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April (fool) Competition – Winner announced

/ mattjohnsonauthor / 8 Comments

Draw made – winner below

Thanks for all the entries – as promised, everyone who guessed correctly will receive a signed copy of the sequel as soon as it is published.

Over the last year, I have received some wonderful reviews for Wicked Game which have inspired me to keep writing. I have, therefore, decided to publish a 2nd edition in April 2013, a year after the book was released. The 2nd edition will tidy up some of the typos that have been found . The story hasn’t changed.

I am working on the sequel (bk 2 of 3) which is currently entitled Deadly Game.

Talking recently to Peter James, I was given the idea of using the name of a reader in the sequel as a small thank you to all the people who have read the book and especially to those who have kept in touch with me through Twitter and Facebook, and extra especially to those who have taken the time to write a review.

It is to the reviewers that I owe the greatest thanks, as it is you that have convinced others to use their hard-earned cash to buy a copy of the book on the strength of the reviews. Those purchasers have not been disappointed and they, in turn, have reviewed the book favourably.

For me, as a new author, to have my writing compared to the likes of Lee Child, James Patterson, Ken Follet, Chris Ryan, Andy McNab and other well known names is really very humbling.

So, I have had the idea for a little competition. I have called it the April (fool) competition as you have to be a bit crazy to enter. The prize is simple, I will name a character in Deadly Game after you and send you a personal signed copy.

Entries start on April 1st and end April 14th. You need to refer to the 1st edition of Wicked Game, as the mistake is rectified in the 2nd.

Question. In chapter 25, Finlay breaks down on the motorway. As he is sitting in the rain, waiting for help, he hears something on the radio. That something could not have happened. What was it and why could it not have happened?

You can post your answers here, or send me a message via FB, email or Twitter. I will keep the responses under wraps until 14th April.  Then I will post the answer here and the name of the ‘lucky’ winner. I’m not promising that the winner will feature as a good guy or a bad guy, so that’s why only the brave should enter!

All the correct answers go into a hat, and the lucky (or unfortunate) winner will find that a character in Deadly Game bears their name.

Good luck… and get reading!

ANSWER – Finlay was listening to ‘If tomorrow never comes’ by Ronan Keating as he waited in the car. As the story is set in August/Sept 2001 and this song wasn’t released until 2002, that could not have happened. 

There were some interesting ideas about Jon Peel (died 2004 so he could have been on the radio), and playing songs in a 60s special that were not from the sixties ( could have happened?), but the one thing that absolutely could not have happened was Finlay listening to the Ronan Keating song.

I hope you enjoyed the fun, the winner

Dave Batey. Congratulations Dave. Drawn by random lot last night.

Now… good guy or bad guy?

Wicked News from Apple

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Image

As of March 2013 Wicked Game has been selected as one of the Apple store (UK and Ireland) top 55 debut novels and has been listed in their top ‘Breakout novel’ listings. Its great news that came to me through Smashwords creator Mark Coker in an email this morning.

I was reticent about withdrawing from KDP select but sales through the iBookstore and the reviews on the Apple site have reassured me that it was the right decision to try and reach out to a larger readership. Apple are going the extra mile to support independent authors, they are to be congratulated and thanked for doing so.

Here’s a link if you have an iPad, iPhone or iPod touch with iBooks and on your computer with iTunes. Books must be read on an IOS device.

Available_on_the_iBookstore_Badge_US-UK_146x40_0824

At just £1.99 I estimate it takes about ten hours to read, on average. That works out at just 20 pence per hour to be taken into a new, exciting and informative world from the comfort of your own home, on the train, the plane or the beach, wherever you like to read. Read a book – it’s the best value entertainment that money can buy.

You can learn more about the Apple #Breakoutbooks listings from Smashwords via 

http://blog.smashwords.com/2013/03/apple-ibookstores-in-uk-and-ireland.htm

But for me… back to the writing. Half way through the sequel and going strong!

Matt J.

Unethical means to promote book sales

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Strange goings on in the world of books and writing. This morning I listened to a Radio 4 programme about a U.S based company called Resultsource that, for a price, will promote sales of your book. They do this, apparently, by buying thousands of copies which gets the book in the best seller list. The author then does a book tour and it is said, buys the same books from resultssource and then sells them on during the book tour. Clever, but not very ethical.

Now I had heard about a small company that sells 5* reviews for e-books at 10$ per review, but this takes things to a whole new level.

