UK BLOG - THE GRAND NATIONAL

THE GRAND NATIONAL – SOME INFORMATION FOR AMERICANS
By Storyheart

Yesterday was one of the biggest sporting events of the year. I don’t mean the play offs of the basketball, or the ice hockey must wins. And I surely don’t mean to pre-season baseball hit about.

Yesterday was “The Grand National”

The what? I hear colonials asking, as of course there was no coverage on any American TV.

THE GRAND NATIONAL A BRIEF HISTORY

The Grand National Horse Race is often called the world's greatest steeplechase.

The race is one of the most famous steeplechases in the world. It is a unique test of horsemanship for the rider and also a test of a great significance for a horse.
The course is nearly two and a quarter miles in length and has 16 unique fences including the famous Bechers Brook. The fences have an added problem for horses, the famous drop fences where the landing side of the fence is lower than the take off side, this means the horse approaching the fence is unaware of the drop until in the air.

At The Chair Fence the reverse of this occurs. It is the biggest fence on the course and the landing side is higher than the take off.

In the National the horses have to complete almost two circuits of the course and jump 30 fences and then complete a long 494 yard run in which has been the downfall of many in the past.

There are two fences that are jumped only once and this is on the first circuit and they are the famous Chair and the water jump.

The first 'Official Grand National' was in 1839 though history does mention a race much the same as far back as 1820. The race has always been held at Aintree, near Liverpool except during the First World War, when it was held at a racecourse at Gatwick now the site of one of London's busiest Airports. It was however not run between 1941 and 1945 and the course at this time was used for military purposes.

The only other time the race has not taken place was in 1993 was again to be a landmark year as the race had to be declared void after a second false start was not heard by half of the jockeys who went on to complete a full circuit of the track. A number of jockeys actually did a second round and they did not know until the end of the four and a half miles that the race would be declared void for a false start. This may seem strange but around this time there were a lot of protests being held on the course and the jockeys ignored the officials trying to stop them as they thought wrongly that they were protesters. The horse that finished first that day was Esha Ness now known as the horse that won the National that never was.

The 150th running of the race in 1997 was another bizarre story when a bomb scare meant that the course had to be evacuated and the race postponed until the Monday.

The Grand National sees nearly the whole country putting small bets on there favorite horses, and with the same horses coming back year after year people can follow there favorite horse. The great “Red Rum” for instance won the race three times, and came second twice.

1967 saw the biggest price winner; Foinavon won the race after he was the only horse to jump a very small fence in the race. There was a great pile up at the fence and this horse ridden by John Buckingham when on to score at odds of 100/1. The fence was later named after the horse.

With forty horses to choose from people pick names that they like for instance in 1992 it was the year if the general election (where the UK votes for a prime minister) a horse called Party Politics won.

There is always plenty of excitement the event being watched by many, many countries (except of course America). Yesterday was no exception with the winner a horse called Mon Mome ran away with yesterday's race, turning what still looked a fiercely competitive renewal two fences from home into a procession. The no big issue except the horse started at odds of 100/1 matching that of Foinavon, this time though there was no luck. 100/1 means for every pound/dollar you bet on the horse you got a hundred back in winnings. There was some big celebration going on at various locations around the UK after that windfall yesterday.



Once again the Aintree Grand National -- was full excitement, drama, courage. The country cheered, some celebrated however here in the US you would not even know the race existed.


Barry Eva (Storyheart)
Author of Young Adult Romance/Fiction book “Across the Pond”

Saturday Fun

Today’s Radio Broadcast “A BOOK AND A CHAT” with “The Page Flipper”
By Storyheart



Normally over the weekend I just post my UK blog, however after this morning’s radio blog, some news on interviews and a fresh review it looks like an extra blog this weekend
Sunday will be all about this great sporting weekend in England where almost the whole country and a little bet on a race that has been taking place for over 168 years
However that is Sunday’s blog, what about today.
This morning I had a really fun interview with Chelsea, who blogs under the name “The Page Flipper”. It was a really fun chat, and I hope many will get a chance to listen to it either at

“A BOOK AND A CHAT” http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Across-the-Pond

On my blog http://acrossthepond-storyheart.blogspot.com/

Or can download it from http://romance2read.com/show_pageflipper.mp3

The radio programs are going really well and I have most of the next two months already booked with guests. Next Saturday at 11am EST for instance I have multi award winning author Karen White who is on her virtual book tour this month with a fascinating novel “THE LOST HOURS”

UP AND COMING EVENTS:

I also have information for a future TV appearance as well as a booking for University Campus radio which should be different. As well as a couple of fresh radio appearances.

What else… well a fresh review at Amazon

AMAZON:

Today review 62 at Amazon, a fresh “5” star review which included…

“Across The Pond is a very interesting book for teenagers and young adults. I also found it and easy light read for older adults. The book demonstrates virtuous love between Fred and Britt.

Across The Pond also highlights the differences in the language between England and the United States in fun and amusing ways. The storyline is tight and well written bringing up the issue of date abuse which is a real consideration for young people. The situation is handled in a realistic and mostly mature manner.

I hope to read sequels to this book in the future. It was an enjoyable book.”

You can check out all my Amazon reviews for Across the Pond – by Storyheart at http://tinyurl.com/d6547j


Barry Eva (Storyheart)
Author of Young Adult Romance/Fiction book “Across the Pond”


Storyheart


Across the Pond
http://acrossthepond-storyheart.blogspot.com/
http://across-t-pond.com

Blog Radio guest is "The Page Flipper" listen and enjoy

Today's great interview with teen blogger "The Page Flipper" (Chelsea)

There is a chance to hear the interview at three locations



http://romance2read.com/show_pageflipper.mp3 (for links and downloads)

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Across-the-Pond

(Just made it a featured interview)

And my blog at
http://acrossthepond-storyheart.blogspot.com/

Storyheart

Rock and Roll is hear to stay!

Tonight I rolled back the clock, and lived again in my twenties.

I went and watched Sha Na Na in concert.

If Woodstock was 1969 it must have been early to mid seventies they first came over to England, and through the next few years I must have seen them 4 or 5 times.
Three of the original people are still in the group, Donny, Jacko and Screaming Scott Simon. (Did you know he wrote the song Sandy in Greace the film/musical?)

Bowzer has his own group in case your wondering.

The theater was about 70mins drive away the longest I've driven since my back Op and I will be feeling it in the morning. But for tonight I am flying on the atmosphere...nothing else it wasn't Woodstock all over again.

The place held about 500 I guess and was fairly full, I got a seat in the third row! The opening act twas the Sentinels a great Doowop group. Then we all started rocking. I even went up on the stage to do the hand jive with them when they sang Willie and the hand jive. So tonight I feel twenty again, in the morning it will be more like eighty, but it was worth every ache and pain.

Rock and Roll is hear to stay!

