Richard Gradner's Blog, page 6

5 Star Review!

Phenomenal 5-star review of my latest novel Unicorn, by author and four-time Pushcart Prize nominee, Frank Scozzari: http://amzn.to/2dWqm5e

“UNICORN is an action packed adventure fantasy that includes themes of friendship and loyalty and, in a very unique way, explores eastern thought and spirituality. After reading the first few pages I was a goner—lost in an imaginative world of struggle and redemption.

Three protagonists set out on a perilous journey to find a cure for a debilitating disease. The task at hand is a noble one, to save Sanjit’s mother. Sanjit, Halim, and Taja encounter many hazards including treacherous mountains and barbaric tribesmen.

The characters are well-developed and will have you routing for them early on. I particularly liked the philosophical undertone of this story. It’s nice to read a story that replenishes the soul, and this one did that fore me. Overall, a great fantasy novel worthy of a place on anyone’s bookshelf.”

Visit www.books2read.com/unicorn to get your copy today.

Thank You Deborah!

As an independent author in South Africa, it is rather challenging to compete against both local and international authors who are supported by professional publishers and retail book stores. As a result, most of us are forced to market ourselves exclusively to an international market.

Deborah Du Plooy of SKOOBS book store, however, is on a mission to break that mould. She will tell you that she has hosted over 80 book launches in 9 months for local authors wanting to be recognised in South Africa. She has a dedicated section in her store for South African authors and actively promotes them on her Facebook page. Thank you Deborah for supporting us!

I’m really excited to be hosting the Jozi launch of my latest novel, Unicorn at SKOOBS Theatre of Books, Montecasino on 02 November. Please join me for a fun-filled evening. I’ll be supplying snacks, signed books to purchase, a Q&A session and some giveaways.

Thank you Deborah!

As an independent author in South Africa, it is rather challenging to compete against both local and international authors who are supported by professional publishers and retail book stores. As a result, most of us are forced to market ourselves exclusively to an international market. Deborah Du Plooy of SKOOBS book store, however, is on a mission to break that mould. She will tell you that she has hosted over 80 book launches in 9 months for local authors wanting to be recognised in South Africa. She has a dedicated section in her store for South African authors and actively promotes them on her Facebook page. Thank you Deborah for supporting us!

I’m really excited to be hosting the Jozi launch of my latest novel, Unicorn at SKOOBS Theatre of Books, Montecasino on 02 November. Please join me for a fun-filled evening. I’ll be supplying snacks, signed books to purchase, a Q&A session and some giveaways.

Faith

George Michael. He had it. Moses. He had it. And so have countless others across the ages. But what is it exactly, and what gives it so much authority?

I Googled the word (as one does) and it gave me 2 definitions:

1. complete trust or confidence in someone or something.

2. strong belief in the doctrines of a religion, based on spiritual conviction rather than proof.

Both definitions are hard to digest which makes the word seem rather elusive at best. Even when you look at a variation of the word- faithful, it is hard to fully grasp its inclusion. What does it mean to be faithful? Where is the faithful scale? 

We all know what happens when you place all your trust or confidence in someone or something- you are bound to get hurt or disappointed at some point in time. As a result, there is almost always some sort of reserve placed on the amount or level of faith given through this process for fear of the outcome. No one wants to put themselves in a position of vulnerability.

Therefore, blind faith is a very rare thing to behold; to witness someone hand themselves over to a way of doing things that is beyond their control. For anyone to come to the conclusion that an exemplary state of being exists, is truly blessed because this is the path to happiness and ultimate bliss, free from worry and concern. 

The best example of this is true love. Love is an instinct; a powerful, impulsive, uncontrollable emotion that demands complete trust. We give into the power of love, involuntarily succumbing to its inebriating elixir. It’s an exciting experience, filled with positivity and enlightenment. 

This same experience of complete trust in one’s feelings for someone or something, is also felt by many others, but in a religious context. Most religions advocate the belief of peace, love and joy; while we have all experienced the destructive result of those that give themselves over to a belief system promoting death, pain and suffering.

