WHO REALLY DECIDES WHAT WE ARE SUPPOSED TO LIKE
13 February 2012
WHO DECIDES WHAT IS GOOD FOR US
Michael Walsh
It seems society lost the plot but we the people never did. We have never lost our love for true art in all its forms. I often hear the words; ‘people are too dumbed down these days; they are totally focused on celebrities,’
This is not true at all. It is a tiny minority in the ever changing world of fashion that decides what is best for us. These fashionistas create what are supposed to be our tastes in fashion, music, art and literature. It is so subtle and ever changing that we hardly notice it happening as we get on with our lives.
Think about it: if the creators of wonderful arts beautiful enough to enchant the world across the centuries; if they were alive today, would they be noticed? I doubt it very much. I can well imagine the reaction of a modern publisher’s agent if a manuscript should arrive from any of Europe’s great writers.
Can you picture the expression on the face of a music agent on receiving a piece of music called the Moonlight Sonata from a gentleman calling himself Beethoven? I dread to think of the reaction if poetry came in from Rudyard Kipling. Pass the smelling salts please.
When a poet sets out his heart-thoughts he or she does the same as does the artist. The only difference is the artist uses a paintbrush to create images; the poet and writer uses pen and paper. From this imagery you experience joy or sadness; empathy or inspiration.
The proof that people reject the fashionistas offerings is found in my own experience and that of others. My pastime was to keenly observe life around me. I would jot my thoughts down in poetry form; people do the same with sketching pencils.
My poems became so popular they were soon avidly copied and passed on. Giving it some thought I decided to put a collection in a small book; we poets call these anthologies. I tried every darned publisher of poetry but got the thumbs down from all of them. I couldn’t understand this as modern poetry simply didn’t make sense. That was not my biased opinion; it was everyone’s. I decided to self-publish.
I bought a copy of The Writers and Artists Year Book. It sternly warned poets: do not even think of printing more than 500 copies nationally as poetry is not popular. I am not surprised. Are you?
Because the cost of printing 1,000 was little more than the cost of printing 500 I went for the thousand. They were sold out in six six weeks. I printed 2,000 copies of a second anthology, which sold out as quickly in one city alone. I constantly heard the words; ‘why can’t all poetry be like that?’ It is because fashion is not user-driven it is imposed.
WHERE THE SKYLARKS SING
The summer air so balmy brought the fleet of clouds to rest,
They drifted aimless; some were caught upon the mountain crest.
The maid was plucking flowers though her shoulder turned aside,
To hide the blush upon her cheek, perhaps a flush of pride.
That I should speak of poetry and sonnets for her heart;
Create a word-spun spider web that brings romance to art.
So while she stepped through flowers she beguiled and won my soul;
I chased until she caught me and to both of us our goal.
She sat her chin within her hands and smiled a thought unknown;
I closed my eyes and dreamed that she might one day be my own.
We felt the heather in the air and heard the skylark sing;
The curlew's call to higher realm where seagulls rest the wing.
And in her hands the harvest of the pastures summer filled,
Across the vale, the dingle dale; where all the flowers spilled.
To ripple, dance to summer's tune, the ocean's breathing sigh;
Where skylarks sing and flowers grow and maiden lovers lie.
Michael Walsh
Michael Walsh’s poetry is published throughout the world. He was recently awarded ‘Writer of the Year’; published and honoured by a major Russian literary magazine. He divides his homeland between Spain and Latvia.
Posted at 09:13 Comments (0)
The Midnight Hour
31 December 2011
NEW YEAR: MIDNIGHT
The midnight hour approaches,
As I raise my glass to you;
But is it raised for what we’ve done,
Or what we plan to do?
The times that I remember as we stood beneath a star,
Or spoke about the this and that when talking from afar.
Do I salute your lovely eyes;
The thought that is unseen;
Or drink to what has yet to come,
Or that which might have been?
Perhaps.... but I'm distracted by another time and place,
When midnight hour, as this is now, was light upon your face.
The glass is near, the moment long.
A toast to you and I;
The moment of our meeting or,
The hope behind goodbye?
Should the light shine outward from my heart,
my secret midnight guest,
Pause on the sweetness of your face; the fullness of your breast?
The glass is on my lips now;
I close my eyes and wait.
The stay through all these many years,
Was better now than late?
I drink, my heart is filled with you, and my hand is raised up high;
I drink, my love, for all you are - and I drink for you and I.
