Jon Ray's Blog: The Writer's Tower, page 2
June 29, 2019
Supanova 2019
Last weekend I attended the Supanova Comic and Gaming Con in Sydney, Australia for the first time as a vendor. I’d had been before twice just to check it out, but this year with my ramp up as a fantasy author, I got myself a table shared with fellow author Natasja Rose to help cut the cost and offered my books. I had planned to make this the event to launch the 3rd Gorp the Goblin book and finish out the trilogy, but unfortunately, I decided it still needed a bit more editing and had to go through the whole publication cycle which can take a few months. (Hint: Watch for another blog soon in the next few days for a big announcement.)
Fantasy Author Jon Ray with Australian Author Natasja Rose at Supanova 2019.For this event, I had Gorp: Goblin Janitor and Gorp: Dungeon Overlord on hand to sell to the public. I also signed each and every copy I sold. Checking on Amazon.com.au, I found out for paperbacks, I’m selling them at least $5 AUD cheaper, so if you ever see me at an event doing a book signing, I’ve got the cheapest prices anywhere, might as well pick up the trilogy then and not wait to get it online.
As for my first experience as a vendor at a convention, it was a bit more extreme and different in a few ways, than the normal Medieval Faires and Events I’d done with my tent. Aside from costing a lot more for just a 6-foot table, there was an endless list of rules in multiple PDF files I had to download on the backend. So many regulations too that it quickly became very confusing as to when my Bump-In time was (Booth Setup) and where I should park. The worst thing about being a Vendor at Supanova was being a first timer and not knowing Parking was not included nor provided for. There was a short window, which I missed, to sign up for pre-parking, which would have made things a lot better, but because I didn’t know to check or sign, I ended up having to pay $25 a day. For some of the vendors there, that’s nothing to worry about, but for a book author who sales a paperback at $17 AUD, it’s huge when done 3 times for Friday – Sunday.
Aside from that downside, I loved the experience of Supanova as a vendor. It was like getting to sell and tell people about my books while having a front row seat to all the people walking by the booth. From cosplayers (which I estimate around 50% of the people who showed up were dressed as something) to those wearing interesting t-shirts, to just out there and strange real-life characters any author would love to have in one of their stories. I was so busy manning my booth, that I didn’t really get a chance to take photos of anyone, which I now regret, but there were some epic looking costumes from various animes, Star Wars, Harry Potter, Medieval, and a wide array of comic characters.
As for my own costume, it was my usual Go-To Knight Hospitaller. But I did add my Dungeon Master pin as a conversation starter. I was hoping to find someone else that recognized him from the Dungeons & Dragons Cartoon of the 1980s, which was then and still is my all-time favorite cartoon. No one saw him and if they did no one mention him the whole time. (sad face)
At this venue, I also had new signage, which I think helped a lot for others to see and recognize me. A few people came up and knew me from Social Media, so it was nice to have the signs identifying my booth. Before at events, people would have to see me or come up to look at what was on the table to see what I was selling. I’m glad I made the small investment and they looked great. I only wish I had more books to sell to fill out my side of the table, but in time, that will come.
Behind where I sat was my new pull-up banner for LJR Publishing and next to that are what I call Book Posters of all 3 Gorp novels.
June 16, 2019
Signage and Delays
It’s been a few weeks since my last update, so I thought I’d spend a few moments tonight to provide some updates.
As the title indicates, I’ve got some new signs made for LJR Publishing and will be displaying those first at the upcoming SupaNova Comic & Gaming Con in Sydney this weekend, starting Friday (Jun 21st). I created Book Posters, which are large A2 sized posters of the book covers for my Gorp the Goblin trilogy. I plan to hang these up around my booth or in front of the table, so large crowds of people can see what it is I’m about without having to come near my table to see the books themselves. Below, I’ve also made an Exhibition Banner from the amazing artwork of Simon Tjong of the full book covers of all 3 books.
The other part of the title of this blog is Delay. I haven’t mentioned much about the release of “Gorp: Defender of the Realm”, which was originally supposed to release on May 20th, 2019. However, I felt the book needed to go through the editing process a bit more before releasing it to the public and have decided to continue with that process through the month of June with a hopeful new release date for the final book sometime towards the end of this month (June 2019). The book will be available in both eBook and Paperback for sure by July 2019. I look forward to this release and the end of the trilogy and hope everyone enjoys the story about a goblin named Gorp. If you haven’t seen the 3rd book cover it yet, I’ve posted it to my Instagram account, which you should follow if you haven’t already.