Storyheart

"A BOOK and a CHAT" with "The Page Flipper"

"The Page Flipper"(what a great name for a book reader blog)otherwise known as Chelsea, is my guest this Saturday on “A BOOK AND A CHAT”.


Book reader, blogger, contest hoster, author chat
organizer, part of a Young Adult Book Club, and so much more.


Chelsea is one of the numerous wonderful small bloggers that actually read the Young Adult books and produce very interesting blogs and comments not only about what they
read but also about what new books are coming out.


Join us on Saturday morning 11am EST at
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Across-the-Pond

for

“A BOOK AND A CHAT” with “The Page Flipper”

You can visit her site and read the interesting things she has to say at thepageflipper.blogspot.com

I am sure this will be a great interview and I hope the first of many with the wonderful young reader/bloggers that are on the internet.




Barry Eva (Storyheart)


You can check out all my Amazon reviews for
Across the Pond – by Storyheart
at
http://tinyurl.com/d6547j


My latest radio appearance at
the grits.com
http://www.thegrits.com/radio/?p=77


Barry Eva(Storyheart)



Author of Young Adult Romance/Fiction book

Across the Pond
http://acrossthepond-storyheart.blogspot.com/

http://across-t-pond.com

Never Mind Johnny Appleseed, what about Ryan Cheese Head?

Never Mind Johnny Appleseed, what about Ryan Cheese Head? – Storyheart



Most Americans have heard of Johnny Appleseed, born John Chapman (September 26, 1774 – February 18, 1845), was an American pioneer nurseryman who introduced apple trees to large parts of Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. He became an American legend while still alive, largely because of his kind and generous ways, his great leadership in conservation and the symbolic importance of apples. But how many have heard of Ryan Cheese Head from Green Bay?

Perhaps no body, perhaps there never was a Ryan Cheese Head. However there must have been somebody who spread the word about cheese throughout America, whoever it was did a ruddy brilliant job.

Never mind the Big Apple, America is one huge cheese.

It doesn’t matter where you go, any restaurant, snack bar or a food outlet of any sort and order a meal it will come with CHEESE. Try getting a ham roll, egg and bacon on a roll, even Tuna on a roll and it will come with cheese, even if you make a point of saying “NO CHEESE” it quite often still arrives with cheese. The number of times I have gone to a restaurant looked through the menu to see what there might be that came without cheese, ordered what I hoped would be okay only for it to arrive covered in what I would class as mouse food.

It’s not that I don’t eat cheese completely, or am allergic to the dairy product, it’s just I prefer not to eat the stuff.

So here’s to Ryan Cheese head. Who lead the cheese revolution out of Wisconsin, and spread the word throughout America.

You may wonder with all the love of cheese what the mice in America are fond of. Well anybody who ever had Terminex or any other pest control do some work for them, will know that in the USA they bait the traps with “peanut butter”… but then that’s another story.

Storyheart
(Author of Across the Pond)

RADIO POD CAST
COMING UP SATURDAY 11am EST “A BOOK AND A CHAT” with “The Page Flipper”
I have as my guest next Saturday “The Page Flipper” Chelsea avid young reader and blogger. Check her blog site at http://thepageflipper.blogspot.com/
I am sure this will be a great interview and the first of many I hope and would like to have to reader bloggers.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Across-the-Pond


AMAZON:

After reaching 60 reviews at Amazon, today along comes number 61 another 4 star review which included…

Although this book will be most enjoyed by teens, it is also quite enjoyable for adults. I found myself reminded of what it was like to be a teenager in love: dancing around each other, learning to trust, and the exhilaration of a first kiss.

Fred is headed to America to spend time with family friends while his parents are away. Although he's apprehensive at first, he soon falls head over heels for Brit and the two are inseparable. But then Brit tells Fred a dark secret and it's up to Fred to help right the wrongs.

It's a rare romance that brings in some real-life unpleasantness for the characters to deal with and Across the Pond does that without losing its romance or charm. The book stays enjoyable and holds your interest right to the very end.

You can check out all my Amazon reviews for Across the Pond – by Storyheart at http://tinyurl.com/d6547j


Barry Eva (Storyheart)


Author of Young Adult Romance/Fiction book Across the Pond)


A BOOK AND A CHAT every Saturday 11am EST
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Across-the-Pond


MY LATEST BLOG RADIO APPEARANCE

My latest radio appearance at thegrits.com

http://www.thegrits.com/radio/?p=77


Storyheart


Across the Pond
http://acrossthepond-storyheart.blogspot.com/
http://across-t-pond.com

ACROSS THE POND REACHES NEW LEVELS AT AMAZON - Storyheart

Today I reached a new level at Amazon. That is receiving my

“SIXTIETH REVIEW”

since the book came out in October 2008.



I know, I may have said this in a blogs in the past, but these comments coming from people who have read the book, mean more to me than if I was signed up by some major publisher.


Of course I’d love to have more people read the book, and more people enjoy the book. I’d really love a phone call from


Asking if my book could be used or the next “High School Musical” production.


Oh well one can dream, though I’ve actually had a couple of reviews stating they could see “Across the Pond” as a film.

Todays number 60 was another 4 star review, and included.

This was an adorable young love story about Fred from England, who is sort of forced to go visit his parents' friends in America. What he doesn't know awaits him "across the pond" is their hottie daughter, Brittany, whom Fred instantly falls in love with. Add in all kinds of language problems, a bully who thinks taking advantage of young girls is fun, and the sport of baseball, and you have a love story as ageless as time itself.


You can check out all my Amazon reviews for Across the Pond – by Storyheart at http://tinyurl.com/d6547j


Barry Eva (Storyheart)

Author of Young Adult Romance/Fiction book Across the Pond)


RADIO POD CAST
COMING UP NEXT SATURDAY:
I have as my guest next Saturday “The Page Flipper” Chelsea avid young reader and blogger. Check her blog site at http://thepageflipper.blogspot.com/
A BOOK AND A CHAT every Saturday 11am EST
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Across-the-Pond


MY LATEST BLOG RADIO APPEARANCE

My latest radio appearance at thegrits.com

http://www.thegrits.com/radio/?p=77


Storyheart

Across the Pond
http://acrossthepond-storyheart.blogspot.com/

SCHOOLING SCHOOLS - Storyheart

Today I gave my first presentation at a local school. It was something arranged a few months ago at a school about 25 miles away. I have sent out a total of 25 packages, containing, letters, flyers and information details, and in the case of my local schools a hard copy of the book for their library. I received a total of zero replies, not a letter, email nothing… Thank you schools!

Any way the school visit today was friend of a work mate who happened to be a teacher.

I sent the details as per the other packages which the school thought was great. I received an email a two weeks ago, letting me know how much they were looking forward to my visit, information had been handed out or passed on, and I was now going to be talking to 120 children… Woooooo I expected a class, not three full years!

Any way everything was prepared, information about the Union Jack, read a chapter, have some fun with the various different words (children taking part) sample some English candy (sweets) which I knew the kids would love. I even had some English tea for the teachers.

