My next novel, Mechanic Leigh, is due before June 2014 and this poll is to decide on the book cover.
You might recall this precocious boy and his ‘nemesis’ the Ghost Writer. Feel free to click on Category – Mechanic Leigh – to refresh your memories and how he helped many of us relive our childhood.
The original episodes totalled 47 with an approximate word count of 22,000. It has since grown into 50 episodes and with a word count of 57,000.
Thank you all who read, commented and encouraged.
Cover One
Or, do you prefer some green as below
Cover Two
I’m canvassing your help on which of the two book covers you prefer.
.
Please also leave behind a comment below – if you wish.
Thank you,
Eric
Eric , Both cover books are marvelllous but I liked the first one more…
As to Mechanic Leigh, I’d love to read it when it’s out.
Best wishes, Aquileana 😛
Hello Aquileana dear,
Yes, I have you in my list to receive the free ebook copy. My pleasure to alert you when the free download is ready.
Peace and blessings,
Eric
Thank you dear Eric…
Really glad to know that. I am looking forward to it.
Best wishes, always, Aquileana 😉
The above sounds an interesting, tale, Eric. To gather some insight into Singapore’s past, I scoured youtube from the 1920s to the 1960s for an idea to the visual aspects, plus a small screen show called Sarangoon Road has hinted my interest, as I know so little to the place Singapore, its people, history, and culture. Mechanic Leigh has me interested in reading.
Peace, Sean
Hello Sean,
I’m sorry to say this but the (HBO Asia’s) Serangoon Road TV series – frankly, the script is a joke. The character development, their interactions and dialogue – unreal – and reel world remains reel world. Most of the TV dramas that retell recent history of Singapore gloss over reality – this is especially jarring as many of us in our 50s and above have lived through that period and know better.
There are some very good books written – non fiction works – that portray Singapore more accurately.
Glad that you find Mechanic Leigh of interest. Yes, I’ll be happy to alert you when the free e-edition of the book is ready.
Peace,
Eric
P/s I’ll email you when the free eCopy is ready
P/p/s The print edition will be out after the Kindle version – if you wish to purchase
Don’t be sorry, as big production tv is only ever looking at coin, and budget, as do most films. These days the rewriting of history is akin to Disneyfication in the political sense. Australia’s done plenty of glossing over itself on small and large screens to the realities that have been in a short couple of centuries, histories always seem to be getting rewritten, or not written at all.
The nonfiction works, do you have any titles at hand?
I’d be happy to pay for a copy of Mechanic Leigh upon release.
Peace, Sean
Hello Sean,
As I don’t know what exactly might interest you, try the Singapore National Library link here > at http://vistaweb.nlb.gov.sg
Once in, try these Search Terms and Call Numbers:
Singapore History >>> 959.57
Singapore Pictorial works >>> 959.57
Historic sites Singapore >>> 959.57
Singapore Social life and customs >>> 959.5705
Singapore History Japanese Occupation >>> 940.5425
These will give you an idea before you spend more time or any money. Chances are, you might find some of these books in the better libraries nearer your home.
Peace,
Eric
Hi Eric, thanks for the response, I’m trying to catch up after a week off and another to go. Interests are wide and varied for me, particularly when it comes to books in story/feature format rather than cold facts, and data.
Yes the NLA here is handy too, along with a few others, will have a trawl around see what turns up. Thanks for your help, Eric.
Cheers, Sean
I did not get all of your Mechanic Leigh episodes posted read, but like cover 1 above. I wish you all the best in your writing endeavors Eric, and your new books recently published.
I have a lot of catching up to do in reading and posting and my own chapters on my story to finish.
With all my recent computer woes it kept me very busy during the last two weeks, but up and running again.
Hello and thank you, Joyce
If you wish to, let me know and I’ll alert you when the Mechanic Leigh eBook is available for free downloads. After a day’s window, I plan to put a price tag on it.
Thank you for your vote on the cover. I’m working with the cover designer to (hopefully) enhance the cover.
I’ve also been tardy due to time constraints and now have a new regime – to read the blogs I follow at least once a week during the weekends.
Yes, computer glitches can be hair-pulling events. Glad that you’re back on line 🙂
All good wishes,
Eric
P/s I’ll email you when the free eCopy is ready
Thanks, Eric. That would be great. I hope this time around my desktop will behave and not having me pull my hair out. 🙂
I love the first book cover because of the beautiful light in the distance. Best wishes for the future publication of your book! It sounds like an interesting read, and I’m off to find the link for it on your blog : ) Have a great weekend!
