J.P. Sexton's Blog
October 15, 2025
Updated Website
I have two exciting announcements!
#1 - I am half-way finished writing my new book "Drawn 2 Danger" (working title). It is Book 3 in "The Big Yank Memoir of a Boy Growing Up Irish" (Book 1) and "Adventures of an Irishman in America" (Book 2) series.
Book 3 will chronicle my part in the United Nations missions in Mozambique (in the aftermath of a bloody civil war) and working as an undercover investigator for the U.N. in Croatia, Bosnia/Herzegovina, Serbia, Macedonia and Eastern Slavonia, during the Balkan wars.
#2 - I am putting the finishing touches to a brand new website; www.donegalwriter.com When the site goes live in the next week or two, I may be reached at my new email; jp@donegalwriter.com
I'd be grateful hearing your thoughts on the new look very soon! Happy reading,
J.P. Sexton
#1 - I am half-way finished writing my new book "Drawn 2 Danger" (working title). It is Book 3 in "The Big Yank Memoir of a Boy Growing Up Irish" (Book 1) and "Adventures of an Irishman in America" (Book 2) series.
Book 3 will chronicle my part in the United Nations missions in Mozambique (in the aftermath of a bloody civil war) and working as an undercover investigator for the U.N. in Croatia, Bosnia/Herzegovina, Serbia, Macedonia and Eastern Slavonia, during the Balkan wars.
#2 - I am putting the finishing touches to a brand new website; www.donegalwriter.com When the site goes live in the next week or two, I may be reached at my new email; jp@donegalwriter.com
I'd be grateful hearing your thoughts on the new look very soon! Happy reading,
J.P. Sexton
December 13, 2016
Writing Books and Running with the Bulls
I have been told that my “bucket list” is more adventurous and dangerous than most. While this may be true, it does not cause me much concern, as I have been involved in a fair degree of danger throughout most of my entire working life. You could say; “it’s all I know.”
I can not say exactly when I was first bitten by the bull-running bug, but Ernest Hemingway had a lot to do with it. I found something dangerously romantic about the idea of heading off to a village in Northern Spain and running along narrow cobble-stoned streets as a hoard of snorting bulls pounded mercilessly behind, hell-bent on charging forward at all costs – refusing to be inconvenienced by those who would stand in their way.
That is the point at which I have lost many inquisitive souls, trying to fathom why one would voluntarily elect to put themselves in the way of stampeding bulls. “That is very dangerous, you know,” some would advise me, in a manner akin to telling a young child that placing their hand on a boiling kettle was not a good idea. “Yes, I know,” I would politely inform them, “but that is the best part – the challenge is to survive the ordeal and be one with the beast.” By the way, I can definitely say that Spanish bulls have much more attitude than Irish bulls.
Thinking that I did not fully grasp the danger (despite the fact that I had been planning on doing this for more than 25 years), they would add; “people actually get gored to death running in front of the bulls.” “Aye, some do,” I would agree, “but it wouldn’t be half as much fun unless there was the risk of getting run through by their horns or trampled to death.” That was always the exact spot where I lost them. I could see it in their eyes.
Having just published my first book, I am finding that I am now back in livestock territory, only this time, I have elected to grab the bull by the horns. The main difference I am finding; is that this ride is going to go on for a lot longer and as such, will prove to be more challenging. Like running from a herd of storming bulls, the actual writing of a book (for me) was the more straightforward part. After the initial rush of becoming a “published author” has subsided, one begins to realize that the “heavy lifting” is all ahead.
For me, research has become the name of the game. Having said that, I can not begin to imagine what it must have been like trying to “get the word out,” or find suitable teaming partners prior to the internet. As I read continuous blogs and postings about what it takes to get your book into the hands of reviewers, publicists…and just about forget Agents or traditional publishing houses, I realize that it is all ahead of me.
Makes me glad that I am an adrenaline junkie. If you find yourself in the same boat, I would say; “hang on to those horns and let’s see where this ride will take us!”