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A post shared by JON RAY | Fantasy Author (@lordjonray) on Jun 11, 2019 at 5:40pm PDT
I won’t be taking much of a break after Gorp, as the fantasy anthology “Tales of Agrobathe” is already in production and has 7 stories completed for the book. These will be a collection of short stories all set within my original fantasy World of Agrobathe, which I’ve spent over 10 years worldbuilding and continue to this day building. I plan to release the first volume of that anthology series sometime before Nov. 2019. As in November 2019, I’ll be starting a new genre (Sci-Fi) and series called “Dark Dwellers”. It’s a busy year for me and I don’t plan to slow down into 2020, which I’ll finally be able to get to my Interactive fantasy book series. To keep up on the projects I’ve completed, are working on, or have planned, you can check the Project Page.
May 3, 2019
Ironfest 2019
Last weekend, I attended Ironfest 2019 for the 2nd time. Last year, was my first time running a book-stall ever. A little has changed in that year. I currently have two books published, instead of just the one. Instead of just having a table inside the ballroom hall, I now have my own stall tent and was outside. I can tell my stall got a lot more traffic this year, but I think it may have been harder to see my books because of it. As a result, I learn that I’m going to need to up my signage game and have BIG works that tell what I sale…”Fantasy”!
I did sell a few books, but I handed out even more free bookmarks with Gorp on them and business cards with my contact details. I’m hoping somewhere in the next few weeks, I see an uptick in eBook sales from those. But if not, I’ll be appearing at the Sydney Supanova Comic-Con next month. I do not have current numbers, but in 2014 that venue saw 50k+ in attendance in Sydney alone. I’ll hopefully have new copies of my 3rd Gorp book by then as well.
Back to Ironfest, even don’t my book sales don’t seem to do as well at that venue, there is something special about that venue up in Lithgow, NSW Australia that keeps bringing me back. If you ever get the chance to go, I encourage you to see it at least once. Being from the U.S., I come with high expectations and can say out of all the events the faires I’ve seen in Australia, this one is special and unique. I already plan to attend next year and to do the outside stall again. Hopefully, by this time next year, I’ll have a small library of books under my name as well as other content, such as original t-shirts, poster maps, and giftware, in addition to my books.
My table all set-up within my purple tent stall.
By connecting out tents together, I shared this space at Ironfest with two other authors and clothing vendor. Always look for the purple top tent if I am at an event as I am usually one of the few with this color.
Even the Goblin King himself stopped by and approved of Gorp: Goblin Janitor.
April 19, 2019
Gorp 3 Update
So yesterday, I saw a very rough draft of the Gorp 3 novel book cover, “Gorp: Defender of the Realm”. It’s by the same artist who has done the previous two and it looks amazing! Of course, with any work of art and interpretation, there were changes to be made, modifications, and things that need to be added. But the final book cover will finally show Gorp with his traveling goblin companions and another story character besides Gorp will be shown on the cover. If you’re not already on the LJR Publishing Newsletter, sign up now, as I will be doing the book cover reveal there before the actual book releases in late May 2019. The next monthly LJR Publishing newsletter goes out May 15.
I’m also running 2 giveaways for a paperback copy of the 1st Gorp book. One giveaway will be for new members of the Newsletter that sign up before May 10th, the other will be selected from all the current Newsletter subscribers on May 10th that are already subscribed.
Click HERE to sign up for the giveaway if you’re not already on the newsletter. If you are, just remain subscribed as your entry.
January 16, 2019
LJR Publishing Content – Free Gorp: Goblin Janitor Paperback Giveaway
One of the most effective and powerful tools to the modern day author is the Newsletter. In an effort to grow my own and get the word out that I now have a monthly Newsletter, I have a contest going on where I will be giving a free paperback copy of my first book in the Gorp the Goblin series, “Gorp: Gobin Janitor”. It’s free to enter and there are ways to get multiple entries into the contest for a better chance at winning. No purchase is necessary and the book will be shipped anywhere Worldwide, as long as a mailing address is provided. The contest ends Feb. 14th at 9pm Sydney, Australia time.
To enter, just click the link below:
https://kingsumo.com/g/4wemqz/free-fantasy-paperback-book-giveaway-gorp-goblin-janitor
December 31, 2018
MyLifeMyBooksMyEscape Interview with Author Jon Ray
Recently, I sat down with the Interview Blog MyLifeMyBooksMyEscape to give some details about writing and my newest Gorp the Goblin book in the series “Gorp: Dungeon Overlord”. It’s my last author interview for 2018! Happy New Year everyone.
You can read the internet here-> https://mylifemybooksmyescape.wordpress.com/2018/12/31/author-interivew-jon-ray/
December 24, 2018
Merry Christmas 2018
It’s been a busy year but with Christmas 2018 comes the release of my 2nd novel “Gorp: Dungeon Overlord”. This is also the 2nd book in the Gorp the Goblin series. It is available on Lulu from my author page, you can also find the first book in the series “Gorp: Goblin Janitor” in case you haven’t read it yet. This month also begins my monthly LJR Publishing Newsletter, which will have release dates and details about upcoming projects. I also plan to hold giveaway details and contacts to my newsletter followers. Sign up using the form below today so you don’t miss out.