So thanks to the modern direction finding (I’d have never found it otherwise) I got there about 40 minutes before I was due to start speaking. The fact that I could not find an open door to get into the school and the first person I met when I did get in was the school police officer I was a little worried.

Kids arrived in the library, many still eating their lunches, and it was rather on the noisy side.

Well I got through it, though the kids were not the best behaved, and the teachers apologized after, but heck kids are kids. We had fun, a few laughs and then at the end of it all some very interesting questions and answers.

I did not sell a book, but then once inside the school and seeing how it was struggling I did not expect to. I just hope a few of the 120 enjoyed my visit and learned some information they did not know about before.

I drove back hope thinking about how well it had gone and realized the same presentation could be done for older people, woman’s groups, lodges or whatever.

So it’s one down and as many more as you want ahead, I just need to replenish my English sweets and crisps (Candies and chips) from my local UK shop and I’m ready to go again.

Barry Eva (Storyheart)
Author of Young Adult Romance/Fiction book Across the Pond)


AMAZON REVIEWS:

No fresh reviews today… I can’t be greedy, I have 59 on Amazon already…

Reviews for Across the Pond – by Storyheart at Amazon at… http://tinyurl.com/d6547j

RADIO POD CAST

Check out Saturday’s enjoyable interview “A Book and a Chat” with award winning author Joyce A. Stengel. I have received the following request to use this interview on a publishing site.

Hi Barry,\

I’m a member of Pelican Publishing Company’s Promotion Department, and I have the pleasure of doing publicity for author Joyce Stengel. Joyce was a guest on your show over the weekend, and she had given me your contact information. It was a great interview! I was wondering, would it be okay for me to include the link for the interview on Pelican’s website, www.pelicanpub.com ? Our visitors, and Joyce’s fans, would truly enjoy it.

Thanks so much for your consideration!

COMING UP NEXT SATURDAY:

I have as my guest next Saturday “The Page Flipper” Chelsea avid young reader and blogger. Check her blog site at http://thepageflipper.blogspot.com/
A BOOK AND A CHAT every Saturday 11am EST
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Across-the-Pond


MY LATEST BLOG RADIO APPEARANCE

My latest radio appearance at thegrits.com

http://www.thegrits.com/radio/?p=77


AMAZON REVIEWS:

No new reviews to let you know about you can read the 58 reviews for Across the Pond – by Storyheart at Amazon at… http://tinyurl.com/d6547j

Storyheart
Across the Pond
http://acrossthepond-storyheart.blogspot.com/
http://across-t-pond.com

SOME USEFUL LINKS and A FRESH REVIEW - Storyheart

Today I have from sources and people received some helpful links both for bloggers and for writers. There are a few so I thought I’d share them with you.

These great links I received from my friends at Pump Up Your Book Promotion

http://darcknyt.wordpress.com/2009/03/30/another-blog-traffic-tool/

There are two different sites at this location where you can get your blog advertised

http://www.bloggerstyles.com/category/3-columns/

A good location to download some interesting 3 column blog templates.

http://Pumpupyourbookpromotion.com is a great company to aid promoting your book their virtual book tours are a must for any new book/author


This next lot, are from this months Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association (CAPA). I am only providing a brief description of each link but they might help you.

ABOUT FICTION WRITING - http://fictionwriting.about.com

Information on the about.com site is mixed but this is a good site, and the information is extensive and free. It includes all sorts of info re starting crafting and so much more (I'm not going to type all that's said)

BOOK EDITING ASSOCIATION - www.book-editing.com

This is the inside track and the information from many Editors

FREELANCE WRITING GIGS - www.freelancewritinggigs.com

A blog but you would not know it, extensive and well organized site, includes loads of free information in freelance writing, tips etc..

THE GOLDEN PENCIL - www.thegoldenpencil.com

Considered one of the top dozen blogs out there. Has everything you need to know about freelance writing

HOW TO PLAN, WRITE and DEVELOP a BOOK - howtoplanwriteanddevelopabook.blogspot.com

(Sort of name that just slips off the tongue.)
One of the best blogs on writing novels

THE MARKET LIST - www.marketlist.com

Started in 1994 this online Enzine is a fabulous site for all genres of fiction

POEM HUNTER - www.poemhunter.com

Tons of poems and information about poems and poetry

SUCCESSFUL BLOG - www.successful-blog.com/category/writing

This is a blog about blogging for bloggers, it is also one of the top dozen

(I'm going to check this one out tomorrow)

WRITE and PUBLISH FICTION - www.write-and-publish-fiction.com

This site has a lot of practical advice for writers, most of it free

WRITERS IN TOUCH - www.writersintouch.com

This is a dynamic networking and "connections" site where writers give and receive feedback on each others work. You have to join the site, but it's worth it


AMAZON REVIEWS:

One fresh review today taking my total at Amazon to 59

“Great young adult fiction that will please teens, tweens, and young-at-heart adults. I am always a sucker for the trans-atlantic love story. In this case, young Fred is drawn to Brittany. The "language barrier" brought about in the book is hysterical. Watching Fred struggle with Americanisms, and fall in love is heartwarming.

A great read for any age!”

Reviews for Across the Pond – by Storyheart at Amazon at… http://tinyurl.com/d6547j

RADIO POD CAST

Check out today’s enjoyable interview “A Book and a Chat” with award winning author Joyce A. Stengel

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Across-the-Pond


MY LATEST BLOG RADIO APPEARANCE

My latest radio appearance at thegrits.com

http://www.thegrits.com/radio/?p=77


AMAZON REVIEWS:

No new reviews to let you know about you can read the 58 reviews for Across the Pond – by Storyheart at Amazon at… http://tinyurl.com/d6547j

Storyheart
Across the Pond
http://acrossthepond-storyheart.blogspot.com/
http://across-t-pond.com

WHY THE UK DRIVES ON THE LEFT

One of the first things anybody notices or remarks about when traveling in the UK is the fact that we drive on the left hand side of the road. However there is history and reasoning behind this.

In days of old logic dictated that when people passed each other on the road they should be in the best possible position to use their sword to protect them selves. As most people are right handed they therefore keep to their left.

This custom was given official sanction in 1300 AD, when Pope Boniface VIII invented the modern science of traffic control by declaring that pilgrims headed to Rome should “keep left”.

Nothing much changed until 1773 when an increase in horse traffic forced the UK Government to introduce the General Highways Act of 1773 which contained a keep left recommendation. This became a law as part of the Highways Bill in 1835.

Reasons to travel on the right are less clear but the generally accepted version of history is as follows: The French, being Catholics, followed Pope Boneface's edict but in the build up to the French Revolution in 1790 the French Aristocracy drove their carriages at great speed on the left hand side of the road, forcing the peasantry over to the right side for their own safety. Come the Revolution, instincts of self preservation resulted in the remains of the Aristocracy joining the peasants on the right hand side of the road.

