Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Your Chance To Own Literary History...


Thirty-five years of intense research... Six passionate affairs...  Five bike wrecks... Four motorcycles... Three crash and burn Life-Long Romances... And two literary careers have all led to one unique motorcycle book.

Conversations With A Motorcycle
, by Jack Riepe, will be released on August 19, 2012.

Conversations With A Motorcycle
begins where it began for Riepe, being seduced by the wind in a on-going two-wheeled escape that leads to adventure, euphoria, and romance, with intervals of introspective road rash. An unlikely biker in the mid-1970’s, his compulsion to ride is fueled by a drive to mate, two activities the author has forever linked. At nineteen, he has luck with both, but seldom at the same time.  This book recreates the volatile atmosphere of the moto-world in the mid-1970’s, when advancing technology clashed with traditional design and appeal.... And when the nicest people on a Honda met the leather and chrome crowd.  But Conversations With A Motorcycle is far more more than one man’s perspective of a misspent youth... It’s a philosophy of expectation for anyone thinking about become a rider; as well as a footnote of affirmation for the thousands of riders who learned about life and the road the same way — through the seat of their pants on a rock-hard saddle.

Regarding the misspent youth angle, Riepe said, “Youth is misspent if you have absolutely nothing to show for the investment. I had one hell of a good time. The details of those times are going to make a lot of readers smile and laugh. That’s more than Wall Street is going to do on a $20 investment. If I had to die tomorrow, I hope it’s in a tight curve on a screaming 1975 Kawasaki H2, with my first former mother-in-law on the pillion behind me.”


Conversations With A Motorcycle
is dramatically different from Riepe’s usual style.

The lament of Riepe readers accustomed to his point-blank humor and abrupt style has been his penchant for the short story. Whether their preference is his monthly column in the nation’s largest BMW motorcycle club publication, or his libertine moto-blog Twisted Roads, the most commonly heard statement is, “I waited so long for this, and it was over so quickly.” (This comment was printed on tee shirts and sold by one of Riepe’s disillusioned lovers. One former Love-Of-His-Life, a sizzling blond, refers to the author as “The Disillusionist.”)

 



The short story yields to dependent chapters in
Conversations With A Motorcycle. Each one sets the scene for the next in a two-year chronicle, incorporating a new literary device for Riepe — honesty — which brings a more humanistic dimension to his humor. While the settings and characters of the book will be familiar to anyone who reads Riepe’s blog, Conversations With A Motorcycle provides the hidden details and circumstances that constitute the torn fabric of his moto-history. For example, the chapter on his arrest for “Grand Theft, Auto” and “Assault With A Deadly Weapon,” (which led to his being detained in the “mental unit” of the local lock-up), is as compelling as his description of riding in the fog. Both are also true.

The result is nothing less than the seduction of the reader. Yet it is the anticipation of this seduction that attracts readers to Riepe’s work in the first place.


Each chapter details a turning point in the author’s cursed life.  While the view from the author’s pillion occasionally leaves the reader breathless, not every chapter ends happily. Riepe does not always lean far enough into the curve... He does not always get the girl... Nor does he always make the cop laugh... Predictability was never his strong suit.


The first 1,000 copies of
Conversations With A Motorcycle is being offered as a limited hand-numbered, autographed, and inscribed edition — by advance subscription only. Priced at $20 (USD) each, with $5 (S&H), a hand-numbered numbered edition — especially with a low number — makes a great Christmas present, or a gift for any occasion.

To reserve your copy, email your name, address, and phone number to jack.riepe@gmail.com, Mark the subject line: “Signed Moto Book Offer.” You’ll receive an invoice in the mail. Your book(s) will be shipped shortly after August 19, 2012. At present, book orders are limited to 10, which the author will gladly inscribe as individual gifts, as per your instructions.

Nothing matches the uniqueness of a book personally inscribed by the author as a Christmas gift, birthday gift, or anniversary gift.


The first 100 advance book sales of
Conversations With A Motorcycle sold out in less than an hour. Only prepaid books are part of the hand-numbered set.  Bike and riding clubs looking for unbroken numbered sequences (with the club name mentioned in the inscription) can still be accommodated at this time. One club representative should send an inquiry to jack.riepe@gmail,com, with “Riding Club Book Inquiry” in the subject line.

21 comments:

nhdude said...

Order is in! I'm so excited I may have to call my physician in 4 hours :-)

Anonymous said...

Hey Jack,

Can I borrow $25.00?

Curt

Jack Riepe said...

Dear NHDude:

I was excited to get your order,that I pointed it out to several people, one of who is a physician. Actually, he's the Proctoligist General to Congress. I didn't think you wanted me to give him your contact information.

Thank you for the book order. The South Platte Children's Library League cancelled their order today, and you got a lower number.

