Bluesphinx

Hi folks,
 It seems that fate has moved in mysterious ways, its wonders to perform, and has thrown us all together.
 Now, as I see it, we can either get all snooty and declare “How dare they make such a stupid mistake and let my email address out! I am now open to scammers, fraudsters, and terrorists!Damn! “£%$(*! “5&”*! !£”)(*&^$!22″
 Well, that would be one option.
 OR, we can make something good come out of this innocent mistake. Use it to our collective advantage. That would be the smart option.

 So welcome to all of you who have come here to meet up, swap stories, promote/talk about your books, pass tips on promoting your efforts, talk about yourselves.
 Welcome one and all.

 Sorry that this site is pretty basic–I did say that I haven’t been using it to its full potential. But as the saying goes…be it ever so humble, there’s no place like home.
 Still, it is nice and clean and quite tidy, and untill I can get a chance to give the ol’ place a spruce up and a lick of paint it will have to do for now.

 So I’ll kick things off with a few words about me:

 About the Author (Extracts from the Amazon.com website)
Max Speed was born in South Wales toward the end of the 1950’s.
Failing at his eleven plus exam, he was educated in the secondary system, and left school with an ‘O’ level in art, and a GCE in English.
Notwithstanding this somewhat inauspicious beginning, he went on to prove himself a valuable member of society, joining the Welsh Guards, and returning from the Falklands Islands conflict as a decorated soldier.
His exemplary military record opened doors for him, and he went on to enjoy a happy and successful seventeen year career as a firefighter in Berkshire which he enthusiastically describes as “The best thing I’ve ever done.”
Unfortunately a knee injury ended this period in his life, and as a result he moved back to Wales in 2002 to “Take up my paintbrushes and become an artist–full time.”
The creative juices flowed freely, and working with oil on canvass as well as watercolours he has turned out a reasonable portfolio.
Then a year ago, after many years struggling with the concept, he decided to write Windfall of the Wise.
“It was over a decade ago that I first formed the idea that most of our problems stem from our absurd and obsessive pursuit of money. But I found it difficult to put my point across and people would often derail my argument by their failure to grasp the point.
So I decided to put pen to paper and construct my premise in a clear and cohesive framework that (hopefully) a child could understand.
When I began writing the book the words just fell out of my head–it kind of wrote itself really.”
Max has now begun working on his autobiography, and states with his trademark humour, “At least I have the advantage of knowing the plot, though thankfully, not the ending.”

 What a glowing reference! So now, the reason we are all here…my book! Ha! Ha! Er, I mean OUR books. But as I only know about mine at the moment I’ll bore you all with that for now, then afterwards I’ll include some stuf about promotions.
 
 Product Description
Windfall of the Wise describes a world set in the future where society has finally managed to rid itself of its absurd addiction to money.
It portrays a life for all the world’s people that is on the whole a happy relaxed and contented one, free from all the evils bestowed upon us by money–control, greed, crime, wars, struggle, and crushing poverty.
The book is set out in three distinct sections.
The first is set in the present and rails against the present system.
The second section is in the form of a transcript of a radio programme. The revoloution is over, and humanity faces the dawn of a new age free from money’s influence, and two of the main protagonists are quizzed on important questions about an uncertain future.
The third section is the main body of the book, and is told by Stephen, who describes his life as he grows up, and lives out his life in a world without money.
The story is told with humour and compassion, covering all aspects of life, love, work, marriage, even death, and how people deal with these issues when money doesn’t figure in the equation.
 From the Author
I have been proposing a moneyless society for many years, but always come up against the same objections from people who while they might not like the present system, will not even consider any alternative.
They know that money lies at the bottom of all poverty, greed, most crime, wars, hardship, and suffering. They are aware that it is used as the ultimate means of control by the few over the many. They even concede that it is a totally man made concept, and has nothing to do with nature’s plan–you don’t see the animal kingdom hurting, abusing, and controlling one another for the love of money.
These people come out with the same hackneyed old lines like, ‘Yes I know it’s bad, but better the devil you know…’ or ‘ How can we possibly change the status quo, it’s always been there…’ (That one from the school of the bloody obvious!)
But by far the most common objection is ‘it CAN’T work! How would you get anyone to work if there was no money?’
What a blinkered short-sighted response! Like there is nothing in life worth doing unless it’s for monetary gain. These people don’t seem to understand that (A) this greed based attitude is BORN of a monetary based economy, and (B) Believe it or not, people do have a sense of vocation–look at the lifeboatmen as a fine example of people instinctively doing something for no other reason than it’s the right thing to do.
Given the chance to be rewarded in other ways than by means of filthy lucre, most of us would be happy to work for the good of all, including ourselves, instead of working for money that can and is so easily taken away from us.
OK, so how do we persuade people to do the less attractive, but equally important things necessary for society to function?
In Windfall of the Wise, I put forward the suggestion that everyone works for no more than twenty years and becuse they work they are entitled to everything they need to enjoy a fulfilled and contented life. And EVERYONE does the menial/boring/unpleasant jobs for one day of their working week. In other words, if you work, it is noted (electronically) and you get everything you need to live comfortably, everything from a bowl of soup through to a house to live in. If you don’t work, you get nothing. Quite simple really.

