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Alex Scarrow
Ape
993 Posts |
 Posted - 09 November 2005 : 12:40:07 PM
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Hi, and welcome to my thriller forum. The first one to be published by Orion in May next year is A THOUSAND SUNS. You may have seen some blurb for that on our website. As we get closer to launch day, I'll probably add more information about the tale, but then again, meanwhile...if you have any questions, I might just come right out and answer them.
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Artemis
Single Cell Organism
United Kingdom
2 Posts |
Posted - 10 November 2005 : 07:39:32 AM
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Hello Alex,
I read the blurb for your book, A 1000 Suns, on the website. I'm intrigued by the concept, to say the least. I like the idea that America,Britain and Russia surrendered right under our noses, and we didn't know! I was going to ask, WHY? But I suppose I need to go and buy the book to find that out, eh! I shall definately watch this space with interest. |
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John Prigent
Homosapien
United Kingdom
8794 Posts |
Posted - 10 November 2005 : 2:36:47 PM
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The concept certainly sounds interesting, I'll be looking for it in my local bookshops. Unless you're going to offer signed copies like Simon, Alex? In which case you'll have at least one customer, me.
Cheers
John |
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Alex Scarrow
Ape
993 Posts |
Posted - 10 November 2005 : 4:08:13 PM
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| Certainly will be doing signed copies. And make sure you hang on to it and try and keep it pristine. Simon was telling me what his first edition copies of Under the Eagle are trading for these days...£200. That's a two thousand percent return over what...5 years? Hell, forget shares in oil, I might just buy up my entire first edition print run. |
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Parmenion
Homosapien
United Kingdom
14676 Posts |
Posted - 11 November 2005 : 03:21:18 AM
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Alex
As a seller of signed copies of books (inc simons, i can tell you the max i have seen Under the eagle sell for is £450 (wow!!) one of the main authors i collect is david gemmell and his 1st book Legend sells for approx £1000 (he recently told me that he found a box full of 1st editions in his attic!!, so might be a good idea to stash a few copies away for a rainy day 10 years from now!!)
As i have already mentioned to you im really intrigued by this book, as a big fan or harry turtledove i love alternate history books of which this sounds similar....or is there some deep conspiracy that you have uncovered??
LASCIATE OGNE SPERANZA, VOI CH'INTRATE
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Alex Scarrow
Ape
993 Posts |
Posted - 11 November 2005 : 03:31:58 AM
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It's conspiracy as opposed to alternate reality.
It was a secret surrender, because of certain extreme circumstances, which changed over the course of April 29th/30th 1945, and the surrender, never made public, was revoked.
Fact or fiction? Sheesh, you can never tell these days with conspiracy theories. |
Edited by - Alex Scarrow on 11 November 2005 03:32:36 AM |
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Parmenion
Homosapien
United Kingdom
14676 Posts |
Posted - 11 November 2005 : 04:13:42 AM
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so are you a conspiracy nut longing for the days of the x-files etc...
not that thats a bad thing! Mulder and scully did make for good viewing!!
LASCIATE OGNE SPERANZA, VOI CH'INTRATE
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Alex Scarrow
Ape
993 Posts |
Posted - 11 November 2005 : 07:46:06 AM
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I'm partial to a little conspiracy here and there....although oddly, I never really took to X files. I think it was the whole ufo/Roswell type background that put me off. I'm more a fan of historical conspiracy. And nope...before you ask, no...I really didn't enjoy the Duh Vinci Code.  |
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Parmenion
Homosapien
United Kingdom
14676 Posts |
Posted - 11 November 2005 : 08:07:24 AM
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Ah the big con that is the Da Vinci Code, i had more fun reading about the man who planted the priory story in the Bibliotheque Nationale ( named Pierre Plantard)
The book has just got way over blown, its a fun read dont get me wrong, but its the FACT presumtion thats silly. cant fault the guy for making a few quid though!!
have you got any recomendations for reading that are of a similar type to you? or are you Unique?
LASCIATE OGNE SPERANZA, VOI CH'INTRATE
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VITELLIUS
Single Cell Organism
8 Posts |
Posted - 11 November 2005 : 11:32:07 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by Alex Scarrow
And nope...before you ask, no...I really didn't enjoy the Duh Vinci Code.
And neither did your Brother
Me?, I enjoyed the read, but fail to see why it's such a best seller! If you can crack that particular code, you both will be laughing all the way to the treasury by Jupiter.
