Follow Up on the OC Children's Book Festival

Ready for business!

Hello all,
   It's been quite a while since I've posted anything, I know, since I've been busy with my day job and trying to encourage my Muse to get the rest of Luathara to me as soon as possible.  Although I've been getting up early to work on book three, I'm sorry to say that the story has been sluggish in revealing itself.  Ugh.  I hope that that will change in the next few weeks so I can at least have the first draft done by the end of the month.  I apologize to all of you who have been waiting so eagerly for the rest of Meghan and Cade's story (as an avid reader myself, I understand how you all feel).  In the mean time, here's a quick wrap-up of how the Orange County Children's Book Festival went:

A great close-up of one of my dragons.  This picture was taken by my friend Nino.

   On the last weekend in September, my friends and I traveled down to Costa Mesa to take part in the Orange County Children's Book Festival.  We loaded up the car (mostly with books) and headed down, hoping to have a wonderful experience all around.  Let's start with the aspects of the event that weren't in my favor . . .

My two partners in crime, Laura and Nino, always willing to lend a helping hand.

   The festival itself wasn't as large as I had hoped and my table wasn't in the best of locations.  We were situated on the outskirts of the main square, so although we were able to enjoy the shade on such a hot day, we also were harder to find.   Another disappointment was the fact that most of the people passing through were just under the age range my books are written towards, so by the end of the day, I came back with most of my books still boxed up.  Every now and then people would stop to check out the Oescienne or Otherworld series, but since a vendor selling cotten candy set up camp right next to us, I often had to yell in order to be heard over the noisy equipment.

The full spread :).

   Now, after reading all that, you might think I had a horrible experience at my first Orange County Children's Book Festival.  Yes, it didn't measure up to all that I imagined it would, but I also had some rather wonderful experiences, too.  I found out just before the festival started that I would get an entire table to myself.  Because of this, I was able to spread out more and my friends and I had more freedom to create a fun display.  Next, I got to meet some more YA paranormal writers (and even do a book trade with them!) who were sitting at the tables next to me.  And although I came back with most of my books unsold, I did make some sales and hopefully aquired some new readers.  Finally, I'd have to say the best thing that happened at the book festival was when one of my readers approached me to talk about my books.  She had heard I was going to be at the festival and decided to drop on by with her daughter to say hello.  Simply knowing that someone had read my books and enjoyed them enough to come visit me at my booth made me feel like a celebrity author :).  So all in all, I'm not sure if I'll go to the Orange County Children's Book Festival next year, but if I do, I'll know what to expect next time.

My Faelorehn banner.

Laura and Nino, my book buddies.

A closer look at the final set-up,

The OC Book Festival and Ehriad is Finally Here!

Hello everyone,

I just thought I'd put up this quick post to remind you that the Orange County Children’s Book Festival is this Sunday, September 30th (here is the link with all the info: http://kidsbookfestival.com/).  Be sure to come on by if you happen to be in the area.  This is my first year going to the festival, so I’m eager to check out all the booths and to see all the other authors (and hopefully meet some new readers, too!).  I plan on taking lots of pictures and writing up a post to tell you all how it went, but if you can make it, be sure to come on by and say hello.

Also, I want to let everyone know that Ehríad is now available from amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com and smashwords.com for $.99!  If you enjoyed Faelorehn and Dolmarehn, be sure to check out this newest addition to the Otherworld Trilogy. The novella is really three scenes from Faelorehn told from Cade’s point of view.  The whole story ended up being a little over 26,000 words, so not as long as Faelorehn or Dolmarehn, but hopefully it will help fill the time until Luathara is released.  Below is the blurb I included with the ebooks.  Until next time, happy reading!

-J.E. Johnson

From the author of the Otherworld Trilogy . . . Three scenes from Faelorehn, told from Cade’s point of view.

A Single Thread of Magic

Cade MacRoich is Ehríad, a faelah bounty hunter.  When he is compelled to deal with a collection of particularly nasty monsters in the mortal world, he stumbles upon a stream of Faelorehn magic that leads him to something astonishing. 

The Morrigan’s Game

The children of the Weald are protected by the forest’s ancient magic, but when the Morrigan’s faelah manage to break through that barrier, Cade’s sister calls upon him for help.

Broken Geis

Cade has tried in vain to forget about the alluring Meghan Elam.  Unfortunately, the Morrigan’s interest in the young Faelorehn girl puts her in danger and makes Cade realize he is willing to risk everything to keep her safe.

 

Faelorehn Poster for the Orange County Children's Book Festival!

In one short month, I'll be heading down to Costa Mesa, California for the Orange County Children's Book Festival.  I have my paperback books ordered and I'm working on getting some bookmarks and other items done, but one thing I'd like to bring along is a poster for Faelorehn.  I've been spending the last few weeks working here and there on a design that I hope will capture the interest of potential new readers.

 

This is a new book festival for me, so hopefully I'll be prepared.  If not, I'll be sure to take lots of notes for next time.  I'm also hoping that some of you will be able to come by and visit if you live in the area or are visiting.  Now, without further ado, here is the final poster for Faelorehn (Sorry, this was the largest image I could upload that didn't overlap into my side margins :P).  Feel free to comment - there is still time to make corrections/improvements ;).

 

-J.E. Johnson