Michael Walsh ©
Posted at 11:06 Comments (2)
It was Christmas Eve in the Casa
25 December 2011
It was Christmas Eve in the Casa
It was Christmas Eve in the casa,
On that charming Spanish hill;
And high in the star-filled dome above,
Was mirrored an earth so still.
It slept through the noise and tinsel,
For it cared not when nor why,
That man will fight among themselves,
And never reason why.
The chapel bells were tolling,
They talked from vale to vale;
High up in my hillside casa,
I felt that God prevailed.
A melody of eventide,
Each tower sang its song;
In Andalucía hillsides,
I dreamed where I belonged.
In vales below the twinkle lights,
A bed of stars it seemed,
I felt as one with God above;
I dreamed, I dreamed, I dreamed.
Let others do their worship,
At altars of their choice;
But let me be where I would be,
Where God is given voice.
Where chapel bells are singing;
Where hills are filled with hope;
From eventide, be by my side –
My small heart filled with hope.
Michael
Posted at 07:17 Comments (3)
Michael Walsh 'Writer of the Year'
21 December 2011
The Euro Weekly News Gala Concert was a fitting tribute to a year when, under the editorship of Alfredo Bloy, the newspaper with a print run of 548,000 copies, was recognised as ‘Company of the Year.
There were several hundred guests attending the El Valparaiso Restaurant. This splendiferous Mijas Pueblo watering hole was favoured by such as the Queen Mother and Luciano Pavorotti, both sadly deceased. It was a fitting venue for a much looked forward to event.
In my element I was surrounded by media types and in particular sharing a table with inky-finger stalwarts such as Harvey Mann, former Associate Editor of the Daily Mail. As the awards were announced and presented much of it was background to table-talk. There is much more to newspaper publishing than mere journalists and columnists of which there are in total over twenty. How strange to hear one’s name over the audio anarchy of a gala such as this.
When something like that happens emotional sensitivities are breached. I won’t list them all but needless to say it was a very proud and emotional moment. I am not short of testimonials but this was my first tangible award.
I was proud for me; my mum and dad who I wished could have been there for without their encouragement I wouldn’t have been there either. I had also to thank others who weren’t there; family and friends from the four corners of the earth. They always believed in me and encouraged me by complimenting me on my gift of writing. I had also my wonderful friend, Inge Rinkhoff who was my arm-candy for the evening. Here are a few of the comments that followed the award.
‘Congratulations! This is great and definitely well-deserved!’ - Christin Marks. News Anchor & Producer; the Jeff Santos Show. AM 1510 Revolution Radio Boston and Miami.
‘Congrats on your award. Well deserved for sure.’ – Greg Schellhammer. Marbella University.
‘I am so glad to hear good news. Actually it sounds even excellent!’ - Zane Rosenberga, Riga. Latvia.
‘Hi Mike. Many congratulations on your award. Your autograph please.’ - Andrew Byne. Membership Quality Assessment. Guild of Master Craftsmen.
‘Oh Michael, This is so great!Mymost sincerecongratulations! Iamsure youhad a fantasticeveningandwhat a wonderfulpicture of youand your socharmingcompanionat your side.Oh Iam verygladfor you! Bravissimo !’ – Margriet Buchberger. International Soprano.
‘Congratulations!!!!’ – Svetlana Deon; internationally acclaimed Russian ballerina.
‘OMG!!!!!!! YOU GOT AWARDED!!! I am so proud of you, Michael. Madonna Mia you are so talented! Oh please save a copy of that magazine for me.’ – Inga Barisa. Riga Local Government, Latvia.
‘Michael, my dear, I'm so glad, happy and so proud of you but who else if not you? You are a wonderful journalist. No two ways about it. I told you that you are the best.’ - Yvette Kalnina. Russia.
‘Congratulations Mike, you are a very talented writer and unlike some columnist for other papers, you are constructive and actually cover real issues either main or from the sideline...well done.’ – Rashpal Singh. Songwriter and Performer
‘I Had to respond quickly because C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S! What a star. It must feel great to be a winner and by Jove you are one.’ – Authoress Colette Smith. Spain
‘Dear Michael, OUR SINCERE CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR SUCCESS! We are so pleased for you.’ – Inese and Janis Bertulis, Valmiera, Latvia.
Posted at 11:00 Comments (5)
PUBLISH AND MAKE MONEY FROM YOUR BOOK FOR JUST €150
19 November 2011
My search for a person qualified and competent to publish and sell your books on Amazon-Kindle, responsible for 80 percent of book sales has produced dividends. It produced Steve Gledhill, a computer expert whose CV is the most impressive I ever set eyes on.