I had a close brush with ethics myself just yesterday. A friend pointed me in the direction of YattarYattar magazine, who do book reviews. I spoke to them and they said they would like to do an interview and review. Then came the crunch, they sent me an invoice! They want me to pay £150 plus VAT to be written about in the magazine.

I decided to pass on this ‘golden’ opportunity.

But, from the reviews in Yattar, it seems there are authors who will pay up. Just have to question the validity of the reviews now, and maybe I will bear that in mind before I part with my hard-earned cash to buy a book they recommend.

An author and his manuscript

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On Friday I had a long chat with a literary agent who was kind enough to ring me after reading the novel. He had been recommended to look at the book after an author he represents had read it. In may ways it’s one of those lucky breaks that a new chap like me needs.

It wasn’t a surprise call as the fellow author had asked me if I minded the approach and I was aware the agent was reading the ms. I checked him out, looked at the other people he represents and made some discrete enquiries. He came with a good reputation, works hard for his authors and knows his stuff.

So, it was with some trepidation that I received his call. We spoke for nearly an hour. He had clearly gone through the book thoroughly, looking at the story, the style, the plot, the grammar and all the other important factors that contribute to making a book into a book that will be a popular read.

His analysis was flattering. I felt a little humbled. Here was an expert saying rather nice things about me and about my potential to carve out a career in writing. Then came the crux. His opinion on the perspective in which the book was written.

I mixed 1st and 3rd perspective when writing the book. I used 3rd person for those parts that the main character was not involved in, and 1st person when he is. My reason – the story is from me, pulls in my life experience and started from notes used to help me treat my PTSD. It started as my story,only ending up as fiction as I developed it.

For me, writing it was a cathartic experience. I liken it to the benefit you gain when you have lots to do and your brain struggles to prioritise. If you make a list then what seems confusing and stressful comes into focus, you see the words and the problems or challenges seem more easily achieved. Writing about the causes of my nightmares, anxieties and stresses seemed to exorcise them from my mind. The turmoil lessened and I was able to regain focus to my thought processes. 

What the agent wants me to do is re-write the book in the 3rd person, something I initially felt might take away the personal attributes that 1st person perspective enabled me to impart in the main character. As I wasn’t sure I had to ask myself if I trusted his judgement. Answer – yes. It was clear from the time and effort he had put into reading it and the way in which he explained his reasoning that this was good advice. I also asked a few people who had read the book. They all agreed with the agent.

I don’t know if today is a watershed for me, but today I am about to start changing the novel to the style that has been recommended. It wont be a quick job, but I think it will be worth it.

Only time will tell. 

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Hmmm… wonder if I might get a vote? You never know!

Joanne Phillips's avatarJoanne Phillips

Happy Wednesday, and welcome to the second of my We’ve Got It Covered posts. Today is the start of the Indie Cover Hall of Fame competition, and I’m asking all readers to nominate their favourite indie-author cover. Here are the ‘rules’:

  • You can’t nominate your own cover, or one that you’ve designed (if you’re a cover designer)
  • One nomination per person please
  • The book can have been published at any time but must be self-published and available for sale now
  • Please provide the link to the book with your nomination, the author and the title.
  • Tell us why you like the cover so much. What is it about the design that really grabs you?

It’s as easy as that! Last week we talked to cover designer Berni Stevens, who mentioned that many author-designed covers were identifiable because of typeface design. I’d have to agree – one of my pet hates…

View original post 367 more words

Identity stolen!

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This morning, I was contacted on twitter by a reader and by txt from my ex-wife to say that a profile had appeared on a dating website that was using pictures and information that made it appear to be me.

I won’t name the site as I have written to them asking for them to find the profile and remove it. Provided they do so that will be the end of the matter for me.

But it raises a very interesting issue. My twitter and facebook profiles have pictures and information that can be copied. I don’t mind, as by writing for public consumption I put myself in the public eye. What I hadnt expected was to be impersonated.

Some poor female (presumably) could be chatting to ‘me’ on this dating website. ‘I’ could be saying anything. The potential for damage is huge. My impersonator might arrange to meet his new ‘friend’. Then suppose something happens, a crime is committed, and the cops come looking for Matt Johnson? Suppose the lady consents to sex, thinking they are with me? That would be rape by impersonation!

They say that impersonation is the sincerest form of flattery. Blow that!

For the record, I am not registered with any on-line dating agency anywhere or of any kind. If you are a victim of this impersonator then report him, and quick!

