THE BOXER HOBO AND JUNE BOURGO??

Today, I want to talk about a book that moved me so much. After I finished reading it, it haunted me for days before I felt able to write a review. This tale is a true story written as creative non-fiction. Because it reads like a novel in the first person, I had to keep reminding myself that this is someone's real life testimony, one full of courage, grit, and vulnerability. The author has a unique writing style all his own. I warn you the language may offend some. However, they are just words, descriptive words that are unique to this man's true life account.

Our lives in comparison couldn't be further apart, thus the title above. In fact, some people in my circle would call him a homeless, alcoholic. Well, that is exactly what he calls himself. But the author of Boxer Hobo, Johnny T. Noctor, tells a riveting tale that not only chronicles his life as a boxer, exposing his demons and vulnerabilities, it also exposes the underworld element of the boxing world in Australia. A courageous expose by a man not afraid to talk about how that world affected his life professionally and personally.


What moved me was his battle to sobriety. I found it amazing that after falling into the depths of alcoholism on numerous occasions over the years, his mental focus was so intense that he was able to overcome the physical affects and throw himself into the extreme physical training required of a boxer and find his way back to sobriety and another fight. And it wasn't just his journey that fascinated me. This man wormed his way into my mind and into my heart because he is a writer. A VERY TALENTED WRITER, in my opinion. I love his writing style.


Here is a description of his book from Amazon:


When a homeless alcoholic boxer wakes up in a Tasmanian Neuro-Trauma ward with a fractured skull, doctors inform him he won't be able to box or drink alcohol ever again. Though he's now having seizures and in excruciating pain, that's not an option for this thirsty pugilist. While in hospital, he has no visitors or phone calls because nobody it seems has contacted his family. No one is willing to help him find out who attacked him on the dark streets of Hobart, they say he probably fell over drunk, but this old tramp knows different and is determined to find out who the perpetrator was. The Hobo refuses to give in to the prejudice of society's laws and is determined to get well and fight again. After all, he took up boxing to keep off the grog.


This is the review I gave him:


I don't even know where to begin about how this story affected me. I have never been a boxing fan, or understood the need for men to bash each other's brains out, but this story is spellbinding. Johnny Noctor gets under your skin, into your head and has you feeling his pain, sharing his dreams, and rooting for the underdog. Entering a world filled with criminal intent came as no surprise but reinforced that the boxing world is a corrupt one that feeds on human prey.

Our worlds couldn't be further apart, but the author writes with such an intensity and passion that I not only lived every step of the way with him, but understood his frustrations, his demons, and his hobo existence. On one hand, I'm angry at him and want to shake him and tell him he is a highly intelligent man who has many talents, writing and boxing just two of them. So why does a self-proclaimed alcoholic healing from brain damage, whose behavior is up one day and down the next, let his low self-esteem drag him under and allow himself to be used as a human punching bag?


On the other hand I admire his courage, his tenacity, and his ability to keep dragging himself out of the lows and put himself back on his feet. I admire him for not giving up on his dreams. I respect his intelligence and his obvious writing ability and unique style.


This is a story of a man who isn't afraid to expose his frailties and the corruption and injustice of others. A must read for anyone who has the guts to enter the world of boxer hobo.


Keep writing Johnny, I want to read more.


Johnny Noctor self-published his book through Amazon. He has received 5-star reviews. He remained sober during the editing and publishing process,  and has been travelling through Tasmania and Australia promoting his book. He is writing a sequel book as you read this. His book is available on Amazon. See the link below and a link to his blog site.
 
http://www.amazon.com/Boxer-Hobo-The-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B0078NXI0G
 
http://boxerhobo.blogspot.ca/2012/02/boxer-hobo-by-johnny-t-noctor.html
 
        To all the writer's out there, keep on keeping on writing!
                     http://www.junebourgoauthor.com/

QUERY TIME AGAIN!

For all of you with books to pitch, now is the time to get your query ready and sent out. February seems to be a very busy month for agents and publishers looking to line up their book projects for the year.

It seems most of us writer's have no problem writing a 65,000 word novel, but struggle over a one page query letter. Why is that?

Because that one page is the most important piece of paper we will ever write. Why? Because we need it to sell the book and sell ourselves.

If an agent or editor reads our manuscript and likes it, we know they'll be more than happy to help us hone it into a saleable book. But there are no second chances with our one page query letter. Get it right the first time or rejection is a definite outcome.

Our query is for one reason only, to introduce ourserselves and our book. Keep it to one page.

There are three elements to a good query letter.

The first element is the hook, and the first paragraph. A tag line that is designed to catch the attention of the reader and leave them wanting to read more. Do this in one or two sentences.

Here is a sample of the one I used for my book, Losing Cinderella.

"A pregnant, urban woman escapes kidnappers in the wilderness. Facing a harsh, cold winter and fears of childbirth lost and alone, she must find inner strength to survive—or perish."


The second element and second paragraph is a short description of the entire book. I suggest writing and rewriting this paragraph until you feel you have caught the essence of the story and all the important points, such as plot, characters, what the MC needs to do, the struggle, but leave it with an element of surprise. Don't tell all.

The third element and final paragraph is about you. It should be the easiest, but is it? Most of us don't like to talk about ourselves. The important thing here is keep it brief. State your education, or what qualifies you to write this story, and what inspired you to write it. Include any publishing credits. Write something personal, like where you live.

Sell yourself, but do it briefly. 

Once again, the internet is a great source for finding samples of query letters and templates. Get your writing friends to crit for you. Here's a link that is very resourceful: http://querytracker.net/  A great resource of writing tips, samples, and links to agents, and publishers.

So get query writing and sell your project and sell yourself.

Keep on keeping on writing.