In my perfect world, avarice and greed is eradicated by use of education, and greatly frowned upon. Anyone who takes more than their fair share, or who might have the desire to buck the new system and make trouble for the majority risk enduring public distain–much like drink driving is viewed with great distain by many people today, and apart from the legal consequences, people find that distain a deterrent in itself. In fact under these circumstances by which everything is freely available to everyone on a basis of need I cannot see why anyone would want to make trouble and try to change things (Back to the present system?)
My idea is that everyone has the opportunity to retire at forty, because living without money means that everyone can afford to do so, and that allows young people to step into the workboots of the older generation of retirees. There would be 100% full employment.
Children would be brought up learning these new values.

Perhaps some people might think that this set up is not perfect, and maybe they are right,(after all, we’ve always been taught that nothing ever is perfect) but to dismiss it in favour of keeping the venal old system that we all presently endure would surely be great folly, and will I’m sure, lead to our eventual demise.
I may be describing a utopian ideal, but I believe that as a species we must move on from where we are now, if we do not, we face eternal suffering, control, poverty, crime, greed, wars, and even our own extinction as our world shudders and breaks under the weight of our money driven shortsightedness and abuse of its rescourses.
Yes, it might be Utopian, but we have got to realise that any consideration of an alternative must be better than what we have at present.
 So there!

 From the Inside Flap
For Everyone.
“This is my pledge.
I promise to respect myself.
I promise to respect my family.
I promise to respect my neighbours.
I promise to respect nature and this beautiful world of ours.
I promise never to be greedy, or to take any more than I need to live.
I will strive to work hard to help others, and do all the things that need
to be done.
I promise to only do unto others as I would have others do unto me.
If I remain true to my pledge I will have a long and happy life.”

From the Back Cover
Windfall of the Wise is a response to the many problems we all share in this life. Problems brought about almost exclusively by the controlling presence of money in our lives. The world’s financial institutions are haemorrhaging wealth and security like Niagara Falls. And in response to the crisis incompetent leaders run around like headless chickens, spending our money like a drunken sailor in a tawdry backstreet bordello. All the while a global depression inches ever nearer. In the present financial climate the stress of living with money is all too evident. If you have it, someone is always trying to take it from you. If you don’t have it you know that life can be one hell of a struggle. It has been at the root of almost every conflict. It is at the bottom of corruption and the majority of all crime. It is the absolute cause of poverty and hardship. And it rules our lives to such an extent that we are losing our grip on our humanity-every waking hour spent chasing after it, or desperately trying to hold on to what we have already got. It can even be argued that the health of Mother Earth herself is in dire jeopardy as a direct result of this absurd pursuit of financial wealth. But what if there were other options? . Windfall of the Wise is a testament, a design for a different and better way of life. One lived free from greed, wars, crime, and hardship. It is a life of true security, lived in a happy stable society. One borne of common sense, respect and absolute equality. So suspend disbelief. If you cannot open your mind then at least keep it slightly ajar, and see whether you agree or disagree with this author’s argument.

 NOW FOR THE REVIEWS!! I am particularly proud of these, and again, they are taken from the Amazon website…

  Life without money, a novel idea., November 16, 2009
By  Lonna H. (Chesapeake, Va) - See all my reviews

“Windfall of the Wise” by Max Speed is a great book that gives the reader something to think about. This book is based on the premise of a cashless society. In this new society, people share the Earth and what it offers. No longer can one person buy their social status, instead they must earn what they receive. With the removal of money, many of the problems in society will disappear as well.