Another reason was that when teamsters in the United States and France began hauling farm products in big wagons pulled by several pairs of horses.

These wagons had no driver's seat. Instead the driver sat on the left rear horse, so he could keep his right arm free to lash the team.

Since you were sitting on the left, naturally you wanted everybody to pass on the left so you could look down and make sure you kept clear of the other guy's wheels. Ergo, you kept to the right side of the road.

The first known keep-right law in the U.S. was enacted in Pennsylvania in 1792, and in the ensuing years many states and Canadian provinces followed suit.

In France the keep-right custom was established in much the same way. An added impetus was that, this being the era of the French Revolution and all, people figured, “hey, no pope is going tell ME what to do.”

Later Napoleon enforced the keep-right rule in all countries occupied by his armies. The custom endured even after the empire was destroyed.

Britain's imperial expansion (all of the pink bits on old maps) spread the keep left rule far and wide. This included India, Australasia and much of Africa (Although many countries have since changed to driving on the right when they became independent).

So why then, even in England, do boats keep right?
Good question with no clear answer, the favorite theory goes back to the fact that most people are right handed, if that was the case and if the boat was propelled and steered in the same way as a punt then you would want to sit on the right hand side and steer with a pole or board (might be where the word starboard comes from). If this is the case then you would keep to the right so that it is easier to reach the bank.

RADIO POD CAST

Check out today’s enjoyable interview “A Book and a Chat” with award winning author Joyce A. Stengel

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Across-the-Pond


MY LATEST BLOG RADIO APPEARANCE

My latest radio appearance at thegrits.com

http://www.thegrits.com/radio/?p=77


AMAZON REVIEWS:

No new reviews to let you know about you can read the 58 reviews for Across the Pond – by Storyheart at Amazon at… http://tinyurl.com/d6547j

Storyheart
Across the Pond
http://acrossthepond-storyheart.blogspot.com/
http://across-t-pond.com

COMING SOON TO A BLOG NEAR YOU!

COMING SOON TO A BLOG NEAR YOU!


http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Across-the-Pond Saturday 11amEST

A Book and a Chat with award winning author Joyce A. Stengel



As the advertising used to say about and up and coming film at the cinema, or is it movie theatre… and might even still do so for all I know… “Coming to a Cinema near you!”

Tomorrow on my radio program “A Book and a Chat” is with Joyce A Stengel an award winning children to teens writer whose writing goes from picture books to mystery stories for tweens and teens.

Joyce comes from my neck my state of Connecticut and I can’t wait to chat with her about her books, her writing, and her latest picture book “St. Patrick and the Three Brave Mice”

Find out more about Joyce at http://biography.jrank.org/pages/1473/Stengel-Joyce-1938.html

So stop by http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Across-the-Pond, Saturday 11am EST.
To hear more about this fascinating lady.

AMAZON EXPERIMENT:

Across the Pond by Storyheart…
I had to send out some copies for London and New York book fairs, so needed to get a few more copies of the book before I take on my first school visit next week. So I ordered four more from Amazon and low and behold I went from 500,000 to 82,000 it does not take much to move you when you’re in the lower levels of book sales

MY LATEST BLOG RADIO APPEARANCE

My latest radio appearance at thegrits.com http://www.thegrits.com/radio/?p=77


AMAZON REVIEWS:Read all the reviews at…. http://tinyurl.com/d6547j

Storyheart
Across the Pond
http://acrossthepond-storyheart.blogspot.com/
http://across-t-pond.com

POD RADIO INTERVIEWS – I LOVE THEM!

BLOG RADIO INTERVIEWS – I LOVE THEM!



Before I start, Across the Pond by Storyheart… For those following my last two blogs, slipped back to 398,516 in Books, on Amazon today. I wonder what will happen if I have a busy weekend and school visit next week and order another ten or so?

So today’s blog, is about pod radio and radio interviews. Today an interview I was a guest on was released by "thegrits.com"

http://www.thegrits.com/radio/?p=77

I must admit I love doing radio and TV programs, though some people might think I have a face that does better on radio. I love chatting to the host discussing all sorts of things but mainly showing how I feel about the book why I wrote it etc. I am sure without a shadow of doubt that my English accent and sense of humor really help, but I have been told I do make a good guest.

So what is a good guest? A person who just chats, who you don’t have to draw the words out of like a dentist drawing teeth, who can make the interview interesting, share the information and be ready to jump in if hosts has an issue, and most of all has something to say.

I have now been on many radio shows with my book “Across the Pond”, ranging for two fantastic one hour chats to fifteen minutes just reading a chapter from my book. Most of the hosts have been really fun and made the whole event an enjoyable experience, the time passing by very quickly. Every now and then however you come across a show where you end up leading the host rather than them leading you.

You can find some of these radio interviews at

http://across-t-pond.com/review2.html

A month or so ago, I started my own Blog Radio show “A Book and a Chat” with xxxxxx. The idea was to try and make the interview more of a friendly chat over a cup of tea. Also wanting to get some of the wonderful small (only in following) bloggers to come and chat about there sites favorite books etc. I’m glad to say so far this has been going very well, and I am booked up with guests until almost the end of May.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Across-the-Pond, Saturday 11am EST

One thing that has happened to me both as the host and a guest is losing connection to the show. Luckily both times there has been little “dead air”. When as a host my guest carried on describing her book, and as a guest I realized something had happened and just carried on chatting. So if you are a guest don’t stop if you get no reply from your host, technical difficulties can happen, just keep going, even if it means just talking about the weather.

All I can say is “Bring on the Next Radio Interview”… I love them.
BOOK STUFF:

Across the Pond – Storyheart


No new reviews today, hey you can’t win everyday… Just the radio interview mentioned above.


Read all the reviews at…. http://tinyurl.com/d6547j



RADIO PROGRAM:

Every Saturday at 11am. I interview an author or a blogger for 30minutes to find out what they are doing, writing, reading etc. Just a cozy chat over a cup of tea.
This Saturday I am interviewing multi award winning author Joyce Stengal

Check Out http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Across-the-Pond,




Storyheart
Across the Pond
http://acrossthepond-storyheart.blogspot.com/
http://across-t-pond.com

AMAZON AND SALES RANK NUMBERS – PART 2

Yesterday I tried to find out how the purchase of two books could make a difference
In the Amazon rankings, given that no super store would come along and purchase a couple of dozen copies. At the time of purchase I was ranked 704,254 in Books.
By the time I had completed my blogs and done my normal evening stroll around friends blogs etc, I was up to 707,014.

So what happened over night?

When I checked this morning… I was 195,103 in Books; this has slipped through the day to 282,955 in Books. So how does it all work?

I was lucky enough to receive some information from a fellow member of the SCBWI.

