5.5″ x 8.5″ (13.97 x 21.59 cm)
Black & White on White paper
132 pages
Reprinted with permission by Fiona Mcvie from her blog, Author Interviews.
By Fiona Mcvie
Fiona: Where are you from?
Koos Verkaik
I am from The Netherlands, I was born in a small village near Rotterdam.
Rotterdam has one of the biggest harbours in the world. It is said that the inhabitants are ‘born with rolled back sleeves’ – which means that everyone likes to work hard. That’s the spirit I like. I am a writer and work every day and never had a writer’s block.
Fiona: Tell us your latest news.
Outer Banks Publishing Group, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA, offered me a contract for my series of children’s books Saladin the Wonder Horse. Four books. The covers are already done. Everything looks splendid. This is what the stories are about:
England, the twelfth century:
Angie, a poor Saxon girl, looks after the horses of Lord Baltimore.
It is a rough time in England, where Prince John sits temporarily on the throne of his brother Richard the Lionheart.
The girl plunges into wild adventures when she tries to keep a colt out of the greedy hands of the prince. She meets a mysterious knight, who gives her his horse – Saladin, the black wonder horse.
With the two faithful animals, Angie manages to reach the camp of Robin Hood, bringing him an important message.
Silver, the colt she saved, learns quickly from the clever Saladin.
The exciting adventures of Angie, Silver, and Saladin come to a head as the girl resolves to outsmart Prince John.
And of course, she cannot achieve that without her special horses…and some very special friends.
Fiona: What inspired you to write the Saladin the Wonder Horse books?
I wrote dozens and dozens of scripts for comic magazines. The drawings were done by Spanish artists. The comics were published all over Europe: The Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, France… The main publisher asked me to write a series about horses. I came up with Saladin the Wonder Horse.
The publisher decided to print the books in Sweden. They came to The Netherlands by truck: 40.000 paperbacks!
Before Saladin the Wonder Horse, I had written another series for another publisher. The title of the series was Slimmetje, which means as much as ‘Smarty’. It was published by two different companies and more than 450.000 copies were sold in the Netherlands only!
Fiona: How did you come up with the title?
I have always been interested in history. Saladin is a name you will find when you read about the crusades. Fascinating times. I created Saladin, a big black war horse, brought to England by a wounded knight. It is a true wonder horse and little Angie had to take care of him when the knight passes away.
Fiona: Did you learn anything during the writing of your recent book?
When you write books, you learn something every day. I often write fantasy, but the stories take place in a normal world. Sometimes in the present, sometimes in the past. Then you have to deal with lots of facts, you must know what you are writing about.
I could not have written Saladin the Wonder Horse without knowing about the middle ages.
Fiona: If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the lead?
Saladin the Wonder Horse would be a terrific film. The producers and the director must look for a clever girl who is able to ride a horse.
Fiona: Do you have a specific writing style? Is there anything about your style or genre that you find particularly challenging?
I write children’s books and novels. More than often I write two books at the same time. Start writing at half past seven in the morning. All I need is one single idea – that is enough to start writing, I never know how it will end. There is chaos in my head and I need to put an avalanche of words on the screen of my laptop to clear up my thoughts. I feel free when a book is finished, but soon it starts all over again and I concentrate on writing new things. I have written over sixty different titles and hundreds of comic scripts, worked as a copywriter for a big agency, and wrote songs and plays. It just never stops and I am so grateful for that!
Fiona: To craft your works, do you have to travel? Before or during the process?
Love to travel. Mostly by car. From The Netherlands it’s easy to drive to Germany, Austria, Switzerland. But I don’t have to travel for my books. Been to New York – I was invited by Bill Thompson, the editor of the first books by Stephen King and John Grisham. That was a great experience.
Fiona: Who designed the covers?
They were done by Maverick Book Services in the Philippines. Publisher Anthony Policastro and I instructed the artist and we received sketches and different ideas. We picked out the best designs. Isn’t that fascinating? I am in The Netherlands, my publisher in the USA, the cover artists in the Philippines and the Internet brings us together!
Fiona: Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
Yes! The message in all of my books is simple: “I hope you will have a good time.”
What I write is pure entertainment. Of course, I have some interesting things to say as well, but that is not the main goal. I just hope that my readers (kids and adults) will enjoy my stories.
Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?
At the age of 7. I filled a pile of notebooks. I was Europe’s youngest scenario writer for comics when I was only 16 and my first novel was published when I was 18 years old.
Fiona: When did you first consider yourself a writer?
When I was 16. I had three pages in a weekly for several years. It was fascinating to learn that so many kids in school bought the comics and read my stories.
