Posted on 11/02/2001 1:07:12 PM PST by Dukie
My good friend and Free Republic regular Jeff Head spoke with me on the phone this afternoon with the great news that Pocket PCpress, a major publisher of electronic books, has expressed strong interest in Jeff's recently completed work of fiction Breath of Fire, 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 !
All I want to do is get into a position where I can seriously get started on volume II. I have the whole story outlined on paper with the details floating around in my heaed waiting to come out!
In the meant time, if you are interested, check out the site:
www.dragonsfury-breathoffire.com
You can order either version there now if you wish.
Thanks for the kind words and here's wishing God's best for you and yours.
Spent many, many late night hours while working as a consultant then as a manager at a local technology company. Worked about 5 1/2 months in that mode ... the time being significantly interrupted by what I felt was my duty in trying to help the people over in the Klamath Basin.
Enlisted the help of many friends in reviewing/editing things as they came out, several right here on FR.
Got great input and even some short writing on a couple of the character sequences which I then folded into the tale.
Lost my job on September 14th and decided then to invest all of my time and whatever savings it took to finish the book and get it to market. It was a risk, we were worried, we prayed a lot (still doing all of those things) ... but I was and am convinced that it is a worthwhile story that has a message that needs to be told ... particularly now.
So that's where we are.
This thread is good news because the book is getting some exposure and consideration. I am still pretty reserved about it (my parents taught me to never count chickens before they hatch) and intend on continuing with it on my own if I must, but hoping that a good, reputable company picks it up and gets it out there.
BTW, thanks for ordering one ... I saw the notice this morning. I sincerely hope you enjoy it and that it is engrossing. They'll ship probably week after next sometime.
Best regards.
If you don't mind, I'd like to use that little quote you just made on the site. Annonymously of course. Would that be okay?
Regards! Get Fred to get one ... I'd be interested in his take too.
If you are completely committed to it, have a thick skin, are willing to get others involved in helping and then listen to what they say and respond accordingly (note - this doesn't necessarily mean you change everything anytime anyone says, it just means you seriously consider what they say and make necessary tweaks to account for it, or major changes if necessary) and then if you are patient ... ABSOLUTELY it has a shot.
See my post #143.
A lot of people have been asking me about what they are doing and I relly want to help ... but what can I say other than to put the old nose to the grindstone?
Now I get it so here's a
LOL!
Regards
Brilliant, MUD. Your ability to compose on the spur of the moment is a marvel to behold. I know your talents in composing lyrics are unrivaled with the possible exception of doug. How are you with melodies ? I figure the film version of Breath of Fire will require musical score so start thinking about it.
Thanks for the ping, John.
Now here's an interesting idea...an FR Book Club.
Congrats on the rave reviews thus far. I will buy and read your book soon and I'll let you know my level of satisfaction with your novel. Best of continued luck!
Fred
I think I just ordered it online, although the 'submit' action didn't seem to generate an e-mail. I'm putting a personal check in the mail today, with a note so that we can close the loop on this. I ordered the hardcopy/book version and hope you can sign it for me!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.