THE PURPLES

Glad you found and enjoyed THE PURPLES on Authonomy, deputydog. I've published it now as both a softcover and ebook and it's been getting quite steady sales in Kindle format especially. No doubt due to great word of mouth like yours. Thanks. —W.K. Berger

This is very high quality historical fiction. High stars, and i'll find a space on my shelf as soon as i can.

This is very high quality historical fiction. High stars, and i'll find a space on my shelf as soon as i can.

Hello Sir,I'm writing from England we love anything to do with American gangsters,we don't seem to produce our own except in Glasgow and they're just violent.The Purple Gang I remember from that song 'The whole rythym section was a Purple Gang!'.This is absolutely brilliant book,with immense assurance,though I think you could still edit it down a bit.The hero has to be Irish and he has to be a good man ,strong enough to go down'those mean streets.Backed.Would you be kind enough to look at my novel 'A Buccaneer',set in the 17th century there's a lot of swordplay,the attack on Panama 1671,a five handed duel,Spanish Ladies ,the Great Plague of London and more,best wishes,Strachan Gordon

By the time he said “But I get ahead of myself.” I was hooked, the style and tone of this is perfect for me!
You have captured an immense character in Joey he drives the storyline brilliantly. To me this book has a lot more depth then I thought it was going to have and the whole book has great character and quality. – Good luck!

Hullo WK. So interesting, I was watching a history channel ad and there was mention about Detroit and its 'gangster' past. This reminded me that your book was on my shelf so I began to read. I read all 11 chapters since you as a writer have the ability to keep the reader interested in not only in what he or she is reading but what the next chapter will bring. Your first person narrative is very good. Gotta love Joey! But, I did find one thing that does not really belong in a book written about an american city and american gang. Use of the word 'whilst' rather than 'while'. Perhaps I am incorrect and if I am please take no offence. Just a simple observation and this book demonstartes to all of us what a 'simple observation' can bring about. Very good. Already shelved and backed.
Please take a look at my book if you have not and thanks for that.
Linda Lou Long
Southern dis-Comfort
http://www.authonomy.com/ViewBook.aspx?bookid=11421

Hi W. K., I expected a film noire kind of presentation and found a very tempting narrator voice. His storytelling has good anecdote material in it, the igloos from the sugar cubes, and the way that Original Solly got his name. His being drawn in as a teenager is also portrayed in a way that makes one want to follow this character. He has finesse in getting such a wallet so easily. I expect the characterizations here will much enhance the interesting plot. Easily shelved – Katherine (The Swan Bonnet)

Yes, he's a toughie in a world of toughies and I did get a sense of Detroit although I've never been there. But the novel really got going for me at the abattoir and then Grabowski. For me that's the highlight, the action round him.
Backed
Rosalind
Good For Him

Amazing work. I might just be a sucker for a novel that can be both intensely profound and oddly funny at the same time, but this...this is just about perfect.

Backed with extreme prejudice, and with great pleasure.
Roxanna

Thanks for the great comment, Roxanna. Made my day! --W. K.

Good pace and a gripping narrative. C W

I was attracted to this because I have a liking for gangsters but also because purple is my favourite colour. I love the way you use an Al Capone quote at the beginning and the opening itself is brilliant. Tons of atmosphere with the how did it all start quote. This has lots of potential and is backed.

Sandie
The Crown of Crysaldor

Amazing work. I might just be a sucker for a novel that can be both intensely profound and oddly funny at the same time, but this...this is just about perfect.

Backed with extreme prejudice, and with great pleasure.
Roxanna

Not much to say when something is done right. Good tone, great dialogue. You set a scene here that I want to enter, another time and place that I didn't know, until reading this, that I'm interested in. Excellent.

---Mary
The Qualities of Wood

The Purples. I like this. The start is completely in genre. It's quick, effectively characterises key players, provides key info and is very, very, witty. i love the conversational asides eg about solly. Well done. PhilMc- Perhaps you could look at Deep State

What a great change from cyberworlds, cyberborgs, goblins, magicians etc etc. Good old-fashioned crime story set in the right time and place...a kind of swagger down memory lane!
Good luck
Stewart

So THAT'S how gangsters talk! This book is ALIVE. I love it.
Kirby McCord
Cemetery Ridge

I've only read some of this, but I have to admit that I'm very impressed. Your voice (through Bernstein) just makes me want to read more. This reads like a movie. I don't believe that's a bad thing.

