Forensic Doctor Sneetz scrambles for his life, his family and country to bring a terrorist with an invincible WMD to justice and save civilization.
BUY ONLINE www.bn.com;www.amazon.com;www.iUniverse.com
TELEPHONE 1-800-AUTHORS
EMAIL melvinmharter@gmail.com
BOOKSTORES Ask for ISBN 978-0-595-47750-0
WEBSITE & MOVIE www.somekindofangel.com
Friday, April 11, 2008
Some Kind Of Angel
Some Kind Of Angel - A Sneetz and Muldoon Thriller
Some Kind of Angel is a book that is most difficult to describe adequately. The story line is fascinating in that the murder weapon is a brief stage of nuclear fission initiated by a program inserted into the victim’s computer. When triggered, it causes a deadly genetic mutation with instantaneous death, but leaves no traces. The story builds from a few cases in widely dispersed, mostly remote areas, to a letter to the President of the United States threatening wide-spread devastation, if demands are not met. These demands are to allow the acts of the Almighty and nature’s law of survival of the fittest to continue unabated, instead of interfering. The hero is a brilliant physician who was a cardiologist and surgeon who lost a thumb and now solves strange murder cases. Washington recruits him to help find the perpetrator. He is married and his pregnant wife also becomes threatened. With respect to the mechanics of the story: bits of basic medical knowledge pertinent to the story are adequate (the author is a physician). The hero is vehemently anti-gun but finally is forced by his accomplices to carry one, supposedly after finally receiving some basic training. Dialogue and action surrounding their use and availability exhibit the fact that the author probably has the same sentiments – they do not ring completely true to knowledgeable persons. From varying small descriptions of the hero and his wife, it seems impossible to solidify a mental picture of the characters. The publisher was not particularly diligent with the proofing. In summary, the mechanical oversights described are annoying, but the story otherwise is a most interesting read. John H. Manhold
The storyline is compelling and keeps the reader interested and engaged. Most of the main characters are multidimensional and there are several moments of charm and light comedy, touching scenes of marital tenderness, astute observations, interesting scientific theories, and exciting chases and action-adventure sequences to keep the reader moved and entertained. The plot is unique and memorable.
All in all, Some Kind of Angel is a very enjoyable read.
Some Kind of Angel is a thriller written by Melvin M. Harter, a retired doctor with many years of experience in the medical-legal arena. Recently widowed, Harter has two sons and four grandchildren and lives in Palm Springs, California where he can be found writing his next book.
This novel tells the tale of mass murders, which leaves the United States government feeling threatened - especially as they are held to ransom. Help seems to be at hand when forensic doctor, Gilbert "Sneetz" Schnetele and journalist, Albert Muldoon, are told to track down and put a stop to the impending threats.
Yet something about these murdered victims becomes apparent - they appear to be mummified victims. This seems to be the method the terrorists use in covering up their crimes and giving no clue as to how these people died. Sneetz is puzzled and has no clue to many of the questions that are forth-coming.
One thing is becoming clearer however, and that is Sneetz and her companion Muldoon are in a terrifying race against time to save the country from disaster as the deadline approaches.
The characters are quite believable and I think from this point of view, Harter has done a great job. Some authors have characters that are rather like cardboard cut-outs - wooden and quite fixed. These however are brought to life and I found myself actually feeling for them.
As for the storyline, I found it in some places very boring. The dialogue seemed to drag on and not much action happened - or simply not enough for me anyway. I found most of the story went from Los Angeles and San Francisco, back and forth back and forth. While I criticize this part of it, I do find Harter has a lovely way with words.
Sentences seemed to pop out at me and flowed at a nice pace. One of my favourites is: “The sea sucked up the city’s daylight in exchange for chilly shadows of fog. The dank mist smelled as musty as a cellar”. This author certainly has a keen eye for detail. I think if you’ve not read many forensic thrillers or even go for them, this one could be worth reading.
I wouldn’t so much say this is a “cliff-hanging pursuit” as the blurb promises, but it still might be worth a shot or two.
To Purchase Some Kind of Angel (A Sneetz and Muldoon Thriller) www.Amazon.com or any online bookstore. Telephone 1-800-AUTHORS
It is that time of year where you want to stock up on some books to read while on your summer vacation. Some Kind Of Angel might be one to put on your list.