I truly enjoyed reading this book. Max Speed did a great job of presenting his idea in a way that is easy for the reader to digest. I am not sure the idea will ever take hold on a large scale, but it was very interesting to read. I highly recommend this book to everyone.
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    What an Idea, November 14, 2009
By  Jennifer S (Ball Ground, GA United States) - See all my reviews

Max Speed creates a very thought provoking book with “Windfall of the Wise.” In his book, he presents the idea of a cashless society. He illustrates how money is at the base of most socvietal problems as well as all individual problems, both for those who have it and those who struggle for it. His ideas are very well described and backed up. He shows the reader a lifestyle free of crime, poverty, stress and the other evils caused by money. His worrld is calm and peaceful and people enjoy their lives. After finishing this book, you will feel that we could go back to a simpler life of trading and bartering instead of buying and owning. While his ideas probably won’t be used in our lifetime they presents some theories and ideas that we can use as far as not letting money control us. You will enjoy the characters and his wonderful writing style. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  
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    Money or possessions - which is better?, November 13, 2009
By  Mary Ellen “MES” (Virginia) - See all my reviews

Talk about thinking out of the box with this idea of having a society working without the use of actual cash, but instead possessions for as long as you need them. Max Speed the author of this book titled “Windfall of the Wise” explains just how this theory could work. I guess the question is if our generation could conform would the future? Anything can be learned and we once started with a society of the bartering system since we are generally still considered a young country. The book offers a good alternative and provides the method of removing the obsession of possessions. A different read from what I’m use to, but it was good. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  
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    Thought provoking, November 11, 2009
By  www.bookshipper.blogspot.com/ “www.bookshippe… (Montreal, Quebec) - See all my reviews
    

I absolutely love the premise and the focus behind this book - money really is at the root of all evil. We have been told this for years and never has it been more obvious than in this time and age.

Windfall of the Wise takes an honest and frankly scary look at just what money does to someone - be it to someone who has it or someone who desperately want it. This book does not discriminate - it looks equally at how someone with money is suffering and suffers as much as someone who desperately thinks that if they have money their lives will be magically changed.

Radically, Windfall of the Wise offers up a different view - one that says - that yes, you can be happy without being worried, surrounded or obsessing about money.

I like the way this book is written - frank and does not pull any punches and I like the overall message - which is encouraging and hopeful. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  
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    Interesting Premise, November 10, 2009
By  Timothy D. Webster (Marana, AZ) - See all my reviews
    

A cashless society. This book is set up quite interestingly into 3 parts. The first being the pitch. Second, comes the “Enlightenment”. And finally, the story, which takes place 2 to 3 generations later as the entire earth is living in the Utopian society without money, greed, ownership or religion.

The book is an obvious attempt to convey a particular political solution to many of today’s shortcomings. I found many aspects of The Solution came from far Left sensibilities as well as from the far Right. The book seems to show that as long as there are humans with human frailties living in this world it could never be a utopia.

The story of Stephen in the book as he is raised in this society takes him through how the educational system works, how items are “paid” for through work, retirement at 40, marriage ceremonies and even death. It even covers what happens to people who refuse to follow this new society — they are banished to a deserted island.

I enjoyed reading how the author solves all of humanities problems. I feel that the book was well written. The characters are well-developed, but I do wish that there had been a bit more conflict. It would have been interesting to see how Steve would have dealt with confrontation with an underground and opposing society that would almost certainly exist. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  
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    An interesting proposition, November 9, 2009
By  E. Chan (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews
    

In Windfall of the Wise, Max Speed proposes an intriguing philosophy - the possibility of living in a cashless society. Instead all human beings share and indulge in the land and earth’s assets without things like ownership or property. With the disappearance of cash comes the disappearance of greed, shortsightedness and selfishness; normal squabbles and worries over money do not happen simply because money does not exist.

Max Speed coherently presents his ideas to the reader through a conversation between two men and then illustrates a cashless society through the perspective of an adolescent boy. In that point of view, Mr. Speed portrays convincingly how our normal financial system seems self-damaging and inefficient.

While I am doubtful that this system will be introduced into reality anytime soon, it’s still an interesting idea to explore. And who knows? Maybe economists will gradually incorporate Mr. Speed’s sensible ideas into our financial systems and it may grow into something bigger. A worthwhile read, recommended for all. Help other customers find the most helpful reviews  
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    Well Done Mr. Speed!, June 6, 2009
By  Jimmie D. Parson (Silver City, NM USA) - See all my reviews
    

Anyone who knows Mr. Speed will recognise his trademark humour and use of vocabulary in this book. His descriptions and imagery are excellent.
The book explores the workings of a cashless society in and interesting and thoroughly readable way. The use of the interview in Chapter Two as a means of succinctly setting out the tenets of such a society was clever, and was a good way to avoid an overlengthy description and “preachiness”.
The back cover notes suggest that this might be a rather depressing book; ignore them and read it - it’s a jolly good yarn!
Erica Parson, Silver City NM
JUNE6, 2009
 So folks, waddya think of that? Good eh!