Difficulties associated with getting published deter all but the most persistent of authors. This problem has disappeared thanks to online publishing.
For most authors, including household named writers, the ghost-writer is essential. My fees are as reasonable as you are going to get. When I am busier I will put them up so value a bargain while you can.
The current boom in book buying is due to authors cutting the publishing and retailing middlemen out by self-publishing online. Tens of thousands of new authors, previously excluded by publishing houses, are making money by self-publishing. There was just one problem; the cost which could be as high as €1,250. How does €150 + iva sound?
I have successfully searched and negotiated this deal as an exclusive to my ghost-writing clients who place their order through me.
Gold 177 (€150 + iva)
· Create Kindle account
· Create / design cover as required
· Produce Kindle book ready for publishing on Amazon
· Publish on Kindle account (your book is sold online with commission deposited direct to your account.
Silver €118 (€100 + iva)
· Create / design cover as required
· Produce Kindle book ready for publishing on Amazon
No, you won’t get hard copies, nor will you get an ISBN number; important only to publishing houses. If you get a publisher they have their own ISBN numbers. All book buyers want is to download your online book on their Kindle reader: end of - story. It’s the best deal you will ever get if you are serious about making money as a writer.
Posted at 18:11 Comments (3)
GETTING IN THE WORLDWIDE SHOP WINDOW
01 November 2011
Are you a writer, artiste, celebrity or socialite; are you someone in the public eye or needs to be? If so you need the equivalent of today’s business card; the personal profile website. Think of it as an online full colour illustrated brochure of you and what you do.
Let us imagine someone is interested in you; who you are, what you do and perhaps what you can offer to them. Simply click and send them a link to your website; put your web address on stationery, business cards. It is an online brochure. There will be one or two of your favourite photographs, portrait and performing, and a little about you. Your name and what you do: In my case ‘Michael Walsh International Journalist, Author and Ghost-Writer.
Follow this with a 100 – 150 description of yourself. I would write: ‘A professional journalist and writer, my work has appeared in media throughout the world. The author of eight books I ghost-writer for many authors. A columnist for the Euro Weekly News, which enjoys a readership of 500,000 each week, I write articles and comment on the human condition; contemporary life and I profile artistes and celebrities.
For twenty years a business mentor for the Guild of Master Craftsmen, the United Kingdom’s largest quality assurance body. There are few as well qualified to identify and highlight the most important things about you and the service you provide.’ These are my 96 words. Perhaps glowing testimonials from people who think you are wonderful. What you offer. You will wish to add: ‘Contact me for further details, fees and services I offer’.
Do not worry if you are not good at that sort of thing or if your English is not good; I do this for you. All you need do is fill out the small questionnaire and leave me to do the rest. Ask for one.
When I have profiled you I return it to you for checking. Satisfied, I then hand it to my website creator and within seven days you have your online ‘brochure’ website for much less than the cost of conventional brochures, which anyway need to be physically distributed.
I add flair; I use word cosmetics to bring out the best in you so you become the most important person in the world to your fans and clients. You will read your own website and say: ‘woo-hoooo; is that me?’
The total fee for your professionally written profile is just €150. It includes a FREE one-page website with appropriate domain name (ellenballet.com) and email address. The future annual fee is just €50 for website administration. Should you require a more sophisticated web presence the fees are equally reasonable. Contact me now at quite_write@yahoo.co.uk
Posted at 14:08 Comments (0)
Vanity Publishing is Sanity Publishing
09 October 2011
The term vanity publishing is loathed because it offensively and wrongly implies that the writer is so poor at their craft that no publisher will touch their work. If the ‘vanity’ sobriquet applies to anyone it is best levelled at pretentious mainstream publishers and their agents. Conventional publishers are notorious for turning their noses up at authors who later self-publish bestsellers.
A publishing insider revealed; “Literary publishers are patronising and are all in bed together. They think they know what sells but their sales are little better than self-published books”. Advances in publishing techniques have consigned publishing houses to history. Procedures that once called upon the skills of highly paid craftsmen; binders, typesetters, compositors; are now carried out automatically.
Because self-published books tend to be sold in unconventional ways such as the internet; at markets, and by retailers using the sale or return method, they are sold in far greater quantities than books sold by bookshops. These now account for only 1% of book sales.
It is no longer necessary to print thousands of self published books. A typical print-run can be as low as 500 copies though orders of 1,000 are more cost effective. These can be up to 100-bound pages but a more sensible size will be 36 – 60 pages (11,000 – 18,000 words plus illustrations).