Her comments were…

My father-in-law and I were testing out the Amazon rankings one day. By purchasing a dozen or so copies we could shoot my book's rating up to about 1,000 (temporarily of course). You might find the following link interesting, it supports the results we got from out little experiment...

It looks complicated but helps explain.

http://www.fonerbooks.com/surfing.htm


BOOK STUFF:

Across the Pond – Storyheart

I was lucky enough to have a review at one of my favorite small blog sites

http://bookjunkiereviews.blogspot.com/2009/03/review-across-pond-by-storyheart.html

And while she found the fact that the two main characters fell in love very quickly, but heck us English are very romantic you know.
As I told a radio interviewer who asked where the romance side of my writing came from? I told him…

”It’s because I’m English” (must be something to do with Shakespeare etc…)

Anyway I must agree with Amelia at bookjunkie said… And that is the price of the book. It has gone up $2/3 since it first came out at Amazon which I can’t understand.

Still you can always get a signed copy direct from my the author for $15 plus $4pp

She ends…

Its a quick read, but I devoured it all the same. Steve was a jerk and once scientists invent a machine to bring fictional characters to life I will bring Steve out and punch him :). I loved Brit's parents; they were the kind of parents a lot of kids want. Another cool thing about it is because of a school assignment Fred has, you get to learn some English terms. Which may come in handy, if you ever find yourself in England or meet an English person.

Thank you Amelia for your honest review

AMAZON REVIEWS (58)

Read all the reviews at…. http://tinyurl.com/d6547j



RADIO PROGRAM:

Every Saturday at 11am. I interview an author or a blogger for 30minutes to find out what they are doing, writing, reading etc.

Just a cozy chat, over a cup of tea.
This Saturday I am interviewing multi award winning author Joyce Stengal

Check Out http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Across-the-Pond,




Storyheart
Across the Pond
http://acrossthepond-storyheart.blogspot.com/
http://across-t-pond.com

AMAZON AND SALES RANK NUMBERS

AMAZON AND SALES RANK NUMBERS





I noticed the other day that my sales rank for my book “Across the Pond” went from 8000+ to just less than 3000 when I ordered four books. The sales rank number seemed at the time, to change by a large number within the rank numbers with only the purchase of a couple of books.

So needing a couple more books to keep my stock level before school visits etc, I have ordered two more copies as an experiment.

Today my ranking had slipped back up to 704,254 in Books, it will be interesting to see how and if this changes with the sales of just a couple of books.



Talking about Amazon I got a big shock today as we managed to get two copies of my previous (terribly badly edited) book which has been out of print for years
Stories from the Heart by Storyheart (Paperback - May 2003)
The book consist of about Forty of my short romance stories


BOOK STUFF:

Across the Pond – Storyheart

A good day for reviews at Amazon with not one but two, and both 4STAR

The first new review includes the lines…

This book is geared more for a younger readership such as teenagers; I really enjoyed it though…
It was a very cute feel good book and I think teenagers would love to read this and any more sequel’s the author has planned.

The second new review (number 58 at Amazon) goes into some nice detail and ends…

The book is geared toward teens but I had a hard time putting it down. It is an interesting and quick read. Well worth it!

Read all the reviews at…. http://tinyurl.com/d6547j



RADIO PROGRAM:

Every Saturday at 11am. I interview an author or a blogger for 30minutes to find out what they are doing, writing, reading etc. Just a cozy chat over a cup of tea.
This Saturday I am interviewing multi award winning author Joyce Stengal

Check Out http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Across-the-Pond,




Storyheart
Across the Pond
http://acrossthepond-storyheart.blogspot.com/
http://across-t-pond.com

Don’t Forget The Little People - The Small Blog Sites

Don’t Forget The Little People




There are many, many blogs out there dealing with writing/reading for all styles, tastes and ages. They range in size from having millions of hits a month to those that blog away to themselves, without any followers.

However we should not forget the great work that these small bloggers, and I mean small in numbers of followers, do.

I have been lucky to come into contact with many of these small blog sites. With my book “Across the Pond” being classed as a Young Adult Romance, many of these blog owners are Young Adults.

When you look at these sites, the comments, the reviews, interviews on each book that they read, and they do read plenty. One can not but be amazed at the standard of their work, there dedication, and their general literary knowledge.

On Saturday I was lucky enough to chat with Beth Fehlbaum on my blog radio show about her inspirational book “Courage in Patience”. One of the things that came up and meant a lot to her, was that her book was voted the “best book read in 2008” on one of these smaller blogs. And when you get feed back like this what more can you ask for.

Courage in Patience was such a wonderful book. It deals with so many emotions for one little book, it's amazing. The characters were written wonderfully, and the writing was just... wow. I couldn't believe it when I was reading. I couldn't put it down -- I was on vacation while reading this, and I was about to take it to the races that night, and the races are pretty much my favorite thing about going to our property Up North. I just couldn't put this down. Everything about it I enjoyed, and though the topic isn't my favorite to read about - abuse - it was written in a way that won't sick you out. If you haven't read this one, you really should. It's wonderful. That's the only word I can use to describe it: wonderful. :]

So when you’re doing your rounds with a book or looking for places to find out about a book. Don’t forget the little people… blog sites with a small but dedicated following.


BOOK STUFF:

Across the Pond – Storyheart

I had a fresh review of my book at “Ashley’s Bookshelf and was glad to see I managed a B+ for my book.

http://ashley-thecompulsivereader.blogspot.com/2009/03/across-pond.html

Grade: B+

It was nice of Storyheart to email me and ask for me to review his book. I had a great time reading it. For his first YA novel, it was a fun, quick read. I really enjoyed Fred as a character. He was caring, strong, and sometimes very confused by the language difference. I liked how Brit says "cool beans"...I say it too. :) The only thing I'm not too sure about is the relationship between Fred and Brit. Maybe it was love at first sight, but to me, it seemed somewhat unrealistic. Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book. And I learned some British terms. :)



RADIO PROGRAM:

Every Saturday at 11am. I interview an author or a blogger for 30minutes to find out what they are doing, writing, reading etc. Just a cozy chat over a cup of tea.

Check Out http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Across-the-Pond,


Storyheart
Across the Pond
http://acrossthepond-storyheart.blogspot.com/
http://across-t-pond.com

Happy Mothers Day – Across the pond

Happy Mothers Day – Across the pond

I have decided that my weekend blogs will be about my home land, Across the Pond, this started with my last blog on how the Union Jack is made up of the three flags of St George, St Andrew and St Patrick.

So Happy Mothers Day, or rather… Happy Mothering Sunday.

Hang on the Americans are thinking.. Mothers Day is in May?

Well it is but that is because an American lady and Hallmark decided it would be better in May than in March.

Here is the run down.

Mothering Sunday, sometimes called Rose Day is a Christian festival celebrated throughout Europe. It is used as a celebration of motherhood, and is now more and more being called Mothers Day.