Tace
Mine WILL be a long and prosperous reign! |
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Alex Scarrow
Ape
993 Posts |
Posted - 12 November 2005 : 03:16:35 AM
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| Parmenion, that's a tough one. I don't think my writing style is particularly noteworthy...but I think with A THOUSAND SUNS and ELLI QUIN, I'm concept-strong. But, it's really hard to judge. Anyway though, to answer the question, a similar read eh?...hmmmm, someone likened SUNS to a more contemporary 'Eagle Has Landed'. |
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Parmenion
Homosapien
United Kingdom
14676 Posts |
Posted - 12 November 2005 : 03:25:47 AM
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Ah Jack Higgins...i have all his books (even the ones under his other name...ooooh what is it!! ...patterson ??, I even got lucky and met the man, great books, im now doubly looking forward to this.
is the 2nd world war a period you particularly like?? war films etc?? One of my fav films is the Longest Day!
LASCIATE OGNE SPERANZA, VOI CH'INTRATE
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Justin Coles
Small mammal
United Kingdom
574 Posts |
Posted - 16 November 2005 : 2:54:38 PM
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| I agree with both of you Parmenion and Alex re: the da vinci code. I thought Angels and Demons was a much more far fetched and laughable plot, and thus far more entertaining! His other two books are poo. Labyrinth, by Kate Mosse, a book about the Cathars - the original heretics, is a far superior product of the same genre. |
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Parmenion
Homosapien
United Kingdom
14676 Posts |
Posted - 16 November 2005 : 3:11:02 PM
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I was looking at getting that book, is it really worth the ££'s
LASCIATE OGNE SPERANZA, VOI CH'INTRATE
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Justin Coles
Small mammal
United Kingdom
574 Posts |
Posted - 01 December 2005 : 7:35:19 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Parmenion
I was looking at getting that book, is it really worth the ££'s
LASCIATE OGNE SPERANZA, VOI CH'INTRATE
It is a better written book than da vinci code. I'm not sure if it's got any legs for collecting. |
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Alex Scarrow
Ape
993 Posts |
Posted - 02 December 2005 : 08:11:43 AM
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| Do you guys think there's much more mileage to be had with books on historical/religious conspiracy theory? I mean personally, if I stumble across yet another book that mentions knights templar, a dirty secret of the catholic church and features a bunch of blurry arches on the front cover...I'll throw up. |
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Parmenion
Homosapien
United Kingdom
14676 Posts |
Posted - 02 December 2005 : 09:23:47 AM
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Im not sure...but at the same time...i need a break from other genre some times...i have just finished the entire back to back George R Martin Series...i need a break from fantasy now...going to read a thriller this weekend if it arrives!! LOL!!
I know what you mean with the "its been done to death* but what hasn't.. Harlen coben and his myron boltair books are a fun read...but not a novel concept.
James Patterson..is reaching the flogging a dead horse with his alex cross books!
but both are a welcome break from other genre... I love to read Clive Cussler...the guy is the ultimate in tacky action books, but they are fun!! I mean he appears as him self in all his books, his lead guy is called Dirk Pitt!! how naff...but still fun!!
LASCIATE OGNE SPERANZA, VOI CH'INTRATE
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Sabina
Invertebrate
USA
71 Posts |
Posted - 19 March 2006 : 4:24:14 PM
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Alex, I think the reason there'll always be a market for religious conspiracies is that those beliefs are so personal and sacred to each person. They're either going to read a book because it reinforces something that they may already believe in or because it directly opposes it and they have to fine a flaw in it. And doesn't a conspiracy fit right into the good vs. evil theme?
I admit to not reading the Da Vinci Code, and am always amused by the fact that most of these conspiracies and champions of truth are always catholics. I mean, c'mon, what about us Baptists? Won't someone write about us for once??
Carpe Diem |
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WarrenH
Homosapien
United Kingdom
2020 Posts |
Posted - 19 March 2006 : 4:43:38 PM
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Clive Cusler, Dan Brown, Higgins/Patterson, Manfredi - whether it is a conspiracy or not, I just like a well thought book, that reads well, gets you stuck in your seat, into hot water with the wife, as all you are doing is reading, yes I read Harry Potter - when is the next book out - read ...Half Blood Prince ho yea..... 2 days to finish it.
Any new books by Clancy
"Keep your feet on the ground, and reach for the stars!" |
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AndyCanty
Homosapien
United Kingdom
6782 Posts |
Posted - 19 March 2006 : 6:20:55 PM
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Hi WarrenH,
Not sure on Clancy, he's not had much out for ages since Teeth of the Tiger, check out http://www.clancyfaq.com/ for whats he's doing.