“As a boy, I was, of course, not allowed to write too late at night. The bookkeeper of my father’s business knew I had that drive to write after midnight. He gave me a special old light bulb, that was used during the Second World War; lights were forbidden then, they could attract bombers. I used the bulb to write at night: a small beam shone down on my paper. Only I was able to see it. It was exciting to write my stories in the dark.”
Fiona: Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest? Who is your favourite writer, and what is it about their work that really strikes you?
I always mention Jack Vance when someone asks me about my favorite writers. He was such a good fantasy writer. And Edgar Allan Poe still fascinates me. He remains a mystery and some of his short stories are almost too scary to read…
Fiona: Outside of family members, name one entity that supported your commitment to become a published author.
Will tell you a secret. As a boy, I was, of course, not allowed to write too late at night. The bookkeeper of my father’s business knew I had that drive to write after midnight. He gave me a special old light bulb, that was used during the Second World War; lights were forbidden then, they could attract bombers. I used the bulb to write at night: a small beam shone down on my paper. Only I was able to see it. It was exciting to write my stories in the dark. The old bookkeeper encouraged me to write my stories when I was still a kid.
Fiona: Do you see writing as a career?
Yes, I do. I have always worked at home and could make money by being an editor and a copywriter and that gave me the opportunity to build a career as a writer. With ups and downs! Now I have found a home for Saladin the Wonder Horse and other series of children’s books. Signed a contract for twelve novels with Righter’s Mill Press, USA; they are the owners of Three Corners Entertainment for film and television and all titles are under contract with this film company as well.
Fiona: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in the Saladin series?
Not as word. I always read my own work several times, because I write in Dutch and then have to translate it into English. During that process I can change the text as often as I wish. After the translation is done, I am satisfied and nothing had to be changed.
Fiona: Any advice for other writers?
One advice: Go Your Own Way. Which means read a lot, but never imitate your favorite writers; surprise the world with your own style. Every new writer has to find his way in the publishing world. It is not easy, but so what? If you want to become a writer, then write – as simple as that. When you think it is time, you should try and find an agent who is willing to help you.
Fiona: Anything specific you want to tell your readers?
Read the first book of the Saladin series: Saladin the Wonder Horse.
Adults, mothers, fathers, grandmothers, grandfathers: buy it for your kid or grandchild. He or she will love it. Angie is a hero for girls. And the boys will especially like the brave boy, Joe, and his big brown bear Bruto! That is pure adventure!
Fiona: What book are you reading now?
What We Cannot Know: Explorations at the Edge of Knowledge, from Marcus du Sautoy. A fascinating book about what we will (probably) never know.
Fiona: Do you remember the first book you read?
A Dutch journalist, Fije Wieringa, wrote about that in Penthouse:
“Once I asked the Dutch author Koos Verkaik, whose reputation in the Netherlands is similar to that of Stephen King, which book had influenced him the most in his life. Without losing a second he replied, ‘Alice in Wonderland, that is such a weird and scary book. A lot scarier than any of my own horror and ghost stories.'”
Fiona: What makes you laugh/cry?
I seldom cry. Life itself makes me laugh, because it is a rather cruel joke; we have to deal with consciousness, we know that there is a beginning, there is an end… but I am a very optimistic man and I love to laugh every day.
Fiona: Is there one person, past or present, you would love to meet? Why?
Gerrit Jacobsz, an ancestor from 1720. He is my oldest known ancestor. In Holland, your second name is the one of your father: Jacobsz. It means ‘son of Jacob’. My full name is Jacobus Jan; I would love to shake hands with that man from 1720. I have a lot to tell him and who knows what he can tell me…
Fiona: Do you have any hobbies?
I play guitar. You can find me playing blues here:
Fiona: Imagine a future where you no longer write. What would you do?
Play guitar in a blues band.
Fiona: What do you want written on your head stone?
He refused to leave before the last word was written…
Fiona: Do you have a blog or website readers can visit for updates, events and special offers?
www.koosverkaik.com
https://www.facebook.com/Verkaik.Koos/
https://www.outerbankspublishing.com/publishing/netherlands-childrens-book-author-koos-verkaik-signed-on/
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Book 1: SALADIN THE WONDER HORSE
Angie looks after the horses of Lord Baltimore.
It is a rough time in England, where Prince John sits temporarily on the throne of his brother Richard the Lionhearted.
The girl plunges into wild adventures when she tries to keep a colt out of the greedy hands of the prince. She meets a mysterious knight, who gives her his horse—Saladin, the black wonder horse.
With the two faithful animals Angie manages to reach the camp of Robin Hood, bringing him an important message.
Silver, the colt she saved, learns quickly from the clever Saladin.