 Now as promised, let me pass on to you a little gem;
 http://www.readerspoils.com/index.html
 Most review services cost a fortune, but this one flies in at just over £9.00 per review. Where do you think I got that lot above from!? And they are done within a week of purchase. Only (downside?), The reviews are American and as far as I know they only appear on US websites. I personally see this as a good thing. I am still trying to find something of equal value on a UK website. The hunt goes on…
 Not only do Reader Spoils offer cheap easy reviews, but they also offer other deals, that look pretty good to me.
 One in particular is called
  http://www.thepowerof30.com/
   Check it out, it sonds good.

 Anyway, I feel like I’m talking to myself at the moment, so I’m gonna sign off soon, and hope to meet some if not all of you here in the near future. Just write about yourselves and your books in the comments section.
 Bye for now.
 Max.

“Dear Stephen
Congratulations. Your book, Windfall of the Wise, will be available for sale soon. Now you may be wondering, “What’s next?” Let me provide some answers for you. In approximately two weeks, you can expect to have your book available for purchase through AuthorHouse, including in the online bookstore. About a week later, you will also receive a proof copy of your book. Once you have reviewed your proof copy, please contact our Book Sales department at…..”

Here I am readers. Things are becoming more tangible. But before arriving here there had been a small exchange of views, commencing last week that went like this;
Full Article.

It was all going far too smoothly! I was hoping to see the book published this week, but the inevitable glitch has hit my plans. The problems started a few days ago when I received no less than two e-mails, each containing my galley, and requesting that I sign it off. Intrigued because I had already gone through this part of the process a couple of weeks previously, I just signed it off again.

 Then I noticed that the remaining e-mail was from a Ben Z*****. Now since my first dealings with the company I have had no less than three ‘personal’ design consultants, and I have to say that it is not good, when each time you contact them you are having to deal with a different person. I hope that Ben is the last one in the chain, although I shall not be holding my breath!

 Anyway, Ben informs me that the company has incorrectly formatted the book’s size,  I am assured that this is not my fault, and they will get the problem sorted out as quickly as possible. Well that’s all right then! Meanwhile, I’ll just sit here while time marches on shall I? Actually, I would be happier if the book was left in the size that it had been incorrectly set at. Why? Because of the price, that’s why.

 The price is set by the company-there is a formula based on the number of pages which determines the price the book will be set at. The problem is that I do not get to see this until the end-it is the last step in the process. Well, I had asked them to produce the book in the size of 5×8 inches. All the galleys that I have so far been working with have been 320 pages long-this puts the book into a certain category, one which disappointingly sets the price too high. A price just above £13 is too steep in my opinion, and runs the risk of pricing itself out of the market. 

 Then to be told that I have been looking at a galley that is in fact 6×9 it carries less pages that the intended 5×8in weighing in within the hefty 400 page category is bad news because it then goes out at no less than £15! So now I need to try and find a way of reducing the page count, and the only way that I can think of doing that is by either removing some of the text (Not an option really), or editing out a lot of the gaps between the paragraphs,(a huge project, and one that will cost me money, and set back the launch date by at least a month!)

 All this could have been avoided if instead of telling me about the formula at the end of the process I had been provided with the formula at the start of proceedings, a standpoint from where I could have factored in all layout arrangements without compromising myself in any way.

 But I will not judge them too harshly-yet! We all make mistakes, and suffeer problems, and I judge people on the way that they deal with those mistakes and problems. If they helpme sort them out with the minimum of fuss and expense then as far as I am concerned all wel and good-let’s hope that my next post carries a report to that effect. See Ya!

I am pleased to announce the joyous news that the proofs, or ‘Galleys’, having been adjusted a couple of times are now at last approved, and been sent back. The price has finally been agreed. An extract from their latest e-mail to me reads like this;

“Your galley approval has been received for Windfall of the Wise. If you have not already, please send your cover approval also. (DONE!) Once we receive these forms, we’ll be able to send your book to our printers.

