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COLD TEARS [Feb. 5th, 2008|01:57 pm]
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I’ve been writing novels for several years, but most of that time, I had to fend off the dreaded rejection letters.

This is nothing new to writers and a part of the process. Then one day, I broke through. When I did finally get to the pinnacle, so to speak, I had two novels completed and one floating in the recesses of my mind.

My first published novel, Code of Deceit, has done well. Actually, it is still doing well.

It took me a while to figure out why no one wanted the book. I started it with a prologue, but not just any prologue. Mine really did nothing for the plot of the book or characterization.

After a while, I decided to cut the prologue. The reason it took me so long to do it, I really loved that prologue. I considered it as some of my best writing.

I cut it, but I sure didn’t get rid of it. I figured it would be the perfect opening to the book floating in my head. I did all the usual writer things—I outlined the new one, did my character charts, and plugged in the conflicts and turning points of the new book.

Again, I had two completed novels, but the new one seemed different. I struggled with the other two, but the new one flowed like anything you have ever imagined. Every word I typed brought about a feeling in me I had never experienced.

Bells rang in my head telling me I was in the midst of writing a book that people would consider special. There is no way in this world that I could ever explain what was going on in my mind when I wrote this book. You’d have to experience this yourself to understand.

I loved my first two books and still do, but this new one gave me the feeling that this was the book I was intended to write all my life.

When I finished it, my editor went ballistic over it. She absolutely loved it. Started saying things that don’t come out of editor’s mouths often—best book she’d ever read, I could never write a better one than this. She told me on several occasions that she couldn’t edit it because she got too caught up in the story.

My critique partners had this kind of enthusiasm over it, too.

I must admit that I did, too.

When the novel came out, the reviewers began their praise of my book, followed by readers—e-mails from hundreds of readers. I’m hearing words like this was the best book they’d ever read, better the second and third time they read it.

Naturally, I am walking on clouds. If you haven’t experienced this kind of deep satisfaction, I sincerely hope you do.

In a recent Predators & Editors worldwide reader’s poll, they voted my novel the best mystery in the world.

If you don’t know by now, I titled the new book, COLD TEARS.


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An answer to your question [Dec. 25th, 2007|01:28 pm]
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[Current Location |Lufkin, Texas]
[mood |contemplativecontemplative]

Fans, friends, family, acquaintances, and even strangers ask me questions all the time. However, over the last couple of years, one question pops up more than any other does.

In fact, a newspaper reporter asked me this question just a couple of days ago—“What authors and books do I like to read?”

As I thought about it, I went to my bookshelf and viewed the titles of the books I have read lately. It dawned on me that my reading selections have changed over the last couple of years.

I like to read historical fictions, murder mysteries, westerns, biographies, and romantic suspense. Before a couple of years ago, my bookshelves were lined with the big names of these genres—Mary Higgins Clark, John Sanford, Michael Connolly, John Grisham, Matt Braun, Louis L’AMOUR, etc.

Now, I read what I call the new wave of writers—the ones who I believe will take the place of the old guard and become household names. Writes like Beverly Barton, Janet Dailey, Margaret Truman, James Grippando, Richard North Patterson, Robert Doherty, and two of my favorite right now, Vince Flynn and Allison Brennan.

Don’t get me wrong, there are others out there who I believe will also come up, and I believe and hope I am one of them.

I don’t read the authors I listed above because I believe they are the new wave. I read them because I really like the way they write and that is the reason I think they are the new wave. To me, all the ones I listed above have two things in common. First, they are masters at creating characters, and I believe fiction is all about characters.

Once upon a time, I read books for simple enjoyment. After several years of writing, I don’t do that much anymore. While reading, I find myself forgetting the story and critiquing the writer. An exceptional writer in my opinion is one who can make me stop critiquing and get into the story. That is another reason that the ones I mentioned above are on my favorites list and my bookshelves. They not only provide me with great characters and story, I don’t critique their work.

A couple of months ago, I did a live radio interview with the Baron Ron Herron out of Santa Barbara, California. In that interview, he called me the next Joseph Wambaugh.