The exciting adventures of Angie, Silver, and Saladin come to a head as the girl resolves to outsmart Prince John.
And of course she cannot achieve that without her special horses . . . and some very special friends.
Book 2: SALADIN AND SILVER
Angie roams the country, that is reigned by the ambitious Prince John.
An encounter with a mysterious knight saddles her with an even mysterious horse: Saladin the wonder stallion. This horse reveals himself as the teacher of Silver, her own, silver colored horse. This way Silver becomes a wonder horse as well.
Angie has gone far away from Nottingham and the castle of the prince.
Of course she rides Silver. The beautiful horse is no longer a colt, hardly seems to feel the weight of the young girl and loves it to be together with her.
Again Angie meets the most odd people – a tinker, Joe and his bear Bruto and especially the spoiled Princess Wanda, daughter of Prince John, who is after her favorite horse! Angie has become an outlaw and a fugitive: she has to keep Silver out of the hands of the greedy princess!
Book 3: SILVER AND THE GHOST HORSE
Again Angie and her wonder horse Silver plunge into the most dangerous adventures. It all starts, when a sly councilor and a giant soldier decide to destroy the camp of Robin Hood. No one knows where to find that camp of Robin and his men. No one, except for… Angie! Soon everyone is looking for her and things don’t look good for the girl. But she can count on the help of Silver and Saladin and of her friend Joe and his bear Bruto. And another party is interested in Angie and Silver! A strange man, who calls himself Sultan! And where do these mysterious ghost horses come from? Angie and her horse stay tough. For together they are strong, together they stand tall in a land full of enemies and problems…
Book 4: THE JESTER OF NOTTINGHAM
Prince John reigns over England, now his brother Richard Lionheart is not there. He exploits the people and wears Richard’s crown. Everyone fears this mean prince. Except for men like Robin Hood and… girls like Angie!
Angie roams the country on the back of her wonder horse Silver and comes across the most odd persons. She runs into knight Rush and his little son Arthur, she meets a merry rat catcher en returns to the camp of Robin Hood. In the meantime Prince John organizes an election: the man who becomes the Jester of Nottingham, is allowed to reign the country for one week. He does not know that King Richard has set foot on English ground again! Angela knows where she can find the king and looks him up with Silver and the mighty Saladin…
And the king can use the help of Angie and her wonder horses!
Outer Banks Publishing Group recently signed a four-book contract with Scifi and children’s book author Koos Verkaik of The Netherlands.
Author Koos Verkaik
Koos’ Saladin, the Wonder Horse, a four book series, is about a poor Saxon girl, who is given a special horse, Saladin, by a mysterious knight during the turbulent times in 12th century England during the reign of Richard the Lionheart and Robin Hood.
The series will be published in early 2018.
Koos says he developed his own writing voice and that is what makes his books different, according to an interview with Circle of Books.
“My books are different from other writers, they are all typical ‘Koos Verkaik Books’. I love it to make the reader wonder what it is all about and where it will lead to. But I never liked books that end without the reader knowing what it was all about. Therefore I always come up with explanations. Why one should buy them? Buy one of my books and I take you by the hand, lead your through the most insane situations, you will have a great time and after having read the last word, you will say: “Yes, that was worthwhile!” Up to the next Koos Verkaik Book!”
Koos, a ‘Dutchy’ with spunk and an inexhaustible drive and fathomless imagination, is one of the most prolific authors of Scifi and children’s books in The Netherlands. His novels, All-Father and Wolf Tears, earned him the moniker, the Dutch Stephen King.
He wrote his first Scifi novel, Adolar, in a weekend when he was 18 years old and the manuscript was published shortly thereafter.
Koos has published over 60 books, both children’s books and novels, many hundreds of comic scripts, and he has worked as a copywriter. He is currently working on several screenplays and new novels.
To read more about Koos and his work visit his website at www.koosverkaik.com or follow him on Facebook.
His most recent interview can be read on authorsinterviews.
Have you ever thought about all the data your business is capturing on a hourly, daily or weekly basis? It is probably incomprehensible in light of the channels and volume of information captured 24/7.
The overall, high-level purpose of mining all this structured and unstructured data from your CRM, sales, marketing and advertising channels and most recently IoT devices is to garner insights into your customers, competitors and potential market trends.
It is not humanly possible to categorize and find insights from these oceans of data quickly enough so that the information is relevant.
With all that data, the teams of data analysts that companies rely on today to interpret the data simply can’t keep pace with the volume.
The real challenge is merging all the analysis together to get a 360-degree contextual picture of your customers, potential purchases and market trends.