I can not say exactly when I was first bitten by the bull-running bug, but Ernest Hemingway had a lot to do with it. I found something dangerously romantic about the idea of heading off to a village in Northern Spain and running along narrow cobble-stoned streets as a hoard of snorting bulls pounded mercilessly behind, hell-bent on charging forward at all costs – refusing to be inconvenienced by those who would stand in their way.
That is the point at which I have lost many inquisitive souls, trying to fathom why one would voluntarily elect to put themselves in the way of stampeding bulls. “That is very dangerous, you know,” some would advise me, in a manner akin to telling a young child that placing their hand on a boiling kettle was not a good idea. “Yes, I know,” I would politely inform them, “but that is the best part – the challenge is to survive the ordeal and be one with the beast.” By the way, I can definitely say that Spanish bulls have much more attitude than Irish bulls.
Thinking that I did not fully grasp the danger (despite the fact that I had been planning on doing this for more than 25 years), they would add; “people actually get gored to death running in front of the bulls.” “Aye, some do,” I would agree, “but it wouldn’t be half as much fun unless there was the risk of getting run through by their horns or trampled to death.” That was always the exact spot where I lost them. I could see it in their eyes.
Having just published my first book, I am finding that I am now back in livestock territory, only this time, I have elected to grab the bull by the horns. The main difference I am finding; is that this ride is going to go on for a lot longer and as such, will prove to be more challenging. Like running from a herd of storming bulls, the actual writing of a book (for me) was the more straightforward part. After the initial rush of becoming a “published author” has subsided, one begins to realize that the “heavy lifting” is all ahead.
For me, research has become the name of the game. Having said that, I can not begin to imagine what it must have been like trying to “get the word out,” or find suitable teaming partners prior to the internet. As I read continuous blogs and postings about what it takes to get your book into the hands of reviewers, publicists…and just about forget Agents or traditional publishing houses, I realize that it is all ahead of me.
Makes me glad that I am an adrenaline junkie. If you find yourself in the same boat, I would say; “hang on to those horns and let’s see where this ride will take us!”
December 12, 2016
Lessons learned from First Book Launch
It’s been a hectic week. I had the official D.C. area book launch for “The Big Yank,” last Saturday. Of course Murphy’s Law made a cameo appearance.
I had hoped to hold it closer to the time that the book came out on Amazon (first week of October), but as luck would have it, I was on an assignment half-way across the country. I had left the booking of the venue with the promoter, who had promised me that he had every thing under control.
I later came to find out that he did not set up an appointment with the venue until I was back in the area, and able to attend the meeting myself. At that time, I was somewhat unsure of why I needed a “promoter” in the first place, as it seemed like I was doing that which needed to be done.
I got busy sending out e-vites and found out some things I had not previously known. The rule for sending out an electronic invite, is very similar to any other kind of invite – expect to send out far more invites than will ever respond, or will actually turn up. Just about 50% of all e-vites RSVP’d…the majority responding “yes” and only a few “no.”
Surprisingly, the “no-shows” and non-RSVPs were from people who I knew quite well. I learned not to count one’s e-vites before they are hatched!
Another lesson I learned the hard way, is not to rely on a hand-shake when dealing with someone like a promoter. Coming from Ireland, I have some “old-school” habits and doing business on a hand-shake has (previously) been one.
The promoter said that he too had sent out 50 invitations ( he had access to my list, but I did not have access to his) and he expected that at least 25 would turn up. I was very pleased knowing that 50 guests could be expected. There was the possibility that others would hear of it from social media announcements, etc. and the crowd could possibly swell to 60 or 70.
The reality was that 3 people came from the promoters “effort.” They were three local politicians, who were all very pleasant, but for me they definitely did not make up for the 25 I had been led to believe would show up from the other side.
Having said that, it was a lovely day – people ate, drank, were merry and bought books! I even had friends who surprised me by coming up especially for the event all the way from sunny Florida!
The moral of the story though is to plan like you are organizing the Macy’s Day parade, when holding something like a book launch. I was very grateful to have a top tier journalist from the Washington Post in attendance, but the next time, I would spend a lot of time and effort to bring in the Press and even local radio and t.v.
