​Those few paragraphs on the back cover of a paperback book are called - back of the book blurb.  The purpose of the blurb is to entice potential readers, tell a little bit about the story with the hope of the reader purchasing your book.

Blurbs are intentionally brief, often 100 words or less.  Blurbs are a challenge to write because you don't want to "give away" the story.  I've been working on the blurb for Dead Reckoning for a month.  I ran into a brick wall and enlisted the help of marketing guru Valerie Biel from Lost Lake Press www.lostlakepress.com.  She provided focus to the project.  Below is the blurb for Dead Reckoning - - -


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​After Ian Murphy’s life-long friend, Kieran Fitzparick, dies unexpectedly, Ian’s brief sobriety is shattered, and his life is set adrift. Ian feels incapable of fulfilling Kieran’s last request—to serve as mentor to his 22-year-old nephew—but accepts the role to honor Kieran, never anticipating how important this relationship will become.
 
Shouldering his reluctant role as mentor, Ian returns to his life in Cork but suffers insurmountable writers’ block. When a new friend suggests that guilt may be standing in Ian’s way, Ian agrees to offer an act of contrition to the Irish people for his role in the IRA.
 
With the belief that a work of art is a confession, Ian writes a memoir stage play, “Dead Reckoning”, where he reveals his secret life in the IRA, and relies on the aid of Kieran’s nephew to direct this act of remorse. Can Ian’s repentance for his complicity in the horrors of The Troubles alleviate his guilt and allow him to truly live again?
 
 

​Blog 2-21-18
I have experienced the “Third time is a Charm” affect with my third novel, Dead Reckoning.  It began with the responses received from the query letters I sent out in search of a traditional publisher.  Of the eight query letters I sent I had positive responses from three.  One I had to decline because I did not clearly understand the nature of their publishing business.  Of the other two I had a telephone interview with one and an in person interview with the second.  After the interview I was offered a contract with Henschel Haus Publishing and of course signed on the dotted line.

In addition to publishing Dead Reckoning, Henschel Haus offered to re-publish Murphy’s Troubles and Out of Darkness with fresh book covers and a few interior changes.  They will be published in June 2018.  I couldn’t believe my good fortune.
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​A major element of my book marketing is to attend author/book festivals and writers conferences.  When feasible I like to make presentations and have the opportunity to sell a few books.  In the past I’ve done a great deal of research and made cold proposals to as many events as possible.  In the past few years I’ve built a record and developed a number of presentations specifically designed to fit a conference and or audience.

Using this approach I’ve participated in:  Irish Book and Music Festival – Chicago; Wisconsin Book Festival; Milwaukee Irish Fest; Oshkosh Irish Fest and many others.  I have learned the art form of making proposals.

For the first time since I began publishing in 2013, this year I have been invited to present at two events:  Write, Pitch, and Publish Conference April 7th in Milwaukee and the Milwaukee Irish Fest August 17-19, 2018.

So, having the third book launched with a traditional publisher is having unexpected benefits. The third book is a charm.  I’m looking forward to receive more invitations and filling my 2018 calendar. 

No, this blog is NOT about Valentine’s Day.  A blog title of Facelift has the potential of being very cruel on Valentine’s Day.

Reading today’s blog means that you are visiting my website www.rexowens.us.  Did you notice the difference?  Gone from the home page is the dark, out of perspective banner.  Gone is the blurry image of my article from the Writer magazine a few years back.

Here are a few things to notice on the home page.  In the upper left hand corner I have named the series ‘The Irish Trouble Series’.  The banner picture show in dramatic fashion the peace walls or peace lines in Belfast, Northern Ireland.  The center of the page displays the covers of the books in the series.  The bottom of the page is my Irish welcome to all of my website visitors and of course the various links.

All of the tabs have a new, single color banner and a lighter background to make it easier to read.  The Books tab is still under construction because I need to write the blurb for Dead Reckoning.  In June Henschel Haus publishing will re-issue Murphy’s Troubles and Out of Darkness with new book covers and interior design. 

The IRA History tab now includes a few introductory paragraphs to provide historical perspective on The Troubles.  The events page has been redesigned and now includes information of the presentations I can provide and information on my radio show ‘My World and Welcome to It’.  Of course, the events page will be populated with new information as I am scheduled for events throughout the year.

Credit for this ‘facelift’ goes to Valerie Biel at: www.lostlakepress.com.
Cruise on over to:  www.rexowens.us
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Oh yes, Happy Valentine’s Day!