Apple’s Steve Jobs once said during an interview,
“I remember reading an article when I was about twelve years old. I think it might have been Scientific American, where they measured the efficiency of locomotion for all these species on planet earth. How many kilocalories did they expend to get from point A to point B? And the condor won, came in at the top of the list, surpassed everything else. And humans came in about a third of the way down the list, which was not such a great showing for the crown of creation. But somebody there had the imagination to test the efficiency of a human riding a bicycle. A human riding a bicycle blew away the condor all the way off the top of the list. And it made a really big impression on me that we humans are tool builders. And that we can fashion tools that amplify these inherent abilities that we have to spectacular magnitudes. And so for me, a computer has always been a bicycle of the mind. Something that takes us far beyond our inherent abilities.”
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the new bicycle bridging the virtual world with the physical and big data is the fuel and lifeblood of AI.
With recent advancements in computer processing, data storage, and better machine-learning algorithms it is possible to ingest and analyze more data than ever before. At the same time, there is a connectivity boom as more and more devices and apps connect to the Internet producing even more data.
The Economist says the world’s most valuable resource is no longer oil, but data.
“As devices from watches to cars connect to the internet, the volume is increasing: some estimate that a self-driving car will generate 100 gigabytes
per second. Meanwhile, artificial-intelligence (AI) techniques such as machine learning extract more value from data. Algorithms can predict when a customer is ready to buy, a jet-engine needs servicing or a person is at risk of a disease. Industrial giants such as GE and Siemens now sell themselves as data firms.”
The International Data Corporation (IDC) predicts that 44 zettabytes will be generated by 2020 (A zettabyte is 1 trillion gigabytes).
Trends that will shape Big Data and AI in 2017
TechRepublic, a resource for IT decision makers, says there are five major big data trends to watch in 2017.
No matter what you do, AI will eventually touch every aspect of your life. AI, machine learning and deep learning are making big impacts on business and your personal life from simple chatbots to self-driving cars.
Many people use these terms interchangeably, but they are different.
Examples are computer chess and most chatbots where the AI is programmed to ONLY play chess or answer a specific subset of questions like customer support issues or a back-to-school sale.
ML understands speech and can make predictions based on the data it analyzes.
Google’s DeepMind AlphGo used Dl to beat 18-time Go world champion Lee Sedol in 2016. AlphaGo studied 30 million human moves in Go and learned by playing against itself.
Google Translations can now teach itself to translate languages it doesn’t know using its DL Google Neural Machine Translation (GNMT) system. The new DL improves translation quality, and enables “Zero-Shot Translation” — translation between language pairs never seen explicitly by the system.
Summer Heat by Scott Fields has been optioned by Forbidden Tears Production Studios to be a major motion picture. Watch for details. Here is a sample chapter published earlier.
From Chapter 3 of Summer Heat
Earl glanced at her chest. Her firm, ample breasts strained the buttons on her blouse. He slightly lowered his head to peek through the openings at the soft skin. Earl swirled his finger down her arm to the soft skin on the inside of her elbow. She was panting now. Her eyes were closed and sweat trickled down her neck and disappeared behind her blouse. He could see the outline of her hard nipples. His finger was only inches away. So far, it had all been innocent play. He had not crossed any line, but that was about to change. His head throbbed. He could feel the blood pounding through his veins.
It was near closing. The last of the patrons were walking out the door. Jessie was wiping down the bar when Earl leaned back in his chair.
“Hey, there, Lil’ Darlin’, bring me a bottle of the good stuff,” he said. “And bring two glasses.”
Jessie knew what the good stuff was. Earl loved Crown Royal and kept cases of it in the backroom. She carried the bottle and two glasses across the room and set it on his table.
“Sit down, girl,” he said. “I don’t want to drink alone.”
“It’s late, Earl,” she said.
“What are you talking about? We still got a half hour before closing.” He poured two drinks. “Here, this will get you where you need to go.”
“I don’t think I ever had any Crown Royal before.” She sipped the drink. “Damn, that’s good stuff.”
“How come that old man of yours never got you any?”
“Frank doesn’t drink.”
“He doesn’t? Hell, that don’t sound American.”
“He ain’t never even tried it.”
Earl gulped his drink. “Don’t know what he’s missin’, does he?”
Jessie took another sip. “This stuff is so smooth.”
“Drink up, girl,” said Earl filling the glasses. “We got this whole bottle here to kill off.”
“Must be terribly expensive.”
“Are you enjoying it?”
“Yes.”
“Then don’t worry about it,” he said. “It wouldn’t hurt you none if you untied a few of them knots.”
Jessie gulped her drink. “What are you talking about?”
“You just look like you might need to unwind,” said Earl. “You seem tense or upset about something.”
“You might be right.”