I took this as a great compliment, but he called me this because of our background, not our writing style. Wambaugh and I are both ex-cops turned writers, and there aren’t too many of us around. However, that has to be the only thing we can have in common. I have never read a Joseph Wambaugh novel so my writing style cannot be influenced at all by what he wrote.

I am sure that several of the old guard has influenced my writing, but unlike before, I try to guard against other writer’s influencing me.

I recently decided to write a true crime book. Understand, I have never written one. I went to the library and checked out three books. All of them are true crimes by the person called the queen of true crimes—Ann Rule.

I even talked to Ann and she gave me some great advice on how to do it without lawsuits, things like that—the technical aspects of writing this genre.

These books are sitting on my desk as I write this and I have not opened looked at a word in them, and I plan to return them unopened. I am positive she is a great writer, but I don’t want to be Ann Rule. I want to be John Foxjohn, also a great writer.
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(no subject) [Dec. 25th, 2007|01:24 pm]
 j
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What readers are saying about my novel [May. 3rd, 2007|02:39 pm]
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[Current Location |Lufkin, Texas]

Over the last few months, people have listened to me talk about my novel, Journey of the Spirit. Now, I am going to shut up.... :) and let some readers talk about my novel.

Please understand, these people are not in my family or friends. The truth is, I have only met one of them and he helped me with the research for this novel, and I didn't know he was going to give me a blurb for it.

Here are what four readers say:

Here is what some readers are saying so far. I actually only know one of these people.

Jenni Etner jennietner@yahoo.com-This is a book my whole family couldn't put down. I stayed up all night reading it, then my 14 year old daughter, and finally my husband. He never reads but loved this one. I cried and laughed. I sure hope there is a sequel

Michael West-michael_williamwest@yahoo.com-I am an avid reader and over the years I have read many books I liked, but this one ranks up with the best. This is a great book. If this one doesn't hit the best seller list none will.

John Jumps john_jumps@yahoo.com-I have finally read a book that does not dehumanize my people This book gives a clear and concise history of the Lakota and our beliefs, and the way we lived. It shows The People’s human side, their strengths and weaknesses, the good and the bad. The author did it in a way that people can enjoy learning about my people, but more important, about Crazy Horse. Journey of the Spirit touched a part of my soul that I thought had died.

Kimberly Pahal blonde914k@valornet.com-I just finished the last words on the pages. It was incredible. The tale of a great people lost in the migration of the whites with the more powerful weapons. I couldn't put it down after I got started. I hope there will be a sequel to tell of Hand's re-entry into the white world. I loved it and I am going to encourage my children to read it. Wow, I so enjoyed this book, and I know I will read it again (probably as few times).

TAKE THE JOURNEY
www.johnfoxjohnhome.com
Journey of the Spirit, coming in April
More people will read this novel in 2007 than any other
View my video trailer at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIND-YwhtVk
View my blog at http://john-foxjohn.livejournal.com/
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It isn't a western. Or is it? [Apr. 15th, 2007|03:13 pm]
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[Current Location |Lufkin, Texas]
[mood |calmcalm]

I like to spend my time talking about what my novels are, and not what they aren’t, but I find myself needing to start this post with what Journey of the Spirit isn’t.

It isn’t a western or an Indian book. I will explan why I say this, but first, I recently returned from the Texas Library Conference where I had the fantastic opportunity to talk with hundreds of librarians.

In a conversation with one, I told her that my novel was not a western. What really surprised me was that she told me it was because it is set in the western time period.

There is a preception developing that this novel is only for people who like westerns, men, or someone who likes to read about Native Americans, or learn history.

Now, I will be the first to admit, people who love to read about Native Americans wlll like this book. People who like to read and learn about history will also like this book, and the same goes with people who like westerns.

But this idea that the book is a western or Indian book disturbs me. I am the type of person who likes to read books that are well written, invoke emotions, and take me some place I haven’t been. I have never been the type of person who says I am going to only read this type genre. To me a great book is a great book—one that has dynamic characters that overcome real obstacles that life has a way of putting in those characters’ way.

Margaret Mitchell’s Gone with the Wind is considered one of the greatest books ever written. The book is set right before and during the American Civil War, but no one calls this book and movie a war novel. Why? Because it isn’t.

