So Hamas launches a missile at Jerusalem--a 'Holy City--

So Hamas launches a missile at Jerusalem, the city held Holy by the three ‘Desert Religions,’ and risks killing their own people. Is that not a measure of the ‘thought’ behind their actions? Even if a body such as the UN could ever broker peace in the region; how on earth could it hold when the sheer madness behind the actions of extremist elements within the Hamas organization hold sway over their ‘people?’

I see little hope for a lasting peace. The participants are too damaged in their thinking. Their journey is one that does not accept that any solution is possible other than that of violence, even if it kills their own young, old and the infirm.

Israel too, must look beyond holding onto the places it has occupied. The ‘force’ they respond with is equally dangerous for the region. At some stage the surrounding nations will react together and we will see a conflagration not seen since the Second World War.

Any solution is going to need to recognise Jerusalem as an ‘International City,’ policed by the UN. A pipe-dream, perhaps, but we have to ask the difficult question----What are both sides prepared to ‘give?’ Fighting is never going to resolve this impossible dilemma. My heart aches for the people who are drawn into the hate and violence of a place that should be a ‘cradle of peace.’ Thinking proponents of all three religions must surely share my feelings.

SPEAK OUT!

To My USA Readers!

I am unashamedly making a plea to my USA readers to buy my books. You are by the far the largest of my blog readers. (No I don’t mean in size- I think Kiwis can compete with you on that score!) I want to make it easier for you to buy the three books.

1)    Coastal Yarns

2)    Roskill

3)    Talk To Me

You can check them out on the website    www.authornneilcoleman.com

I know that the cost is prohibitive if you buy through the website (except in NZ where postage is free and my books are not on Amazon yet. I can do the following deal for you and by using the cheapest postage and cutting my mark up to the minimum; I can make my books available reasonably cheaply. Just contact me directly at neilcolemanauthor@gmail.com  and we can work out a price.

Here are the prices in $NZ. Remember the USA dollar is about 20% higher in value than the $NZ so it is even cheaper for you.

COASTAL YARNS      $NZ 18 PLUS POSTAGE

ROSKILL                     $26        PLUS POSTAGE

TALK TO ME              $25        PLUS POSTAGE

I can do similar deals for other countries. Australia--postage is about $7 for example.

Get your books for Xmas now!

Please pass on my website to your groups, friends and anyone else!

If one wants to self-publish, shyness has to go out the window. Buyers do not ‘flock to your door,’ begging for your books. It just ain’t like that. Expect to pay, and then pay again until you shrink each time you look at your bank balance or in my case, the ‘overdraft.

You can also expect to give away any desire to remain private. That is for those who use ‘ghost names’ to hide behind. You have to get yourself out there and face criticism, have doubts about your skill as a ‘story teller’ and to have people point out the inevitable mistakes that you simply don’t see once the book is in print.

 Above all, you don’t give up. You push on and ask the readers of your blogs to send on the links to your website, to encourage people to contact you direct through your email address and to step it up. Please pass on my details and if you have enjoyed any of my books, please write reviews whenever you can.

To all of the recipients of my constant emails asking for my books to be sold in your bookshops, I make no apology. I cannot keep up with the ‘big boys and girls’ in the distribution industry, so I hammer the net. Who knows’ one day it might even work and anyway, you all have a ‘delete button.’ God knows, I use it all the time.

Thanks my friends---- and my niece in England!

So, please pass on www.authorneilcoleman.com   and neilcolemanauthor@gmail.com

Use your Twitter and Facebook accounts too.

'Ask Your Library' for my books is working a bit.

Thanks to my readers who have been asking their local library to stoke my books. It seems that some libraries have gone and brought them. It costs you nothing in NZ (and possibly Australia) so give it a go. Don’t forget to check out my website to get details of my books, like title and ISBN number. The library then accesses suppliers, including Peter Pal in Australia (they have purchased two of my titles so far) and Total Library Suppliers and Wheelers Books in NZ.

1)    Coastal Yarns

2)    Roskill

3)    Talk To Me

Of course you can also buy them from my website www.authorneilcoleman.com

Or for and even more direct service and for a better deal from neilcolemanauthor@gmail.com

David Shearer's chance to shine. He must!

There has been a great deal of speculation lately about Davis Shearer’s effectiveness as leader of the Labour Party Parliamentary wing, or as ‘shadow Prime Minister.’ His critics have pointed at his low polling figures, conveniently forgetting that even Helen Clark did not figure highly as she progressed to the position she held for so long. Indeed, some would say she still casts a long shadow over the party.

Bloggers have had a field day with their (OK—mine too) constant crowing about David’s so called faults. They compare him to leaders of the past and say he lacks the charisma and appears almost clumsy at times. That he takes time to answer questions is not good enough for those wish ‘swishy, fast to the point answers.’

This weekend sees a conference where Davis has a chance answer those critics as he oversees some major changes about leadership challenges and some important policy announcements. Without a doubt, he is on show and must rise to the occasions, but the party should be very careful about creating an atmosphere where the public sees yet more factional squabbling. There are record number attending this conference and that should be seen as a base for policy development and coming up with a ‘leadership change protocol’ that makes sense and has the widest appeal. I am sure there will be back room deals made, just like in any party in every county in the world, be it democratic or autocratic. Deals are deals, the basis to any power brokering.

Those seeking an ‘alternative Government’ will also be watching. They want to see a ‘strong person’ leading the party that wants to replace the National Party and they need to know that this David is able to hold his colleagues together and put to rest the questions raised about his leadership. Phil Goff must be watching from the side, silently thanking the ‘political Gods’ that he does not have to partake in the sideshow. Perhaps he can bring some sanity and steadiness to the stage. If the Labour Party does not come through this conference united, it will have to face many more years in opposition and may even see the Green Party rise higher in the polls.

www.authorneilcoleman.com