Hello, as I am new to AD, since only the second week of August, I'd like to take this oppurtunity to thank the many authors, writers and readers who have given me a warm welcome, especially in the poetry column.

I was absolutely stunned at the way AD works, in such a positive and efficient manner; and equally stunned at the incredible talent at this site. Some of these authors are published, some, like myself, essentially self-published or thru POD publishers, and some even unpublished but so well written and experienced.

This had me reflecting the other day, on as far as regards, poetry and short stories just what the commercial publishers are doing? i've been spot reading online at Amazon and in Bricks & Mortar stores for years, but the last few times had trouble finding anything I wanted to spill cash on in fiction. Which leaves me simply rolling over to my research in non-fiction or history. As far as poetry goes, sure there are some good published poets but they are no better than those I'm viewing here. Anyway books are expensive, though I think poetry should be easier to sell than a self published novel. That I'm finding really difficult. That's were only the big marketing helps. Yet, speaking for myself, I buy few commercial novels -- it is usually well written, but the topics don't fill my sails. I don't need another violent horror or murder novel. I'm fairly self-educated, I'm not sitting in a hair salon or laundry mat looking to fill wasted time. I know there are a ton of historical novels out there, but really where are the writers of substance in parallel to yesterday's London, Hemingway, Twain, Stevenson, even Louisa May Alcott is perferable to what I'm seeing. So after a dissappointing start to POD novel publishing I'm wrapping up my historical adventure story in Book II of the Last Renaissance Man: "The Enchanted Island"

Almost done with this Shakespearan parallel plot and sea-adventure tale set in the Caribbean in 1695. I already have the ending but it needs some connectiong scenes. I love the spiritual upliftment at the end instead of the tired old resolutions of happy endings in the material world. (I try not to engage in plot artifice). Then it is on to finish "The Golden Flute" actually my first novel that is being redone. This is an historical Time adventure based on true theories of Ancient Civilizations back to the dawn of man taken right up thru time to the near future of year 2033.

I have book one of this novel done ( it also is in two books) Then, I'm done with this historical novel writing forever I think. I don't like doing anything twice to be honest with you. I'm a jazz musician. We never play a tune the same way twice!

UPDATE: music postings: I have posted two tracks from my upcoming CD: "August Ocean Overture" on my Bio Page: Trk 7: "JAZZ Dance Image" is an electric jazz groove with keyboards, drums, bass, sythesizers in a wonderful mellow, funky sequence. Also: there is a midi file for: "The Broken-Hearted Shuffle", a jazz quartet uptempo romp with a slight latin flavor or even a Pat-Methenyish solo. I wrote it myself and did all the solos on keyboards both piano and midi-driven guitar parts.

If any of you have trouble with the midi file sounding bad on your systems let me know. I will soon replace these with mp3 files as soon as I get my music editor'burner back online. It is on my other computer.

One last thing: I actually gave up on writing poetry until I came to this site> I only signed up to try and promote my "sinking-ship" novel (which has yet to sell from this AD store) BUT thanks to the positive encouragement of other writers here, I'm inspired to begin again on poetry

WORKING ON: my first poetry book of many of the song lyrics I posted here called

"Songs from Open Spaces and Remote Places"

I intend to offer a color version if I can find a format that will publish the color photos thru LuLu.com

Has anyone tried to published their poems with the color inserts? I wouldn't mind some advice. Is it very expensive to sell that format?

Another B & W poetry book seems so boring after everyone's having so much fun posting the pics here.

SEE you next time, when I should have a release date for my CD.

michael