Sarah, Plain & Tall, a modern day, award winning novel and a great movie, is not considered a western, although the novel is set in the same time period as Journey of the Spirit. Again, this novel is not classified as a western for the very simple reason that it isn’t a western.

I believe that Journey of the Spirit is a unique novel, but if this book has to be compared to any, it would be James Fenimore Cooper’s The Last of the Mohicans.

This great novel, set in the French and Indian War time period before the American Revolution, has never been called a war book, or an Indian book. Like Journey of the Spirit, it isn’t.

Now, I say this is the book Journey is the closest to. That doesn’t mean that it is like this book. Nor would I ever attempt to put myself into the same category of writing ability as Cooper.

But in a small way, the two novels are similar. Both novels have a white male protagonist that is raised by a group of American Indians, but two different tribes. That’s right, the protagonist in Journey of the Spirit is not a Native American.

There are two important differences in The Last of the Mohican and Journey of the Spirit. First, in Cooper’s book, we see Hawkeye, the white boy raised by the Mohicans, as a grown man, not the young boy, and not the circumstances in which he comes to live with the Mohicans.

This is not the case with Journey of the Spirit. The readers will experience and live with eight year old Andrew Jackson Johanson, called Andy, as a boy who suffers and strives to survive a devastating wagon train massacre where all his family and friends, including his own parents, are killed.

The reader will take the journey with this young boy while he grieves and blames himself for the massacre, and is thrust into a culture he doesn’t understand, doesn’t speak the language, and has to endure the hatred of the kids he lives with simply because he is a different race.

To me, this is overcoming great obstacles.

The reader experiences what Andy went through as an eight year old while raised to manhood by the Lakota.

The second major difference between the two novels is that my character is not raised by a fictional person or group, but by a real historical person, and a historical race of people who still exist today.

What do readers like in a great character? I can’t speak for all readers, but I like to read about characters with great courage who face and overcome obstacles that I only wished I could—ones with moral fiber who attemps to do what is right, even though they are human and make mistakes. I like for these characters to make me root for them, make me feel their sadness, joy, losses, and victories.

I want these characters to be loyal to friends and family and have the courage to stand up for what is right even though it may not be the popular thing to do.

If this is the type of charcter you like, you should be finding a way to get your hands on Journey of the Spirit because I just decribed Andrew Jackson Johanson, called Andy by his parents and Wrong Hand by his adopted Lakota Family.
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When do tears turn cold? [Apr. 6th, 2007|08:00 am]
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[Current Location |Lufkin, Texas]
[mood |contentcontent]

At a first glance this seems like an oxymoron—like saying honest politician, but tears can turn cold in death and that is the reason for the title of my novel, Cold Tears.

Cold Tears is the sequel to Code of Deceit, but it is more than that. Code of Deceit hit my publisher’s bestseller list after only three months and readers ranked it number twenty of all novels released in 2006 in a P&E reader’s poll.

I’ve had some fantastic comments about the book from readers, but I told them, if you think this one is good, wait until you get a hold of Cold Tears.

A writer, especially one just starting out learns—the more they write and study the process of writing, the better they get. Even thought I am now a bestselling author, I am still learning. I fully admit I have a ways to go before I get to where I want to be, but I believe when you read Cold Tears, you’ll see that I am getting there.

I readily admit, I am still learning when it comes to the process of writing, but I have one advantage over almost all other writers with the exception of Joseph Wambaugh, and maybe a couple I don’t know right off hand.

I have lived and survived on the other side—the police side. I write my stories not from the outside looking in, but from the inside looking out. As the old saying goes, you don’t know a person until you’ve walked a mile in his shoes.

Most writers have not walked in cops’ shoes, they don’t know the pressures, politics, emotions, devastation, and horrors cops see and experience almost on a daily basis.

Sure, they do the research, but experiencing these things is different from hearing about them. What these things do to people is hard to describe. It is difficult for a policeman to tell someone what a murder scene feels and smells like, what it does to a person who looks on a murdered body, but more important, how that person copes with it.

This is why many combat veterans don’t want to talk about their experiences. There is not many ways to describe it so people who haven’t experienced it can understand.

