Rex is English, but was born in Java, Indonesia and has spent many years in the Far East. He speaks Indonesian and Malay, sadly he has forgotten his Javanese, Dutch, Thai, Hokkien and Teow Chu.
He has had an interesting life - as a youngster worked his passage on a container ship to Australia where he worked as a cowboy, goldminer, salesman and fruitpicker, before switching from Zoology to the Army to study at Sandhurst.
He saw active service in Northern Ireland and later worked for MI6 as a Soviet double agent. A country manager for an International tobacco trader at 25, he worked as a business consultant in Indonesia before returning to the UK where he raised his two boys while working in marketing and publishing, with forays into NLP and personal development. Now they are adult, he has moved back to the Far East where he travels, writes and researches, interspersed with guiding game fishermen after the magical fish of the Andaman Ocean.
He has always had a passion for writing and this was rekindled by telling stories to his sons.
His hobbies are angling, reptiles, orchids, reading and hockey, though he fears that in his late 50's he is now a little old to keep playing the latter.
His wide experience and knowledge are interwoven into the tapestry of his writing.
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$5 eBook
1 reader
Receive a copy of the book in ePub format. If you require a different format, please state.
1 copy + ebook included
Free shipping
$5 e-Book
3 readers
Receive a copy of the book in Kindle format.
1 copy + ebook included
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$10 Scroll of Appointment
0 readers
If you have purchased your place in Harrheinian nobility, and require proof of your advancement, a Scroll of Appointment is emailed to you.
Bearing the Royal Seal, you will receive by email a High Resolution PDF that you may print wherever you are. It will contain your name, title and responsibilities - and the date of the appointment, Harrhein time.
1 copy + ebook included
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$15 Paperback copy USA
2 readers
Have a copy of the book delivered to you as soon as it is published at a discount. No P&P in the US.
1 copy + ebook included
$10 shipping
$15 Paperback copy UK
12 readers
Have a copy of the book delivered to you as soon as it is published at a discount. No P&P in the UK.
1 copy + ebook included
$10 shipping
$25 Arise, Sir Sponsor!
13 readers
Harrhein is corrupt. For just $25 you can buy a Knighthood and have your name listed in the annals of Harrhein, at least on the peerage page of In Search of Spice.
At the beginning of the book will be the Cast, and before that will be a page entitled Peers and Patrons of Harrhein. Your $25 will see your name appear here under Knights - Sir if you are male or Lady if you are female.
1 copy + ebook included
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87 of 100 left
$25 Webinar
0 readers
I will conduct a Question & Answer session on the book using www.anymeeting.com. You can listen to questions and ask your own, under the control of the moderators. I will answer all the questions as best I can. I will run two sessions of two hours each, one in the European evening and one in the US evening.
1 copy + ebook included
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200 of 200 left
$50 For new authors, manuscript critiqued
0 readers
As their contribution, MyVoice Publishing are making some fantastic offers for readers. First is for new authors. Submit your manuscript for a computerised critique with an explanation of what you need to do to address the issues raised and enhance your chances of publication.
1 copy + ebook included
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20 of 20 left
$50 5 Copies UK
1 reader
Receive 5 copies of the book plus an eBook. No P&P in the UK.
5 copies + ebook included
$25 shipping
$50 5 Copies US
1 reader
Receive 5 copies of the book plus an eBook. No P&P in the US.
5 copies + ebook included
$25 shipping
$50 Enter the Nobility
4 readers
Join the Peerage of Harrhein.
On the Peers and Patrons of Harrhein page, your name will appear under the Landed Gentry in the form that you select, below Dukes and Duchesses.
1 copy + ebook included
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$75 Minor Character
1 reader
Nominate the name and description of a minor character. This can be from a number of different races, and the name you select will dictate the race. For example, Chinese names ensure a Sung character. Race options: dwarf, Harrhein (European), Spakka (Scandinavian/Roman), Tahitian, Fijian, Parsee, Tamil, Sikh, Dravid.
It doesn't have to be you.... nominate your friend and specify their role. Please note that you will be held responsible for libel actions if you nominate a politician as a pirate or similar. Seriously, the nominee must agree in writing.
1 copy + ebook included
$10 shipping
39 of 40 left
$75 A Noble Line
1 reader
An extra $25 enables your entire family to benefit from the respect, tithes and responsibilities of a Harrhein Dukedom and all will be listed on the Peers and Patrons of Harrhein page.
Do study the map, and you may select a town for which you would like to be the Duke, or invent a new town which will go on the map. Praesidium is not available. The name must be acceptable and in keeping with the story.
Please note that in order to actually assume the title, you must travel to your town in person bearing your Scroll of Appointment.