I have a few things I would like to outline for you to ensure timely completion of your book:

1) Please be sure you have sent your pricing agreement to us. (DONE!) We need the agreement before we can submit the book’s file to our printer……”

Then it goes on to say; 

“3) Now is the time to think about promotional options for your book. If you haven’t already discussed these with your marketing consultant, please do so at your convenience. Don’t forget to ask about volume books” (O.K. WILL DO!)

  It’s all very exciting! and they tell me that it is going to take a couple more weeks until I am holding a physical copy of my creation in my hands-I can’t wait! When it happens, I’ll let you know how good it feels. Mam would have been so proud! Speak soon.

 Yesterday I received the proof of the cover for Windfall of the Wise, and I have to say that it looks absolutely brilliant! Black leather look print with gold text-quite striking in its simplicity, and I hope it will stand out like a sore thumb among all the other bright and heavily illustrated volumes on the shelves.  It also got its copyright and ISBN number, (9781438945934).

The back cover text reads;

 ”Windfall of the Wise is a response to the many problems we all share in this life. Problems brought about almost exclusively by the controlling presence of money in our lives.

  The world’s financial institutions are haemorrhaging wealth and security like Niagara Falls. And in response to the crisis incompetent leaders run around like headless chickens, spending our money like a drunken sailor in a tawdry backstreet bordello.

  All the while a global depression inches ever nearer.

  In the present financial climate the stress of living with money is all too evident.

  If you have it, someone is always trying to take it from you. If you don’t have it you know that life can be one hell of a struggle.

  It has been at the root of almost every conflict.

  It is at the bottom of corruption and the majority of all crime.

  It is the absolute cause of poverty and hardship.

  And it rules our lives to such an extent that we are losing our grip on our humanity-every waking hour spent chasing after it, or desperately trying to hold on to what we have already got.

  It can even be argued that the health of Mother Earth herself is in dire jeopardy as a direct result of this absurd pursuit of financial wealth.

  But what if there were other options?

  .

  Windfall of the Wise is a testament, a design for a different and better way of life.

  One lived free from greed, wars, crime, and hardship. It is a life of true security, lived in a happy stable society. One borne of common sense, respect and absolute equality.

  So suspend disbelief. If you cannot open your mind then at least keep it slightly ajar, and see whether you agree or disagree with this author’s argument.”

 I immediately sent back notification that I was satisfied with it.

 Now about the first draft, or ‘galley’ as we authors call them! I have downloaded it, but not finished reading it yet because my old computer died this morning. But as luck would have it I have, after many hours of sweat, and a wide selection of my darkest profanities finally managed to transfer the necessary data to this new machine. So the show is back on the road folks! if all goes well, Windfall of the Wise should be on the shelves soon! Keep watching this space!

 We gathered to pay our respects to the moribund 2008 as the year’s final five hours played out. We had been invited to the beautiful big Victorian end of terrace house in Havard Road Llanelli that is the family home of my sister Christine, and her husband, Huw. We were one of three couples attending the soiree, as well as, and to my great and pleasant surprise Julie, the first of the four great loves of my life.

Full Article.

  Well, another Christmas has bitten the dust! It went well, the presents were opened, appriciated and enjoyed with gratitude, as friends and family benevolently descended upon us, and enjoyed good food, good drinks, and good times, but the best thing of all for me was to discover that I am not alone.

  What do I mean by this?

Full Article.

Full Article.

  It was whilst delivering newspapers one bright sunny morning that I stumbled upon an unfolding drama that sowed the seed that would eventually shape my life.

 I was aged about fourteen, which brings the date to sometime during the spring of 1972. I had got about half way through my morning paper round, and was happily depositing the daily news through the letterboxes of the residents of Swansea Road when something in the corner of my eye made me look up over the roofs of the houses in the adjacent streets.

Full Article.

  Well folks, progress, though slow, is moving forward on my book project. Today I received a short e-mail from my publishing house, informing me that I can expect a phone call from America on Christmas eve. It is scheduled for seven p.m. U K time, so I’ll just have to make sure that I’m sober,(considering that this is the party season after all!).

  It will be a conversation between myself and my design consultant, and I can only assume that topics such as the format, the size, and the layout of the book will be discussed. I don’t know about you, but because this is my first novel-it’s my baby, and I’m feeling quite exited about it.

  So I’ll keep you posted when further progress is made, and ‘Windfall of the Wise’ is another few steps forward on it’s journey to the bookshop shelves. Keep Watching!