A brilliant first line, instantly interesting. Needs a few tweaks.
“So how did it start,” they all wanted to know.
“So, how did it start?” They all wanted to know.
The tagline isn’t referring to how the speech is delivered, so I think it should be a separate sentence (along with the other changes I made).

So, they always (comma after a hedge like that, you use this throughout the chapter so I won’t keep picking them out)
I’ll admit; the place (no need for a capital letter, semicolon instead of colon)

This needs a few tweaks here and then, so a careful read through

Dead quiet soon as I entered
Dead quiet as soon as I entered
Where you’ve missed a word out is how you would probably talk out loud. I can see you are going for a colloquial style but you still have to make sure it flows the first time, so your readers can. I’m not sure it works here, but then that’s something for you to decide yourself.

Anyway, a good story, but I felt it needs some work. A read through will clear that all up. Good luck with your novel =]

Great stuff! I love the setting. The Purples could play off Detroit the way The Untouchables did Chicago. Fine characters, a compelling plot, sharp dialog, good pacing. No room for improvement that I could find. Backed with awe.
Niobrara Kardnova (The Trouble with Wives)

Oh, I love the whole "purple" business - very creative and unique! This is a complex story, very well thought out. BACKED -Elizabeth Wolfe (Memories of Glory)

Hi W. K

I like this very much, I was in Moosejaw in Canada a few years ago and went underground to Al Capone's lair. I'm telling you this so you know I understand dry America & Wet Canada. Because I do, I can relate to the area and the way you write puts me slap bang back there!
Brilliant, Backed.

Phil
Danny Murphy

The Purples. Added to watchlist. PhilMc

WK,
What all these people said . . .
No, really, what's to add? A skilled raconteur mesmerizes his audience effortlessly, as you have done here. Mario Puzo move over . . .
I loved the telling moment when Baldy tidied up Buster's junk, at the theatre, before he got shishkabob'd by Abie. It made me root for Abie . . . "Do the deed, get him!"
And I like the title, "the Purples". It sticks in your mind.
Plusperfect short and long pitch.
I fear you will outgrow this site in a quick minute, and soon I will be seeing your title on bookshelves at my local B&N.
SC
Viene La Tormenta

Backed.

Nice turn of phrase. I like the droll tone of the narrator.

J.S.Watts
A DARKER MOON

Hi WK
I love gangster stories and I like this in particular because it is set in a realistic scenario (presumably based on fact?) and has a real gritty feel to it. As you claim, it is a fast paced thriller and I totally absorbed myself in this. A great piece of work.
DP Walker
Five Dares

W.K.

I I am along time fan of The Untouchables and black and white gangster movies, Mike Hammer stories, etc.
The opening of your book caught me by the lapels and dragged me into detroit. I was personally there in every scene where someone was whacked, tortured, or eaten by wolf hybrids. A reader can't ask for more than that.

The movement back and forth in time was a great entrance to a long storyline, that contained a lot of plots, sub-plots, and twists that moved the reader into a rewarding journey through the life of a gangster and his rise to becoming a mob boss. It made me want to root for the bad guy, that was the good guy, that was a killer of killers, and ended up theworst of the worst and the best.

I found a great deal of ruthlessnes, blood letting, irony, and brutality in this work, and as usual, you drug me into all that too. Amazing sense of the gang subculture you have. You paint very credible word pictures of life, twisted triumphs, tragedies, losses, and getting even. I read every chapter wanting to know more.

I did find myself asking why anyone would want to be a bloodthirsty ganster and suffer such abuses just to make a living. You again came to the forefront in fleshing out what it means to be a professional hood and trying to remain on top and make a name for yourself among those who had already made a name for themselves. All that just to live in a purple house. Even the cops, D.A, and healthcare institutions were jaded.

The style is very strong and the wordcrafting is even stronger. You have written a book worthy to be read just for the characters and storyline. And it is exciting.

I back the book without reservation, and give you a big thumbs up for your efforts.

PawPaw MIke LaRiviere
Eden's Door view book

Good pace, convincing, gripping story. The PC talks like I imagine a gangster would. Backed.

This is fantastic reading--the voice just makes it rattle along. And what a voice--I felt back in the 20s from the moment I started to read it. I used to teach Prohibition USA--Volsted Act--Flappers--Ford-gangsters. You make that world come alive with your writing.
It's a lovely hook in the first chapter because you want to find out why they all thought he was dead and where the story was going to go. So many unanswered question.
I liked the MC's resourcefulness in getting inside the station and almost rescuing the girl Rachael. His brother being brilliant almost sets up a Michael Corleone character who may or may not get drawn in.
Rachael getting locked up in the 'nuthouse'.

this is very fine crime writing-- very believable and a cracking good read.