Thank you Maryam,
For your visit, vote and comment.
I’m gathering all the feedback – including the emails which contain many candid observations – and consulting my cover designer. Hopefully, we can incorporate some of the thoughts which readers expressed in our revised book cover.
Thank you and all good wishes for the weekend too,
Eric
P/s I’ll email you when the free eCopy is ready
Congratulations Eric! I have so enjoyed the Mechanic Leigh episodes I have read, and I think he deserves to be published. I voted for the first 🙂
Thank you, Madhu dear,
And I have you among my tight group of supporters – you’ve always been here for me, ever encouraging.
Please do look out for more updates next month.
All good wishes,
Eric
P/s I’ll email you when the free eCopy is ready
I loved the first cover, looks more appealing to me.
Well, thank you, Indira 🙂
Now, I’m thoroughly in a bind – the votes don’t give a clear winner, especially when I factor in the private emails received.
All good wishes,
Eric
P/s I’ll email you when the free eCopy is ready
Good luck with your book, Eric. I like #2, it looks like spring and after the hard winter we’ve had, it reminds me of hope and growth.
Susan
Thank you, Susan,
This is not the final cover – but more, thematic.
Hope and growth – welcomed promises 🙂
Cheers,
Eric
P/s I’ll email you when the free eCopy is ready
Hello my lovely buddy, I love the Mechanic Leigh stories and I felt drawn to the green. It’s my love of nature! Sending you much sparkly love for your launch and a huge pat on the back to you – 57,000 words. Pants over tights and flick that wonderful cape of yours my buddy. Much love and hugs, J Xxxx
Ah, my lovely lovely buddy is here 🙂
You were one of the original subscribers to Mechanic Leigh’s antics. Frankly, I was pleasantly surprised that boy’s voice, impertinence and (tall) tales touched so many across the world. It kept me going and thank you, Jane dear.
Mechanic Leigh is one of my shorter novels. Beck & Call (first draft 110,000 – I got carried away but final cut was 84,000 words) and Code Shield (final cut 83,000 words). Fallen Grace – WIP – is at 120,000 and I’m shaving it tight and would probably get it around 65,000. And guess what – I type with two fingers 🙁
Pants over tights – LOL! – that’s what you always say 🙂
Much luv and hugz,
Eric
P/s I’ll email you when the free eCopy is ready
My lovely buddy, in this next chapter of mine I will have peace to read and I will catch up and read your books avidly. Your care and support has done more good for me than you could know. Thank you, and I can;t wait to read Mechanic Leigh’s adventures. I think you are a living testimony to the belief that is you write from the heart, that you will touch other hearts. Much love and hugs to you, Xxx
Hi Eric,
I voted for cover 2, love it and Congratulations, also! I’m embarrassed to say that I haven’t read your series, but I already know you’re a terrific writer, so you’ll no doubt do well with this publication! I wish you all the best and I’ll be away for the weekend, so have a good one! Sending congrats hugs your way! 🙂
Hello Lauren,
Thank you for your visit, lovely words and vote.
No worries about not having read the series, as Mechanic Leigh started in late 2011, before we connected. I’ll be running a few episodes leading up to the book launch. So, – you can’t get away 🙂
Have a great weekend ahead,
Eric
P/s Hope you to get to read my post later today – as you inspired it 🙂
P/p/s I’ll email you when the free eCopy is ready
Unless I am crazy (am I?) this takes place in Singapore before industrialization. Needs green! Love the added color.
Congrats Eric, can’t wait.
Hello Val dear,
No and yes 🙂
No, you’re not crazy and yes, it’s set in Singapore. However, the stories are so universal – based on readers’ comments, including yours too, my dear. Therefore, I thought a more ‘universal’ looking cover without any definitive landmarks might entice more readers to engage and relive their own growing up stories.
Yes, the stories are set in the 1960s before the bulldozers moved in.
I’ve got you in my list right up there with Ian and other friends 🙂
Luv and hugz,
Eric
P/s I’ll email you when the free eCopy is ready
Picked # 1, because it shows more of an air of mystery of what is beyond.
Hello GP,
Yes, minimalist landscapes allow us to fill in the blanks.
Thank you for your input and vote,
Eric
I love the second cover! I wish you the best in your impending release! 🙂
Hello Seyi 🙂
Welcome and thank you for the vote.
Your recent post on slavery – powerful. I love especially your opening poem.
Much appreciate this,
Eric
P/s I’ll email you when the free eCopy is ready