A Slightly Larger Motley Collection
of Greek Oddities
Clarification:
If you've yet to purchase this book for the first time, then be sure to purchase the 2nd edition [direct link in box (Right) just below the cover photo], which contains 6 more chapters than the first. For a detailed list of excuses, sorry, explanations, see the lower section in the box on the right under the subheading: "An apology, an explanation even, regarding why there are now two editions..."
August 2022 update...
The only reason why the 1st edition is still 'live' on-line is because its Amazon page contains reviews which may be of interest to anyone thinking of buying it. The paperback for edition 2 is out now and there's a direct link to the Amazon UK version in the box, right.
John's musings on the writing of this book:
I read something by someone who was quite scathing of writers who use the characters they've met as fodder, suggesting that it was perhaps patronising, even trivialising the people about whom one's writing, as though they weren't to be viewed as real people, but rather simply as "grist to the writing mill," as it were. "Isn't it all rather trite, even exploitative," was the impression I got from what I was reading.
Whilst, to a degree, I get where that person was coming from, I was only swayed momentarily from my task, because I started to think back on all the memoir/factual books I'd read through my life and I realised that, just because a book like mine will be about individuals who are Greek, it's really no different from, let's say, the James Herriot books about life as a vet in the Yorkshire Dales. Just about all the autobiographical books you'll ever read use characters from the author's life to enrich the narrative, and their quirks as material for the entertainment of the reader. It's not as though, in general, these people aren't being treated charitably in the narrative.
Mind you, I did once read a couple of books by a writers who'd moved out to Majorca some years ago, and he pulled no punches in lampooning some other ex-pats that he'd met while living there. Even though the names had been changed, I'd guess that if I were one half of the couple that he was laying into, I'd not find it hard to realise that it was me and my other half that he was talking about.
Anyway, I pressed on because, by and large, the characters I'm talking about are treated benignly as a rule. I could even say, with affection. Plus I reckon that there's a readership out there who love all things Greek, and who delight to become immersed in reading material that enables them be transported to the country they love while they sip their coffee and nibble at their digestive.
In the book I talk about a chap we encountered on Symi in the 1990's whom we used to call Mad Mihali. See the photo (below right). I've pixelated his face because, although that photo must be well over 25 years old, he might just see it and take exception to my plastering it all over social media. Mind you, from my memories of the person in question, he'd probably more likely have a good giggle and get in touch, asking for some commission or something.
But you can't be too careful, now, can you?
The photo below is of me with Kostas and Jimmy, who feature in chapter 11. The one below right is the original photo from which the watercolour was produced which is now on the book's front cover. As and when I can I'll add more photos here which relate to someone in the book, or to a place that I encountered them maybe.
Kostas, left, and Jimmy, right. They feature in chapter 11. This was taken on board the "Lindos."
"Mad" Mihalis, proving why
he had the nickname.
This is the beautiful "Free Spirit," which is mentioned in chapter 12, but features particularly in chapter 13. This photo is from quite a few years ago, before she had a full re-fit.
Here's the cover of edition 2, click for a larger view
"I have been a follower of John Manuel's blogs for some time and have read his books. I enjoyed this book about the characters that John has met and whom have made an impact on him ...I had seen mention of many of the characters in John's books about his life on Rhodes, but nevertheless loved reading more about them. The book is an easy read and cleverly weaves in some of the quirky characteristics and customs of the wonderful country that is Greece."
"Thoroughly enjoyed reading this short book about some of the characters John has acquainted during his years visiting then residing in Greece. I have read John's other books and it was nice to read a bit more about some of the people he's met, bringing a bit more life to them. I hope John does go on to write about his years as an excursion escort, I think I'm just dead nosy and would love to know more."
An apology, an explanation even, regarding why there are now two editions...
When I first sat down to write ‘Greek Oddities’ I was sure I’d remembered everyone who would merit inclusion in the tome. Even when I’d completed the writing and we’d moved on to editing, I was wracking my brain to think if there was anyone I’d left out who might well have provided grist for the mill, as it were. Maybe it’s an age thing, but I couldn’t think of anyone.
Several months on from the book becoming available both in Kindle and paperback formats, people from the past began coming back to my mind, people who really were of interest for one reason or another, and I was becoming painfully aware that I’d missed an opportunity by not putting them into the book. There’s always this pressure - when you’re writing - to get the thing done, especially when you’re nearing completion and the sheer excitement of getting it out into the public domain, plus of lifting the weight of writing off your shoulders, at least temporarily, gets the better of you.
When it’s a novel there are no shortcuts, you have to play the story out to the end. When it’s a series of recollections, however, there is always that danger that other stuff will spring to mind after the book’s done and dusted. And so to my admission of guilt and a request for your indulgence, if you’re disposed to grant it, of course.
I’ve now launched the 2nd edition of ‘Greek Oddities,’ and it’s significantly longer than edition 1. The word count for edition 1 was around 47,000, quite short for a book, but that was hopefully reflected in the price, plus, short books also have their place, right? Better a book be short than it be padded out with poor writing, after all. Well, the 2nd edition now runs to 67,000 words, because there are an additional 6 chapters over edition one.
Now, I do understand that many people have shelled out for the first edition, and hopefully enjoyed it. They may well be feeling slightly aggrieved at the fact that they’ll need to purchase it again to get the extra chapters. If there were any way I could arrange for those who’d already bought it the first time around to receive a discount, then I’d do it without hesitation. Unfortunately, it’s out of my hands, as all that kind of thing is done by the publishers or by Kindle Direct. All I am able to do is upload the new files for distribution I’m afraid.
The only thing I would say in my defence about the value of buying the 2nd edition, even if you bought the first, is that you’ll have noticed that I do keep the prices for the Kindle edition of all my books as low as possible whilst trying to avoid actually making a loss on the thing. It’s one thing indie authors do have some control over, thank goodness. My books often sell in Kindle format for around the price of a cup of coffee, and in only a few cases slightly more than that. So, if you are inclined to bite the bullet and purchase edition 2, it’s only going to mean one cup of coffee sacrificed for the reading pleasure that I hope you’ll get from those extra chapters, some of which are quite long, by the way.
I will investigate the possibility of perhaps creating an ePub or PDF file containing only the extra chapters, and making it available privately for those who don’t want to spend another two or three quid (or whatever currency you buy in online), but I do believe that the price probably means you’re not really losing much by simply buying the new edition. If I can get an ePub/PDF sorted out, then it may be a possibility that readers could contact me privately and send me a quid or so via PayPal in order to receive the new material. I can’t yet guarantee that I’ll get this done though.
I would plead the cause, then, of simply buying edition 2, since the difference over having a small file with the extra chapters knocking around on your device over having it all in one file is probably not worth the hassle. Incidentally, if you’ve read any of my other works then you’ll know that this is the first and only time I’ve ever added material to an existing memoir book, and you can be pretty sure it won’t be happening again.
Thanks so much for hearing my defence. I can only hope that you’ll find me innocent and grant me the indulgence of shelling out the price of another cup of coffee in order to get the reading pleasure of those extra chapters. Oh, and I’ve changed the cover for the 2nd edition too, in an attempt to avoid any confusion, and make it seem even more worth the expense. One has to try, eh?
Thank you sincerely,
John M.