Steve

Welcome aboard, W.K. This website will improve your writing craft, if you allow it. I'm a bit of a pitch doctor, having read thousands of pitches in my time on this website, so I want to share my insight here with you. You have to think of your pitches as your sales tool to grab the casual reader's eyes. The short pitch works. The long pitch works better. BUT, I would drop that last paragraph. Don't TELL us, SHOW us. Also end it with a question. Perfecting your pitches is how you climb in ranking to gather more exposure and comments to better your novel. The writing is good so I am SHELVING you.

Though I have been a very active member for over a year and have the most commented book on the website, I can still use your comments on my book when you get the chance. Every little bit helps. Cheers!

JC
The Obergemau Key

Great period story with a solid storyline. Polished and professional and happily backed.

Denise

Would you mind having a look at "Road to Redemption: From Cop's Daughter to Convicted Felon"?

Backed this book for my love of the era in which you so brilliantly set the book too.
Solid stuff, Backed with Pleasure! (hope you can return the favour)
David
Bailey of the Saints

Literary fiction at its best! Well crafted and polished. It is obvious you have spent much time energy and research in writing this thriller. Backed with pleasure.

Liz
The Cheech Room

put me down for a copy

Congrats to whoever did the book cover. The pitch was tight and compelling, and the book so well crafted, what I read. Is this your first book?, I did not go to your personal profile. If it is CONGRATS you are a natural storyteller. Your characters I don't just see in my head, I hear, that is so good. Not the genre I go for, but I have learned on this site, that it is about encompassing all books, and it is not just whether we like the contents, but more whether we see the craft well done. BACKED for sure. I don't know whether I will get around to reading the remainder, but BEST of luck. A look at 'The Letter' and giving your "comments and "backing " would really be appreciated . BEST OF LUCK
Denise (The Letter)

Good pitch but a bit salelsey for - loved the opening
simon
the Soul of Charlie Marconi

A gang of Jewish rumrunners? I'm a gangly Jewish rum drinker.

Ladies and gentlemen, we have an author/reader match made in heaven.

This is a fantastic new addition to the Authonomy files. I've been lamenting the shortage of dark and smart-as-hell stories that feature not a single vampire, warlock, wizard, witch, alien, cyborg, shape-shifter or elf. Dwarves I'm ok with, though I'm still thankful you didn't force one into your tale. Oy vey.

Backed in a big way.

Shalom,

g
Notes on an Orange Burial (a tragicomedy)

Loved this from the first few paragraphs. Would have grabbed it for the subject alone but the professionalism of the style sure helped! Obviously backed.
Jim Coplin
Bite Mark & Troll Tales

Have backed your book just from your pitch. It sonds an extremely interesting read, which I hope to get round to sometime later today. Will comment when I do.

I love reading books set in this era and this doesn't disapoint. The dialogue sounds authentic and sets the tone for the whole book. Love the premise and would love to read the whole thing.

Very happily shelved
Melxxx
Impeding Justice

Dear W. K.,

I have backed your book because the pitch hooked me, read a couple of chapters and enjoyed them.

How much more I read and comment will depend on time and workload.

Enjoy everything.

MM
Psychiatric Evaluation

This is not a request for backing. It is simply a new service I am providing for new Authonomy Authors. I hope it's helpful.

When a new book is posted by someone who hasn't posted a book here before, it will have a ranking of round about 5,000. Within half an hour or so, it will be up in the 2,000s. That happens because there is a group of people (they have high talent spotting ranking) whose sole job it is to back new books. They are not required to read them, and generally do not. But they perform a useful function in ensuring that every newcomer's book rises from the bottom of the pile to about the middle.

The next stage is far more difficult. Many new authors fall by the wayside. They are pleased by the initial meteoric rise and assume they need do nothing. As the days pass, their books begin to fall down the rankings again. Some leap into action (see below). But others lose interest and disappear.

Those who wish to get their books higher up the charts have to draw attention to their work. But the important first step is to acquire a talent spotting ranking. It doesn't have to be very high, but remaining unranked is a mistake. Others are unlikely to bother with a book by an unranked talent spotter because they will reckon he or she will not bother to return the read (and being backed by an unranked author adds practically no points to a book). So, you need to back a few books. You can, of course, emulate the top talent spotters and just go to the new authors section and back their books without reading them. On the whole, I think, that is a mistake. You would be better advised to set aside the occasional hour here and there and use it for reading books on the site. Read two or three chapters (more if you wish to) and, if you like what you have read, back the book (put it on your shelf). More importantly, write an intelligent comment on the book. Try to avoid creative writing class jargon (saying "you need to show more and tell less" about every book is generally not helpful). Comments don't have to be all negative. If there is something about a book which you particularly admire, explain what it is. But, if there is something that grates, do say so (politely if possible). Don't rush, at least in the first instance, to remove books from your shelf and replace them with others. At this stage, you need your talent spotting ranking to rise and that will only happen if others back the books on your shelf while they are still there.