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There has also been a lot of things going on in my writing world, but due to that work load, I’ve neglected this blog. Today, after this post, I’ll be going back and post-dating other blog post entries with the things going on and plan to ensure I keep more active here at the Writer’s Tower. Once again, I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
November 10, 2018
Sutherland Shire Local Author Showcase
I recently was invited by a local Sydney library to present my first showcase as a local author. As part of my own 15 minute presentation, I learn a lot of about what I still need to put together, like a Microsoft Power Point presentation. I normally don’t get that nervous in front of crowds or doing speaking engagements, however, this was about me and my book. Somewhere along the prep, I focused more about me and a little about my book, but it was a great chance to pitch my book to a crowd of strangers and talk about myself a bit. Next time the opportunity presents itself, I’ll be sure I have a decent presentation put together with timelines, history of projects and personal milestones as well as lots of great photos. In the end, it was a great learning experience for me and I did end up selling a few copies of my book. It’s always a great day when I can sell a copy of my book and I’m so grateful for each and everyone who buys one.
Giving speech about myself as an Author – Sutherland Library, NSW Australia 2018
Sutherland Showcase 2018 Local Authors
Showing off my first novel, written during NaNoWriMo 2010.
Public Speak about one’s self in front of strangers. Presenting Authors:
Karen M. Davis
Rosemary Dawson
Patrick Kennedy
Amanda Knight
Jon Ray
Kate Simpson
October 31, 2018
Gorp the Goblin Books 2 & 3
Every Gorp the Goblin novel was written during a NaNoWriMo, Book 1 was in 2010, years later I finally published it. Book 2 was written in 2017, but it wasn’t finished until November 1st, at 12:01 am. The start of NaNoWriMo 2018! I decided to write the 3rd and final book this year. Only problem was, I still had to finish book 2, so I was writing like a mad author right up until 12:02 am Nov. 1st, where I had a prepared blank document sitting and ready to start the 3rd book.
I was able to write my 3rd novel this year and exceeded 50k words, however, this book is far from over and I predict I still have about 20k – 30k more words to go until the novel and series is finished. I’ll be working towards a May 2019 deadline to get it published and won’t make the mistake of waiting until the next NaNoWriMo to get it done. I’m actually excited about finishing up the Gorp series as I have plenty more projects, stories, worlds, and characters I wish to introduce to the world.
Write-ins during NaNoWriMo are great motivations and time to socialize a bit with other writers.
The Great Train Write-in is an epic event held each year with the Sydney NaNoWriMo group. Here we are after taking over one of the trains from Central Station to Bowral, NSW.
It’s not the most comfortable place to write, but it’s amazing to stare off outside the moving train and see different places and people as you write, trapped on a train. Writing about a journey within a journey. 
Our destination city this year was Bowral, NSW Australia. It changes each year, but we always start off at Central Station in Sydney.
Even during a business trip to Brisbane, QLD Australia, I wrote from the outside balcony at night. Part of NaNoWriMo is that you write every day no matter where you are.
A glass of cold cider, my laptop, and lunch break. Still writing the 3rd Gorp novel at a cafe in Brisbane, QLD.
September 23, 2018
St. Ives Medieval Faire
I’ve attended this Australian Medieval Faire in St. Ives, New South Wales a few times before, but this was my first time to run my own booth at one. It’s quite a different experience running a booth at one of these than walking around as the general public, which up to this point is how I experienced them. To those in the US and elsewhere, the Medieval Faire is similar to Renaissance festivals we have there. Originally, I had wanted to get a white booth tent for better neutral lighting, but while trying to place my order here in Australia, they were out of white tents, so I went with purple instead. After the event, I’m kind of glad I did, as there were not many who had such a colorful purple tent and standing out in the crowd is a good thing. I was even able to see my tent from an aerial shot for the event’s promotion shown below.
St. Ives Medieval Faire Promo
Setup of the booth the day before the event.
Fantasy Author Jon Ray in medieval garb.
Sitting in my booth, which will look similar but with more books and maybe some maps hanging up in the background for next year’s St. Ives Medieval Faire.During the event I got to meet many new readers and garnered a few new fans in process. I find the feedback I get from these events very valuable of what customers want and are looking for. I’m also really excited to finally have more than my first Gorp book to sell and plan on having maps made of “Ye Olde Map” of the Gorp fantasy world to sell at future events. In the last photo above, I was sharing my booth with my partner who was selling handmade items and another author on the end to help offset the expensive costs of having a stall at one of these festivals. I also made a short video when I went Live on Facebook.
I do plan to be at the St. Ives Medieval Faire 2019 next year, so if you’re planning on coming out, be sure to look for me in the purple tent!
For more details on tickets about the faire: https://www.stivesmedievalfaire.com.au/
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