My novels aren’t the “Pollyanna Cops” readers see in novels and TV. Although fictional, my characters are real, with real feelings, thoughts, desires, and motivations. Like all humans and yes, that includes cops, too, my characters make mistakes. My protagonist makes mistakes and so does the heroines in my novels.

I am able to infuse emotions into my novels that most others can’t because they don’t understand how the inside functions. This is not the writers’ fault—it is simply the way it is.

I could never truly put myself into doctors’ shoes—explain the emotions and turmoil boiling inside him when he has to break bad news to a family. The reason, I have never done it.

That is my advantage when I write murder mysteries. I have investigated many, and the things I can’t explain in words come out in my writing and this is what the reader experiences when reading my novels, and why my novels are so popular.

The true test of any mystery, suspense, detective novel, or romantic suspense, and yes, Cold Tears is all that and some, is the reader simply can’t put the book down.

I promise you this. Cold Tears is going to cause a lot of people to lose sleep.

TAKE THE JOURNEY
www.johnfoxjohnhome.com
Journey of the Spirit, coming in April
More people will read this novel in 2007 than any other
View my video trailer at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIND-YwhtVk
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The birth of Journey of the Spirit [Apr. 5th, 2007|12:20 pm]
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[Current Location |Lufkin, Texas]
[mood |anxiousanxious]

My time is drawing near. No, I am not having a baby. I think at my age, I would cut my throat if that was the case, but my literary baby’s birth is upon me—April 21, in fact.

I have four children myself, and I can remember the exact moment each one of them thrust themselves into this world.

My novel, Journey of the Spirit, will not thrust itself into the world like my children did, but I do believe this book has the ability to make a huge splash.

I believe this because I didn’t limit who would like to read it. As I said in another blog, this book is not a western, but people who like westerns can and will enjoy it.

People who like read and learn about Native Americans will love this book.

People who enjoy history will go bonkers over it

People who enjoy books with adventure, will not want to put this book down.

People who like to root for the underdog—this is the one for you.

People who like heart thumping suspense—you better try this one.

People who just like to reading a great book, this is the one.

For those reasons, I honestly believe more people will read this novel, and recommend it to others.

Now that I have said all of that, where can you get Journey of the Spirit? The obvious place is your favorite bookstore. If they don’t have it on the shelf, they can and will order it.

Another way to get this book will be on Amazon.com.

Now, here are a couple of more ways to get this book. These ways are for those out there who do not like to pay those high bookstore prices. You can simply go to my publisher’s web site, www.lldreamspell.com and purchase from them.

I promise you, they will be more than happy to let you buy the book, and at a discounted price.

The last way is through me. Yes, I will have books and I bet you that you cannot only talk me in to selling you one, but at a discount, too. You can do this in person—I never go anywhere without books, or simply go to Paypal and send the money to johnfoxjohn@yahoo.com.

Trade paperback copies of Journey of the Spirit will run $16.95 in bookstores. Through L&LDreamspell or me, the books will cost $13.95. Sixteen dollars seems like a lot and it really is, but this is in line with the cost of all trade paperbacks. These books are more expensive to buy simply because they are not printed or the covers are not binded cheaply. They are meant to last.

There is one major advantage of buying the book through my publisher or me, besides the price. Books purchased through us will be autographed.

TAKE THE JOURNEY
www.johnfoxjohnhome.com
Journey of the Spirit, coming in April
More people will read this novel in 2007 than any other
View my video trailer at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIND-YwhtVk
linkpost comment

Where, when, and how [Mar. 31st, 2007|03:19 pm]
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[Current Location |Lufkin, Texas]
[mood |enthralled]

I have found myself besieged with e-mails and phone calls from people
wanting to know where, when, and how they can obtain Journey of the
Spirit.

Now, please don't think I am complaining at all about this. This is
without a doubt, a good thing. I have spent several months telling
anyone and everyone who would listen, and even some who weren't
listening about this novel. So, the fact that I am receiving all
these e-mails and calls is entirely my fault, but I am about to
rectify that problem, but that doesn't mean you have to stop e-
mailing and calling me.

Anyway, Journey of the Spirit's official release date is April 21,
2007. That is the date you can go into any bookstore and get it. If
they don't have it on the shelves, they can and will order it for you.

