South African MAN a *runaway* hit! >>> PLUS how to jump on the 'online traffic' bandwagon

Less than a month after launching on August 6, South African MAN, edited by freelance photojournalist and author Nick van der Leek, has attracted over 20 000 page impressions.  The site, managed by a small team of designers, IT experts and content providers (the latter mostly from Nick van der Leek  himself) is regularly updated.

South African MAN's hallmark is colourful, insightful, vivid diversity, with an edge.  The sites mantra is 'Born to be bold' and many of its topics have an edgy quality. There is news, analysis, interviews with South African movers and shakers and yes, quite a few attractive women, all done to magazine-quality standards, but optimised for web/mobile acquisition.

Some of the personalities interviewed in the first three weeks since South African MAN went live, include:

- Professor Jonathan Jansen
- Kingsley Holgate
- Richard Murray
- Professor Tim Noakes
- Morgan Freeman
- Lauren Beukes
- Leonard Carr
- Willem -Dapper' De Wet
- Maja Debeljkovic
- Naomi Das
- Annette Kasselman

Some of the most popular stories on the site include:

1. Is Grey SA's Greatest?
2. Statement Analysis can show Oscar's lies
3. MANdate Willem 'Dapper' de Wet Q&A

Besides regular analysis on the Oscar Pistorius Murder trial (Nick van der Leek is the author of 4 bestselling eBooks on the subject) the site also showcases COUNTERSPIN (controversial behind the scenes news), MANtalk (news analysis and commentary) and tongue-in-cheek commentary on topical entertainment, for example True Blood on television and Guardians of the Galaxy at the cinema.

Due to Nick van der Leek's current personal interest in Grey College at the moment, the site will receive a constant overflow of content based on an ongoing research project.

Besides a bulk of content written, edited and designed by Van der Leek himself, there are also contributions from New Zealand ("Podcasts from Kiwiland"), delivered once every two weeks, along with podcasts on fitness topics via America's Rob Roll, as well as US-based legal analysis from 'Juror13' and then regular nutritional advice via Megan Herriot, a UK-based doctor.

The FIXION section, run by crime writer Vernon Baumann, provides writing tips (including how to self-publish on Amazon), book reviews, news from the publishing and entertainment industry and movie reviews.  Competitions and giveaways will be launched via this section in September.

The site is also about to launch it's own MODELBOOK archive, which builds websites for a select group of young, local models South African MAN feels will be good brand ambassadors not only for South African MAN, but other quality brands as well. Nida Olivier and Loraine van Heerden are two lucky ladies who have been selected as part of the sites soon to be initiated MODELBOOK.

Although the site has just been launched, and advertisers have not been approached yet, two clients have already been secured in two separate pay-for-content deals, which provides exposure online and via social media (Nick van der Leek's twitter account @hirezlife has over 13 000 followers).

Once the Oscar eBook series is complete, the site will provide ongoing snippets and special offers via its FIXION section, and focus will then turn to other man-type stuff, such as car reviews, gear and gadget promotions and travel content.

Companies or individuals interested in arranging paid-for magazine quality online exposure, including shoots, features, interviews, product or event promotions, PR or brand leveraging - including exposure through exclusive social media networks -  can contact the editor here.

Visit South African MAN here.

Another Review of Revelations

Hi Nick,

I finished Revelations over the weekend. 

That chapter where you give a fictional account of what happened that night, seemed so real and authentic,it made my blood run cold. 

All the more effective because of the way you built up to it with the previous chapters. 

I see now why a certain someone was bent on sabotaging your files through the internet!!!! - from a legal practitioner, via Email

More information here.

Praise for Resurrection: "[It] gets to the heart of this case."

5.0 out of 5 stars To get to the heart of this case, it ..., August 3, 2014

By 

LS - See all my reviews

Verified Purchase(What's this?)

This review is from: Resurrection (Oscar Pistorius Murder Trial eBook Series 3) (Kindle Edition)

To get to the heart of this case, it is imperative to understand the driving forces behind what culminated on the morning of February 14th. The book provides a very well-researched, well thought out analysis of Oscar, behind the PR machine. It also delves in to where Reeva was in her career and life. For anybody following this trial and grappling with the whys and hows of this tragedy, Nick provides a very compelling recipe to what led up to that evening. I promise you, it's worth the investment of your time!

Get yours here.

Latest Reader Review of Revelations: "The title says it all, worth every penny!"

5.0 out of 5 stars The title says it all, worth every penny! August 22, 2014

By Jane Vaughan

Verified Purchase

Wow, this book makes you think more than twice about spin, truth, news and the images of celebrity, this is the fourth book in the series and I am riveted. Nick explains his view of the events, and in am in awe, I wish more writers and reporters had the honesty and integrity to discuss what so many won't, I'm looking forward to the next. Thank you!