1 copy + ebook included
Free shipping
$80 10 Copies US
0 readers
Receive 10 copies of the book plus an eBook. No P&P in the US or the UK.
10 copies + ebook included
Free shipping
$80 10 Copies UK
0 readers
Receive 10 copies of the book plus an eBook. No P&P in the US or the UK.
10 copies + ebook included
$30 shipping
$100 All 5 Videos in the Series
0 readers
Encouragement for other authors, a series of videos that reveal the story and background behind the book. Recounted by Rex, interesting by themselves but very useful for aspiring authors who may be stuck on an aspect of their writing.
They will be delivered by email.
1 copy + ebook included
Free shipping
$100 Dinner
3 readers
I will join you and your party for dinner. We can discuss history, battle tactics, politics, religion, racism, colonialism. I am sure I can provide an opinion to make you excited, and back up my arguments with facts! You choose the restaurant and pay for the meal. Anytime in SE Asia, subject to diary confirmation. ROW is trickier, but I will do a book tour to major markets and will join you after the book comes out and give you a signed copy of the book. Date to be arranged, and you will be refunded in full if I am unable to make your location.
1 copy + ebook included
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17 of 20 left
$200 Character
1 reader
Nominate the name, habits and description of a character, who will feature in the book with medium activity. You may select from:
Harrhein: Sailor/soldier; politician; male or female.
Pahippi: female soldier only not leader
Vitua: male soldier not Ratu.
Sung: sailor (brief appearance so 50% discount)
South India: (trader male or female, brief so 50% discount)
2 copies + ebook included
$20 shipping
24 of 25 left
$300 3 Months Book Writing Coaching
0 readers
Another reward from MyVoice, a hugely discounted offer for book coaching. You get a weekly email in response to your report and a monthly 45 minute Skype discussion. A coach to ensure you put in the hard work to make your book fantastic.
1 copy + ebook included
Free shipping
10 of 10 left
$350 Book Critique
0 readers
Another contribution from MyVoice Publishing.
A critique means that your book will be read by an expert in the field and you will receive a written report on the book, showing you were to improve. This is not so much a critique of your literary skill, but of the story composition and probability, and how readers will respond to it. It is about half the normal price and a surcharge will apply for MS in excess of 100,000 words.
If you are an author, and you are not getting your work professionally critiqued, you are missing a trick. You learn a great deal - though your pride can be hurt - I speak from experience! Very worthwhile.
1 copy + ebook included
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5 of 5 left
$500 Short Story
0 readers
Nominate a name and basic characteristics and have a short story written about that person set in this world. Story length will be about 5000 words. This will develop that persons character and put them into the story as a fairly mainstream character. Free examples of these can be downloaded from the links above. Suggest you read Wagon Master which was written to remember a friends uncle.
The story will be made available FOC on Smashwords and incorporated into the anthology on Harrhein, Tales from Harrhein. This story may be written after the publication of the book and the character may appear in the next book, depending on the selection.
5 copies + ebook included
$25 shipping
4 of 4 left
$1000 Story
0 readers
Nominate a name and basic characteristics and have a short story written about that person set in this world. You may include a basic story theme. Story length will be about 10000 words. This will develop that persons character and put them into the books as a fairly mainstream character. Free examples of these can be downloaded from the links above.
The story will be made available FOC on Smashwords and incorporated into the anthology on Harrhein, Tales from Harrhein. This story may be written after the publication of the book and the character may appear in the next book, depending on the selection.
1 copy + ebook included
$25 shipping
2 of 2 left
$1000 Go In Search of Spice yourself with me on my Secret Island
0 readers
Join me for a week in paradise in a beach front resort. All food and non-alcoholic drinks included in a beach front resort, 3*, no AC but a cooling breeze, wonderful food and superb hospitality. This is where I do my writing! We shall snorkel over coral reefs and visit people in their villages where you can have coconut fresh from the tree as well as cocoa. You will see cloves growing and drying as well as ginger, turmeric and other spices.
Trek up a river, evade the fearsome dragons to find a magical waterfall in which to swim - the dragons are actually huge fruit bats with 6' wingspan and instead of fire they have another weapon...
We will transport you round the island on a motorised tricycle and you can see where I write and discuss plots with me for the next book in the series.
All the food on the island is herbicide and pesticide free, while the many fruits are all local. Lots of fish and fruit to eat.
This is not 5* luxury - more like 3* because this is far from the Western world, no AC, no TV, but it does have Wifi! There is hot water and the sea is a few steps away, clean, blue and beautiful.
This cost covers your food and accommodation together with non-alcoholic drinks and transfers from the airport. You need to get to Kuala Lumpur and the flight from there will be under $200 return. Then I take over - a boat ride, a motorbike trip and a walk, hey presto! You are there, back in time and talking about Harrhein for I am your guide for the week.
