[John Klawitter]

My name is John Klawitter. I decided to use a person with epilepsy for the protagonist in my new murder mystery novel, titled FOUL. I like to think this is one of my better ideas, but it certainly wasn't easy, taking 5 years to write. I'm not pitching it or marketing it. I'm actually a terrible promoter of my own work, and if you know modern publishing, you realize nobody else is, either. It's just out there, if anybody's interested.

When I was a kid, I had an odd mind. I'd like to think I grew out of it, but my wife would tell you differently. There's a streak that runs in our family...my cousin was a brilliant pianist, but so shaped by Tourette's that he couldn't possibly perform. My uncle--well, I'm saving that one for my next novel Suffice it to say, he read the library.

Once, in the mid-1990's at a big book show in Chicago I met the Rainman. Bought his book, actually. Now there was a mind to which everything stuck like glue. He asked for my zip code and gave me the cross streets nearest my house. I'd written a sports bio for football great Deacon Jones, and this started the Rainman talking about the Fearsome Foursome and Merlin Olsen in particular, who was a particular favorite of his. He went on and on with details, would probably have gotten into the stats but his pop pulled him away to rub noses with other book signers.

[(Broken Wings)]

Welcome to NT

Glad you shared that with us.

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Jump in wherever you want.

[Hockey]

Welcome John,

There are a lot of current and former writers at NT so you should be able to find lots of new friends. A brain injury ended my writing career, but I am starting to read a little bit again - even though I have to keep a journal to remember the plot, characters, etc... from one sitting to the next.

Yes, promoting your work is a drag. Unfortunately, in modern publishing, even the biggest names are often expected to do most of their own donkey work. Having to pitch your book everywhere doesn't leave a lot of time to write new ones, does it?

Is your book self-published? If so, there are legitimate contests you could enter that might help build its profile and/or get you access to an agent if you don't already have one.

I think a protaganist with epilepsy is a great idea. It's much deeper than the usual demons of booze, broken relationships and some failed case that haunts the hero in his/her quiet moments.

Good luck and keep writing!

[azoyizes]

Hi John, and welcome to NT! We're so glad you found us.

Feel free to jump in anywhere. There are a lot of interesting posts, and a whole lot of nice, caring, and helpful people here.