ANGEL ABOVE THE SEA is now available as an E-Book. My wife, Sarah designed the cover which depicts the pathos of the story.  The plum blossom represents Lieutenant Tomasu Sawabe, the Church domes, the cathedral in Shanghai and the figure bending over the wounded child is the poet, Katuszo. The child is Tien Loi.

Tomasu Sawabe is an artist from an aristocratic samurai background, who flees to Paris at the rise of militarism in Japan. On the death of his father he is forced to return and is caught up in the fervour of a general mobilization and has no other choice but to join up as an officer in the Third Imperial Infantry Regiment. Together with his friend Akihiro Katsuzo, a poet, he takes part in the invasion of Shanghai (1937).

Although, Sawabe is not a pacifist, he hates violence and is appalled at the brutality of his fellow country men. He is torn between his desire to pursue art and his loyalty to the Emperor and his family traditions. Unknown to Sawabe, Tien Loi, a street kid, will play a significant role in Sawabe's destiny. Tien Loi together with his sister, Lanshin are members of a street gang that spies for the Chinese Resistance. Meeting a mysterious Taoist priest, Tien Loi seeks to find if the ancient gods will help drive out the enemy. His ambition is to join the Resistance as a fighter. His desire is fulfilled but it leaves him exposed to danger from Japanese patrols, Chinese traffickers and 'mysterious' occult forces. His sister, Lanshin abandons her street life and takes shelter in the Russian mission where she comes under the spiritual protection of an enigmatic bishop, who Katsuzo jokingly refers to as the spiritual 'shogun' of Shanghai. Sawabe and Katzuso are deeply affected by the Russian 'shogun'. In the midst of the carnage and destruction of the city, Sawabe and Katsuzo find fulfilment in helping the street kids. Despite the crushing defeat of the Chinese army and the capture of Shanghai by the invading forces, Tien Loi, Lanshin and friends find a glimpse of hope from an unexpected source.

Katzuso sacrifices his life for Tien Loi and Sawabe is seriously injured by the boy in a bomb attack. Tien Loi sustains a serious wound to his left foot in this incident, while unknown to him, Sawabe loses his left foot. Tien Loi abandons the resistance and is reconciled with his sister, Lanshin, and stays on at the mission. Sawabe is hospitalized and returns to Japan where he is decorated for bravery.

What is the significance of the Kamakura samurai sword? 

Tomasu Sawabe inherits this sword and discovers that it once belonged to an enigmatic ancestor, who is never mentioned by name. However the last thing Sawabe wants is to follow a military career. He wants to devote his life to art.

He is alarmed at the growing militarism in Japan (1932) and anti-western propaganda, which is summed up by an advert selling shampoo with the words: Purging one’s head of Anglo-Americanism. The final straw is an attempt on Charlie Chaplin's life while in Tokyo and the assassination of the liberal prime minister, Sawabe has had enough. He flees to Paris where he is able to paint in freedom. But this freedom is suddenly curtailed by his father's death. He returns to fulfil his filial duties and becomes caught up in the fervour of a general mobilization and finds himself, together with Akihiro Katsuzo, a poet, enlisting as an officer in the invasion force of Shanghai (1937).

While not a pacifist, Sawabe nevertheless hates violence and is appalled at the brutality of his fellow country men. He is torn between his desire to pursue art and his loyalty to the Emperor and his family traditions. 

Unknown to Sawabe, Tien Loi, a street kid, will play a significant role in Sawabe's destiny. Tien Loi together with his sister, Lanshin are members of a street gang that spies for the Chinese Resistance. Meeting a mysterious Taoist priest, Tien Loi seeks to find if the ancient gods will help drive out the enemy. His ambition is to join the Resistance as a fighter. His desire is fulfilled but it leaves him exposed to danger from Japanese patrols, Chinese traffickers and 'mysterious' occult forces. 

His sister, Lanshin abandons her street life and takes shelter in the Russian mission where she comes under the spiritual protection of an enigmatic bishop, who Katsuzo jokingly refers to as the spiritual 'shogun' of Shanghai. Sawabe and Katsuzo are deeply affected by the Russian 'shogun'. In the midst of the carnage and destruction of the city, Sawabe and Katsuzo find fulfilment in helping the street kids. 

Despite the crushing defeat of the Chinese army and the capture of Shanghai by the invading forces, Tien Loi, Lanshin and friends find a glimpse of hope from an unexpected source.

Angel above the Sea is completed!!

I have to do some editing and some refinements, otherwise we are ready to go to proof reading, final edit and printing.

