28th May 2023

We can learn a lot from Tina Turner’s life. In her later years she lived in Switzerland with her Swiss music impressario husband.  When she became seriously ill and was contemplating using the Swiss euthanasia programme, he amazingly donated one of his kidneys to her. How different he was from Ike, her abusive first husband. Tina was determined to build up her brand, the only thing she had. An indomitable fight against adversity. 

So too with the Jewish people who, for 4000 years, keep getting forced out of their historic land. But sometimes a hero arrives who tries to help. Unlike Tina, I can’t sing so I write so that the holocaust never happens again. On Tuesday there’ll be an online FB event party for the launch of The Mandarin Seeds.  You are all invited. Simply click on the following link on Tuesday, between 10.00 - 13.00h (UK time). What happens then? The link will take you to my event page where you can interact with me live on Tuesday, and listen to music videos ranging from Billy Joel, Billie Holiday, Sinatra, John Denver, Tony Bennett etc. There’ll be fab prizes to be won! Via the music I’ll trace the story from 1938 Vienna to Shanghai and to San Francisco and show how just one man saved the lives of 20,000 suffering people. Do come Tuesday! Here’s the link:

https://facebook.com/events/s/publication-day-the-mandarin-s/611586164268103/

As Tina Turner showed, despite everything that’s gone before, you have to be Simply The Best. See you Tuesday!

21st May 2023

 New and aspiring writers often ask me for tips….

1. Don’t expect to make a living out of writing, unless you’re already famous.

2. Read as much as possible in your preferred genre. 

3. It’s essential to have an excellent grasp of grammar/syntax. Don’t expect your publisher or friend to correct it all for you.

4. Write about what you know, including witting testimony from your own life experiences, e.g. ‘Pensioners in Paradis’ (click book icon on the right).

5. Choose a genre that interests you. 

6. Non-fiction and historical fiction require extensive research.

7. Learn about plagiarism rules:  you can’t include song lyrics or copy swathes of another writer’s text in your book. A minefield. A comedian once said: “If you copy just one line it’s called plagiarism;  copy bits from hundreds of different books and it’s called research!”

8. Learn extensive marketing strategies and develop continuous social media skills.

9. When submitting to literary agents or small publishers, always look up and follow their very different submission rules.

10. Try to deliver a message by your writing that will influence readers worldwide. ‘The Mandarin Seeds’ was borne because of my admiration for a modest man who saved the lives of 20,000 people.  If my book can motivate one person to help others less fortunate, then it will all have been worthwhile.

…The big countdown begins. Nine days to the full release of THE MANDARIN SEEDS, an epic saga based on true events.  Pre-order it now for only £0.99/$1.54 by clicking the image on the right. Put a note in your diary for the big release on Tuesday 30th May 2023 - there’ll be prizes!

14th May 2023

I am delighted to announce that The Mandarin Seeds is now on pre-order by my publisher, SpellBound Books, ready for its full release on 30th May 2023. With especial thanks to Nikki for her spellbinding new cover design. Listening to the King last week, calling on all of us to help those in need, brought to mind the real-life Chinese hero in The Mandarin Seeds who did just that, at great personal risk to himself. Here’s what my novel is about:

You are but seeds of fortune, strewn eastwards by an unlikely Mandarin, towards the South China Seas. May you flourish and germinate in your new earth.

An epic story crossing three continents. 

From the terror of pre-war Vienna to Shanghai and finally to post-war San Francisco, this is a saga full of fight against adversity. Added to this is a touch of romance and absolute, real-life, heroism.

In 1935 Vienna, the demi-monde enjoy the delights of the Grünberger patisserie. Eva and boyfriend Michael love dancing in the illicit American jazz clubs but Nazi terror is rising. Soon, the desperate situation for the Jewish civilians of Vienna forces Eva to try to leave, but where can she go?

Step forward an unlikely, real-life, Chinese hero called Ho Feng Shan, who miraculously helps Eva, her father and showgirl Marta to obtain visas for Shanghai. But, as Marta plans to seduce real-life Shanghai businessman Victor Sassoon, how is shy Eva coping in a totally unfamiliar world of sampans and rickshaws? 

And what has happened to brave Michael, left behind in Nazi-controlled Vienna?

Cross continents to an electrifying and  surprising ending in post-war San Francisco 

To give this novel a flying start, the ebook is only £0.99 (paperbacks available next month), which won’t be debited until 30.5.23. It’s also FREE on KU. Here’s the pre-order/buy link:   https://tinyurl.com/mua598r4

I look forward to reading your review on Amazon in due course. Hope you like it!

 

Thursday 11th May 2023

 

Some time ago I wrote the above non-fiction book called Age and the Music of Time. Because it’s so difficult to find a traditional publisher for specialised non-fiction, I’d been searching for a suitable cover so that I could self-publish it on Amazon. The dark-haired beauty in the picture was my lovely Aunt Marion, pictured c.1928, which I’ve included via the wonders of modern media.  Here’s a taste of what the book is about:

Age is an indefinable thing. It keeps on adding to the memory banks like musical chords to a symphony.
Cast your mind back to the 1940s and delve back to that post-war age of rationing, deprivation and community spirit.
Swiftly move through the decades, using the music of the time to remind you of a lost world, where common attitudes to everything from clothes, childcare and respect for authority were all subtly changing.
Sing along to the backdrop of past melodies and what life was like in a major English city through the decades.
Let the narrative show that life is a symphony.
Enjoy!

The ebook is available right now via this international buy link: mybook.to/Age, where you can take an exclusive peek at the first few pages. Just click on the book image on the right.

Only £1.99/or equivalent where you live.

Hope you like it.  Write your review on its Amazon page in due course. Thank you.

7th May 2023

 At last, a day of national celebration the whole world envied. ..

I’m old enough to remember the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Despite rank poverty everywhere back then, few had a TV so there were numerous street parties, mothers contributing sandwiches, jelly and tea to all the excited children. At school, every child was given a commemorative mug and spoon. Wish I still had mine now. Fast forward to today. After waiting over 70 years, Charles has finally been crowned as King Charles III. His second wife, though looking terrified, was crowned as Queen Camilla. Everyone could see how well suited they are.  If only the royal advisers 42 years ago had allowed them to marry, instead of choosing Diana for him. Diana was so lovely but totally wrong for Charles. Similarly with Princess Margaret when she wasn’t allowed to marry Captain Townsend.  Marriage is such a personal thing, we all should be able to choose our own life partner. As expected, crowds of well-wishers lined the Mall. A wonderful spectacle that this country does best.  

… but, as the heavens opened, the downpour wasn’t quite the ‘reign’ Charles had in mind. Just remember though: whatever your politics, impartial royalty is a vital extra layer to ultimately protect this country should injudicious political choices seriously damage the nation.  Long live the King!