Melvin Harter is a retired doctor and Some Kind Of Angel is his debut into the wild world of books. In this book we get acquainted with his main characters Sneetz and Muldoon, and I suspect that we are going to see more of this duo in future books.
Gilbert ‘Sneetz’ Schnetele is a retired heart surgeon, retired due to a DIY home improvement problem that involved a power saw lopping off a valuable digit. Unable to wield a scalpel he has become a legal/medical consultant evaluating ‘on the job’ injuries.
Albert Muldoon is an aging weather worn journalist who has seen it all. Young enough to have faced the wrath of McCarthyism, old enough to have survived and thrived. Thrived to the extent that now retired he officially just writes books, unofficially he is part of the Presidents inner circle.
A series of multiple killing across the globe occur, there seems to be no connection, but all share some strange similarities, there are no signs of a struggle, the bodies are in perfect, almost mummified condition, and death seems to have been instantaneous.
The mystery deepens and takes a much more sinister turn when the President receives what is tantamount to a ransom demand, pull out of Iraq, and everywhere else there is a US armed forces presence, or face mass murder close to home in Washington DC.
With no idea what the weapon of mass destruction is, or how it has been delivered, they are in a quandary.
Sneetz meanwhile has been retained to look at a death on the job case, a young janitor at a remote Air Force research lab is dead, yet there seems to be no reason for the death. It is by his poking around that he comes to the attention of the US government, and in particular Muldoon. Sneetz is brought into the very close knit family fighting the unknown terrorist group.
What will they find? How will they defeat an unknown adversary?
Well, you can find out by getting your own copy from Amazon, or by checking out Melvin Harter’s web site.
At 160 pages this is a very quick read, it certainly moves right along though, and there is action on every page. If I had a criticism, it likely would be the length, the plot line is rich, and I think the book could have been another 100 pages longer, in order to explore some of the subplots in greater detail. Book length is a really hard call to make, it is so dependent on the richness of the plot, but this book has that! Some authors on the other hand waffle on until you are ready to disembowel yourself with a plastic butter knife, Tom Clancy is probably the worst offender with his absolutely unreadable Executive Orders, it could have been written in 250 pages and been a fun read, instead he produced a 1000 pages of boring techno yawn.
I am looking forward to more Melvin Harter, he has his feet wet now, and I think the future looks bright. As the Shania Twain song says “Up, Up, Up”.
Book Review: Some Kind Of Angel by Melvin M. Harter
A thriller that's a perfect summertime read and a promising writing debut that introduces us to two protagonists, Sneetz and Muldoon, who must track down a terrorist before he unleashes his fury on Washington, D.C.
Book Review: Some Kind Of Angel by Melvin M. Harter — A thriller that's a perfect summertime read and a promising writing debut that introduces us to two protagonists, Sneetz and Muldoon, who must track down a terrorist before he unleashes his fury on Washington, D.C
Some Kind of Angel is a past-paced story of how a man's heroism is revealed when, under tremendous personal pressure, he makes choices and takes actions contrary to his own avowed values.
Some Kind of Angel is a fast-paced story of how a mans heroism is revealed when, under tremendous personal pressure, he makes choices and takes actions contrary to his own avowed values.
A gripping political thriller, with a brilliant plot which fans of the genre will love.
Review By Midwest Book Review., August 13, 2008
Genocide on a wide scale throughout the planet, and a blackmailed president. "Some Kind of Angel: A Sneetz and Muldoon Thriller" follow a forensic doctor and investigative journalist as they try to solve the mystery of why millions of people have been dropping dead. They must also disarm the weapon that the terrorists hold over the president of the United States before it's too late! A deadline from the terrorists quickly approaches and Sneetz and Muldoon must find a way to save their beloved nation and liberty from going the way of the dodo. "Some Kind of Angel" is a gripping political thriller, with a brilliant plot which fans of the genre will love
Today, Norm Goldman Publisher & Editor of Bookpleasures.com is pleased to have as our guest, Melvin M. Harter who is a retired physician and author of Some Kind of Angel.
Mel specialized in evaluation of the causes and extent of injury and disability. He has become a freelance writer and author of the novel.