Like all my books, the ideas germinate for years before I start writing. This is not good, since I could have written many more.  I wish I had read Ray Bradbury's comments on writing and William Faulkner earlier. Never mind. I am putting these recommendations into practice.

The Lost Symbol

I thought I would read a Dan Brown book to see why his novels sell a million copies on the first day of publication. Herr Brown tells a fascinating story. He is definitely a master of suspense and tension. His theology - if that is what he really believes - is heretical. He may be writing tongue in cheek,  and pandering to a contemporary secular audience.  I wonder, since Brown is the son and grandson of Episcopal priests,  has he ever heard of Eastern Orthodox?  To quote: "Peter, the Bible and the Ancient Mysteries are total opposites. The mysteries are about the god within you...man as god. The Bible is all about the God above you...and man as a powerless sinner."  I think Brown has read too much Calvin.  He also has a character saying: "the only difference between you and God is that you have forgotten you are divine."  These words remind of the Garden in which the fallen angel says: "You shall not surely die...then you eyes shall be opened and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil."  (Genesis 3: 4-5).  Well...if Brown had read some of the Fathers he might realize that yes, man is divine and is called to share in the glory (energies) of God. I have to give Brown credit for describing evil as destructive, ending in darkness. But I suspect he has been sadly hookwinked by that angel of light.

TEEM TIME

My guide to the Internet for concerned parents is now available on Nook and at  www.pokrovpress.com.  Young people are not only influenced by the Internet but they themselves (the ones with discernment) are influencing the Internet.  Don't let this powerful medium control your child.  Become an informed cyber-parent!
Visit: www.websavvy.ws

The Night of the Cossack

I've just finished reading this fascinating novel by Tom Blubaugh.  If you enjoy a riveting read then you won't be disappointed.  From the opening paragraph, the reader feels the cold, the despair and uncertainty of the hero, Nathan (aka Stepan, aka Ivan).  Mr. Blubaugh has certainly done his research.  Throughout the 'adventure' he describes vivid scenes, places, people and the emotions of his characters with great skill. Imagine being kidnapped and forced to convert by the sword and then accepting one's fate.  I liked Nathan. He is kind, brave and honorable. He is unjustly accused of a crime and is forced to flee. I felt I was with Nathan in spirit, throughout his ordeals and hardships.  - Well done, Tom, you have created a fine character.

Getting back to work

I decided to take a summer break...well from my latest novel.  I am still finishing TEEN TIME and should have it out on the shelves by the end of the month.  I am currently reviewing "Night of the Cossack". It's a great story and the writing is captivating.  I haven't finished reading it but I am enjoying it so far.  The author writes from a western perspective of Russian history...what does that mean? It means that our history is biased towards our understanding of religion and politics. If you read Russian history in Russia, you get a different feeling and view of world history. I'll write more about this when I finish the book.

Angel above the sea

My new novel (in progress) is becoming more interesting as I research into the Japanese occupation of Shanghai in the 1930s. Apart from the hagiography of this period i.e. St John of Shanghai, I am finding interesting facts about the Japanese Army and Chinese ancestor worship. I am also amazed how characters take on a life of their own...I know I have some memorable heroes and heroines, plus a tragic hero...a bit like Captain Ahmet Ali in The Landing Place.  BTW The Landing Place  www.creativecopy.us/lp.html is now published by Pokrov Press. I am very pleased with the new cover and the fact that I get all the royalties this time.  Any way back to work and less blogging!

I hear that Disney is offering chocolate frogs at its $250 million theme park based on Harry Potter. I thought the US was in recession but apparently there is still oodles of money around and some people will always find the cash to enjoy their particular brand of fantasy. I found the first HP book a good read. The prose was lean (just as I like it) and it was a clever story. It reminded me of Enid Blyton and her naughty pixies….not literally, but it had a simple ring about it. I would recommend HP as a fun read but not call it a classic. I don’t expect that Disney will turn my novel into a film that breaks the box office nor do I envisage a theme park, complete with a Russian SB-6 bi-plane and a concrete replica of Mt Ararat...and chocolate snakes.    A Supernatural Adventure

Latest writing doodles

What am I doing these day? I often ask myself this question about my creative writing. Hey. All writing is creative, isn't it, even your tax form..?

Well, the big project is my new non-fiction (and I've almost completed it) called TEEN TIME: Spending quality time with your cyber-savvy teen.