Fondest regards,
Jack/reep

Jack Riepe said...

Dear Curt:

I was out selling books today down at the highway overpass, wearing my pink hot pants and dependz. I sold two and can lend you $12.50.I spent the rest on Sterno, so I had something to drink for later.

I processed your order too. Thanks a bunch.

Fondest regards,
Jack/reep

Anonymous said...

Jack,

Thanks!, That'll really help. Now I just have to sell a kidney and I can afford to get one of the first hundred copies of your new book.

Oh yeah, try to remember not to go around lighting farts tomorrow?

Can't wait to get my new book.
Curt

Michelle said...

Jack,

It's me...your most avid reader! Just want to make sure I am on your list of people awaiting with baited breath this new book. Just let me know where you send your royalty check for this newest masterpiece!!!

BMW-Dick said...

Dear Jack:
I can't wait to get my copy. This may be the first time I get to read something you wrote about motorcycling than doesn't savage me.

Bloom said...

Can NOT wait to read, and hope to see you in person soon to congratulate you , and celebrate your sure to be literary success. Now, the only question is who are the deserving recipients on my Chtistmas list. Way to go, Jack!

BeemerGirl said...

You so blinded me in the brilliance of our meeting I forgot to place my official order! I mean...I was being granted an audience with The Legendary Riepe!! Who wouldn't be star struck?!?

I've sent my information in for my official order. And will anxiously await it with baited breathe? Written, and breathed on...by, by....YOU!!!!

Swoon...

Jack Riepe said...

Dear Michelle:

The numbered copies of the book is being sold by advance subscription. It is rumored that the first 1,000 copies are likely to have something about them, other than the hand-numbering, that will not appear in a later edition.

It is my best work (that goes without saying) and bears the good and bad points of my personality. (I was a bastard at age 20. Just ask SnowQueen.)

I have included your name in the list and will contact you off-line.

Fondest regards,
Jack/reep

Jack Riepe said...

Dear Dick:

You are not savaged in "Conversations With A Motorcycle" because I did not know you in the 1970's. However, you are targeted in the dedication.

Also, you have just made yourself fair game for my next blog too.

Thank you for your book order, Dick. No refunds.

Fondest regards,
Jack/reep

Jack Riepe said...

Dear Bloom:

The first time I met you, you claimed to be wearing skin-tight leather moto-pants for my benefit. If you promise to do that again, I will dedicate my next book to you, instead of Bregstein.

Fondest regards,
Jack/reep

Jack Riepe said...

Dear Beemer Girl/Steel Cupcake/Lori:

It was a pleasure meeting you and Mr.Oilburner (Chris). I cannot believe you guys rode hundreds of miles out of your way, just to meet me. And I regret that my health was so bad, specifically with regard to my mobility, that we had to eat in a ground-level fishmarket. But twenty-feet in a straight line was the best I could muster that day. Things will be better next year.

Thank you for the book order, and thanks again for dinner. I was delighted for the opportunity to introduce you and Chris to the Ipswich clam.

You guys are more of a legend than I am by far... But my ride to the cast next year, titled "Riepe's Next Girlfriend Search Run," should make interesting copy.

I expect I'll hear from you guys on your way back to Georgia. At least that would be nice.

Fondest regards,
Jack/reep

Jack Riepe said...

Dear Anonymous:

I hate it when people post like this... Who are you? Do you have blue eyes? Peaches and cream skin? Flaxen blonde hair? Or the kind of brunette locks that drive me crazy? Only answer if you are a woman.

Fondest regards,
Jack/reep

redlegsrides said...

Just emailed you Jack....

dom

Redleg's Rides

Colorado Motorcycle Travel Examiner

Unknown said...

Jack,

Best of luck with the sale.

Brady
Behind Bars
www.behindbarsmotorcycle.com

Ronman said...

Dear Jack,

Just placed my order with your staff. I can't wait to get my copy.

Respectfully,

Ronman

Jim Ousley said...

Jack, I just wanted to thank you again for getting the book here by Christmas for my friend. I read two random pages out of it and laughed out loud twice. Can't wait to get my own copy when you get more!
Thanks again!
Jim

Anonymous said...

Hi Jack

Just finished reading -'When Riding Buddies Turn Rogue' in the January edition of BMW On - hilarious! still laughing! Glad I found your website & looking forward to reading your new book. Thank you for sharing your humor :)

Kind regards

Amelia
Motohansa BMW Motorcycles
Australia

Dan Diego said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Dan Diego said...

Jack,

How can I not buy into this scheme? Book or not, I want your John Hancock on a piece of paper -- I'll figure out what to do with it later.

Please endorse it: "To my biggest fan," as I'm 445 lbs in the buff (photos available on erquest.

Cheers.

Danny

See my drivel here:


http://ineverfinishanyth.blogspot.com/