Earl filled her glass again. “Must be hard on you with Frank gone.”
She leaned back in her chair. “Yeah, I miss him a lot.”
“Pretty young thing like you must miss havin’ a man carry you off to bed.”
“Oh, Frank isn’t that kind of guy,” she said, her words slurring already. “He loves me. I got no doubt about that, but in his own way.”
“In other words, you ain’t getting any.”
Jessie filled her glass and took another drink. “Why? You applying for the job?”
Earl reached out and placed his hand on top of hers. “That I am, darlin’,” he said with a sober voice.
Jessie set her drink on the table and leaned back. Her head was spinning from the alcohol. It had all been light-hearted banter until now. Even in her drunken stupor, she could see that he was serious.
“Think you’re man enough?” she asked with a smile.
Earl tightly gripped her hand. His smile disappeared. “I know I’m man enough.”
It was about that time that the other waitress started towards the front door. Earl bolted across the room to let her out. He said his good nights, let her out and latched the door behind her.
“We’re all alone,” he announced with a smile.
Jessie pointed at a chair next to hers. “Come and sit down next to me.”
Earl slowly swaggered across the room. Beads of sweat erupted on his forehead. He had thought about this moment ever since he met her. Fantasies of her swirled in his mind. His head throbbed with excitement. He pulled up a chair and sat next to her.
“Now where were we?” he asked, his voice raspy.
“You were telling me how much of a man you are.”
With one hand, Earl began rubbing her back and shoulders. Jessie moaned in approval.
“Tell me something,” said Earl. “How married are you?”
“What do you mean?”
“You know what I mean.”
She held up her hand. “I have a ring.”
Earl sneered. “That don’t mean anything.”
He ran his hand over her shoulders and lightly caressed her bare arm.
“I didn’t think that would make much of an impression,” she said closing her eyes. “Damn, that feels good.”
He ran one finger lightly over her cheek. “I know something else that would feel even better.”
Jessie said nothing. She groaned as he lightly swirled his finger over her bare skin.
“Relax,” he said. “You seem tense.”
“It’s been a long time.”
“A long time for what?”
“Since…since a man has touched me.”
“How does it feel?”
“Incredible,” she said with a slur. “Simply incredible.”
Earl glanced at her chest. Her firm, ample breasts strained the buttons on her blouse. He slightly lowered his head to peek through the openings at the soft skin. Earl swirled his finger down her arm to the soft skin on the inside of her elbow. She was panting now. Her eyes were closed and sweat trickled down her neck and disappeared behind her blouse. He could see the outline of her hard nipples. His finger was only inches away. So far, it had all been innocent play. He had not crossed any line, but that was about to change. His head throbbed. He could feel the blood pounding through his veins.
Earl reached over and lightly touched the side of her breast. It was firm and yet soft to the touch. Jessie jerked. She moaned and arched her back. Earl withdrew his finger. He wasn’t sure. Was that a cold reaction? Was she pulling away? Then, Jessie moved her chair closer and turned in his direction. “Please,” she uttered softly.
Her breasts were right in front of him, heaving now from her heavy breathing. Earl could see her nipples through the sweat-soaked blouse. He could feel his manhood throbbing in his pants. He reached over and gently unbuttoned the top button of her blouse. He glanced at her face for a reaction.
“Faster,” she muttered.
His hands trembled as he fumbled with the remaining buttons. When he finished with the last one, he slowly pulled her blouse open. Cool air from a slow-turning ceiling fan washed over her exposed breasts making her nipples even harder and leaving small bumps on her skin.
In spite of his gruff exterior, Earl knew women and he knew what pleased them. He reached over with both hands and lightly touched the sides of her bare breasts. She jumped slightly but moved even closer. He slowly moved his fingers to the underside of her breasts, caressing the soft skin, coming close to her nipples but never touching them. He then formed circles around the breasts even closer to her nipples, occasionally, brushing them as if by accident.
By then, Jessie’s chest was rising and falling as she gasped for air. Earl firmly grasped her ribcage and leaned towards her. He lightly touched her lips with his. As she moved closer to kiss him, he pulled away, then lightly, hovered his lips over hers.
Crazed with lust, Jessie pulled him close to her, savagely kissing his lips. The taunting and teasing was over. Earl wrapped his arms around her and kissed her long and hard. Still locked in a tight embrace, Jessie slid her cotton blouse over her shoulders and let it fall to the floor. Earl fumbled with his belt sending his pants sliding down his legs. He stepped out of them just as she did hers.
“Take me now,” she said with a raspy voice. “I don’t care where, just do it.”