I would also suggest not paying outside help to do that which one could do quite well themselves. I think one could benefit greatly from thinking “outside the box” when advertising a similar event….maybe putting posters up in the local businesses…having a free draw as an added attraction…things like that.
I hope this helps any writer who is contemplating having their first book launch. It can be stressful, especially leading up to it, but it is such a wonderful feeling getting to talk to people about the book and quite cool the way everyone wants to take their picture with you!
I had hoped to hold it closer to the time that the book came out on Amazon (first week of October), but as luck would have it, I was on an assignment half-way across the country. I had left the booking of the venue with the promoter, who had promised me that he had every thing under control.
I later came to find out that he did not set up an appointment with the venue until I was back in the area, and able to attend the meeting myself. At that time, I was somewhat unsure of why I needed a “promoter” in the first place, as it seemed like I was doing that which needed to be done.
I got busy sending out e-vites and found out some things I had not previously known. The rule for sending out an electronic invite, is very similar to any other kind of invite – expect to send out far more invites than will ever respond, or will actually turn up. Just about 50% of all e-vites RSVP’d…the majority responding “yes” and only a few “no.”
Surprisingly, the “no-shows” and non-RSVPs were from people who I knew quite well. I learned not to count one’s e-vites before they are hatched!
Another lesson I learned the hard way, is not to rely on a hand-shake when dealing with someone like a promoter. Coming from Ireland, I have some “old-school” habits and doing business on a hand-shake has (previously) been one.
The promoter said that he too had sent out 50 invitations ( he had access to my list, but I did not have access to his) and he expected that at least 25 would turn up. I was very pleased knowing that 50 guests could be expected. There was the possibility that others would hear of it from social media announcements, etc. and the crowd could possibly swell to 60 or 70.
The reality was that 3 people came from the promoters “effort.” They were three local politicians, who were all very pleasant, but for me they definitely did not make up for the 25 I had been led to believe would show up from the other side.
Having said that, it was a lovely day – people ate, drank, were merry and bought books! I even had friends who surprised me by coming up especially for the event all the way from sunny Florida!
The moral of the story though is to plan like you are organizing the Macy’s Day parade, when holding something like a book launch. I was very grateful to have a top tier journalist from the Washington Post in attendance, but the next time, I would spend a lot of time and effort to bring in the Press and even local radio and t.v.
I would also suggest not paying outside help to do that which one could do quite well themselves. I think one could benefit greatly from thinking “outside the box” when advertising a similar event….maybe putting posters up in the local businesses…having a free draw as an added attraction…things like that.
I hope this helps any writer who is contemplating having their first book launch. It can be stressful, especially leading up to it, but it is such a wonderful feeling getting to talk to people about the book and quite cool the way everyone wants to take their picture with you!
November 26, 2016
Review of "Paperboy, by Tony Macaulay
I recently read Tony Macaulay’s memoir about growing up In Belfast; “Paperboy – An Enchanting True Story of a Belfast Paperboy Coming to terms with the Troubles.” I grew up horizontally West of Tony, in North Donegal. Derry was our weekly shopping place and like Belfast, it was being blown apart during that time, so I could relate to his story.
Tony’s stories brought back memories..maybe different to his, since he seemed to have a great love for the Bay City Rollers, whereas myself and my school mates despised them! The BCR were huge when I was in secondary school. The girls went around in their tartan scarves, wrist bands and even sewed tartan on the bottom of their jeans and parallels. I did like Showaddywaddy though and I am sure many more English bands to which Tony listened.
There is a lot of humor Paperboy: An Enchanting True Story of a Belfast Paperboy Coming to Terms with the Troubles in “Paperboy.” One of my favorite parts was when he doses his “jimmie joe” in Brut aftershave, so he did! Readers who are not that au fait with Irish vernacular, especially Northern Irish /Ulster slang, may not be sure of some words, but I think you will still get a good gist of the story. I’m very much looking forward to reading the next two books in the Trilogy.
