Now Begins the Marketing Process...

They say the easy part is writing the book.  (I might beg to differ with that) Now, post novel, the author must bring out every nuance of their book to make it absolutely impossible to resist to their potential customers.

Easier said than done, my friends.  I've held this story close to my chest for at least 3 years.  I know the characters as if they were breathing, living human beings.  I see this book as a movie because I can see expressions of my characters, the horror of discovering the death of a loved one, living through what seems to be hell, to live and re-live trauma until you're sick of it, questioning faith, questioning sexuality, not knowing where "home" really is and finally, going through the emotional work it takes to find your way back.

The book starts with a jolt and the main character, Nicholas becomes our guide into living within a dysfunctional family and trying to find some semblance of happiness.  Sometimes we make it, sometimes we don't.  That's our challenge.

For some reason, the actor Adrien Grenier reminds me of my MC, Nicholas.  I guess he was my honorary muse.  Who knows what will happen with this novel?  The last word was written to the story, so I twittered Grenier to let him know.  I've kept him apprised of my progress all along and offered links to my work along the way.  I'm happy to say that the links were used.  Now we'll have to see where this goes.

Next post, I'll talk about "Charley", the owner of a small drag bar in New Orleans and how he revealed himself to me.

JR

Purchase YOUR copy of My Novel HERE with a 30% discount while they last!

There is something powerful about holding your novel in your hands, the previews all in place, the fonts embedded and re-reading sections to make sure it's really YOUR book!

Well without further adieu; You can now purchase a pre-sale book right here:   Coming to Amazon & other retailers soon.

Simply click on this link,
https://www.lulu.com/commerce/index.php?fBuyProduct=18875409

and when it asks for a coupon code type: FEBRUARYCART305USD for 30% off!

Do me a favor will ya?  Post a review for me.  Or, just write me here and let me know what you thought of it.  Be looking for more news about my novel soon!

JR

Discovering another Groves, Texas author

The other day, just for the hell of it, I googled "authors from Groves, Texas."  I was expecting to see authors close to Groves, but no cigar.  Well, I was wrong.

Imagine my surprise when I discovered Mary Karr's name staring back at me.  I guess there was a pompous side of me that was convinced that no one from this little town boasted literary credentials.  Now, if you're talking musicians, the Golden Triangle is bursting at the seams with such notables as Janis Joplin, The Winter brothers, George Jones, Percy Sledge, Jerry LaCroix, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown and the list goes on and on.

I have to be honest though, while it is a well-known fact that musical pioneers are plentiful in southeast Texas, I find it intriguing to find another author who knows my town like I do.  Granted, she lives in the New York area now, but now literary types have someone to look up to from our area now.  They know the stifling heat, the oil refinery as the employment of choice and that life stops for the Pecan Festival each year.  I remember picking up pecans in my family's yard so that we could sell them to pay for our taxes.  Groves is a way of life.  It just is.  I can't say that I was always happy with the type of life it presented, but my main character in my new novel knows it as well as anyone.

I'd like to get Mary Karr to review my book before it goes to print.  Maybe she'll be reminded of how it is to be from Groves and offer to do it for me.

Synopsis

Young Nicholas witnesses a horrifying scene leaving him emotionally broken only to discover, “The scars you can't see are the hardest to heal.”

Nicholas Fontenot is a precocious yet sensitive teenager who lives in an abusive home with his family. After witnessing a horrifying scene, his world is torn apart and leaves him emotionally broken. As the only witness of a grizzly crime, he is shuffled through the Foster Care system until he escapes his life of misery and abuse. Through his journey, Nicholas meets a kindred spirit in Charley, a drag queen and owner of an off the beaten path gay bar in New Orleans.  A host of colorful characters within this bar become Nicholas’ extended family.   Yet, his troubled past continues to haunt him until he is forced to leave the only happy home he has ever known .   His struggles give new meaning and insight to the thought; “The scars you can't see are the hardest to heal.” His journey is a long one, but his travels to find peace is even longer. It is through his journey that he discovers "The Long Road from Perdition." 

JRS