by Michael Woodhead

Fiction:
BARBARIANS OF VASUDA, 2025
DYSTOPIA, 2024
A RAIN OF SORROWS, 2024
AN EROTIC ANTHOLOGY, 2023
WARRIOR MAID OF VASUDA, 2023
A TIME TO BE BORN, A TIME TO DIE 2022
THOSE OF US ABOUT TO DIE, 2021
THE DEVIL’S PLAYGROUND, 2021
PRINCESS OF VASUDA, 2021
THE SANDS OF TIME, 2020
WIZARD OF VASUDA, 2020
CHILD OF PROMISE, 2020
COVERGIRLS, 2020
WIZARD OF ARABAH, 2006

Screenplays:
PEEPING TOMMI, 2022
AMAZON SQUAD, 2021
VALKYRIE, 2020
SWORD OF THE HUNTER, 1972
DAUGHTER OF DEATH, 1972
SONG OF THE SIREN, 1972
THE BLACK FLAME, 1972
SLAVE GIRL, 1972
MAN AND WOMAN, 1969
WOMAN, 1969
THE SAGA OF MAN, 1969

Television Plays:
CALL OF THE HEART : The Statue, 2022


Musicals:
QUEST FOR THE SILVER VIRGIN, 2022
ISLAND OF CHILDREN, 2022
THE STAR CHILD, 2022

Songbooks:
A BOOK OF LYRICS, 2023
CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST, 2021
GALACTIC BALLADS, 2021
GRAFFITI POP, 2021
GRAFFITI POP 2, 2021
GRAFFITI POP 3, 2021
FANTASY FOLK, 2021
EARTHGIRLS, 2021

Stage Plays:
TWO IN ONE, 2022
SALOME, 2022

Edited by Michael:
 Books by his father, Frank Woodhead—
  GREEN EARTH & GILDED TEMPLES, 2023
  ARAKAN ADVENTURE, 2023
  RENDEZVOUS AND OTHER WRITINGS, 2022
  THE ROAD TO MANDALAY, 2020

A Shadow In the Midst of Others (1966 - Age 19)

Written by Michael Woodhead
Copyright 1966, 2025 by Michael Woodhead

I'm a shadow in the midst of others
I'm there to be one of the crowd
No one notices me
No one talks to me
Oh, I'm feeling down

I'm a shadow in the midst of others
Just there to be seen and not heard
No one says to me
What they'd like to be
And I need a girl

A Secret of the Universe (2007 - Age 60)

Stephen L Gibson
Truth Driven Strategies

"Ian wants answers his faith can't provide, so he abandons traditional religion and its magic, mysticism, and supernaturalism, turning instead to science and reason. Bill's path has become that of a devoted Christian who sees the bountiful harvest that can be achieved through spirituality and faith. When profound revelations lead each friend to uncover shocking historical 'secrets' in support of his own worldview, their odyssey plays out on a global stage, with tragic consequences. Only by embracing the inherent mystery and pain of their quest do Ian and Bill make the discovery that really matters—a genuine secret of the universe."
 
I'll have to be honest—I read this book with mixed feelings. On the one hand, being a Christian Agnostic/Spiritualist, I already knew what the 'secret' was before I even started reading, and I was interested in seeing how the author approached the subject matter. On the other hand, some of the principles the author was to touch upon were also some that deeply concerned me.

A book which came to mind while reading this was The Hamlet Syndrome—Overthinkers Who Underachieve by Adrienne Miller and Andrew Goldblatt. At the end of that book, they suggested the 'Hamlets' of the world were those who could open the eyes of the world to what was going on around them through espousing such principles as tolerance, curiosity, critical thought and skepticism, associative thinking, and seeing the consequences of actions.
These, and much more, can be seen in this novel of "love, loss, and the discovery of an eternal truth", and I daresay that Stephen Gibson is one of those 'Hamlets'. Using fiction, he takes us into the lives of believers and non-believers to broach the subjects of religion, sex, philosophy, metaphysics, and other volatile subjects to help the reader see things from alternate perspectives.

