James R. Vance's Blog, page 4

Medallion of Evil

A busy period.


I have book-signings organised at Bonnat in the Creuse and Le Dorat in Haute Vienne after having conducted already two signings locally at Magnac Laval and at Thiat. There is also an opportunity to hold one at the Salon de Livres book fair in Montmorillon.


Currently, I am also working on my next historical fiction novel, Medallion of Evil, another tale based on the Nazi occupation of France during the Second World War. This time, however, the plot focusses on the German involvement rather than that of the Résistance or the agents sent over by SOE.    

RISK: BOOK LAUNCH

The Poster for Thiat
           


Book launch of RISK on Friday 17thMayat the bar in Thiat, Haute Vienne, France.Another signing event is scheduled atVera Laine Boutique in Le Dorat laterIn June.
The June event will be a joint signingWith another Haute Vienne author,Mike Welham to launch his new novelDeath of a Scientist.
           






                                                                                                                     

RISK

Now available in paperback from
Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk and
Amazon.fr. Soon be be released in
Kindle format.








http://www.amazon.com/Risk-James-R-Vance/dp/1849611947/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1366969438&sr=1-1&keywords=risk+by+James+R+Vance

European Goldfinch

Today, in Haute Vienne, my daughter spotted a European Goldfinch on her window sill. Is this a sign that spring has finally arrived in the Limousin region of France or was it merely escaping the colder weather elsewhere in Europe? Whatever reason, its twittering is a pleasant addition to a rather dull day after the recent hot spell.

More info:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Goldfinch

Can Amazon's 'Look Inside' feature influence a reader to purchase a book?

When browsing the internet for books, reviews have seduced me occasionally, resulting in disastrous purchases. I concluded that personal recommendations (despite differing tastes) are more reliable. During the past twelve months, I have often used the 'Look Inside' feature when contemplating the purchase of a book that outwardly appeals. I consider this facility to be the 'internet alternative' to browsing in a bookshop or the local library.

What can one learn from a few pages? I imagine that readers apply various criteria to what tempts them to buy or not to buy a specific book, whether it be the genre, the cover, author's reputation, back cover blurb / synopsis or some reviewer's critique in a Sunday supplement. On Amazon, much of this criteria is available with, in some cases, the additional opportunity to take a peek inside. Maybe a personal checklist to 'score' the extract would be useful, thereby ensuring that the book meets one's requirements.

If potential purchasers of books via the internet regularly use this feature as an important guide, surely authors should realise the potential of this 'shop window' for their work. However, I am still amazed at how the opening chapters of some books that I have viewed lack quality, accuracy and the magic of page-turning compulsion.

In the case of my latest novel, the final draft and edit suggested it to be ready for publication. I downloaded the PDF version to my Kindle, giving me the opportunity to read the complete novel as a reader as opposed to the distraction of absorbing the material through the clinical eyes of the writer. Though I was satisfied with the manuscript, something disturbed me about the introductory chapters. Unwittingly, I had taken the 'Look Inside' approach to my own book.

There is still no guarantee that it will generate mega sales, but at least the process enabled me to make last-minute adjustments to improve the final version. Now, it is for the readers to decide.

James R. Vance April 2013
 

RISK: The Video

Video showing an illustrated storyline
of new novel, Risk goes live on YouTube:





          http://youtu.be/SrHy5zzu4Xg

RISK: The Story in Pictures

The Pundit's View

In his press conference earlier this week, José Mourinho stated that ‘the world’ would be watching the football match between Manchester United and Real Madrid. I, along with other millions of spectators and viewers, witnessed an enthralling encounter, a tactical ‘edge-of-the-seat’ masterpiece with no predictable conclusion until a Turkish referee made a decision that ruined José’s ‘global spectacle’—fortunately, in his team’s favour.One of the guests on ITV’s panel of pundits was Roy Keane, the often ‘infamous destroyer’ of the beautiful game, whose career as a player and captain of Manchester United earned him many cards and sending-off decisions. It was remarkable, therefore, to hear him supporting the referee’s decision to send off Nani for raising his foot above shoulder height, endangering (in Keane’s words) any one of the remaining twenty-one players on the pitch. The fact that no player was in a tackle with him at that moment when he attempted to control the ball (Arbeloa arrived like an express train seconds later), was irrelevant according to him.If this is the current interpretation of dangerous play (according to Mr. Keane), the spectacular overhead kick has just been banished from football (Rooney v Manchester City springs to mind) and we will have lost another skill from the beautiful game. If we accept Keane’s argument, the raising of the foot to perform that specific feat would automatically result in a red card and a sending-off—irrespective of whether another player was in close proximity.I have watched football since long before Roy Keane was born. Players like McKay of Spurs, Scoular of Newcastle, Smith of Liverpool, Stiles of Manchester United, Hunter of Leeds, Harris of Chelsea—the list in endless if one adds the foreign tough tacklers who have graced the game—would not survive in today’s sanitised version of football as it heads almost inevitably towards a non-contact sport. If a player is to be now red-carded for a dangerous manoeuvre when no opponent is challenging, we may as well give up and invent a new ‘global game’.I suggest that ITV and other sports channels put Mr. Keane on permanent ‘gardening leave’ where he can contemplate the more innocuous vagaries of nature. 

Passing Time with Past Times

Reviews and Reviewers

Have TV review programmes of books and films become platforms for 'fast-talking, full-of-their-own-importance' guests with nether-region body parts replacing their mouths, instead of a panel of experts providing comprehensible reviews for readers and viewers respectively? Are these programmes merely a showcase for 'wanabe celebs'?

I watched a programme recently that slated a film for its plot, content and acting but praised its fantastic 'style' and artistic technique. I thought cinema-goers paid to be entertained. If one wishes to admire style, surely one should visit the Hermitage in St. Petersburg,  Le Louvre in Paris, Gaudi's La Pedrera in Barcelona or the Tate Modern in London.

                                                 
It is a similar situation in respect of TV drama programmes. Plots have become so predictable and thin that productions appear to focus merely on visual techniques leaving the viewer confused and wondering why they watched, waiting in vain for the compelling finale or unexpected twist.

I may be old fashioned but I love books, films and TV dramas of substance that enthuse me to recommend them to friends and acquaintances.