing my novel in as many places as I could, attaching myself to blogs and on-line writer groups will have had any affect. My publsiher told me that a book should promoted in advance of its publcation date rather than after. The reason for this is because new books, apart from the top authors, have a short shelf life. The important thing for me, apart from being well received by the reading public, is to try and break through Hale's rather short print run. If my efforts have pushed my book beyond that point, I will be able to count myself as only the second author (I think) to have done that. Wish me luck!

This is the month!

At last the month has arrived and I can look forward to seeing my novel in print. Official release date is the 29th. I always like handling my books. As soon as I receive my copies from the publisher, I read them. I'm just like a reader rather than an author, and always enjoy what I'm reading. I also try to put myself into the frame of mind that I would expect others to be in when they are reading a novel of mine.

Filling in time

Because the only person using this blog is me, it seems silly to keep writing to myself. But living in the hope that someone will pop in and say hallo, I feel I must add something more. In about four weeks time, my book will hit the shops. Sounds like I'm getting ready for a blast, eh? Chances are it will disappear from sight despite the fact that it is a very good read. But how do you classify a 'good read'? Depends on the reader as much as the author. I can't trust book reviewers too much, particularly those who review for the mainstream Press, but they are a necessary evil. Trouble is, none of them want to review my book. So, how about you the reader (are you there?), why not let me know once you've read the novel what you think? I should be receiving my copies within a couple of weeks, and it never gets less exciting than before; always just as good. I'm like a kid. Roll on May 29th.

Next month!

This is where it begins to get exciting because I can say my novel is due out next month. I don't know what else I can do to promote it, but I keep trying. It has the potential to top the best sellers list, but I'll have to wait and see.

Website update

I am having my website updated. My son is doing it for me and we hope it will be ready to roll within a day or so. He is doing the final tweaking and will then ask me to check it out. It's great fun, and we hope the site will encourage readers to go further than just looking at it; we hope it will encourage you all to buy the book!

Still seems a long way off

Looking forward to my next book is like waiting for Christmas; it takes ages to get here. My publisher tells me that the 'shelf life' of a book in the book stores is not very long; the author gets a short, open window and then other new titles swamp it. Apparently it's much the same for most novels unless they are the top sellers. So as I try to build a kind of promotion run in to May, I feel the excitement building, but I have been warned it could end up like Christmas; over in a very short time. So, fingers crossed that my publisher is flooded with orders for what could turn out to be a potentail best seller.

A new group

I have just joined the Iternational Thriller Writers' Association, the ITW. I find myself now in exalted company and feel like I've bunked in because the majority of the authors are big names and their book sales are like telephone numbers. Perhaps I'm hoping some of their good fortune will rub off on me. It will be interesting, to me anyway, to see how I get on.

Publicity

I have had a short article in our local press about the award I received as 'Authors choice for January 2009 from AmazonClicks.com. It's good to see and I hope this kind of publicity translates into book sales.

One up!

As you can see from the comments below, I have a follower. It's great news to know that somebody has actually read my blog and doesn't mind putting a comment on. Mind you, the comments might change once my novel is in print, but at least I'm connecting with someone.

ANother day

Thought it was about time I updated my blog, although no-one is following me yet. So, how about an intro. to my next novel, THE THIRD SECRET? It opens up with a senior bishop stealing something from the Vatican's secret archives and putting something else in its place. This happens in 1941, but the repercussions are not felt until twenty years later and the Roman Catholic Church finds itself at the mercy of events and the Mafia.

Pushing on

A group of Hale authors have joined forces to promote their novels, published of course by Robert Hale Ltd. of London. I'm in this with them and I need to start generating some feedback from the reading public out there. I have managed to reach into some corner promoting THE THIRD SECRET but have still yet to hear from anybody out there. So, come on, let's hear what kind of novels you like to read, what price you prefer to pay (don't sya nothing), and whether you are a member of your local library where the najority of Hale's books, including mine will be found. Look at RobertHaleLtd.Authorsandbooks. Another project I', on can be found at book@amazonclicks.com. Check it out!

Another success

I learned yesterday that one of my long, out of print novels, THE SHADOW OF THE WOLF, published in 1984, has been taken on by Linford, the large print publishers. The more that my work gets out into the public domain, the better chance I have of climbing the ladder of success. Stick with me, answer my blog, talk to me. How do you rate my chances?

Recognition!

My last novel, THE DEVIL'S TRINITY has won an award: it has won Author of the Month for January on www.AmazonClicks.com
It's nice to be recognised as an author. All I need now is for the reading public to recognise that too!

Still another day.

Still waiting for somebody to ask me about my book, my other books, advice and tips. The advice and tips come free but you'll have to pay for the books. They are well worth it anyway.

Another day

Just popped in to see if there has been any activity on my blog

Another day

I'm still trying to attract some kind of response and wonder if anybody out there has picked up my blog. Perhaps the first person to respond to this blog might give me an idea how I can attract more attention.

Getting better

My web site, www.thirdsecret.co.uk is virtually finished, and I belive my son has done an excellent job. It deserves to be checked out if for nothing else it's art work and sheer professional quality. There is a link to Amazon where you can pre-order a copy of the novel. This book really is a compelling thriller. Look at my site and see what you think.

Building the web page.

My son has created a stunning web page for me. The site isn't complete yet, but it can be seen at www.thirdsecret.co.uk Hopefully the people who visit this blog or my website will want to see the book, which is due out in May. Watch this space!

If any reader of my blog would like some tips on writing and getting published, I will answer any questions as honestly as I can but I won't guarantee on making you successful.

Why I'm getting excited

I am beginning to understand the mechanics of this blog lark. Hopefully I will attract readers to this page and tease their curiosity about THE THIRD SECRET. As I develop this blog and its features I will include some passges from the book, which is due out in May. Can't wait!

Just another day

I was told that blogging is fantastic; you get all kinds of visitors to your blog. So far I have had zilch. Must be doing something wrong! I want to promote my next novel; THE THIRD SECRET. If you want to know more about me, go to my website:

michaelparker.webeden.co.uk

The book is due out in May.

2009 - A good year?

This is the year my next book comes out. THE THIRD SECRET is due for publication in May. It will be available from halebooks.com in May and should appear on the major book sellers websites like Amazon and The Book Depository. I want to generate as much interest and publicity for my novel as I can, hence this blog. Any questions? I'm all ears. Soon I hope to have the opening prologue printed here to tempt your reader taste buds.