John Byrne Barry, Author at BAIPA

About John Byrne Barry

John Byrne Barry is author of three "page-turners with a conscience" — When I Killed My Father: An Assisted-Suicide Family Thriller, Bones in the Wash: Politics is Tough. Family is Tougher, and Wasted, a "green noir" mystery set in the Berkeley recycling world. He's also an actor, bicycle tour leader, and crossing guard. He lives in Mill Valley.

REMINDER: Sept. 5 is Last Day to Submit for BAIPA Title Contest

September 3, 2022 by John Byrne Barry Leave a Comment

We ran our first book blurb contest in the spring, modeled after our cover contest. Now we're seeking submissions for a title contest. Thanks to all of you who submitted titles already. We have about a dozen entries. This is last call. Deadline is … [Read more...]

Submit Your Title for BAIPA Contest

August 20, 2022 by John Byrne Barry

We ran our first book blurb contest in the spring, modeled after our cover contest. Now we're seeking submissions for a title contest. The contest is open to current BAIPA member, for a title (and subtitle) that is not yet published. (You can … [Read more...]

Engaging Conversation About Exploring End-of-Life Controversies Through Fiction

July 30, 2022 by John Byrne Barry

How many times at BAIPA meetings have we been encouraged to get ourselves on podcasts? Lo and behold, I am thrilled to share this engaging conversation, with hospice doctor Karen Wyatt, about addressing end-of-life challenges through fiction. She … [Read more...]

Reading My Own Novel, Nine Years After Writing It

July 10, 2022 by John Byrne Barry

In June, I hiked and hung out with my brother-in-law at his family’s off-the-grid cabin at Echo Lake, and one evening, impatient with the library book I was reading on my tablet, I scrolled through what other books I had downloaded and there was my … [Read more...]

My Novel Takes Place in Sausalito, but I’m Calling it ‘Sausalypso.’ Is That a Good Idea?

June 1, 2022 by John Byrne Barry

I’m rewriting my fourth novel and I have a problem with the title. Or rather, others do. My tentative title is Sausalypso Houseboat Wars Murder Mystery or maybe I leave off the last word and call it Sausalypso Houseboat Wars Murder. I like it, … [Read more...]

Whose Book Blurbs Will Win the BAIPA Book Blurb Contest?

May 4, 2022 by John Byrne Barry

Thanks to those of you who submitted your book blurbs for our contest. Unlike the cover contest, we are sharing the slides in advance because it takes more time and attention to evaluate a blurb than a cover. We'll be voting on the blurbs at the … [Read more...]

Book Blurb Contest Deadline is April 30

April 25, 2022 by John Byrne Barry

There's still time to submit your book blurbs for our contest on May 7. We will vote on the entries at the meeting, and winners get a free afternoon workshop in 2022. The book blurb is the short book description on your online book sales page or … [Read more...]

Book Blurb Contest Deadline Extended to April 30, But You Can Seek Feedback on Your Blurb This Saturday

March 29, 2022 by John Byrne Barry

Thanks to those of you who submitted book blurbs for our contest already. However, because of a scheduling conflict, we are extending the deadline for the contest until April 30. We will vote on the entries at the May meeting. In the meantime, … [Read more...]

‘What If Your Father Asked You to Kill Him?’ — Book Talk + Conversation About End-of-Life Issues

March 21, 2022 by John Byrne Barry

I'm hosting two author events through Reimagine End of Life this week and next — “What If Your Father Asked You to Kill Him?” on Wednesday, March 23, 5 pm PDT and Tuesday, March 29, 7 pm PDT. It will be one part book talk and one part … [Read more...]

Submit Your Blurb for March 19 ‘Killer Book Blurb’ Workshop

March 9, 2022 by John Byrne Barry

I’m leading a BAIPA workshop on “How to Write a Killer Book Blurb” on March 19 at 10 am. The blurb is the book description that appears on the back cover of the book and on your online sales page. You might think of it as the teaser — it’s … [Read more...]