For a couple sharing a double bed, there is an extra 20% payable on arrival. Dates to be confirmed, to be taken within one year. All times of year are suitable, this paradise doesn't have a monsoon season, the wind just comes from a different direction.
If you book two places, I will take two couples for the same price. If you book three places, I will take four couples for the same price, but the whole party does things together.
Scuba diving is possible, but costs are extra.
Extra weeks may be booked, without me as a guide, at a discount.
A hundred dollars will easily cover ancillaries like souvenirs, suncream, alcohol (unless you drink a lot!), extra massages (offer includes three). I would like to say it is a spa, but it isn't although the massages are some of the best you will ever have.
Best of all, there are no fast food outlets on the island.... :)
All you need are shorts, t-shirts and swim gear. The islanders are devout Muslim, but very tolerant of westerners.
1 copy + ebook included
Free shipping
$2000 Main Character
0 readers
Have one of the main characters of the novel named after yourself.
Princess Asmara Starr, Crown Princess of Harrhein
Pat Connorson, archer and future genius soldier.
Suzanne Delarosa, courtesan, the most beautiful woman in Harrhein and future Empress. She has her own novella coming out. Delarosa is the name she selects based on the Queen, so this cannot be changed.
Sung Bai Ju changes her name and it is really a title, so she is probably not suitable for naming.
The Great Ratu of Vitua must sport a Lapita name and Hinatea, the leader of the Pahippian fighting girls, needs a Polynesian name.
5 copies + ebook included
Free shipping
3 of 3 left
$2000 Game Fishing Trip to my Secret Paradise Island
0 readers
This is the same as the Paradise Holiday with fishing instead of searching for spice! One week. You need to bring your own fishing gear and know what you are doing. 35lb class rods and line, you are fishing from shore and boat for GT, Tuna, Sailfish, Barracuda and Jacks. Marlin to 400kg will steal your catch, but if you hook one we usually cut the line because it takes too long to land them and they interrupt serious fishing. You can spin for GT from near the hotel, and a Guide caught one in January 2015 that went 35kg. A 50kg tuna is not unusual and they go a lot more. You will share a boat with me - two types of boats, depending on conditions and what we are doing. A modern fishing boat or a traditional wooden boat. Both will give you a unique experience but the modern boat will require a surcharge depending on how many anglers we have. But the wooden boats are fine for 80% of the time and fishing. If you are up for it, we can try and get some fish on the fly.
Most of the year the water is flat, from Nov-Mar it can be a bit windy and traditional boats don't go far. GT season, but they are available all year.
Traditional boats can take 3 fishermen, modern boat can take 6. There will be others in the party, but you will be the VIP.
The cost includes transfers from the airport, 3* accommodation, all food and drinks, traditional fishing boat and guide. And me!
You may bring a non-fishing colleague/partner who stays on the beach at no extra charge. You may bring a fishing partner who shares your room (double or twin bed options!) for an extra $1000.
Fishing Parties of four people, please book three trips, and six people can book four trips. Maximum is eight people for whom you should book five trips. All based on two people sharing a room.
Non fishing days will see a refund, but they rarely happen. When it is too rough, the fishing is excellent from the shore for GT and jacks.
1 copy + ebook included
Free shipping
In Search of Spice has been published about a month now, and has generated 8 reviews so far. It is selling slowly, as these things always do to start with.
All the preordered copies have been sent out - I trust you have all received your copies in good condition and are enjoying them. I receive feedback here and there - Caroline tells us she is half way through and really enjoying it - a good sign as she is a slow reader!
Malcolm just emailed me with these kind words: "Just to let you know that my copy of "In Search of Spice" arrived safely... and I read it in just a day or two, practically glued to the book. A fabulous yarn. I thoroughly enjoyed the battles, sword play, events at sea and the cultures & traditions of the different people encountered on the journey."
He also pointed out an anachronism - 'jeans' which only came into plural usage 150 years ago, sorry for that. I do try to pick them all up...
I would like to ask a huge favour from you all. When you have read the book, would you please post an honest review on Amazon or Goodreads or both. Reviews like that are incredibly important for me as an author - there is not much point in my promoting the book before I have 10 reviews up.
Before the next volume in the series, I shall probably publish a collection of short stories about various characters. I wrote the short stories as vehicles to develop the minor characters and they were a vital part of my education and development as an author. Currently written are stories on Sergeant Andy Russell, with the princess playing a bit part, Sung Bai Ju (that is such fun) and I am half way through Suzanne's story, though that has become a novella. I will need to write a couple more on different characters - do you have any suggestions and why? Do you suggest any settings? Perhaps the Spakka need something?
Many thanks for your support and I look forward to hearing from you.
Best wishes
Rex