Good day Melvin and thanks for participating in our interview
Mel:
Good day, Norm. Thanks for asking me. And, oh. Please call me “MEL." I reserve Melvin for business because it’s my true given legal name AND for my mother because she seemed to like it.
Norm:
I believe this is your first published novel, what inspired you to write your first book and what did you like most about writing the book?
Mel:
Some Kind of Angel is my first published novel, not the first book I’ve written. There is a children’s fantasy and a full-length screen play about cults and there was an illustrated audiotape program informing patients about surgery they were advised to have; a kind of informed consent tool while I was still practicing medicine. There were also self help manuals I gave to my patients.
What inspired me to write Some Kind of Angel? Working many years evaluating disability mostly within the California Workers’ Compensation system, I first-hand witnessed fraud and greed on all sides: plaintiff and defendants. I fought it as I could with truth as I saw it, So there are good stories to be written about corrupted and greedy employees (working folks,) employers from mom and pop candy stores to giant corporations and government. There are potentially bigger thrillers yet to be written than we ever read or saw at the movies and on TV. Talk about fudging; I didn’t mention the insurance companies that pay all the bills with collected premiums.) And some job descriptions would make your stomach pull toffee.
Norm:
Could you briefly tell our readers something about Some Kind of Angel?
Mel:
Forensic Doctor Sneetz scrambles against the clock for his life, family and country to bring a home-grown terrorist with an invincible WMD to justice and save civilization from anarchy. By making choices contrary to his fundamental belief system, while under harrowing pressure, he becomes a true hero.
Norm:
Where did you get your information and ideas for your novel?
Mel:
As I said earlier, working for years as a specialist in the field of Workers’ Compensation evaluating cause and percentage of disability working people sustained on the job, I grew to know my main characters very well and they demanded of me thrilling events that could only be accomplished in broad stroked fiction; in a kind of fantasy sci-fi setting.. So lots of the ideas really came out of my imagination – a kind of comic book approach.
Norm:
What was your main focus when you created your protagonist?
Mel:
I wanted to recreate myself as a younger, smarter, nicer, kinder doctor, a good man, good citizen and true patriot.
Norm:
How did you come up with the title Some Kind of Angel?
Mel:
It’s a play on the name on one of the important characters. I wanted it short, relevant and a bit baffling.
Norm:
What do you see as the influences on your writing?
Mel:
I’m very much influenced the corrupt and greedy world I live in. And the worst greed and corruption emanate from the high government and corporate leaders. There’s also genocide, terrorism, Jihads, Crusades and Inquisitions. Torture, in any hands makes me sick.
Norm:
Did you learn anything from writing your first novel and what was it? If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your first novel?
Mel:
1. Research is always required, even in fantasy.
2. Editing is very hard work that is never finished.
3. Self discipline, a must
4. Describe places and people well without a lot of narration, lectures or chronicles. “SHOW, DON’T TELL!
5. Action grabs readers and there should be action relevant to the theme and plot in every scene.
If I had it to do again, I’d put back some terrific back story I took out. I’d expand on description. I’d probably bring in the villain earlier in the story.
Norm:
What do you think makes a good story?
Mel:
A good story must hook a drag the reader. The reader must care about the protagonist and the antagonist, either positively or negatively. The reader must feel satisfied that she has had a worthwhile emotional experience she can relate to. If she learns something useful, that’s a bonus. Gratuitous sex and violence may sell books, bur the more there is, the worse the story. On the other hand, Meaningful sex and violence presented seriously, artistically can enhance the story a lot.
Norm:
What has been your overall experience as a published author?
Mel:
From editing your book to promotion of yourself and your product, it’s hard work. The competition is fierce. I feel like I’m running a hardware store but have no inventory other than one size of nail.
To become recognized as a good author, associate with good authors.
People treat me like a celebrity. That part’s fun!
Norm:
What made you decide to use a video book trailer in the promotion of your book and how effective has it been? As a follow up, could you tell us more about the process of creating a video trailer for your book?