Once you have demonstrated that you are the sort of person who reads, comments on and backs other books, you can start pushing your own more energetically. This is where things get controversial. A practice has grown up which is called "spamming". This involves sending out messages to all and sundry asking them to read your book in return for a promise that you will return the read. It is not an attractive practice, but many consider it essential. I don't think it is (many books have got to the top without the aid of spamming - I certainly never spammed anyone). A nicer way of doing things is to continue reading other books, commenting on them and backing them if you like them. Active members of the site will be likely to return the reads and, if they like your book, to back it. When someone whose book you have not read backs yours (I don't mean the initial top talent spotters who won't actually have read any of yours), try to find the time to return the read.

You can also make use of the forum. Straight plugging of your book may not achieve all that much (people are getting a little bored by that), but intelligent, witty, informative posts (which can certainly make the occasional reference to your book) will get you known and people, out of curiosity, will click on your name to see what you have written.

Although you will come across some people who sneer at the top twenty or so books, saying they only got there by spamming etc, I think you will find that the ones which rise that high are generally pretty good (there is the odd exception such as my own book). So doing your best to make your book really good is an essential ingredient of success on the site. If others make sensible suggestions for improvements, do consider them and, if you are persuaded, make the necessary changes.

All this takes time (certainly measured in months rather than weeks). But a good book, plugged properly, stands every chance of getting to the top.

I hope all that makes sense.

Charles

Love the pitch. Matches the subject matter nicely and has me wanting to read the book, so it's on my watchlist and I look forward to reading it soon

J.S.Watts
A DARKER MOON

PURPLES
I don’t know much about Detroit history so this was an interesting read. Your writing style is fresh and clear. Joel is a good narrator for the story; he’s feisty and likable. His dialogue with his other gang members is a strength of the book. You’ve obviously done a lot of research about Detroit in the 1920s to be able to write this. I’m adding it to my shelf. Burgio (Grain of Salt).

First, welcome to Authonomy.
More importantly, I'm really interested to read more. I love the opening and your style of writing. It's blunt, but that's a compliment. I love books that get straight to the point without the author feeling they have to fill in too much information and this is simply that. Get straight to the point and get you hooked. So far, you've done that. Looking forward to reading more, have a feeling this will do good here as is something different :)
On another note, I strongly encourage you to read as many books as you can find time for, it helps people notice you and your work.
Good luck!

Dear W.K., I love that you shared this part of history that I knew nothing about - amazing. :) Thank you. :) We have gangs her in Santa Ana California (by Disneyland) a lot & people get killed, too. Before I began to read your book, I was prepared by your pitch, which was very well done. :) Your story is good because you create interest by having short paragraphs & lots of dialogue, which makes me want to keep reading to find out what's going to happen next. I'm "backing" your book. :) "When you back a book, it only improves the ranking of that book, not yours. However, the author whose book you are backing may decide to back your book also, in which case yes, your ranking would be improved"...authonomy quote. :) Please "back" my TWO memoir books, "He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not" & my completed memoir unedited version? "Tell Me True Love Stories," which tells at the end, my illness now & 6th abusive marriage." Thanks, Susie :)
additional authonomy quote: "Every time you place a book on your bookshelf, your recommendation pushes the book up the rankings. And while that book sits on your bookshelf, your reputation as a talent spotter increases depending on how well that book performs." :)
backed :)
Love, Susie :)

Your book would definitely be perfect, sit on the edge of your seat & bite your nails film material. Your short pitch is intriguing and the quotes give your book a good start. It is a well thought out plot and it certainly moves at a timely pace. The hints of humour lighten your writing & are really quirky. Your descriptions are good & you definitely manage to draw the reader in - I actually felt part of your book which in turn kept me involved and keen to keep page-turning. My only real criticism is that some of your sentences don't really read as sentences & I think it would benefit from you or someone else reading it out and listening carefully to how it sounds - these non-sentences stop the smoothness and flow of your writing which is a real shame as I feel your book is excellent & should do really well. Best wishes - Paula - (Cuthbert: How mean is my Valley?)