Addendum 22/2/13. And a warning to ladies who use dating websites. It seems the use of other people’s identity is quite commonplace, and is often used to establish a cyber connection. The identity thief has no intention of meeting females. What these men do, it seems, it to seduce ladies into exchanging photos, and the more pornographic the better. The lady thinks she is sending pictures of herself to a personality but in fact it it some some seedy little guy sitting at home on his PC tricking women into sending him dirty pictures. Be warned girls – don’t fall for it!

The SAS war diary

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Thanks to the SAS Regimental Association for this;

In early 1946, a former SAS soldier tasked himself with one final mission.  The SAS had been disbanded and there were no plans to resurrect it.  The soldier’s self-appointed mission was simple: to find and preserve whatever documentation he could before the SAS was forgotten and its story lost for ever.

The soldier tracked down the Top Secret order authorising the first ever SAS operation; he sought out photographs of the original members of 1 SAS, including men lost on that first operation; he somehow acquired the after-action reports from the few who survived.

Then with more photographs, operational orders and reports (all Top Secret), and a handful of newspaper articles from Britain and even America, he traced the story of the SAS through North Africa, Sicily, Italy and France, on to the drive through Europe for Berlin, until the final march past when the SAS was stood down.

By mission end, the soldier had produced something unique – the first ever history of the SAS, collated by an SAS man.  Not only that, in the event of the SAS being consigned to a footnote in history, and with many of the documents he had copied either destroyed or lost forever, he had saved the story of the SAS during World War 2.

But the soldier did something else.  He collated his work in a single massive war diary, measuring 17” x 12” x 4” and weighing over 25 lbs, and bound it in leather “liberated” from Nazi Germany. Without knowing it, the soldier had created an icon. Shortly before his death, he visited the SAS Regimental Association, and gave them … The SAS War Diary.

The Association locked The Diary away in its archives … and its existence remained a secret …. Until now.

To mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Special Air Service, and in collaboration with the SAS Regimental Association, Extraordinary Editions have received unique clearance to produce a once-in-a-lifetime limited edition series of The Diary. The lion’s share of the profit is going to the SAS Regimental Association’s welfare fund.

The Contents of the Diary

THE ORIGINAL DIARY WITH THE 2011 ANNIVERSARY EDITION

REPRODUCED SILK MAP

COMPARING THE PRINT – THE ORIGINAL PAGE IS ON THE RIGHT

Each copy of the SAS War Diary 1941-1945 replicates the original Diary, but with one important difference.  When the soldier collated his Diary in 1946, he used the first 281 pages to record the history of 1 SAS, and for some reason, perhaps aware there was another mission that might follow his; he retained the remaining pages but left them blank.

In the Anniversary Editions, these pages are filled with specially cleared material from The Association’s own highly confidential archives to include the history of 2 SAS and an abridged history of the wartime SBS.  This completes the mission the soldier began at war’s end, and gives for the first time ever the full picture of the SAS in World War 2.

The SAS WAR DIARY is a unique collection of material.  The Diary is the only place where much of it exists. The stories that it tells are remarkable.  It is the only place where they come together to tell the full history of the birth of the SAS and the full scope of its World War 2 operations.

At the time, most of these documents were Top Secret – they include:

The actual order authorising the first ever SAS operation.

Operational reports including:

– L Detachment SAS through the Western Desert

– David Stirling’s capture

– SRS operations in Sicily and Italy

– 1 SAS in France for D Day, NW Europe and Germany

– 2 SAS operations in Sicily, Italy, France for D Day

– Northern Italy post-D Day.

Over 25 maps and 300 photographs, many of them taken on operations and behind-the-lines.

David Stirling’s personal confidential memorandum on how he created the SAS.

Secret correspondence discussing the future of Special Forces in the Middle East.

Top Secret correspondence between Stirling and Prime Minister Winston Churchill on the future and importance of the SAS.

The order assigning SAS regimental status.

To order a copy google the SAS Regimental Association or the publisher ‘Extraordinary Editions’

This is a piece of history and the price reflects that.

Service humour

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I know that a lot of people who link up to my blog are either in the services, veterans or supporters of our services. This should appeal to you.

A Paratrooper, a Craftsman, a Gunner and a Fusilier got into an argument about which Regiment was “The Best.” The arguing became so heated the four squadies failed to see an oncoming truck as they crossed the street. They were hit by the truck and killed instantly.
… 
Soon, the four soldiers found themselves at the Pearly gates of Heaven. There, they met Saint Peter and decided that only he could be the ultimate source of truth and honesty. So, the four Squadies asked him, “Saint Peter, which Regiment of the British Army is the best?”
… … … … 
Saint Peter replied, “I can’t answer that. However, I will ask God what He thinks the next time I see Him. Meanwhile, thank you for your service on Earth and welcome to Heaven.”