Mel:
My marketing/PR consultants strongly recommended a one minute video clip for my website and to disseminate across the internet. They had connections with one or two firms that do videos. I opted to have my nephew, Charles Schrewsbury, whom I think has the skill, talent and the necessary equipment, do the visuals according to a script I wrote for such use..I think it came out pretty good and is now on YouTube, MySpace and other sites as well as my website www.somekindofangel.com I don’t know how much it contributed to sales. Early figures are just beginning to come in., but Charles and I have had many compliments.
Norm:
How can our readers find out more about you and your book and what is next for Melvin Harter?
Mel:
Check out my blog, melvinmharter.blogspot.com. There are a few nice reviews there. My website and the book jacket have short biographical sketches. Since we started promoting Some Kind of Angel, lots of information has been showing up on a Google or Yahoo search of my name and the book title.
I will respond to specific questions if anyone wants to email me at melvinmharter@gmail.com .
I’ve had a pretty full, satisfying and rich life, received the usual honors: Diplomat, Am. Board of Internal Med.; Fellow, Am College of Physicians; President of local American Heart Chapter; Am. Geriatric Soc.;. California Association of Industrial Physician and Surgeons and Medical School teaching appointments at Chicago Medical School, Northwestern University Medical School, the Veteran’s Administration and UCLA. I served with honor as a medical officer in the U.S. Navy.
Greatest achievement: I raised two boys to be absolute stars (Wife helped.)
Next? A sequel to Some Kind of Angel. I have two great plots in mind for Sneetz and Muldoon to deal with and I plan to start very soon. I’m writing a musical comedy, held up by Sneetz’s need for me right now. I’m doing an anthology of poems and a few memoirs.
Norm:
Thanks once again and good luck with all of your future endeavors.
I thought your book was extremely creative and engaging from the very start. It is smart and obviously well researched. Your characters are carefully drawn and almost jump from the page, which is impressive. I'll get right out in the mail.
I would definitely encourage you to continue to look for an agent, as I feel the book has incredible potential. I would like nothing more than for you to find representation, even if it's not with us.
Very sincerely, Sarah Carter Editorial Assistant, The Charlotte Gusay Literary Agency
12 comments:
Mel.
I just finished your book. I really liked the non-stop action. Good story. Good characters. I just wish that it was a little longer.
I can’t wait for your next book.
Rick Adam
REVIEW BY NOTHINGBINDING.com
Some Kind of Angel is a book that is most difficult to describe adequately. The story line is fascinating in that the murder weapon is a brief stage of nuclear fission initiated by a program inserted into the victim’s computer. When triggered, it causes a deadly genetic mutation with instantaneous death, but leaves no traces. The story builds from a few cases in widely dispersed, mostly remote areas, to a letter to the President of the United States threatening wide-spread devastation, if demands are not met. These demands are to allow the acts of the Almighty and nature’s law of survival of the fittest to continue unabated, instead of interfering. The hero is a brilliant physician who was a cardiologist and surgeon who lost a thumb and now solves strange murder cases. Washington recruits him to help find the perpetrator. He is married and his pregnant wife also becomes threatened.
With respect to the mechanics of the story: bits of basic medical knowledge pertinent to the story are adequate (the author is a physician). The hero is vehemently anti-gun but finally is forced by his accomplices to carry one, supposedly after finally receiving some basic training. Dialogue and action surrounding their use and availability exhibit the fact that the author probably has the same sentiments – they do not ring completely true to knowledgeable persons. From varying small descriptions of the hero and his wife, it seems impossible to solidify a mental picture of the characters. The publisher was not particularly diligent with the proofing.
In summary, the mechanical oversights described are annoying, but the story otherwise is a most interesting read.
John H. Manhold
EDITORIAL REVIEW, iUNIVERSE
The storyline is compelling and keeps the reader interested and engaged. Most of the main characters are multidimensional and there are several moments of charm and light comedy, touching scenes of marital tenderness, astute observations, interesting scientific theories, and exciting chases and action-adventure sequences to keep the reader moved and entertained. The plot is unique and memorable.
All in all, Some Kind of Angel is a very enjoyable read.
REVIEW BY JESSICA ROBERTS FOR BOOKPLEASURES.com
Some Kind of Angel is a thriller written by Melvin M. Harter, a retired doctor with many years of experience in the medical-legal arena. Recently widowed, Harter has two sons and four grandchildren and lives in Palm Springs, California where he can be found writing his next book.