Those purchased in lots of 1,000 upwards tend to have more of a commercial value. These will be anthologies of poetry, how-to books by which the author, an expert in his or her field, imparts their experience to others. In this way they pass on their skills whilst actually getting paid for it.
The attraction of profiting by self-publishing is not lost on charities that may wish to record the history of their organisation. An author could be a clergyman, the sale of whose written work could raise funds for his church. It might well be a Parent Teachers Association (PTA) wishing to set down a history of their school.
It is not necessary for the author as publisher to be a professional writer. After all, one does not need to be a mechanic to drive a car. It is recommended however that, unless they are professional writers, they have a co-writer prepare the work for the book printer.
The co-writer or ghost-writer will have the expertise to bring the subject to life. At the same time misspellings will be corrected and sentence structure perfected; flair added.
A common mistake is to think a subject not interesting enough. Books on pets, fashion, and know how books covering hundreds of topics often sell by their thousands. The trick is to find a co-writer who can competently prepare the content and make the book available online so buyers can purchase it; thereby making the author a good profit. Under one roof is always a money saver and speeds things up. Costs are reduced and the profits enhanced. If hard copy (conventional) published expect to wait about six weeks for your boxes of bound copies to be delivered.
Posted at 14:03 Comments (0)
HOW TO SELL YOUR BOOK
01 October 2011
If you have your book printed in conventional form; in other words as you imagine a book to be, the tough – or easy bit, can be the marketing and distribution of it. It is far easier than you think but probably better suited to outgoing personable types. If you are not such a person then it might be better to offer the opportunity to a family member or pensioner perhaps, a chance for them to get out and about, meet people whilst making a spare income.
So, your book’s been printed. There’s the knock on the door and the delivery man with several boxes containing your just published books are at your feet and his. Mixed feelings; there is joy at seeing yourself a published author but what now?
Mine was a niche market. My poetry anthologies, Believin’ of Liverpool and A Sea Veneer of Merseyside, were most likely to appeal to the people of that fair city. I simply put the boxes in my car and spent a day running around Liverpool retailers that seemed to offer opportunity for sales. Not all were bookshops; I preferred hotel receptions, souvenir retailers, fast food outlets, newsagents, convenience stores; any shop that had a high footfall. I had one gent who for a small commission sold scores in local pubs. Bargain Books and W.W. Smiths were wonderful customers.
I recall only one retailer who declined; everyone else was happy to take from a dozen to 100 copies ‘Sale or Return.’ This meant I left them on counters for people to see, pick up, and hopefully buy. The retailer was entitled to 30 percent mark up; I got the other 70 percent. I called regularly. He only coughed up for what he had actually sold and I replaced sold copies so stocks were always fresh.
I didn’t get rich but this system kept everyone happy. The point I am making is that if your book too has a niche market then do take advantage of it. For instance, you could be an ex-cop and your novel is likely to be of interest to anyone interested in this fascinating subject. There are police magazines, such as Police Review. They will be happy to give you a review and it might be a good idea to place a small advert; every month in the personal column pays off.
The same applies to most other professions; the medical and legal professions; so many of them have a ready made book-buying audience. Every sport imaginable, business, photography (tips); sailing, travel, equine, dogs, cats... charities especially. Imagine the book sales to a charity’s thousands of supporters, through their charity shops, if the subject is relative and they are getting 10 percent of all sales.
I had one lady customer who wrote (with my help) a story about a sad little dog imprisoned in a dog pound. It was written as though by the puppy itself; something of a tear-jerker with a happy ending. It sold well, through animal charity shops. Get the idea?
You will boost sales tremendously by putting on your book’s cover: ‘10 percent of cover price to the Battersea Dogs Home.’ Get my drift? I am amazed that during these hard times more people haven’t put their talents to good use; drawn on their experiences or skills, to make some useful pin money. It’s easy – when you know how. It is also a fun thing to do.
Posted at 16:25 Comments (0)
A professional writer is an amateur who didn’t quit. - Richard Bach.”
23 September 2011
Most people have a story to tell: a novel, personal experiences, poetry, romance or lust, family history, there are hundreds of subjects. Many people have a compulsion to write and why not? Theirs will often be a fictional story written in the third person. The subject is limited only by the writer’s imagination. Writing a story or a book is a delightful self indulgence that is wonderfully therapeutic; a pleasurable work-out for the mind.
SO WHY DON’T THEY?