Well done, Tony!
Tony’s stories brought back memories..maybe different to his, since he seemed to have a great love for the Bay City Rollers, whereas myself and my school mates despised them! The BCR were huge when I was in secondary school. The girls went around in their tartan scarves, wrist bands and even sewed tartan on the bottom of their jeans and parallels. I did like Showaddywaddy though and I am sure many more English bands to which Tony listened.
There is a lot of humor Paperboy: An Enchanting True Story of a Belfast Paperboy Coming to Terms with the Troubles in “Paperboy.” One of my favorite parts was when he doses his “jimmie joe” in Brut aftershave, so he did! Readers who are not that au fait with Irish vernacular, especially Northern Irish /Ulster slang, may not be sure of some words, but I think you will still get a good gist of the story. I’m very much looking forward to reading the next two books in the Trilogy.
Well done, Tony!
November 14, 2016
Leonard Cohen and the Irish Connection
Over the past 30 plus years, when ever the subject came around to music, I would often ask friends and acquaintances if they were familiar with Leonard Cohen.
These days it is simple to pull up a You Tube video, but in the past, I would sing (especially if there was alcohol involved) the first few bars of my favourite song by the great poet. The trouble with that, apart from my warbling, was that I wanted to sing them all, since one was as good as the other.
I first discovered Cohen as a teenager in Ireland in 1978. A friend from Roscommon played a cassette of his greatest hits. Since I had been writing poems since the early 70's, I immediately felt drawn to his unique style of music. It always struck me as poetry to which music had been attached.
I daresay that only a handful of us from Donegal knew of him back then, but that number swelled in the intervening years. For some reason or other, he loved playing to audiences in Ireland. This fact, I only discovered a few years ago. Every time I would go over, which would be three or four times a year, I would scour the Dublin papers to find news of any possible concert that might be occurring when I was there.
I'm sorry to say, that I just never timed it properly. I did always think though, that it was only a matter of time until Leonard and I happened to be in Dublin at the same time. This weekend changed all that, but it will never change my love for the massive talent that was Leonard Cohen.
These days it is simple to pull up a You Tube video, but in the past, I would sing (especially if there was alcohol involved) the first few bars of my favourite song by the great poet. The trouble with that, apart from my warbling, was that I wanted to sing them all, since one was as good as the other.
I first discovered Cohen as a teenager in Ireland in 1978. A friend from Roscommon played a cassette of his greatest hits. Since I had been writing poems since the early 70's, I immediately felt drawn to his unique style of music. It always struck me as poetry to which music had been attached.
I daresay that only a handful of us from Donegal knew of him back then, but that number swelled in the intervening years. For some reason or other, he loved playing to audiences in Ireland. This fact, I only discovered a few years ago. Every time I would go over, which would be three or four times a year, I would scour the Dublin papers to find news of any possible concert that might be occurring when I was there.
I'm sorry to say, that I just never timed it properly. I did always think though, that it was only a matter of time until Leonard and I happened to be in Dublin at the same time. This weekend changed all that, but it will never change my love for the massive talent that was Leonard Cohen.
November 2, 2016
Coming out of the "writer's closest."
Like many other writers, I have been writing off and on for most of my life. During my years attending Primary school in Ireland, I would write mostly short(er) stories and as I slipped into my teenage years, I began to focus on poetry.
Being surrounded by world-class poets such as; Seamus Heaney, Paul Muldoon, Patrick Kavanagh, William Butler Yeats, Padraig Pearse, et al., it was normal for one to be inspired by the poetry of the land.
Later in life, I would graduate to writing articles, seasonal short stories and topical musings. It was not until 2016 however, that my first book would see it's way into print.
Having been totally hands-on with the whole process from the first word to the last and assisting with the cover design, it was almost an indescribable feeling to hold the first copy of "my book." The closest feeling to it would be holding a new born baby as he/she made their entrance into the world.
I am sure that every other first-time author had similar feelings. Struggling writers tend to "fly under the radar," so as not to upset their non-writer friends and family. They usually know that we "write," but I don't think they take us seriously until our literary baby arrives on the scene.