This novel tells the tale of mass murders, which leaves the United States government feeling threatened - especially as they are held to ransom. Help seems to be at hand when forensic doctor, Gilbert "Sneetz" Schnetele and journalist, Albert Muldoon, are told to track down and put a stop to the impending threats.
Yet something about these murdered victims becomes apparent - they appear to be mummified victims. This seems to be the method the terrorists use in covering up their crimes and giving no clue as to how these people died. Sneetz is puzzled and has no clue to many of the questions that are forth-coming.
One thing is becoming clearer however, and that is Sneetz and her companion Muldoon are in a terrifying race against time to save the country from disaster as the deadline approaches.
The characters are quite believable and I think from this point of view, Harter has done a great job. Some authors have characters that are rather like cardboard cut-outs - wooden and quite fixed. These however are brought to life and I found myself actually feeling for them.
As for the storyline, I found it in some places very boring. The dialogue seemed to drag on and not much action happened - or simply not enough for me anyway. I found most of the story went from Los Angeles and San Francisco, back and forth back and forth. While I criticize this part of it, I do find Harter has a lovely way with words.
Sentences seemed to pop out at me and flowed at a nice pace. One of my favourites is: “The sea sucked up the city’s daylight in exchange for chilly shadows of fog. The dank mist smelled as musty as a cellar”. This author certainly has a keen eye for detail. I think if you’ve not read many forensic thrillers or even go for them, this one could be worth reading.
I wouldn’t so much say this is a “cliff-hanging pursuit” as the blurb promises, but it still might be worth a shot or two.
To Purchase Some Kind of Angel (A Sneetz and Muldoon Thriller) www.Amazon.com or any online bookstore. Telephone 1-800-AUTHORS
REVIEW FOR BLOGGER NEWS NETWORK BY SIMON BARRETT
It is that time of year where you want to stock up on some books to read while on your summer vacation. Some Kind Of Angel might be one to put on your list.
Melvin Harter is a retired doctor and Some Kind Of Angel is his debut into the wild world of books. In this book we get acquainted with his main characters Sneetz and Muldoon, and I suspect that we are going to see more of this duo in future books.
Gilbert ‘Sneetz’ Schnetele is a retired heart surgeon, retired due to a DIY home improvement problem that involved a power saw lopping off a valuable digit. Unable to wield a scalpel he has become a legal/medical consultant evaluating ‘on the job’ injuries.
Albert Muldoon is an aging weather worn journalist who has seen it all. Young enough to have faced the wrath of McCarthyism, old enough to have survived and thrived. Thrived to the extent that now retired he officially just writes books, unofficially he is part of the Presidents inner circle.
A series of multiple killing across the globe occur, there seems to be no connection, but all share some strange similarities, there are no signs of a struggle, the bodies are in perfect, almost mummified condition, and death seems to have been instantaneous.
The mystery deepens and takes a much more sinister turn when the President receives what is tantamount to a ransom demand, pull out of Iraq, and everywhere else there is a US armed forces presence, or face mass murder close to home in Washington DC.
With no idea what the weapon of mass destruction is, or how it has been delivered, they are in a quandary.
Sneetz meanwhile has been retained to look at a death on the job case, a young janitor at a remote Air Force research lab is dead, yet there seems to be no reason for the death. It is by his poking around that he comes to the attention of the US government, and in particular Muldoon. Sneetz is brought into the very close knit family fighting the unknown terrorist group.
What will they find? How will they defeat an unknown adversary?
Well, you can find out by getting your own copy from Amazon, or by checking out Melvin Harter’s web site.
At 160 pages this is a very quick read, it certainly moves right along though, and there is action on every page. If I had a criticism, it likely would be the length, the plot line is rich, and I think the book could have been another 100 pages longer, in order to explore some of the subplots in greater detail. Book length is a really hard call to make, it is so dependent on the richness of the plot, but this book has that! Some authors on the other hand waffle on until you are ready to disembowel yourself with a plastic butter knife, Tom Clancy is probably the worst offender with his absolutely unreadable Executive Orders, it could have been written in 250 pages and been a fun read, instead he produced a 1000 pages of boring techno yawn.