Earl picked her up and sat her on the edge of the table. He grabbed her ankles and slid her closer to the edge. Jessie lay back on the table. She wanted to scream. Her whole body was on fire. He had to do, and he had to do it now. What was he waiting on? She could feel hot liquid as it dripped from the tender folds of her skin and onto the floor. He wasn’t going to tease her again. He wouldn’t do that. He couldn’t.
Then it happened. She felt his strong, hard manhood as it slid, effortlessly, into her. She screamed with pleasure. Her whole body screamed with pleasure. It was obvious that the teasing and taunting of foreplay was over. He was at the right height and could easily slam it deep into her. She screamed with pleasure at every thrust that he made.
Her first orgasm came within seconds, the second and third minutes later. He picked up speed, slamming home even faster. Jessie was delirious with pleasure. Her orgasms seemed to be coming with every thrust. It went on for what seemed like an eternity. She had never experienced anything like this before. He was man enough. That was for sure.
Just as she was about to pass out, he slowed his movement. He leaned his head back and emitted a guttural, almost primal growl. She felt him pulsating inside her, then, slowed to a stop.
___________________________
Want more? Preview Summer Heat here>
Summer Heat is available in print from The Outer Banks Publishing Group Bookstore at $10.99 and on Amazon, the Kindle, and bookstores everywhere.
Paperback: 212 pages
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0982993110
ISBN-13: 978-0982993118
Product Dimensions: 8 x 5 x 0.5 inches
Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
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My wife and I were shopping in a one of our favorite department stores when I noticed a small nondescript sign between the racks that read, “Free WiFi – sign in to get discounts.”
(BTW: that’s not my wife on the left; that’s our dog, Nickie in case you were wondering.)
So I pulled out my iPhone and logged in. A coupon popped up on the screen, “15% off your entire order – today only!”
I was thrilled. My wife was looking at several blouses she liked but she thought the price was too high so I told her to pick one out.
What just happened is a harbinger of in-store interactive, personalized marketing in its infancy. I say infancy because logging into a WiFi network will soon be paramount to taking a horse-drawn wagon cross the country rather than a commercial jet.
What is currently happening in some retaiI stores and what I envision will be in all stores eventually in the not too distant future is the following scenario:
My wife and I walk into a department store. The store’s WiFi detects our presence from the store’s app or MAC addresses on our phones or smartwatches. We had agreed when we loaded the app to allow detection because the feature would provide discounts. We wander over to the men’s jeans department.
A text arrives, “Hello Anthony. Interested in jeans today? Buy two pair and get the third pair half off. I decided not to buy the jeans as good as the deal was at the moment.
We head over to the women’s section and my wife is looking at dresses. She picks one off the rack.
“Do you like it?” she asks holding it up to her shoulders.
“Yeah, the color accents your hair. You should get it,” I said.
“Maybe, it’s a bit expensive.”
My wife’s phone chimes. She takes it out her pocket and reads the text, “Look at that!”
She shows me the text; it was from the store, “Hello Joann. Looking for a new dress? Take 15% off for being a loyal customer.”
She buys two dresses.
At home, I grab my tablet and check ESPN for the latest basketball scores for my favorite teams. A display ad from the store we had just visited pops up with the message, “Just for you. Buy two pair of jeans, get the third on us. Today and tomorrow only.”
Spooky, but we had agreed to allow the store to access our devices and to receive messages.
What transpired is just one future scenario in marketing. The WiFi in the store detected when we walked into the store and Near Field Communication (NFC) or Bluetooth technology or iBeacons detected when we were near specific clothing racks.
It was like having a virtual digital sales person standing near us with the power to give discounts to close a sale except the sales person is an algorithm. I purchase all my jeans at this particular store and my purchase history is in the store’s database as a frequent buyer of jeans. The algorithm detected my profile and pushed out the text message discount to my phone.
This is tracking of customer behavior similar to website analytics only in the physical realm.
My wife, Joann, has made many more purchases at this store than I have over the years, so her profile is that of a high value, loyal customer hence the 15% discount on the dresses.
All sorts of retailers — including national chains, like Macy’s, Nordstrom, American Eagle, Family Dollar, and Cabela’s among others — have been testing these technologies as early as 2013 and using them to optimize store layouts or offer customized coupons, according to The New York Times.
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| Screenshot of Nomi Technology’s In-Store Customer Analytics Dashboard |
One company, Nomi Technologies, which provides the technology to track customers in store, recently settled with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for allegedly lying about tracking customers in stores, according to a report by the International Business Times.
“Nomi previously defended its use of phone-tracking tech, telling the New York Times in July 2013 that offering retailers the ability to keep track of a shoppers’ habits is similar to the way Amazon and other online retailers use cookies to keep track of their customers,” reported the website, circa.