Get yours here. 

[Note you do not need a Kindle to read an Amazon eBook, you do need to download a free app.].

Getting to Grips with Gregoire Boonzaier, 6 page article in September 2014 Country Life

Latest Reader Review of Revelations: Thought-provoking and scary, 5 out of 5

5.0 out of 5 stars I highly recommend Revelations. This in-depth book reveals a very likely ... August 21, 2014

By Maree Watkins

I highly recommend Revelations. This in-depth book reveals a very likely scenario of what transpired the early morning Reeva was killed and the build up to her killing through ongoing intense arguing. Its a riveting read. 
This book reveals Oscar's narrative of 'fastest man with no legs', and the public persona he cultivated to protect this narrative at all costs, even killing and death. His blanket denial of his truth. The collusion by the media and society in general wanting to believe in this 'true' hero, is dealt with in-depth with much symbolism. And, we, the readers are invited and challenged to link this to our own narratives as people, as South Africans post-apartheid with multi-faceted levels of collusion regarding crime, politics, celebrity and our own denials deep within ourselves.
The author must be a very clever and a brave person as he does not look fleetingly at the reality of Reeva's death, instead he wades deep beneath the superficial veneer of the Oscar narrative, Reevas killing and society's collusions. 
He asks some scary questions such as are we the general public complicit? He forces us out of our comfort zones and challenges us to be honest and to expose our blind denials and our general lying to ourselves in order to avoid our own reality. Thought-provoking and scary. 5 out of 5, worth the read! Go.read.it.now.

Get yours here. 

[Note you do not need a Kindle to read an Amazon eBook, you do need to download a free app.].

Feedback on Revelations

Please keep at it!    This whole Oscar trial has been bothering me so much, since the first media coverage started, and I have not really been able to put my finger on why.Revelations has been amazing, I'm seeing now what's been wrong, on many levels! - received via email.  Person has asked to remain anonymous since he is a legal professional

3 x Amazon Reviews of REVELATIONS + where to order yours!

A). 5.0 out of 5 stars Honest and raw facts that will make you think! August 14, 2014

 Thought provoking, honest, well-written and researched! I watched the trial, dug deep for details to questions not answered and this book blindsided me! The author challenges you to examine the feelings associated with the crime and with the environment that would accept, without hard questions, the shooting. I questioned the media coverage worldwide and how we view our heroes and my role when I do so.

Nick delves deep for answers that main stream media did not. It is a balanced accounting of how this shooting could happen and caution for the future. He dives deep into the dynamics of sports, thoughts surrounding our heroes that allow the bad behavior. The good, bad and ugly about what come have led to the fatal shooting. Your mind is exposed to the lives OP and Reeva lived in a 3 1/2 month time span that was not covered during the trial.

It is a cold hard fact but the SA court system was exposed during the trial coverage. How will this affect future trials and the coverage? Our minds question, not only, the upcoming verdict but what this has shown, all of us, for the future who want justice!

When you read this book be honest and question justice around the world and how we as viewers relate - I did! My wish for the books in this series-a movie (documentary) dedicated to Reeva Steenkamp, a beautiful life lost! By g_elle

B). 5.0 out of 5 stars Revelations digs deeper in to the lives of Oscar and ... August 12, 2014

Revelations digs deeper in to the lives of Oscar and Reeva and provides a very thought-provoking theory on what may have happened on February 13th, leading up to the killing. By LS

C). 5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars August 14, 2014

 Another brilliantly thought out book by Nick van der Leek. By JL

 To order Revelations go here.

 

Piet, Rian and myself on Jacaranda FM's Good Morning Angels [2 x PODCASTS]

More background and info here. To view the Oscar Trial eBook series go here. Don't have a Kindle and you want to buy/read an eBook? Click here.

Review of Resurrection - "The author's law- background gives him a distinct advantage over most other journalists"

A very insightful read indeed! Resurrection sheds light on who Oscar Pistorius really was- and is, analysing his intentions behind the hero facade we all came to know.

 

From beginning to end this book is packed with information- straightforward and bravely frank. Because of the vast amount of information the reader's full attention is required throughout the book, although it is well set out and easy to follow. You need not be a dedicated follower of the Oscar Pistorius trial to be able to follow the contents of the book. 

 

It also contains explanations of very important judicial concepts which may be unfamiliar to the reader. Resurrection thus educates the reader not only on who Oscar is, but also on important day-to-day "lawyer-talk". 

 

The author's law- background gives him a distinct advantage over most other journalists and when reading Resurrection it becomes clear how misinformed and confused some media sources and the general public can be on the legal processes followed in South Africa.

 

If I was part of the pro-Oscar group I think this book would have definitely convinced me otherwise. - Nicole Burger, law student, Free State University

Read a free sample of Resurrection here.