I am looking forward to more Melvin Harter, he has his feet wet now, and I think the future looks bright. As the Shania Twain song says “Up, Up, Up”.
Simon Barrett
http://zzsimonb.blogspot.com
FROM BLOGGERNEWS.NET
Book Review: Some Kind Of Angel by Melvin M. Harter
A thriller that's a perfect summertime read and a promising writing debut that introduces us to two protagonists, Sneetz and Muldoon, who must track down a terrorist before he unleashes his fury on Washington, D.C.
From blogfgernews.net
Book Review: Some Kind Of Angel by Melvin M. Harter — A thriller that's a perfect summertime read and a promising writing debut that introduces us to two protagonists, Sneetz and Muldoon, who must track down a terrorist before he unleashes his fury on Washington, D.C
FROm jumpcut.net
Some Kind of Angel is a past-paced story of how a man's heroism is revealed when, under tremendous personal pressure, he makes choices and takes actions contrary to his own avowed values.
FROM zango.com
Some Kind of Angel is a fast-paced story of how a mans heroism is revealed when, under tremendous personal pressure, he makes choices and takes actions contrary to his own avowed values.
A gripping political thriller, with a brilliant plot which fans of the genre will love.
Review By Midwest Book Review., August 13, 2008
Genocide on a wide scale throughout the planet, and a blackmailed president. "Some Kind of Angel: A Sneetz and Muldoon Thriller" follow a forensic doctor and investigative journalist as they try to solve the mystery of why millions of people have been dropping dead. They must also disarm the weapon that the terrorists hold over the president of the United States before it's too late! A deadline from the terrorists quickly approaches and Sneetz and Muldoon must find a way to save their beloved nation and liberty from going the way of the dodo. "Some Kind of Angel" is a gripping political thriller, with a brilliant plot which fans of the genre will love
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Today, Norm Goldman Publisher & Editor of Bookpleasures.com is pleased to have as our guest, Melvin M. Harter who is a retired physician and author of Some Kind of Angel.
Mel specialized in evaluation of the causes and extent of injury and disability. He has become a freelance writer and author of the novel.
Good day Melvin and thanks for participating in our interview
Mel:
Good day, Norm. Thanks for asking me. And, oh. Please call me “MEL." I reserve Melvin for business because it’s my true given legal name AND for my mother because she seemed to like it.
Norm:
I believe this is your first published novel, what inspired you to write your first book and what did you like most about writing the book?
Mel:
Some Kind of Angel is my first published novel, not the first book I’ve written. There is a children’s fantasy and a full-length screen play about cults and there was an illustrated audiotape program informing patients about surgery they were advised to have; a kind of informed consent tool while I was still practicing medicine. There were also self help manuals I gave to my patients.
What inspired me to write Some Kind of Angel? Working many years evaluating disability mostly within the California Workers’ Compensation system, I first-hand witnessed fraud and greed on all sides: plaintiff and defendants. I fought it as I could with truth as I saw it, So there are good stories to be written about corrupted and greedy employees (working folks,) employers from mom and pop candy stores to giant corporations and government. There are potentially bigger thrillers yet to be written than we ever read or saw at the movies and on TV. Talk about fudging; I didn’t mention the insurance companies that pay all the bills with collected premiums.) And some job descriptions would make your stomach pull toffee.
Norm:
Could you briefly tell our readers something about Some Kind of Angel?
Mel:
Forensic Doctor Sneetz scrambles against the clock for his life, family and country to bring a home-grown terrorist with an invincible WMD to justice and save civilization from anarchy. By making choices contrary to his fundamental belief system, while under harrowing pressure, he becomes a true hero.
Norm:
Where did you get your information and ideas for your novel?
Mel:
As I said earlier, working for years as a specialist in the field of Workers’ Compensation evaluating cause and percentage of disability working people sustained on the job, I grew to know my main characters very well and they demanded of me thrilling events that could only be accomplished in broad stroked fiction; in a kind of fantasy sci-fi setting.. So lots of the ideas really came out of my imagination – a kind of comic book approach.
Norm:
What was your main focus when you created your protagonist?