According to a video on Nomi’s website, their technology can track the number of customers walking into the store, track where they browse and push relevant messages out to their smart phones.
This is tracking of customer behavior similar to digital website analytics only in the physical realm.
While most consumers are Ok with being tracked online with cookies, database profiles of their buying habits and cookie matching used by most e-commerce retailers, there are those who bristle with anger and fear over being tracked physically.
In a March 2014 survey by Chicago-based Opinion Lab and reported by AdWeek, consumers feel this way about in-store tracking:
The study was based on feedback from 1,042 consumers.
In-store tracking won’t go away and what will foster its widespread acceptance are the incentives retailers offer to convince consumers to buy in and reap the fruits of a great discount or free merchandise in exchange for a little less privacy.
What’s your take on in-store tracking? Do you feel it is a violation of your privacy or are you Ok with in-store tracking? Feel free to leave a comment.
Within the past few years there has been a lot of talk about the Cloud and the Internet Cloud. Store all your stuff on the Cloud, free-up your devices, access your stuff from anywhere, anytime. You’ve heard the hype.
Well, the hype doesn’t mention that you need power and an internet connection to get to all your stuff, and when you have neither, all your devices aren’t even good paperweights anymore. But most people know that’s a given or do they?
We recently experienced one of those memorable summer thunderstorms that you only see in horror movies…you know, rain falling sideways defying the laws of physics, downed trees, wind damage and no power, no Internet.
Fortunately, there were no zombies or vampires lurking around. At least I didn’t see any.
We had to suffer through a few days with no Internet. OK, not the end of the world, but close enough. I would open a browser window and then sigh and oh yeah, it doesn’t work. Ok, I’ll figure out something else to do, like clearing out all those unused files on my computer or typing all my passwords in an Excel sheet…boring.
As the internet-less days progressed other thorns stuck me in the side and some right in my eye.
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| Our dog trying to hide from the thunder |
Lucky for me, everything I have on the Cloud is backed up on my computer, flash drives and my iPhone.
I have books and magazines in print form to read.
The telephone still works so I can call any of my friends.
I did buy a TV, so I can get the news and weather and whatever else I don’t want to hear about.
So the Cloud is useful to an extent, but don’t totally rely on the Internet. Make sure all your stuff is backed up somewhere so you can get to it without the Internet. Otherwise, you’ll wish you had.
Author James Patterson, former President Clinton (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times; Diedre Laird / Charlotte Observer)
Have you heard…former President Bill Clinton and iconic author James Patterson have teamed up to write a novel, The President is Missing, that will be published June 2018.
Alfred A. Knopf and Little, Brown and Company will jointly publish the novel, which represents a rare foray into fiction for a former president, according to the report published in The New York Times.
You can read the rest of the story in the Times here.
Outer Banks Publishing Group author Scott Fields’ novel, The Mansfield Killings, based on the true story of the horrific murders of the Niebel family in 1948, will be made into a major motion picture in 2018.
Produced by Forbidden Tears Productions of Waldron, Arkansas, the movie will be filmed in Waldron and on location in Mansfield, Ohio and at the historic Ohio State Reformatory (OSR) also in Mansfield, where the story started. The Shawshank Redemption and Air Force One were also filmed at the reformatory.
Jennifer Anderson-Bounds, owner and producer Forbidden Tears Productions, was chosen as Female Producer of the Year 2016 and won the Humanitarian Award from WIND International Film Festival 2016. She was also awarded 2nd Place in Indie Film Festival 2015, along with a nomination for Best woman filmmaker 2015 in Barcelona.
Scott Field’s literary agency, Gilbert Literary & Film Agency International of New Zealand, secured the movie contract.
Scott, who was three years old when the killing spree occurred, said he had dreamed all his life of writing a story that would become a movie. When he heard about the murders, he became obsessed with writing the story into a novel and completed the manuscript in four months.
When asked about his reaction to the movie deal, Scott said,
“Without doubt this is probably the most fascinating and exciting thing to ever happen to me! When I was just a little boy, my parents took me to a movie, and instead of wishing that I could be an actor, I wanted to be the guy who wrote the screenplay. It was the beginning of a dream that has been with me for about 60 years. I am not talking about an occasional dream…it was with me practically everyday.”
“My mother w
as a great writer, but she never pursued her talent. I inherited it but being a Kmart manager and raising a family of three kids, I had no time to write even a short story. Then after 30 years in management, I became a common worker and began to write. After having a few short stories published, I decided that it was time to try writing a novel. Since then I have had 16 novels published, but the dream was still there.”
He said at times it was difficult to write the novel because the killings were so atrocious and brutal.