A religious festival celebrating motherhood has been existent in Europe since approximately 250 BC when the Romans honored the mother goddess Cybele during mid-March. As the Roman Empire and Europe converted to Christianity, Mothering Sunday celebrations became part of the liturgial calendar as Laetare Sunday, the fourth Sunday in Lent in honor of the Virgin Mary and “mother church”.

he other names attributed to this festival include Simnel Sunday, Refreshment Sunday and Rose Sunday. Simnel Sunday is named after the practice of baking Simnel cakes to celebrate the reuniting of families during the austerity of Lent. Because there is traditionally a lightening of Lenten vows on this particular Sunday in celebration of the fellowship of family and church, the lesser-used label Refreshment Sunday is also used, although rarely today.

Rose Sunday is sometimes used as an alternative title for Mothering Sunday as well, as is witnessed by the purple robes of Lent being replaced in some churches by rose-colored ones. This title refers to the tradition of posies of flowers being collected and distributed at the service originally to all the mothers, but latterly to all women in the congregation.

I can well remember going to church as a family on this day and being given a little bundle of flowers to give to my mother.

Mothers Day in the USA

Mother's Day holiday, in the United States and Canada, celebrates motherhood generally and the positive contributions of mothers to society. It falls on the second Sunday of each May. It is the result of a campaign by Anna Marie Jarvis (1864–1948), who, following the death of her mother on May 9, 1905, devoted her life to establishing Mother's Day as a national, and later an international, holiday. The first observances of both Mother's Day and Father's Day were held in the state of West Virginia.

Interestingly, by the 1920s, Anna Jarvis had become soured on the commercialization of the holiday. She incorporated herself as the Mother’s Day International Association, claimed copyright on the second Sunday of May, and was once arrested for disturbing the peace. She and her sister Ellsinore spent their family inheritance campaigning against the holiday. Both died in poverty. Jarvis, says her New York Times obituary, became embittered because too many people sent their mothers a printed greetings card.

Heaven knows what she would think of how it has become with Fathers Day, Grandmothers Day and every down to second cousin twice removed day.

As she said, "A printed card means nothing except that you are too lazy to write to the woman who has done more for you than anyone in the world. And candy! You take a box to Mother—and then eat most of it yourself. A pretty sentiment!"

So Happy Mothers Day – especially to those mothers “Across the Pond”

BOOK STUFF:

Across the Pond – Storyheart

It has been a good couple of days with three more reviews taking the count on Amazon to 55… whoops another came in over night make that 56. I feel so thrilled that people are enjoying the book so much. The latest review ends…

“This book combines romance, teenage norms, teenage issues, and a boy who stands up for what is right. Add a teenage girl who is a baseball fan and you have an excellent story of real teens with real issues- and a spicy but appropriate romance!”

RADIO PROGRAM:

Yesterday I had as my guest on “A BOOK AND A CHAT” Beth Fehlbaum, it was a very interesting and enjoyable 30minutes talking to such an inspirational lady.

You can hear my radio interview with Beth Fehlbaum and truly inspirational lady
http://acrossthepond-storyheart.blogspot.com/
or at
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Across-the-Pond

It went really well, despite losing my connection there was not much dead air. I hope you enjoy the interview.

Storyheart

Across the Pond

http://acrossthepond-storyheart.blogspot.com/

http://across-t-pond.com

A BOOK AND A CHAT with Beth Fehlbaum

http://acrossthepond-storyheart.blogspot.com

SATURDAY March 21st 11am Call-in Number: (347) 237-5398

A BOOK AND A CHAT with Beth Fehlbaum

Beth Fehlbaum’s tragic childhood was the inspiration for her first novel. Fehlbaum grew up in the Dallas area and has been teaching for 10 years. She said she began going to a therapist to help deal with childhood sexual abuse about four years ago. “I wasn’t handling my life very well. All the tricks I had used to keep from thinking about it weren’t working anymore,” she said. “I was living in a place of anxiety and fear.” Fehlbaum said her therapist suggested she write a novel. She said she wrote the book over a six-month period in 2007. “It took me four months to pull myself out of my own head and get beyond my own pain and grief to be able to tell someone else’s story,” she said in a question and answer with The Lariat Online. “But once I was able to do that, to look at the experience of sexual abuse and recovery from an observer’s standpoint, the story flowed.” Her book, “Courage in Patience,” is a fictional account of a 15-year-old girl, Ashley Nicole Asher, who is sexually abused by her stepfather. Fehlbaum said the first two chapters are about the character’s past, and the rest is about recovery.

http://courageinpatience.blogspot.com/

The roller coaster ride of a new book

Across the Pond - Reviews, News and Interviews.

Thursday another ten days until I go back to see the surgeon, and hopefully then receive the okay or at least the date to go back to work. The recovery from my back surgery has been going on fine but as I was told it’s been a roller coaster ride. Some days I feel fine, even managed to go for a walk. Others times it’s been nights of laying awake feeling more pain as the nerves gradually heal. So healing bringing pain, that is something different.


The recovery has been rather like the roller coaster one feels when you have a new book out. The highs when receiving reviews, interviews or even doing a radio show. Then there are the low days, when nothing seems to happen, the letters that never get replied to.

However like recovering from surgery, the high days get longer, things get better, and they always make up for the low days.

Today for instance, I had a fresh 5 Star review on Amazon which concluded
“I found the book to be captivating! I would recommend it to anyone looking for a good book to read.”

Then I found my book “Across the Pond” had been recommended by April from “Café of Dreams” (which by the way is a great Blog site) as a book she highly recommends for Young Adult readers. In her “Page in the Life of April from Café of Dreams” interview at Musings of a Bookish Kitty

http://www.literaryfeline.com/2009/03/page-in-life-of-april-from-cafe-of.html

Then this afternoon, I participated in a radio interview with Marlive Harris at www.thegrits.com. I had a fun interview, and am looking forward to hearing the final results. After which it will be aired on the radio, but more about that when the time comes.

Now tonight, just as I start typing this blog, I checked Amazon and low and behold another review, a 4 Star which ends…
“it was a feel good kind of story and I would love to read a sequel to this.”

So today I can clearly state… “It has been a good day.”


Storyheart
Across the Pond
http://acrossthepond-storyheart.blogspot.com/
http://across-t-pond.com

Prologue or not to Prologue that is the question.

I have started my follow up novel to Across the Pond, “Across the Pond and Back Again”. The book starts where the other one finished, but what do I do for people who have not read the first book to let them know what has gone before.

One would normally expect that such things would go into “The Prologue”.

In the 19070’s English Comedian Frankie Howerd played a slave, Lurcio (pronounced Lurk-io). In the BBC comedy set in ancient Pompeii (pre-eruption) called “Up Pompeii”. The set-up of this program was little more than a backdrop for an endless series of double entendres and risqué gags. Howerd was the key to most of the gags and he started each episode with a prologue — a "to camera" that would usually never get finished and rarely had anything to do with the episode plot.