Mel:
I wanted to recreate myself as a younger, smarter, nicer, kinder doctor, a good man, good citizen and true patriot.
Norm:
How did you come up with the title Some Kind of Angel?
Mel:
It’s a play on the name on one of the important characters. I wanted it short, relevant and a bit baffling.
Norm:
What do you see as the influences on your writing?
Mel:
I’m very much influenced the corrupt and greedy world I live in. And the worst greed and corruption emanate from the high government and corporate leaders. There’s also genocide, terrorism, Jihads, Crusades and Inquisitions. Torture, in any hands makes me sick.
Norm:
Did you learn anything from writing your first novel and what was it? If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your first novel?
Mel:
1. Research is always required, even in fantasy.
2. Editing is very hard work that is never finished.
3. Self discipline, a must
4. Describe places and people well without a lot of narration, lectures or chronicles. “SHOW, DON’T TELL!
5. Action grabs readers and there should be action relevant to the theme and plot in every scene.
If I had it to do again, I’d put back some terrific back story I took out. I’d expand on description. I’d probably bring in the villain earlier in the story.
Norm:
What do you think makes a good story?
Mel:
A good story must hook a drag the reader. The reader must care about the protagonist and the antagonist, either positively or negatively. The reader must feel satisfied that she has had a worthwhile emotional experience she can relate to. If she learns something useful, that’s a bonus. Gratuitous sex and violence may sell books, bur the more there is, the worse the story. On the other hand, Meaningful sex and violence presented seriously, artistically can enhance the story a lot.
Norm:
What has been your overall experience as a published author?
Mel:
From editing your book to promotion of yourself and your product, it’s hard work. The competition is fierce. I feel like I’m running a hardware store but have no inventory other than one size of nail.
To become recognized as a good author, associate with good authors.
People treat me like a celebrity. That part’s fun!
Norm:
What made you decide to use a video book trailer in the promotion of your book and how effective has it been? As a follow up, could you tell us more about the process of creating a video trailer for your book?
Mel:
My marketing/PR consultants strongly recommended a one minute video clip for my website and to disseminate across the internet. They had connections with one or two firms that do videos. I opted to have my nephew, Charles Schrewsbury, whom I think has the skill, talent and the necessary equipment, do the visuals according to a script I wrote for such use..I think it came out pretty good and is now on YouTube, MySpace and other sites as well as my website www.somekindofangel.com I don’t know how much it contributed to sales. Early figures are just beginning to come in., but Charles and I have had many compliments.
Norm:
How can our readers find out more about you and your book and what is next for Melvin Harter?
Mel:
Check out my blog, melvinmharter.blogspot.com. There are a few nice reviews there. My website and the book jacket have short biographical sketches. Since we started promoting Some Kind of Angel, lots of information has been showing up on a Google or Yahoo search of my name and the book title.
I will respond to specific questions if anyone wants to email me at melvinmharter@gmail.com .
I’ve had a pretty full, satisfying and rich life, received the usual honors: Diplomat, Am. Board of Internal Med.; Fellow, Am College of Physicians; President of local American Heart Chapter; Am. Geriatric Soc.;. California Association of Industrial Physician and Surgeons and Medical School teaching appointments at Chicago Medical School, Northwestern University Medical School, the Veteran’s Administration and UCLA. I served with honor as a medical officer in the U.S. Navy.
Greatest achievement: I raised two boys to be absolute stars (Wife helped.)
Next? A sequel to Some Kind of Angel. I have two great plots in mind for Sneetz and Muldoon to deal with and I plan to start very soon. I’m writing a musical comedy, held up by Sneetz’s need for me right now. I’m doing an anthology of poems and a few memoirs.
Norm:
Thanks once again and good luck with all of your future endeavors.
FROM CHARLOTTE GUSAY LITERARY AGENCY:
I thought your book was extremely creative and engaging from the very start. It
is smart and obviously well researched. Your characters are carefully drawn and
almost jump from the page, which is impressive. I'll get right out in the mail.
I would definitely encourage you to continue to look for an agent, as I feel the
book has incredible potential. I would like nothing more than for you to find
representation, even if it's not with us.
Very sincerely,
Sarah Carter
Editorial Assistant,
The Charlotte Gusay Literary Agency
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