Although written primarily for Christians, the material is suited for more spiritually-mature Christians due to some of the 'adult' content, but people of all persuasions, religious or not, will see themselves reflected in some way in the characters of this novel. 

One point of contention for me, however, is this—why do Christians, in novels, always seem to justify or explain virtually everything by quoting scripture? This always makes Christian characters seem like they have no minds of their own, that they never do anything wrong, and that they're better than everyone else. In some ways, this novel seems to talk down to the reader, too; is written very simplistically like many Christian books I've read, and often drags on with pages of uninteresting scenes of 'modern life' until it reaches something characters can argue about, discuss, or pontificate upon.

Still, there's so much here to give readers something to think about, and meditate on, so it's probably worth your while to grab a copy and see yourself in it.

[A Book Review by Michael Woodhead
Copyright ©2007, 2025 

First Published on TCM Reviews, 2007]

A Second Time (1965 - Age 18)

Written by Michael Woodhead
Copyright 1965, 2025 by Michael Woodhead

Won't you give me another chance
Another chance to make you mine
Won't you let it be a second time
For, your love I'd enhance
Well, baby, you're so fine

I'd like to see you once again
Perhaps, with me, you just might dine
Won't you let it be a second time
When you're here by my side
Cause, baby, you should be mine

I'd like to come to you again
Perhaps to make you once more mine
Won't you let it be a second time
Because I'd wipe away the pain
Well, baby, one last time

A Rock and An Island (1966 - Age 19)

Written & Composed by Michael Woodhead
Copyright  1966, 2021 by Michael Woodhead

A rock and an island
Stand alone in the sea
And on them lie sirens
Now calling to me
Come to me, come to me, come to me

A rock and an island
Stand alone 'neath the sun
And away from them
I am trying to run
Oh, don’t run; oh, don’t run; oh, don’t run

A rock and an island
Burn beneath sweltering rays
And I have been standing
Before them for days
Can’t you see; can’t you see; can’t you see

A rock and an island
Are beneath my bare feet
And before me—the sirens
Their catch is complete
They are sweet; they are sweet; they are sweet

[Listen to it here]

A Question of Time (1966 - Age 19)

Written & Composed by Michael Woodhead
Copyright 1966, 2021 by Michael Woodhead

Whether I will love you so
Is not a question of love
Whether you will just be mine
Ah, 'tis a question of time

I know you love me so
Though not a question of love
Will I be just thine
Ah, 'tis a question of time

Stay you not away from me
'Tis not a question of love
Will the wedding bells soon chime
Ah, 'tis a question of time

[Listen to it here]

A Place For You Forever (1964 - Age 17)

Written by Michael Woodhead
Copyright ©1964, 2025 by Michael Woodhead

There's a place for you forever
In this world that we've named Never
For, it's here that all who suffer come
And it's here that all who die must run

A  place so full of life
That all who come here cannot leave
A place where there's no strife
That all who run here don't believe it's true

There's a place for you forever
In this land that's known as Never
For, it's here where all who drowned are saved
And it's here that all receive who gave

A  place so full of life
That all who come here cannot leave
A place where there's no strife
That all who run here don't believe it's true

A Man There Was (1967 - Age 20)

Written by Michael Woodhead
Copyright 1967, 2025 by Michael Woodhead

A man there was who loved you so
Never thought that you would go

A man there was that loved you more
To forget the pains of his woes

A man there was who gave his love
A man who loved with all his heart

But then, you went and left him sad
I wish you never had to part

A man there was, that man was me
I never thought that you would go

A man there was, I gave my love
To forget the pains of my woe

A Lover's Quarrel With the Evangelical Church (2009 - Age 62)

 Warren Cole Smith
Authentic Publishing
2009
ISBN: 978-1-60657-028-9
Religion, Christian Church, History
 
“…many of the worst elements of the modern world—materialism, empire building at the expense of community building, and the accumulation of power and money—have become some of the most recognizable attributes of American evangelicalism”.
 
Like Frank Schaeffer (Crazy for God), Warren Cole Smith was part of, and then saw problems with, the evangelical church in today’s society.
 