I had such a moment last weekend in South Florida. I was in a restaurant waiting to take away some food and struck up a conversation with a chap next to me. He was into yachts and this apparently being the major yachting event time of the year, he waxed lyrical about all things involving yachting.
When he eventually came up for air, he asked me what I did. I looked at him for the briefest of seconds and replied; "I am a writer." I was ready to add further if need be, but he seemed like he needed some time for it to sink in, as had the martini in front of him, judging by the empty glass.
With that, my food arrived - I wished him "Good Luck," and I strode out the door as I thought to myself; "Damn it, Jim - you are a writer!"
Being surrounded by world-class poets such as; Seamus Heaney, Paul Muldoon, Patrick Kavanagh, William Butler Yeats, Padraig Pearse, et al., it was normal for one to be inspired by the poetry of the land.
Later in life, I would graduate to writing articles, seasonal short stories and topical musings. It was not until 2016 however, that my first book would see it's way into print.
Having been totally hands-on with the whole process from the first word to the last and assisting with the cover design, it was almost an indescribable feeling to hold the first copy of "my book." The closest feeling to it would be holding a new born baby as he/she made their entrance into the world.
I am sure that every other first-time author had similar feelings. Struggling writers tend to "fly under the radar," so as not to upset their non-writer friends and family. They usually know that we "write," but I don't think they take us seriously until our literary baby arrives on the scene.
I had such a moment last weekend in South Florida. I was in a restaurant waiting to take away some food and struck up a conversation with a chap next to me. He was into yachts and this apparently being the major yachting event time of the year, he waxed lyrical about all things involving yachting.
When he eventually came up for air, he asked me what I did. I looked at him for the briefest of seconds and replied; "I am a writer." I was ready to add further if need be, but he seemed like he needed some time for it to sink in, as had the martini in front of him, judging by the empty glass.
With that, my food arrived - I wished him "Good Luck," and I strode out the door as I thought to myself; "Damn it, Jim - you are a writer!"
October 28, 2016
My first public book signing
I had my first public book signing two weeks ago at the iBAM Literary Festival in Chicago. My book; "The Big Yank - Memoir of a Boy Growing Up Irish," had just been published the week before.
Being a brand new author, I didn't really know what to expect. Of course I was overly optimistic and brought way too many books, too many in fact to fly, so I drove from Washington D.C. to Chicago and back. My first signing taught me two important lessons - 1) it is much easier to fly 700 miles than drive and 2) my next book should be less than 467 pages!
Seriously though, it was a great experience. I figured I would get to speak to a lot of book-buyers, but I didn't realize that I would strike up friendships with other visiting authors. I had the pleasure of meeting two Belfast Authors (the three of us come from the Ulster Province in Ireland) - Greg McVicker and Tony Macaulay.
I will be highlighting the writings of these Irish authors on my author site; www.irishauthor.us in the coming weeks. I created it in order to highlight Irish authors, artists, musicians etc., and introduce readers to their works and where they and I will be appearing in the future.
I look forward to sharing all kinds of Celtic information and craic in future posts. Slan!
Being a brand new author, I didn't really know what to expect. Of course I was overly optimistic and brought way too many books, too many in fact to fly, so I drove from Washington D.C. to Chicago and back. My first signing taught me two important lessons - 1) it is much easier to fly 700 miles than drive and 2) my next book should be less than 467 pages!
Seriously though, it was a great experience. I figured I would get to speak to a lot of book-buyers, but I didn't realize that I would strike up friendships with other visiting authors. I had the pleasure of meeting two Belfast Authors (the three of us come from the Ulster Province in Ireland) - Greg McVicker and Tony Macaulay.
I will be highlighting the writings of these Irish authors on my author site; www.irishauthor.us in the coming weeks. I created it in order to highlight Irish authors, artists, musicians etc., and introduce readers to their works and where they and I will be appearing in the future.
I look forward to sharing all kinds of Celtic information and craic in future posts. Slan!