Sometime later the four Soldiers see Saint Peter and remind him of the question they had asked when first entering Heaven and asked Saint Peter if he was able to ask God for the answer to their answer.?

Suddenly, a sparkling white dove lands on Saint Peter’s shoulder. In the dove’s beak is a note glistening with gold dust. Saint Peter opens the note, trumpets blare, gold dust drifts into the air, harps play crescendos and Saint Peter begins to read the note aloud to the four servicemen:

MEMORANDUM FROM THE DESK OF THE ALMIGHTY ONE
TO: All Former Soldiers.
SUBJECT: Which Regiment Is the Best

1. All branches of the Armed Forces are honourable and noble.

2. Each serves the United Kingdom well and with distinction.

3. Serving in the military represents a great honour warranting special respect, tribute, and dedication from your fellow man.

4. Always be proud of that.

Warm regards,

GOD
Royal Regiment of Artillery (retired)

Celebrity attitude

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A few weeks ago I was contacted though twitter and asked to do something I had never done before and never expected to be asked to do.

A young man from Manchester called Marcus is raising money for Help4heroes by travelling around the UK with a t-shirt that he is getting ‘celebrities’ to autograph.  He has successfully persuaded Chris Ryan MM,  Rita Ora, JLS, Victoria Justice, Dan Magness and Victoria Pendleton to sign it. He asked me to also sign it. I was flattered, I don’t think of myself as a celebrity in an shape or form.

A friend of mine was in Manchester working and agreed to transport the shirt to me in Wales to sign it. I did as asked, thanked Marcus for the opportunity and sent him a couple of signed books as a bonus to auction with the shirt.

Soon afterwards Marcus approached several Burnley footballers who were out on a social and asked a couple of them if they would also sign the shirt. Marcus explained who else had signed the shirt and the reason for doing so. The footballers told him where to go.

This week, Wayne Rooney responded positively to a request from Marcus and also agreed to sign the shirt. I understand that signing takes place this evening.

So, with all their success, the likes of Rita, Wayne, Chris and the others take time out of their hectic schedules to help a little guy do a bit for charity.

I hope those Burnley footballers learn about this and, perhaps, start to appreciate the good that can be achieved by being celebrated.

Matt.

A story from Afghanistan

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A padre’s experience.

It was the Company Sergeant Major who noticed it first. ‘What’s that?’ He had noticed a loose bit of plastic poking out from a pouch on Curtis’ armour. ‘Just a Bible Sir,’ the youngster from Manchester replied, quickly tucking it in. The Sergeant Major asked to see it, and then explained that something so special deserved a new bag. Later they sat and the story of the Bible in the young soldier’s body armour was shared, and within minutes we knew about it back at Shawqat. I was due out at Folad the next day anyway, and as soon as I had got my body armour off and a brew in my hand, I sat down with Curtis to hear the story first-hand. The little, battered copy of the New Testament and Psalms had been presented to his great, great grandfather, Private J Greenwood, as a gift from the Naval and Military Bible Society before he deployed into Europe in the First World War. It was then passed to Curtis’ great grandad when he served in World War 2 and then to his grandad, Dennis when he served in Korea with the REME. He never spoke about the time he was captured and held prisoner, but through it all, the times of success and the times that were never given words, that little Bible stayed with him and gave him some degree of comfort and hope, despite the horror. Uncle Gary took it with him to Northern Ireland too, and yet it was only when Curtis’ great aunt died, that the whole of the story of the little book came to light. And now, 98 years on, it has been passed to Curtis as he serves on his first tour of Afghanistan. Almost a century of service, of sacrifice, of willingness to step into the breach for the freedom of others has helped define Curtis’ family: ‘It means a lot; it’s shaped me. The whole family has served, and that brought me to the point of knowing that I wanted to join the Army too.’

And along with all that family’s service, a little Bible has brought words of comfort, hope and promise across the globe. And so it was pleasure, an honour, as I left PB Folad, to give Curtis a new Bible, gifted by the Naval, Military and Air Force Bible Society as it is now. The oldest Bible Society on the planet, and still gently, quietly and generously putting God’s word of healing, hope and life into the hands of any of our finest and foremost who would wish to receive it. ‘I write to you young men, because you are strong and the word of God abides in you.’ (1Jn 2:14) 
 
So, as Christmas approaches, remember to say thanks to soldiers like the Curtis’ family and all those others who for a century and more have lived out their hope in the service of our nation.