Unlike Frank, he goes into more detail about it, trying to understand and come to terms with his own revelations and concerns.
 
After looking at what he calls the ‘evangelical myth’, the author goes on to examine the great religious movements, primarily in the United States circa 1730-1745, the early 1800s, and post-1945. In doing so, Smith also notes various discrepancies between them all, the rise of conflicting doctrines, and the apparent age-exclusiveness and use of overheads in the modern church.
 
Smith follows this up with an explanation of the ‘growth’ mindset of several churches that have been known for it, and the acceptance of what is known as ‘sentimentality’—a desire for a world that we would like it to be and not accepting the world as it is in reality.
 
Next, the author tackles the Christian retail industry, and how there is an “intertwining of personal financial interests with ‘ministry’ activities”. Also included is an examination of the role Christian music has come to play, particularly in the realm of worship services —the war between traditional hymns and contemporary Christian music. Further, too, the battle between ‘Merry Christmas’ and ‘Happy Holidays’.
 
The remaining chapters deal with the rise of the parachurch and body-count evangelism; the effect the modern media has had on the church; and then suggestions on how the church might better able get ‘back on track’.
 
Quite frankly, the book comes to terms with areas that have bothered me as a Christian during the past thirty-odd years. I could sense something wrong, but couldn’t quite figure out what it was.
 
This book points out those glaring flaws, not in a vindictive way, but as one who gently tries to correct with love.

[Book Review by Michael Woodhead
Copyright ©2009, 2025 by Michael Woodhead]

A Love Like Ours (1966 - Age 19)

Written & Composed by Michael Woodhead
Copyright © 1966, 2021 by Michael Woodhead

You saw me standing over there with tears rising in my eyes
You came to comfort me, my dear, and brush away good-byes
A love like ours would only be heartaches for you and me
A love like ours would never last as long as I recall my past

[Musical Verse]

I wish that I could be in love like I once used to be
But the love I had was in my past, this love could never last
A love like ours would only be heartaches for you and me
A love like ours would never last as long as I recall my past

One day, I may again be loved, but till that future day
I'll wander there until at last I nevermore will say
A love like ours would only be heartaches for you and me
A love like ours would never last as long as I recall my past

[Listen to it here]

A Love Can't Be Sold (1967 - Age 20)

Written by Michael Woodhead
Copyright 1967, 2025 by Michael Woodhead

Will your love sustain me throughout my life
Will your love remain through all toils and strife
And, when war begins, will you be close by
Will your love hold on until I see your eye

Let me embrace you and call you mine
Tell of your beauty and say you're fine
Let me take your heart and remove the cold
Give you all my love—a love can't be sold

And when all your friends tell you I'm no good
Will you turn your ear like I know you should
Will your love remain ever true to me
Do I have your promise, dear, that you will be

A History of Christianity (2010 - Age 63)

 Diarmaid MacCulloch
Ambrose Video Publishing
2010
Christian History, Christianity

Diarmaid MacCulloch and his crew have done a remarkable job in distilling three thousand years of Christianity into six hours of personalized, evocative, interesting, and thought-provoking viewing (this is a DVD series). Indeed, as the liner notes aver, this set reveals “the true origins of Christianity” and “what it means to be a Christian”.

Episode 1 – The First Christianity looks at the faith’s humble beginnings and how it spread as far away as China where evidence of the early Christians can be found, if not readily seen

Episode 2 – Catholicism: the Unpredictable Rise of Rome shows how Christianity went from the poor and humble in the Middle East to the rich and powerful in Rome and beyond

Episode 3 – Orthodoxy: From Empire to Empire chronicles the spread of orthodox Christianity from the eastern Roman Empire to the steppes of Russia, and its survival from the attacks of both Muslims and Christian Crusaders

Episode 4 – Reformation: The Individual Before God introduces the rise of Protestantism with the introduction of the faith-shaking ideas of Martin Luther and Ulrich Zwingli, and how communities such as those of the Amish came to be