However like Frankie Howerd and his attempts to complete his prologue, the question is in a book “Do people read the prologue?”

If I do not use the prologue as a “what happened in book one” then what?

Flash backs at the start of a book are quite often frowned on, by publishers, and the “thinking back to what had gone before” line also does not go down to well.

One way or another in the first chapter there has to be at least some form of link and explanation as to why “Fred Squire” is on a plane flying back to England, with a check for $1000 and two first class return tickets in his pocket and an ache in his heart.


Storyheart
Across the Pond
http://acrossthepond-storyheart.blogspot.com/
http://across-t-pond.com

Does the fat lady stop singing after the tour is over?

Does the fat lady stop singing after the tour is over?

What to do at the end of a Virtual Book Tour

After my month long virtual book tour, I wrote to Dorothy Thompson at pumpupyourbookpromotion.com about my feelings after touring for a month. The enjoyment, the fun and the friendships made during the month of the virtual tour and what next could be done.

Today you can find an article on Book Marketing Buzz, with input from Dorothy and some of my original jottings.

The article is was even picked up on the Google Alerts today

So if you’re planning to do a virtual book tour, have just done one, or if you just want a good read please check out

http://bookmarketingbuzz.com/2009/03/17/does-the-fat-lady-stop-singing-after-the-tour-is-over/

Also you can hear my radio show about the advantages of doing a virtual book tour a clicking on A Book and a Chat with Storyheart (Virtual Book Tours) at
http://acrossthepond-storyheart.blogspot.com/


Storyheart
Across the Pond
http://acrossthepond-storyheart.blogspot.com/
http://across-t-pond.com

Across the Pond - About the Union Jack

The flag is normally called the "Union Jack" because it represents a union of count - England, Ireland, and Scotland and Wales. The flag does not include a flag from Wales because Wales was never ruled in the same way that the other countries were ruled. It is called as a Principality.

Actually it shouldn't be called the "Union Jack", because a jack is a flag that is flown on a jack staff which is a small flag pole on the back of a naval ship. So it should be called the "Union Flag".

The Union Jack/Flag includes the Cross of St. George (England), the Cross of St. Andrew (Scotland) and the Cross of St. Patrick (Ireland).

In 1606, the first flag of Great Britain was developed, which included the crosses of England and Scotland (at this point, Ireland had not been united with England or Scotland).

The red cross (England) had to be put onto the white on blue cross (Scotland), and a white border was added for reasons of HERALDRY. This flag was used during the reign of James 1 and Charles 1 (1603-1649), and up until 1801.

In that year, Ireland became united officially with England, so the Nation's flag had to be changed to include the Irish Cross (red diagonal cross on white). The designers had to make sure that all the crosses could be recognized as individual flags as well as being in the same flag together.

That is why if you look at the Union Jack in films like Braveheart or Last of the Mohicans, you’ll notice the flag is a little different as it is pre St Patrick’s flag being added.

They did this by making the background white (Scottish Cross) broader on one side of the Irish red than on the other (see picture). This meant that all the separate crosses could be seen and the Irish Cross had it's origianal white background.

If your nation's flag has a little Union Jack in the corner of it, then your country is probably a member of the Commonwealth Nations which include: Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, as well as many other countries around the world.

The Union Jack is the most important of all British symbols, and it is flown by representatives of the United Kingdom all over the world; in the military and the navy, and in royalty.


BOOK STUFF:
No knew news except for a couple of follow up items re yesterdays radio show.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/booksandblogs


RADIO:
Saturday March 21st at 11am on my radio show A BOOK AND A CHAT
I am interviewing Beth Fehlbaum – about her latest book “Courage in Patience”
http://acrossthepond-storyheart.blogspot.com


Storyheart
Across the Pond
http://acrossthepond-storyheart.blogspot.com/
http://across-t-pond.com

Across the Pond - Sunday March 15th Blog

Across the Pond - Sunday March 15th Blog

Sunday is sport day, firstly the NY Rangers finally found how to score on a power play. It has taken them most of the season, and the fact that Avery scored twice is something. And I don’t mean scored as with a woman, for which he is of course more famous.

Today is also the day I catch up on the British sport, thank goodness for SETANA. I now can see more British Soccer and Rugby than if I were still in England.
After yesterdays dramatic Liverpool 4 – Manchester Utd 1 result which brings the English Soccer Premiership back into some sort of fight. Today Chelsea beat Manchester City 1-0 bringing them back into second place. After the soccer I caught back up on some of yesterday’s rugby games. Not the Super 14 for those in the southern hemisphere but the 6 nations.





Wales, who had seemed unbeatable until the dramatic loss to France in their last game, were taken to the wire by Italy. Ireland struggled against the Scots and that left England’s game against France today. The England rugby team has struggled this season to put it bluntly. Yet today they thumped the French team, which as we having basically been fighting the French since 1066 means a lot of an English sport follower.


America is girding up for it’s normal homage to St Patrick or as many of them must say Saint Paddy (who). Just to cause trouble try asking an American who St Patrick was, you’ll lose about 50% of those asked. If you ask them to describe the flag of St Patrick you’ll lose about 99% (it a red diagonal cross on a white background). Why such a big thing for March 17th in the US? Do you really need such an excuse for drinking.

What about March 1st St David’s day for the Welsh (give somebody a daffodil as that is the flower of St David), or St Andrews for the Scottish (Scotch is a drink not an abbreviation). The most important day however is April 23rd, St George’s Day, St George being the Patron Saint of England.

This next week I’ll explain about how the Union Jack and how it is made up of three separate flags of Great Britain.


BOOK STUFF:

Today I am appearing on http://www.blogtalkradio.com/booksandblogs
You can read about me and my book at http://morganmandelbooks.ning.com

A fresh review yesterday took me up to 51 at Amazon, and the variety I am really pleased with

CLICK FOR MY AMAZON REVIEWS

RADIO STUFF:

Next Saturday at 11am on my blog radio show

http://acrossthepond-storyheart.blogspot.com Call-in Number: (347) 237-5398
A BOOK AND A CHAT

I have Beth Fehlbaum talking about her latest book “Courage in Patience”


Storyheart
Across the Pond
http://acrossthepond-storyheart.blogspot.com/
http://across-t-pond.com

A book and a Chat with Storyheart - Virtual Book Tours

A Book and a Chat with Storyheart - Virtual Book Tours

A BOOK AND A CHAT RADIO PODCAST - 11am Est

RADIO POD BROADCAST:

http://acrossthepond-storyheart.blogspot.com/

Saturday March 14th 11am EST


A Book and a Chat with Storyheart - Talking about a Virtual book tour experience

Book Reaches BIG 50 reviews at Amazon in five months

Book Reaches BIG 50 reviews at Amazon in five months







Across the Pond by Storyheart came out in October 2008, today it had it’s fiftieth review at Amazon. That is not bad in just 5 months

And it was another good one so I thought being 50 I would share it.