Some say that religion is man-made. I believe with ultimate faith in a supreme being; a powerful, omnipotent force, call it what you will, that created and continues to create life on this planet. I believe that faith is a product of religion and that without it, there would be chaos. This is the power of faith; a state of mind that supersedes rational thought; a powerful concept based on a set of laws, divine in their intention.

I believe that to live a life of faith is to be true to oneself; to live by a set of morals or standards that are bound in honor; to constantly work at one’s flaws, pushing to do what’s right for others and the world around us and, in so doing, make the world a better place. I believe that we should all strive to find faith in our lives for faith is the champion of hope. 

Shana Tovah Umetuka 

Return To Lemuria is now FREE to download!

As part of the launch of my latest novel, UNICORN this week, RETURN TO LEMURIA is FREE to download to your Kindle, iPad or other digital reading device UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE!

Take advantage of this incredible offer by following THIS LINK. Enjoy this FREE gift from me to you.

Richard

In Support of The Earthchild Project

The Earthchild Project is a non-profit organisation based in Cape Town, South Africa, established by Janna Kretzmar. The organisation was set up to teach underprivileged school children in South Africa Yoga and holistic living, through hikes and enviro education. I chose this cause as a way to give back to the community because as a Yoga enthusiast, I really understand how this ancient practice is able to have a positive impact on these kids living in poverty and abusive environments. 10% of all local, digitally printed book sales of my latest novel, Unicorn will go to The Earthchild Project.

Unicorn will be launched at La Perla Bar in Sea Point, Cape Town at 6pm on Thursday 01 September 2016. Signed copies of Unicorn will be available for sale. See you there!

WIN a signed copy of Unicorn and COME to my book launch!

Local independent author, Richard Gradner, is launching his latest speculative fiction novel, Unicorn, at La Perla Bar in Sea Point, Cape Town at 6pm on the 1st September 2016. Limited edition, signed copies of the novel will be available to purchase. To stand a chance of winning one of ten, signed, advanced copies of Unicorn, visit Richard’s website before the end of August to enter: www.richardgradner.com

Set over 6,000 years ago, in the Indus River Valley, in what is today India and Pakistan, Unicorn tells the story of a young boy, Halim and his sister Taja, who set out on an adventure to find a cure for their mother who has fallen victim to a mysterious, debilitating disease. Filled with mystery, wonder and the wisdom of an ancient time, Unicorn is a fast-paced, historical adventure story that takes the reader on a journey into a magical world with interesting characters and mythical creatures.

Richard is also the author of Return to Lemuria (2014), a story about the descendants of an advanced civilization who wish to take over the world.

Richard is currently a Director at Mustard, a creative and digital agency. Before this, he owned an events company and was also the first Red Bull Marketing Director in South Africa. He’s an energetic, magnetic Scorpio and ex-Chinese Martial Arts teacher. Richard lives life to the full, maintaining a healthy mind and body through the daily practice of Yoga.

Unicorn will be available to be purchased via local online bookstore Printondemand.co.za as well as via Amazon.com (Paperback and Kindle) and www.draft2digital.com (ePub).

WIN a signed copy of UNICORN (Press Release)

WIN A SIGNED COPY OF UNICORN, BY RICHARD GRADNER

Local Indie author, Richard Gradner, is self-publishing his latest speculative fiction novel, Unicorn on 01 September 2016. To stand a chance of winning one of ten, signed, advanced copies of Unicorn, visit Richard’s website before the end of August to enter: www.richardgradner.com

Set over 6,000 years ago, in the Indus River Valley, in what is today India and Pakistan, Unicorn tells the story of a young boy, Halim and his sister Taja, who set out on an adventure to find a cure for their mother who has fallen victim to a mysterious, debilitating disease. Filled with mystery, wonder and the wisdom of an ancient time, Unicorn is a fast-paced, historical adventure story that takes the reader on a journey into a magical world with interesting characters and mythical creatures.

Richard is also the author of Return to Lemuria, a story about the descendants of an advanced civilisation who wish to take over the world.

