Meet John Jagemann
John J. Jagemann is a sixty-year-old proud American, U.S. Navy veteran, retired Union carpenter, stroke survivor, brother of eight siblings, lifelong historian, resident of Long Island, New York, and a dedicated husband and father. He is acclaimed for his thorough research, attention to accuracy, and prolific storytelling.
When did you first realize you wanted to be an author?
I had a massive stroke in 2003. After finishing many years of therapy, I had a lot of free time on my hands and decided to start writing my book in 2015.
Is Broken Bloodline History and Mystery your debut novel?
Yes, I am a first-time author.
What genre does Broken Bloodline History and Mystery fall under?
Fiction Thriller/Mystery
Where did you get the idea for your novel?
Part of my story came to me in a dream, then I added a lot to it from my imagination and historic events that took place through the decades.
Can you give a brief synopsis of your story?
Broken Bloodline History and Mystery is the history of Italian immigration based on a fictitious family, the Scallaci's, who emigrate from Palermo, Sicily starting in 1893, in pursuit of the American dream. The Scallaci's experience the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, covering the 1900s, the roaring 20s, the 1930s Great Depression, the war years of the 1940s, the Booming 1950s, and the turbulent 1960s.
BROKEN BLOODLINE History and Mystery starts out in the summer of 1969 in the Bronx on Arthur Avenue and 187th Street, the heart of little Italy. The book then travels back in time to 1894 and returns to 1969. It shows the progress and prosperity the Scallaci's accomplish through the decades. Patsy Scallaci, the main character, was born in 1950. The book heats up in Patsy's teenage years of the 1960s, when he experiences life's realities. At the end of August ’69, Patsy takes a road trip to the Adirondack mountains of upstate N.Y. in his souped-up ‘55 Chevy Bel Air. This is when he encounters a " Serial Murder" situation, and the start of a whodunnit Mystery that leads to the ending.
Did your book require a lot of research? If so, what was your best source for information?
Yes, I used multiple resources such as GOOGLE, WIKIPEDIA and of course our history.
How long did it take you to write Broken Bloodline History and Mystery?
It took almost 5 years to finish my book.
Why did you make the decision to self-publish?
I felt it was the easiest way to go about it.
Was it difficult to navigate the self-publishing world?
No, I found they were easy to work with.
Did you get your book proofed and/or critiqued before you self-published?
Yes, OUTSKIRTS PRESS evaluated and edited it for me and then proofread it as well as myself and then we both did the final proofread.
Did you seek out Beta readers? If so, where did you find them?
Yes, my friend James Gordon who is very intelligent assisted me with both positive and negative feedback.
Did you hire a company to help you with self-publishing and if so, did you shop at different companies before settling on the one you chose?
Yes, I chose OUTSKIRTS PRESS, but I looked at a couple of other companies.
Is there a sequel to your book or do you plan on writing a different book?
There is a possibility for a sequel for which I do have some ideas. If it does happen it would probably be a partnership with another author.
What advice would you give to aspiring authors?
Follow Your Dream And Be Very Patient!
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