_________________________
If all the worlds a stage?
Where's my script???
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WarrenH
Homosapien
United Kingdom
2020 Posts |
Posted - 20 March 2006 : 08:33:31 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by AndyCanty
Hi WarrenH,
Not sure on Clancy, he's not had much out for ages since Teeth of the Tiger, check out http://www.clancyfaq.com/ for whats he's doing.
_________________________
If all the worlds a stage?
Where's my script???
Thanks Andy
"Keep your feet on the ground, and reach for the stars!" |
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Ankhsy
Homosapien
United Kingdom
7861 Posts |
Posted - 21 March 2006 : 1:35:58 PM
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Alex
I've just pre-ordered your book.
I enjoyed both the Da Vinci Code and Angels & Demons because they were exactly the sort of stories I wanted to read in the circumstances I read them, like travelling and something to while away boring hours of wait. At the other extreme, I also read serious stuff like "Telling Lies about Hitler", "Berlin" by Beevor, and "Albert Speer: His Battle with Truth" by Gitta Sereny when I am in a 'serious-read' mode.
Expanding on Sabina, there will always be a market for conspiracy stories (not just religious ones), because it is the idea of challenging accepted truths, which invariably are created by the Establish ment (the truths, that is). Besides, a lot of people can't tell the difference between fiction and historical truth, so this sort of book captures their imagination.
Perhaps for your next book, you might consider writing something around Rudolf Hess' reason's for the flight to Britain and his alleged suicide. Have you read his son's letter alleging Hess was murdered in Spandau rather than committed suicide as the English claimed? Would make a good base to build on. |
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Parmenion
Homosapien
United Kingdom
14676 Posts |
Posted - 21 March 2006 : 2:17:12 PM
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welcome Ankhsy, your gonna enjoy Alex's book.
Have you tried any of Simons books?
LASCIATE OGNE SPERANZA, VOI CH'INTRATE
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Ankhsy
Homosapien
United Kingdom
7861 Posts |
Posted - 21 March 2006 : 3:41:10 PM
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| No, I haven't read any before. I was talking to a friend last Sunday about Iggulden's Emperor series, and he suggested that I read Simon Scarrow, saying they were much better! Which is why I was checking out this website. |
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Parmenion
Homosapien
United Kingdom
14676 Posts |
Posted - 21 March 2006 : 3:47:44 PM
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...i lmost feel envious that you get to read them for the first time, i love to reread good books but nothing beats that first read!!
LASCIATE OGNE SPERANZA, VOI CH'INTRATE
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Ankhsy
Homosapien
United Kingdom
7861 Posts |
Posted - 21 March 2006 : 4:09:56 PM
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I always reread books I enjoy twice in succession. Because if it is a good read, then I tend to hurry through to find out what happens next. Then, if I've enjoyed it at the end, I go back and read it again, this time slower; and I always pick up thing I missed the first time.
Parmenion, how come your signature is "Abandon all hope you who enter"? |
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Alex Scarrow
Ape
993 Posts |
Posted - 21 March 2006 : 4:47:08 PM
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Ankhsy, glad to see you here, and I hope you enjoy the book. A very good suggestion btw...about Hess. It is in fact an idea I am considering, amongst a few others. However, the next thriller I aim to write is about a pet subject of mine, Peak Oil, a subject which is a little ominous and disturbing.
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Ankhsy
Homosapien
United Kingdom
7861 Posts |
Posted - 21 March 2006 : 4:49:43 PM
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| You mean what will happen the day we run out of oil reserves? Scary! |
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Alex Scarrow
Ape
993 Posts |
Posted - 21 March 2006 : 4:57:16 PM
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| Very. |
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Parmenion
Homosapien
United Kingdom
14676 Posts |
Posted - 21 March 2006 : 6:34:59 PM
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yea thanks for that Alex..i didnt think about it too much until you brought it up!!
now i boo and hiss (and other impolite things) at all 4x4's especilly the BMW X5's
LASCIATE OGNE SPERANZA, VOI CH'INTRATE
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Alex Scarrow
Ape
993 Posts |
Posted - 21 March 2006 : 7:31:57 PM
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Keep up the good work, Parm. And when you're done with the 4x4s, you can wander into Tescos and boo and hiss at all that bloody plastic packaging surrounding this years easter eggs.
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