Richard is currently a Director at Mustard, a creative and digital agency. Before this, he owned an events company and was also the first Red Bull Marketing Director in South Africa. He’s an energetic, magnetic Scorpio and ex-Chinese Martial Arts teacher. Richard lives life to the full, maintaining a healthy mind and body through the daily practice of Yoga.

Unicorn will be available to be purchased via local online bookstore Megabooks.co.za as well as via Amazon, Amazon Kindle (Mobi) and Smashwords (ePub).

Mini-Mantra

It was around ten years ago that I first heard the term practicing immortal, used as a way to describe a conscious and deliberate action taken to follow an illustrious way of life. I liked it and still do. Very much.

I added it to the bio on my social media profiles as a way to define a part of me to others and as a way to integrate its essence into my personality, as a fundamental character attribute. My decision to publicly and intentionally add it to my bio was also based on the following quote by Ralph Waldo Emmerson:

Watch your thoughts for they become words, watch your words for they become actions, watch your actions, for they become habits, watch your habits for they become your character, watch your character for it becomes your destiny.

I like to think of it as a mini-mantra; a powerful, intentional truism, charged with mystical properties. 

Throughout the ages, man has been obsessed with cheating death; from the Chinese to the Egyptians and the Indians, to dozens more civilisations over the ages. But immortality has remained an elusive butterfly, a divine power, akin to flying or time-travelling, reserved for fantastical stories and far reaching tales. 

Scientists, futurists and philosophers believe that it’s just a matter of time before mankind is able to achieve physical immortality. In religious contexts, immortality is often described as a promise by G-d to human beings who  show goodness or follow divine law. 

In my reference as a practicing immortal, I refer to myself as one who consciously works toward keeping my mind and body healthy by eating healthy food, partaking in physical activity and stimulating my brain. Some examples of these practices are: juicing, no coffee or red meat, daily yoga, dancing to trance music, reading and novel writing.

I had a break last week with my family. We travelled from Cape Town to my favourite place on Earth, Plettenberg Bay, an idyllic seaside town up the East Coast of South Africa. On our way back, we stopped at Peregrine Farmstall, a landmark destination en route, filled with everything from fresh produce to cheese, coffee and homemade jams. 

I spotted a familiar face in the queue to the till as I entered the shop. He was roughly my age with shoulder-length, grey hair. I got to know him from the outdoor party scene. My mates and I used to call him the horse-man because he used to prance around the dance floor with his shirt off and his long, dark hair all over the place like the mane from a wild horse. He always had a big smile and tons of infectious energy that he passed on to others as he danced. He grinned broadly when he saw me and it brought back memories of the good times  we used to share. 

“Hello brother,” he said, extending his arm across the aisle. 

I gripped his hand in a firm embrace. “Hey, bro,” I responded.

“Working on staying young?” he said matter of factly.

Now it was my turn to grin. I laughed in response to his unusual question. “I try my best,” I replied. “Always good to see you,” I said, releasing his grip and turning to enter the store.

And this is what prompted me to write this blog post because here was someone who just got me. Here was someone that I hadn’t seen for years who was on the same wavelength as me. Someone who loved and lived life to the full. Someone who recognised the commonality that we shared. An enlightened being who also practiced immortality. 

As the famous South African golfer, Gary Player once said: The harder I practice, the luckier I get. So maybe one day I will get lucky and become immortal.

Greater Power

It’s tough bringing up two energetic boys. They demand a lot of attention and need constant guidance and direction.

So it’s a pleasure to watch them now as I lie here on Camps Bay Beach, Cape Town (with temperatures soaring in the upper 20’s in the middle of winter!) while they boogie-board in the ocean.

The Ocean. One of nature’s greater powers. A force stronger than man. Stronger than my boys swimming in it right now. And I am grateful. Grateful that a powerful force exists to teach them this lesson. So that they become humble humans, respectful, courteous. So that in learning to ride the waves and navigate the current, they become better at life, better at finding the balance required to be successful in this world.

And of course I am grateful for the ocean and its ability to tire my boys of their uninhibited energy so that they may sleep well tonight…