The reason most never get round to it is because they cannot write well. This is like not buying a car because one isn’t a mechanic. This is where your ghost-writer comes in. The ghost-writing solution is to bring poor writing up to blockbuster author standards. It is a modest and recoverable outlay. Yes, it is recoverable because the enhanced quality of the completed novel or biography offers opportunity to increase the book’s cover price when it goes on sale either as a conventional book or, better still, on hassle-free Amazon-Kindle. Sales of Mills and Boon novels increased by nearly 70 per-cent when they made them available on Kindle readers.
THE GHOST-WRITER (CO-AUTHOR)
Eighty per-cent of celebrity bios and forty per-cent of standard books are ghost-written; including those with famous names on their covers. You would be surprised at how many authors cannot write for toffee but they do have imagination and drive. Even Jeffrey Archer has a ghost to re-write his ‘scribble’. Your ghost-writer takes your work and by editing, adding flair and content, brings it to retail standards.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
The initial assessment of what you have written is free. If you are serious about taking it further I re-write about 1,500 words free of charge. This will give you an idea of your book's potential when corrected, edited and written with flair.
If you agree pre-publication improvement is needed the cost of professional editing and co-authoring will be just €20 per 1,000 completed words, payable in 15,000 word stages. By doing it this way both writing and payments are completed in digestible sections. There’s no big bill when your book is publisher ready.
Within three months your novel or biography is ready for publishing. You decide whether you wish to find a publisher or at modest cost place it with a professional who will take it that last mile; who will publish and market it online for you. You can then sit back, cross your fingers and watch the sales kicking cash into your bank account.
There are no guarantees in life of course. On the credit side of things, being a published author is a great party piece; everyone is proud of you. You get invites to book circles; get your name in the newspaper; you get talked about. It is a great ice-breaker when socialising. In the unlikely event you don’t make a fortune you will, through sales, recover much of your outlay. Be an optimist: There are many millionaire authors, mostly self-made; the only difference between them and you is found in the words; self confidence and perseverance.
Note: For price and service comparisons I recommend you Google ‘ghost-writers.’ By doing so you will discover that my price and arrangement simply cannot be improved upon.
Posted at 12:16 Comments (0)
English is a Crazy Language
04 September 2011
I received an e-mail from a Spanish friend. Being single he is looking for a senorita and told me he was cutting his eyes open until he finds the right one. I was taken aback until I realised he meant he was keeping his eyes peeled. How do I explain to him that we peel potatoes but not our eyes? If you think learning Spanish is tough think how difficult learning English must be.
If writers write why don’t fingers fing? You never see a grocer groce and never see a hammer ham. If the plural of tooth is teeth then why isn’t the plural of booth beeth? This ‘conversation’ is already playing havoc with my spell-checker. One goose or two geese is correct so why don’t we call two moose two meese? It sounds crazy that you can make amends but you cannot make just one amend. Worse: If you have a box of odds and sods and get rid of half of them what is left?
There is no egg in eggplant; nor is there ham in hamburgers. Don’t go looking for either pine or apple in a pineapple. English muffins are not English and French fries are alien to the French. If you take a foreigner’s look at the English language you will likely become completely bemused.
Sweetbreads are neither sweet nor bread: it is the pancreas gland of an animal. If in quicksand you sink slowly; boxing rings are square, guinea pigs don’t come from Guinea and they are not pigs. If teachers taught why didn’t the preacher praught? If a vegetarian eats vegetables I don’t even want to think about what a humanitarian might eat.
It has been said that all English speakers should be committed to an asylum for the verbally insane. In what other language do people recite at a play and play at a recital? We ship goods by road and we place cargo on a ship. Heck! We are a wonderful people. We have feet that smell and noses that run. How can a slim chance and a fat chance be the same thing? A wise man is clever: A wise guy is dumb.
You can’t help but marvel at the lunacy of a language that says your house burns down when it has been burnt up. Did the fire alarm go on by going off? Have you noticed that when the stars are out you can see them but when the lights are out you can’t see them?
All this underlines the importance of writer’s flair; not only a thorough and tactile understanding of a complex language but the ability to draw on it to make your story come to life. I often use the term ‘word flattery’; I do for the written word what cosmetics do for ladies faces. I turn passport photographs into portraits. Do drop me an informal line; I don’t bite. Mike Walsh at quite_write@yahoo.co.uk
Having said that; a reminder. Returning from my working holiday in Latvia I will be off the air from Tuesday September 6 to the 12.
Posted at 10:15 Comments (0)
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