An entertaining story of budding young love!, March 13, 2009
S. Stewart (Rome, GA) -


Across The Pond is a book that I thought was for teens or young adults. However, I am 37-years-old and found that I could not stop reading once I started! Very well-written, this story is about a young teenage boy named Fred who starts his trip "Across The Pond" (from England to the USA) with a resentful attitude towards his parents but ends his trip saddened to be leaving his newly found love named Brittany in the USA.

When Fred's parents win a trip for two to Australia, Fred is upset to learn that he will not be able to go along. He has the choice of visiting a relative in Scotland or a family friend in the USA. His choice was influenced greatly by his parents because the trip to the USA would be less expensive than the one to Scotland. Little did he know that the family friend had an attractive daughter (Brittany) about the same age as him and that they would develop a great friendship that blossomed into young love. This story recounts the experiences of the two friends...Fred learns the differences in vocabulary between the USA and England versions of English, enjoys some American baseball, comes to Brittany's rescue against a group of bully boys, and encourages Brittany to stand up for herself in the midst of strife.


The reviewer ends....

I would highly recommend this book for teenagers and adults alike because I thoroughly enjoyed it!


Storyheart
Across the Pond
http://acrossthepond-storyheart.blogspot.com/
http://across-t-pond.com

Across the Pond - Englishman's View of Baseball

By Storyheart author of "Across the Pond"
http://across-t-pond.com



AN ENGLISHMAN’S VIEWS OF BASEBALL

I know I could write about people who earn way to much money, stick themselves full of steroids, then swear they had no idea what they were doing. Stats that were meant to live a life time are now marked with an asterisk in record books if they are even still there. It is a place where a game stops halfway through the seventh of nine innings so people can have a sing and a stretch (sounds like half way through the seventh pint in England)

Any way I’m not going to talk about that side of things this is my early view of what I thought about baseball after first arriving in the USA.

BASEBALL

I have now been living in the USA, or as we still call them the Western Colonies, for several years. And while there is still a lot I either do not understand, or even dislike about these western shores, I am here and starting to learn a few things.

Baseball was like softball for the last few times an event in the Olympics but of course the overpaid superstars would never appear in such an event (does that sound like it used to be with basketball until the superstars got shown up one Olympics)
This last Summer, with the joining of a Fantasy Baseball League at work, the Englishman's team if "Just Not Cricket" is surprising a few people who thought I would know nothing about the sport, I am actually following the games, and my players this year.

So let's talk about baseball, through the eyes of an Englishman.

Baseball, the sport of the people, played by men (woman play softball), who earn a fortune, for wearing crash helmets, and a giant oven glove, and trying to hit a ball out of the arena, so they don't have to break into a run to travel round the diamond.
Ok so that's not a great explanation, but it is the national summer sport of America, played by millions in one form or another. There is after all the World Series at the end of the season, played between the top two teams of the National League and the American league. I know, I know how can a world series take place between nearly (all except one Canadian teams) American teams?

Well it is America, and of course the teams are full of many different nations, from Japan and Australia to Cuba and the Dominican Republic. In fact it would
be really interesting if they ever DID have a true world series..... and the star players actually played unlike now where money rules.

It seems one of the major actions in any baseball game is to be able to spit (remember the film Naked Gun?), many eat sunflower seeds, others just seem to be able to produce their own fluid, but spitting it would seem, is a must

Then there are the uniforms, how some of the teams manage to squeeze some of their larger players into those uniforms, well perhaps that could make another chapter.

Players and fans alike though enjoy the game, or seem to no matter what the weather, and the pure joy one sees on the face of a fan, who has actually caught a baseball sent into the crowd, just shows you the thrill? of the game. It is quite amazing to see so many fans of all ages, sitting there, with their large gloves, ready to catch the ball.

Ok, now a baseball, is not as hard as a cricket ball (which for those Colonials, is like a field hockey ball), the players stand further away, for the most part. Sure the ball get's hit very hard, and thrown very hard, but so does a cricket ball. Yet in cricket the only one who wares large gloves is the wicket keeper.

I have watched several games where with the glove on the left hand, the ball comes to the right side of the player, and he leaps trying to catch it with his gloved, left hand. Now if you try and catch a ball on your right, with your left hand, you can not reach as far as if you used your right hand... following me??
So as I was saying I have seen balls go past players, that if they used their right, all be it un-gloved hand they could have reached it.

I now play softball and it is one thing I can never manage, the ball comes to my right, I use my right hand, not my gloved left… still do

OK I'll stop at that... but I really have learned..

I now know a "sacrifice fly", isn't an insect that drinks from your beer, and then sits on the bar, waiting to be squashed

I know that "stepping up to the plate" does not mean that dinner is ready

I know that a "stolen base" isn't something that the police need to be got involved with.
I know that “stealing home” has nothing to do with breaking and entering.

I know that "Chipper Jones" is not a person from the local fish and chip shop, and a relieve pitcher, is not a place to get a drink when your thirsty.

I know which team hates which team, a lot of the players, even to having a few favorite players of my own.

But the “World Series” with only American teams will always get me beat...



ABOUT MY BOOK “ACROSS THE POND” by Storyheart

No new reviews or interviews but several should be available soon

Across the Pond by Storyheart.

Is a young adult fiction novel with believable characters, exciting events, humor, first love, education and a little sport thrown in for good measure, this is a book for all ages. I am on 49 reviews at Amazon alone and check all the time to see when I might make that magical 50.

News, views and reviews of me Storyheart and my young adult romance, romance or whatever you want to call it book Across the Pond.

Spread the word…. Follow the blog and enjoy the ride

RADIO:

On the radio side I am still working on not only appearing on a few more radio shows but hosting my own show every Saturday at 11am EST

This Saturday I am talking about “Virtual Book Tours” and how good they can be for authors.

The show is called “A BOOK AND A CHAT”
You can hear the show at http://acrossthepond-storyheart.blogspot.com/

I am looking for guest AUTHORS AND BLOGGERS to appear on the radio show, all you do is let me know at http://across-t-pond.com/ I’ll send you the contact phone number and we’ll sit and have a chat for 30minutes about your book or I really hope about people’s blogs and what they are reading.

This is more a general chat over a cup of tea than a literary show going into depths of books and writing styles. It is for enjoyment, a couple of laughs and the latest news on the book you've written or read. Not only will I have authors talking about their books, or their virtual tours, but I want to get bloggers to come on and tell everybody about their blogs, what they are reading or have just read, even what is in their book case.

I have visited quiet a few such blogs, many run by teenagers which cover a huge variety of books and provide some wonderful incite from the people these books were actually written for.



Storyheart
Across the Pond
http://acrossthepond-storyheart.blogspot.com/
http://across-t-pond.com

If you are interested in appearing on my blog radio show A BOOK AND A CHAT” please email me at acrossthepond@mail.com