Episode 5 – Protestantism: The Evangelical Explosion traces the history of the evangelical movement and its belief that the individual can stand in a “direct emotional relationship with God”. Christianity soon became a “marketable” commodity, particularly in America, and later moved across the ocean to Asia where it was embraced by David Yonggi Cho and his Korean Pentecostal prosperity movement

Episode 6 – God in the Dock borrows its title from C S Lewis’ book, and looks at the future of Christianity—will it survive the onslaught of modernism, skepticism and doubt, or will it adapt once again in order to survive. The episode covers not only the two world wars, but also the troubling questions of gay relationships within the church

As I said previously, I found this to be a fascinating and thought-provoking look at the history of the faith that I adhere to, but a belief which has also raised a lot of questions in my own heart and mind. Certainly it doesn’t answer all those questions, but it does help me on my continued search for the answers.

This is a series anyone with an interest in Christianity would find interesting.

[Video Review by Michael Woodhead
Copyright ©2010, 2025]

A Guide to the Best in Cinema Thrills (2009 - Age 62)

John Howard Reid
Lulu Books
2009
ISBN: 978-0-557-12223-3
Film
 
They don’t make them like they used to do. And reading through this compendium of some of the best ‘mystery, suspense, film noir, and detective movies on DVD’ reminded me of that.
 
In many cases, these films were made under the studio system, whereby the scripts were tailored to the actors’ strengths and personalities. This is one reason why many of the old films were so good.
 
The author has brought together outlines of hundreds of them, each complete with a cast list, the major production staff, copyright and release notices, story synopsis, and his own personal comment about the film.
 
Also embellishing some of the outlines are dozens of black-and-white photos, as well as a lengthy but well-written article on ‘noir, crime and mystery’. Several other shorter articles are included, aimed at those interested in the genres—the best Sherlock Holmes; and Raymond Chandler as adapted for the movies, for example.
 
Reid has done a marvellous job putting these all together, thus taking a lot of the legwork out of trying to locate these movies for our viewing pleasure—he includes a small list of DVD suppliers where many of these films can be purchased at very reasonable prices.
 
Many titles will be familiar; for example, The Maltese Falcon. However, those same people who recognize it might not realize that there were at least four adaptations of Dashiell Hammett’s 1929 five-part serial; two of the movies are included in the book, one starring Ricardo Cortez, the other with Humphrey Bogart.
 
Other titles, of course, won’t be so familiar.
 
There are some fascinating anecdotes, too. For example, for the movie Odd Man Out, “director Carol Reed asked the composer to write the score from the shooting script and record it, so that [James] Mason could walk in time to the beat”. Such tidbits encourage readers to find copies of the films in order to see for themselves how it was accomplished.
 
So, for the lover of vintage thriller movies, this book would make an ideal and extremely informative purchase.

[Book Review by Michael Woodhead
Copyright ©2009, 2025]

A Girl...A Boy (1966 - Age 19)

Written & Composed by Michael Woodhead
Copyright ©1966, 2021 by Michael Woodhead

A girl can love you
A girl can think of you
But she can lead you astray
A girl can miss you
A girl can kiss you
But leave you in complete disarray
And she can make you cry
And she can ask you why
And she can say good-bye
Without an alibi

A boy can need you
A boy can heed you
But he can fracture your heart
A boy can pay you
And then disobey you
And he can smile and depart
And he will tell you lies
And he can improvise
And do things so unwise
What needs to be chastised

[Listen to it here]

A Dream Come True (2003 - Age 56)

Betsy Duncan Foster
The Orchard
2003

Soft, flowing, relaxing, and comfortable--such is the melodic music of composer, Betsy Foster.

From the richly emotional opening number to the final commemorative march, A Dream Come True expresses the passion and love of music that Betsy creates through her compositions. 

With a combination of romantic instrumental and vocal selections, rhythmic and memorable melodies, Betsy creates a sense of nostalgia with tunes like Mark's Song—reminiscent of the Salon Orchestra—and yet also offers very contemporary material to touch the heart and soul of the listener. 