I believe there is a need for a guide for parents to the Internet. We are, after all, living in the 21st century, the new digital world.  As parents we surely need to know what our teens are up to?  I am covering the pros and cons of social networking, surfing, games, with an appendix on fantasy/sex addiction and the new princess narcissism.

I am writing TEEN TIME for a secular audience but I am also writing some articles, based on the book, for a Christian readership.

And I'm working on a new novel for teens about Shanghai in 1936-37. It tells of the lives of street kids, a Japanese Officer and a mysterious Russian bishop.

The Road to Deer Run

I don't usually read romance novels but this story by Elaine Cooper is an exceptional tale. It is a story of sacrificial love written from the heart. Elaine uses the imagery of nature to create mood and tension. She couples compassion with suspense as a local colonial girl tends for an enemy Red Coat. What I found very moving was that this story is based on true events. And what's more, Elaine, herself if a direct descendant of the soldier, Daniel Prince. I think you will find it a read that you won't be able to put down.

Are you having a bad time trying to get published? These days publishers (who only work through agents) and agents are very choosy, especially if you are unknown. The first question they ask is 'Do you have a platform? If so, how many books can you sell for us to make a profit?' That seems to cut out quite a number of potential authors. So what do you do? Self publish? But even here there are big problems when it comes to marketing. Yes, a selfpublishing company will edit, proof read and print your book (they mostly use OUTSOURCING) but when it comes to marketing, you are on your own. It all comes back to whether you have a PLATFORM. I have discovered that I can outsource my work, just like the selfpublishing companies that charge at least $3000 to do it for you. And if there is no marketing, it doesn't make sense to spend your hard earned dollars on such companies. What do you do? Well you can do what I did. I hired a graphic artist to design a cover, a copyeditor to read and assess the m/s and a proof reader and a printer (Ingrams the big, big book distributor) to complete the novel. Much cheaper than paying a selfpublisher to do this. Yes, I have a book published by a selfpublisher on atleast 3 Christian bookstore websites (there are apparently 4000 in the US) and on Amazon and B&N. However if my book does not sell (off the shelf) within 3 months, the bookstores send them back for a refund. A definite lose/win situation for me. Any way I have worked out a method to build or should I say borrow a platform to get my book out there. I am happy to share it with you, if you bother to read this blog!
www.creativecopy.us

Marketing and marketing and marketing

90% of reaching my readership is marketing. I learnt the hard way when I published with Macmillan many years ago.  They did very little marketing.In fact what they did was pathetic.  So as an author you have to do your own. I have found todate that social networking is a useful tool not only for getting known out there in cyber space but for making new friends. So I'm trying to contact potential readers using twitter and facebook.

The Landing Place - an adventure novel for YA

 Well The Landing Place is now in print!

Now here's the dilemna, to put it on Amazon or promote it through social networking.  On the other hand, Roman Carnival is still awaiting cover design, final proof reading and printing -all by 21st May? My origin goal was to put Roman Carnival on Amazon and invite readers to purchase on the same day to give me a decent ranking.  Now what do I do?

The Landing Place - an adventure novel for YA

Well my man at Winepress tells me that my novel: The Landing Place is in the post.  Perhaps it will arrive  tomorrow?  Well, my first job will be to place it on Amazon and then ask people to review it.  Now who should I ask? I shall put it on pokrovpress.com as well and send it out to my list of church friends.

Miracle or coincidence?  Young Nikolai must make split-second decisions if he is to survive not only physically but also mentally.  Read this exciting adventure.... in The Landing Place, due to be on the shelves sometime this week.

Getting ideas from the past

NO I  did not want to be a writer from early age. Sure, I wrote short pieces with stick men pictures and I once wrote a play based on Julius Caesar.  I read very little.  The main influence in my life were the movies and steam radio.

I did not start writing fiction until 1978 when I worked on 3 novels simultaneously.... not completing any of them.  Okay so writing is not for me. Off I went into teaching and fell in love with storytelling. I read stories and we acted them out with sound effects and occasional music (no piano).

I started writing computer books in the 80s....gave up  for many years and then did writing for hire for computer authors.  It is only recently that I dug out old m/ss, typed on an ancient olivetti and started writing seriously.  I can't stop.

My motivation? I can't find what I like to read so decided to write my own.  However the greater motivation was to get a Christian message to young readers, without preaching (I write sermons and am working on spiritual books for adults).  I have my first novel: The LANDING PLACE coming out soon...published by Winepress and my second now in the second stage in the Penguin Competition. 
Sure..I'm a newbee or should I say aged bee...but with God's help I shall provide some good, edifying and fun reading for my young friends out there.
http://creativecopy.us