That is also the date of the novel's listing on Amazon.com.

You can obtain Journey a few more ways—through my publisher, L&L
Dreamspell. There web site address is www.lldreamspell. com

Or, you can send me the money through Paypal and I will send you an
autographed copy. My e-mail address for the few who do not know it is
johnfoxjohn@ yahoo.com.

You can also come to one of my up-coming engagements and get the
book. On April 7, I will be in Houston. If you can come there, just e-
mail me and I will tell you when and where. I will also be at the
Texas Library Conference in San Antonio from April 12-14.

Now, all that is simply preparing for the book launch that takes
place in Lufkin at the IHOP on April 21st from 2:00-4:00.

I will tell you, I am expecting a huge turnout for the launch, but if
you can come, bring some friends. All are welcome.

Now, for you who have been to my web site, you know I have a contest
going on. I will have a drawing on April 21st. All the people who
have signed my guestbook will go into the drawing. The winner will
receive a free, autographed copy of Journey of the Spirit. If you
don't have my novel, Code of Deceit, I will include one of these,
too.

At this moment, I am also announcing another contest. From this date
until April 21, the people who sign my guestbook on my web site, and
include the words, "Take the Journey," will also be in a drawing to
receive a handmade Lakota sacred circle. You do not have to be
present to win the novel or the sacred circle. My web site is
www.johnfoxjohnhome .com.

TAKE THE JOURNEY
www.johnfoxjohnhome .com
Journey of the Spirit, coming in April
More people will read this novel in 2007 than any other
View my video trailer at
http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=FIND-YwhtVk
linkpost comment

My next speaking engagement [Mar. 29th, 2007|06:16 pm]
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[Current Location |Lufkin, Texas]
[mood |energeticenergetic]

I wanted to let everyone in the Houston area, or will be in the Houston area, or want to come to the Houston area, that on April 7, at 10:00 a.m. I will present my class, the 5 P’s of self-promotions to the Northwest Houston chapter of Romance Writers of America.

The class will be held at Hasta La Pasta, 6915 Cypresswood Dr., Spring, TX

I’ll cover ideas for inexpensive ways to get authors’ names out to the readers, press releases, ways of dealing with TV, radio, and newspaper, and book signings.

You are also welcome to stay for lunch. If you know anything at all about me, you will know that I will have copies of Code of Deceit, and you will have the first opportunity to get a copy of my new novel, Journey of the Spirit. You can be one of the first to see why I am so excited about this book.

TAKE THE JOURNEY
www.johnfoxjohnhome.com
Journey of the Spirit, coming in April
More people will read this novel in 2007 than any other
View my video trailer at

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIND-YwhtVk
linkpost comment

JOURNEY TIME [Mar. 20th, 2007|06:29 pm]
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[Current Location |Lufkin, Texas]
[mood |ecstaticecstatic]

It is almost here. People keep asking me when and how they can get this novel. I can understand why. This novel will make an impact on the reading world. I truly believe this. I have on my e-mail signature, “more people will read this novel in 2007 than any other.” This statement is not a marketing ploy on my part. I have it there because I believe to be true. Only one type person will not love this book—the one that doesn’t read it.

Getting the novel is not going to be difficult. There will be several ways. The title is Journey of the Spirit, by John Foxjohn. The books
ISBN is 978-1-60318-004-7. You can go to any bookstore and if they don’t have it, they can order it. Of course, at the release, not every bookstore will carry it, and the ISBN number will not be necessary for the store to order it, just the title and author. The official release date is April 21, 2007.

There are some other ways, too. First, you will be able to get it from Amazon.com, or you can order it from my publisher, lldreamspell.com.

There are two other ways to get this novel. You can purchase one from John, or go to paypal and order one. John’s e-mail address is johnfoxjohn@yahoo.com. Simply put the e-mail address in paypal and make sure you put a mailing address and john will send you a personalized, autographed copy. Over four hundred people purchased Code of Deceit from John in this way.

Hope this answers everyone’s questions, but if not, just e-mail John. If you haven’t seen the video trailer for this novel, you can go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIND-YwhtVk and view it. It is two minutes long.

TAKE THE JOURNEY
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