Light pop, occasional jazz, and emotional orchestrations--Betsy gives a variety of music to please lovers of modern and classical styles.

TRACKLIST:
1. Mark's Song
2. The Christmas Waltz
3. She Will Rise Again
4. Music Box
5. Make A Joyful Noise
6. Loving You (vocal) complete
7. Long, Long Ago
8. Chances
9. Have I Told You Lately
10. Monday Morning, A Rainy Day & You
11. Loving You (instrumental)
12. Longing
13. Hope
14. The Highlands complete
15. Going Home

[Music Review by Michael Woodhead
Copyright ©2003, 2025]

A Blind Love (1966 - Age 19)

Written & Composed by Michael Woodhead
Copyright © 1966, 2025 by Michael Woodhead

A blind love shall lead me
To you, dear, when you're near
I want your arms around me
Your sweet voice in my ear
I don't care if he loves you
I know that I need you
So, dear, please cling now to me
I want to love you true

A blind love shall lead me
Today when you are gone
It will lead me to the station
To the train that you stepped on
I don't care if he loves you
I know I love you more
So, dear, please say you need me
And I'll come to your door

A blind love shall lead me
Tonight when I'm near you
It will take me to you
And I'll say I love you true
I don't care if he can see
I know I love you, dear
Tell me you do not care, girl
That these eyes of mine can't see

[Listen to the song here]

Come to Me (1964 - Age 17)

Written by Michael Woodhead
Copyright  1964, 2025 by Michael Woodhead

Come to me, my darling
I love you
Can’t you see, my darling
I will always be blue
Unless you come to me

Come to me, my darling
Never leave my side
Can’t you see, my darling
You must always be mine
So you must come to me

 

Come On Home (1964 - Age 17)

Written by Michael Woodhead
Copyright © 1964, 2025 Michael Woodhead

Come on home, come on home
Cause, baby, I need you so
Come on home, come on home
Baby, don’t you go
Since I first fell in love, I knew
I would never, never be blue
So come on home, come on home
Cause, baby, I need you

Come on home, come on home
Well, baby, don’t you know
Come on home, come on home
Even though our love is slow
Ever since I’ve been talking to you
I have never ever been blue
So come on home, come on home
Cause, darling, I need you

Carol (1964 - Age 17)

Written & Composed by Michael Woodhead
Copyright  1964, 2025 by Michael Woodhead

Carol, I long for you each night
Carol, I long to hold you tight
I love you

Carol, I miss you, yes, I do
Carol, I’m feeling, oh, so blue
Without you

I hope that we will never part
Because I gave you my heart
When I see you once more
My heart will explore the feeling
The wonderful sense of my love for you

Aniara (1968 - Age 21)

Written by Michael Woodhead
Copyright 1968, 2025 by Michael Woodhead
 
Remember all the things I've told you
(Don't you go away)
Aniara, I remember everything
(I won't go away)

I still remember everything you told me
When you said that you would hold me tightly
I remember everything you said, dear
When I put them in your head so rightly

Remember all the things I've wanted
(Please, be good to me)
Aniara, I remember everything
(I'll be good to you)

42 Rules for Driving Success With Books (2009 - Age 62)

by Mitchell Levy
Superstar Press
2009
ISBN: 978-1-60773-012-5
Business, Sales & Selling
 

“The 42 Rules book series is based on the belief that most subjects can be summarized into 42 distinct areas that capture the essence of a topic” - Laura Lowell, Executive Editor
 
In some ways, for me, the title was a little misleading. I had originally thought the book was going to present some rules for helping to make a book you've written a success. Rather, it's more a case of how to make yourself successful by publishing a (non-fiction) book, possibly by the publisher of 42 Rules.
 
The material in the book is geared more towards professionals and businesses—i.e., write a book on a specific subject matter related to your business, publish it, and then market yourself as an expert in that particular field.
 
Forty-two chapters from a variety of authors offer advice on how to do just that.
 
Some suggestions are all too familiar—‘Find a need and fill it’, ‘Find your passion and pursue it’—while others are relatively new to some—‘the power of your autograph’.
 
