Major EBook Publisher Endorses FReeper Jeff Head's Novel (Thread II)

Dragon's Fury - Breath of Fire ^ | November 2, 2001 | Christopher Durkin

[Jeff Head]

By: Christopher Durkin

My good friend and Free Republic regular Jeff Head spoke with me on the phone this afternoon with the great news that POCKETPCPRESS, a major publisher of electronic books, has expressed strong interest in Jeff's recently completed work of fiction:

Breath of Fire

Which is a tale of the coming third world war. Mr. Doug Clapp of PocketPCpress wrote in his endorsement on Jeff's website:

"My company, PocketPCpress, gets to see a ton of novel submissions. Most are truly terrible...which is sad. We wish it weren't so.

We recently had the good fortune to read Dragon's Fury-Breath of Fire by Jeff Head and -- for the first time in a long, long while -- we were absolutely knocked out.

Don't be mislead by the fact that -- for now -- this is a self-published book offered only on the author's website. I'm sure this won't be the case for long. This is an amazingly accomplished, professional, techno-thriller that will make you turn page after page after page -- and enjoy every minute of it.

I could go on about plotting and characterization and all that, but I won't. This is simply a hellava great read and "right on" about what's happening in the world today. Tom Clancy now has some serious, serious competition."

Doug Clapp

PocketPCpress

Jeff went on to mention that Mr. Clapp has also put him in contact with a New York literary agent who has requested expedited delivery of a complete hard copy manuscript in anticipation of possible print publication. For those of you who may not have seen the initial announcement, excerpts from Jeff's book Breath of Fire can be found here.

This is a most noteworthy and laudable achievement and a source of pride for all of us here. It is also even further evidence that Free Republic is the beacon of American liberty which both attracts and stimulates the brightest minds to be found on the net or anywhere. Congratulations to you, Jeff !

[Dukie]

A Monday morning bump concerning Jeff's book.

[Dukie]

A monday bump for yinz. - Jeff's book making some news.

[MrConfettiMan]

Congratulations and a bump, Jeff. I'm looking forward to receiving my copy.

[Dukie]

Good morning, Joe ! Hope to see another update from you when you are able. God's blessings be with you.

[Dukie]

Breath of Fire BUMP for you two guys

[Jeff Head]

Well ... get one and pretend! LOL!

[harpseal]

BTT

[NYCON]

Thanks for the BUMP Dukie,I will certainly pick up a copy!

The "Old Marine" is in my prayers,God Bless.

[RonDog]

A bump for a few more FR regulars. Some good notice of Jeff's book.

Thanks for the flag! This is GREAT NEWS - for a wonderful FReeper!

I still prefer the old-fashioned PAPER version, and already have sent in my money to JH for TWO of them!

[Jeff Head]

FYI.

Just got another email from an agent, this time at Waterside productions, requesting another manuscript.

Will get it out today.

[Luis Gonzalez]

I am keeping a very close eye on this...

[Dukie]

Why, thank you very much, NYCON and God bless you for your prayers. I'll pass the word to my Dad when I see him this evening.

[Dukie]

Thanks, RonDog. Keep on watch and be careful as you cross bridges out there in sunny California.

[Dukie]

Hey Luis ...buenas dias ! Glad to flag you, particularly because of your involvement with the effort.

[Jeff Head]

Just got another email. This one back from the folks in New York.

"Just wanted to let you know that your manuscript arrived safe and sound. We are looking forward to reading it this week."

Guess we'll see, but I feel very grateful (particularly to Doug from PocketPCPress for his letter of reference) that this work got immediately moved up to the top of their read list. I cannot imagine that happening if I had sent it in to them, or anyone else, as a submission from the street.

We'll see. Either way I am determined to keep pushing the book.

FRegards.

[ASaneGuy]

I don't want to pour cold water on your excitement. But boy, you are hurting yourself with the book. I couldn't bring myself to finish even the first paragraph, because of three MAJOR mistakes.
1. The name of current Chinese president is Jiang Zemin, not Jien Zenim.
2. Jiang Zemin will not be president in 2004. He is stepping down and being replaced by someone else next spring.
3. Jiang Zemin was not the mayor of the capital, Beijing, but Shanghai.
Hope you have a good editor at PocketPCPress.

[harpseal]

Re: Your work of fiction. It seems like events are fast catching up especially when one considers the fact that the PRC ppropaganda organs are celebrating Spet 11 and using it as proof the USA is a paper tiger.

Stay well - Stay safe - stay armed - Yorktown

[Doug Fiedor]

Guess we'll see, but I feel very grateful (particularly to Doug from PocketPCPress for his letter of reference) that this work got immediately moved up to the top of their read list. I cannot imagine that happening if I had sent it in to them, or anyone else, as a submission from the street.

Way to Go Jeff!

Congratulations. It's always a very good sign when they acknowledge receipt of a manuscript. It's an exceptionally excellent sign when they actually tell you that they moved it up to the top of the heap.

Now . . . about sending a check for my autographed copy. . . . . :-)

[Jeff Head]

That's why they call it fiction ... it is also requisite to not use actual names due to litigation issues.

I understand the spellings are not the same ... that covers it being a fictional character and certainly not the one currently in power. I can easily do mass substituion for names should a literary agent decide it is necessary.

Sorry of those things are hangups to you. As the agents read it and make suggestions, I have no problem changing those names to something less close to the actual people.

As it is, the story line, for those who can get past the issues, or not have to stumble over the issues you point out, is fairly compelling.

Thanks for the input.

[Jeff Head]

Thanks Doug, I feel very humbled and grateful that I was so contacted. Like I said, we'll see where it leads.

On the "autographed" copy. LOL! Like I have said to a number of folks, I view my John Henry on the thing as nothing special and wonder at the requests. But, I will happily accomodate as long as I can.

At the site, on the order page for the printed copy, just put the request in the "Special Instructions" text box provided there.

FRegards!