The Mansfield murders was the worst two-week killing spree in Ohio’s history. On the night of July 21, 1948, Robert Daniels and John West, former inmates at the Ohio State Reformatory, entered John and Nolena Niebel’s house with loaded guns. They forced the family including the Niebel’s 21-year-old daughter, Phyllis, into their car and drove them to a cornfield just off Fleming Falls Road in Mansfield. The two men instructed the Niebels to remove all of their clothing, and then Robert Daniels shot each of them in the head.
The brutal murders caught national attention in the media, but the killing spree didn’t stop there. Three more innocent people would lose their lives at the hands of Daniels and West in the coming week.
The two parolees were captured after a 14-day manhunt in Ohio when West attempted to shoot it out with police and sheriff’s deputies at a road blockade north of Van Wert, Ohio. West was killed by police and Daniels was captured, tried and convicted. He was executed in the electric chair on January 3, 1949.
The scene at the Van Wert roadblock, where West was killed and Daniels captured while sleeping in the car on the front top rack – July 22, 1948
Scott Fields tirelessly researched the killings, the capture and trial of Daniels and even interviewed a surviving member of the Niebel family to weave this tragic story bringing the reader back to those dark days in the summer of 1948. What led to these brutal killings, and why was the Niebel family singled-out to be savagely murdered? It has been more than sixty years since the tragedy, and, yet, this question still remains unanswered. The killing spree is not only remembered to this day, but is an important and dark part of Mansfield lore.
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If you are ever in Mansfield, Ohio, be sure to tour the historic Ohio State Reformatory, the most haunted location in Ohio and one of the shooting locations of The Mansfield Killings.
Hauntings have been documented over the years by professional paranormal investigators and TV shows on the paranormal, including Syfy’s Ghost Hunters and the Travel Channel’s popular, Ghost Adventures.
View the informative video about the OSR and its rich history.
Order a copy of The Mansfield Killings at our bookstore.
Enjoy this phenomenal performance by Pentatonic and their version of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen this holiday season.
If you vote for Trump and his MAGA GOP members you may indirectly start World War III.
If Trump and his MAGA GOP take control of our Congress, they will cut off support for Ukraine. They already cut support on the advice of Trump when the Congress was ready to approve the spending bill with support for Ukraine.
What will happen next?
said Larry Jacobs, director of the Center for the Study of Politics and Governance at the University of Minnesota. “This is supposed to be the party of conservative principles, of tradition, of respect for customs and rules that make society governable.
“The idea that the law does not apply to Republicans is something that has now become part of the mainstream of the Republican party. We see it in terms of the approach to elections. We see it in terms of the treatment of immigrants. Some of the actions with regard to abortion may approach that level. The Republican party appears to consider the law and the constitution to be optional and to have lost legitimacy.”
From The Guardian
Republicans’ lawless leaders at odds with midterm law and order message | Republicans | The Guardian
If you vote Republican you are supporting:
– 19 GOP red states have pending laws suppressing voter’s ability to vote. Historically, dictators and Fascists have suppressed votes to stay in power.
– The GOP has come out in support of QAnon, The Oath Keepers and the Proud Boys
– You may lose a loved one, a relative or a friend in a train crash, a bridge collapse or a plane crash as Republicans strip funds from President Biden’s infrastructure bill.
– The Texas abortion ban if left to stand will be passed in several other GOP states. Idaho will pass an anti-abortion law based on the Texas law. 16 states have “trigger” abortion ban laws.
by the US Supreme Court.
https://cnn.it/3RaW1zm
https://nyti.ms/3IcANNo
With the recent Supreme Court banning EPA authority from polluters
https://bit.ly/3IfQ1Bf
on Gun Purchases – will never get passed.
Watch Jimmy Kimmel’s emotional plea to improve gun purchase background checks
https://cnn.it/3AnRweO
– will never go up leaving 18 states still paying $7.25 an hour.
– the last thing America needs are conservative leaders, especially some Republicans who want to keep America from progressing. The last thing America needs is backward-thinking leaders in the 21st Century.
– Republicans have turned to cheating to stay in power or to get back into power…and nothing is getting done by them for the American people.
The enforcement or advocacy of strict obedience to authority at the expense of personal freedom.
and everything America stands for: Truth, Justice and Liberty for all? Look what is happening in Ukraine.
*Of course, not all Republicans are like those described above. Here is a list of those who should stay in office.
House of Representatives – those who voted to impeach the former president
Senate – The Republicans who voted to convict the former president after impeachment:
YOUR VOTE COUNTS. It’s a lie to think otherwise.
Paid for by Jake Stone for American Democracy
VOTE like your freedom depended on it…because it does.
Books of the NY Times
