Writer needs some help!

Re: Writer needs some help!

feeds@yuku.com (MarkJH6) — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 18:54:01 GMT

Hope you don't mind me sharing this new review from Amazon :)

'This book is the story of two fourteen year old boys who find themselves transported into a realm of magic and nightmare.
Reminiscent of the Chronicles of Narnia, the story quickly turns into a dark tale of nightmare, lust and cruelty as the two boys find themselves locked in a contest against the ultimate evil, with the stakes being not only their lives, but their souls as well.
Joining Tom Lewis and...

Re: Writer needs some help!

feeds@yuku.com (MarkJH6) — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 16:36:58 GMT

That's wonderful. Look forward to hearing what you think!

Re: Writer needs some help!

feeds@yuku.com (dlee10) — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 15:18:20 GMT

The book has been ordered and was supposed to arrive 10/31. Amazon, where are you!??

Re: Writer needs some help!

feeds@yuku.com (dlee10) — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 06:27:09 GMT

Hi, Mark,
I did as promised. The bit in the garden was intriguing enough that I do want to continue. Good plan posting part of the book! I wish you every success, Deborah

Re: Writer needs some help!

feeds@yuku.com (MarkJH6) — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 06:58:59 GMT

Thanks Dlee. Let me know what you think of it.

Re: Writer needs some help!

feeds@yuku.com (dlee10) — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 21:37:45 GMT

I'm going away for the weekend but I will look forward to the first few chapters when I get back. Whether or not I like the book I do admire your persistance!

Re: Writer needs some help!

feeds@yuku.com (MarkJH6) — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 16:11:54 GMT

I thought I would let everyone know that my old AOL page with excerpts from The Magic Lands is closing. I have now created a new site that has the first two chapters from my book available to read. You can find it here: http://www.freewebs.com/markhockley/

Please do check it...

Re: Writer needs some help!

feeds@yuku.com (BCCJillster) — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 15:39:25 GMT

Oh well Mark, at least you know you need to keep perspective. There's almost never total agreement, right?

Re: Writer needs some help!

feeds@yuku.com (MarkJH6) — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 12:57:35 GMT

Just thought that I would post this in the spirit of balance, but I've just had my first really negative review on Amazon USA! After three five star reviews I got a one (count them!!) star review from someone who thought the book was not good at all. Oh well, you can't win 'em all :)

Re: Writer needs some help!

feeds@yuku.com (MarkJH6) — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 04:32:36 GMT

I thought this review that was just posted on Amazon UK might be of interest. I'm really pleased with it because the reader absolutely 'got' what the novel is meant to be about.

'If ever you've strayed in a dodgy part of town you'll have felt what this novel at times conveys; a sense of anxious dread and paranoid suspicion. Evil doesn't play by the rules or rather it does but the rules are hidden. You're left constantly wondering what lurks...

Re: Writer needs some help!

feeds@yuku.com (MarkJH6) — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 04:08:34 GMT

Hi,

Thanks for your replies. I think in retrospect I would have chosen desire rather than lust. The story plays with the conventions of the classic children's fantasy adventure, but tackles some darker, more challenging themes. Hopefully it will appeal to someone!!

Re: Writer needs some help!

feeds@yuku.com (dlee10) — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 20:08:50 GMT

Okay, thanks, Jodi!

Looking at the cover I would assume this is a YA book. Then the synopsis mentions lust. A bit ambiguous. If it is a book for "grown-ups" I would leave the boys in the center off the cover. Your reviews are good though. Good luck!

Re: Writer needs some help!

feeds@yuku.com (jodijoy) — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 09:10:31 GMT

The problem is the link is in there twice.

Here's the correct URL

http://hometown.aol.co.uk/markjohnhockley/myhomepage/mywork.html

Re: Writer needs some help!

feeds@yuku.com (dlee10) — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 18:16:35 GMT

I wasn't able to access your site so I can't comment on your cover. Cover art is very important to me. I like fantasy but not so much sci-fi so I shy away from anything with a robot or space ship on the cover. I associate pink with "chick lit" so I shy away from that as well. The cover is the first thing to catch potential reader's eye. If it is not appealing I may not bother with the synopsis at all. Of course, this only applies to bookstore browsing. When browsing...

Writer needs some help!

feeds@yuku.com (MarkJH6) — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 16:47:25 GMT

Hi everyone,

I'm very happy to say that I've recently had my debut novel published and would love to swap thoughts and opinions on what makes a compelling read. Obviously, some of my motivation is market research, but if I don't ask people who are interested in fantasy books who can I ask! With this in mind, what do you think attracts a potential reader? Would it be the front cover (you can find mine for...