Nevertheless, for those who are looking for ways to generate more business, more interest in their products or services, or even creating a wider reputation, then the ideas and success stories offered here will help inspire them.
 
And, perhaps, lead to success as an author with Superstar Press. At the very least, it's worth giving it a try.

[Book Review by Michael Woodhead
Copyright ©2009, 2025]

A Place for You (1964 - Age 17)

Written & Composed by Michael Woodhead
Copyright © 1964, 2025 by Michael Woodhead

There’s a place for you beside me
If you say you’ll be my own
There’s a place for you inside me
In my heart, you’d be at home

There’s a place for you today, dear
If you say you’ll be my girl
There’s a place for you to stay here
In my heart, not in the world

There’s a place for you beside me
If you say you’ll be my own
There’s a place for you inside me
In my heart, you’d be at home

There’s a place for you today, dear
If you say you’ll be my girl
There’s a place for you to stay here
In my heart, not in the world

[Listen on YouTube]

10 Things I Hate About Christianity (2009 - Age 62)

by Jason T Berggren
X-Media
2009
978-0-9819443-0-2
Inspiration / Spirituality


A cursory glance at the title would suggest (as I first thought) that the author was totally turned off with Christianity.

However, such is not the case. Rather, the author tackles certain issues about Christianity that have no doubt bothered others, Christian and non-Christian.

For example, some of the topics he discusses include: faith—what’s the difference between that and fantasy? Is it rational or irrational?; prayer—is anyone listening? Does it work?; and the Bible—is it relevant to everyday life? Can you trust and believe what it says?

These and other conundrums—sin, rules, love, hell, answers, church and Christians—are tackled one by one through the list of ten ‘problem areas’ of Christianity.

However, in spite of the fact that the author cannot effectively answer many of the questions he raises, he does end each chapter with an explanation of how he has come to terms with them. These explanations may or may not effectively meet the demands of others who may also be dealing with these questions.

In the end, he exhorts us: “…don’t be a ‘Christian’. Be something more. Become something better”.

Perhaps the arguments and responses presented in this book will help some of us do just that.

[Book Review by Michael Woodhead
Copyright ©2009, 2025]

A Man Shouldn't Cry (1964 - Age 17)

Written, Composed, Arranged & Performed by Michael Woodhead
Copyright © 1964, 2025 by Michael Woodhead

A man shouldn't cry, but I am
A man shouldn't cry, but I do
And I don't want to break your loving heart
But, baby, I must tell you we have to part
A man shouldn't cry, but I am

A man shouldn't cry, but I am
A man shouldn't cry, but I do
And I don't want to say good-bye to you
But, darling, that is what I have to do
A man shouldn't cry, but I am

[Musical Verse]

A man shouldn't cry, but I am
A man shouldn't cry, but I do
And I hope, some day, you'll forgive me now
And maybe I might recall somehow
A man shouldn't cry, but I am

[Listen to the song here]

 

The Mummy (1960 - Age 13)

 (Stage Play)

For five months before moving to the R.C.A.F. Station in Grostenquin, France, my family stayed with relatives in Lancashire, England.

I attended what was later called Fearns Community Sports College, and now, The Valley Leadership Academy in Bacup.

I wrote and handed to the Drama Class teacher a little play called The Mummy, no doubt inspired by some of the films of Boris Karloff, Christopher Lee, and Peter Cushing. Apparently, the teacher liked it enough to want to produce it in class, which we did.

Not unlike my other play, A Ghost Story (q.v. in my last post), I don't remember the gist of the play.

A Ghost Story (1957 - Age 10)

(stage play)

Sometime during the summer of 1957, I and a few kids from the neighbourhood decided to put on a small play.

I wrote one called A Ghost Story.

We put up a curtain between two trees, charged 5 cents admission, and then, after I read a verse of scripture (obviously influenced by my time at the Billy Graham crusade in Toronto,1955, and while currently attending Grade 5 at the Kingston Bible College Academy), we presented the short one-act drama.

Other than that, I don’t recall anything about it.