Hugo Negron's Blog - Posts Tagged "gen-con"
Gen Con 2014!
We are all set to once again booth at Gen Con August 14-17th in Indianapolis! I'll be selling and signing copies of Books 1 and 2 of Forging of a Knight, along with hopefully having copies ready for Forging of a Knight Book 3, Prison Planet of the Mah-Lahkt!
There were some great authors, actors, and lots of gaming fun last year - and this year should be more of the same. If you can make it, you have to come down and say hello!...
There were some great authors, actors, and lots of gaming fun last year - and this year should be more of the same. If you can make it, you have to come down and say hello!...
Interview with Douglas Rudder from RudderHaven!
I met Doug at last year’s Gen Con where I had the pleasure of boothing next door to his table. I was impressed by his engaging personality, RudderHaven’s (a budding publishing company focusing on fiction and non-fiction) stable of work, AND the creative costumes Doug and his wife wore each day at the convention!
With a break in the Forging of a Knight action while ‘Prison Planet gets its final polish, I was able to reach out to Doug. He graciously accepted my offer to interview. So, without further ado…
HN: Hi, Douglas – thanks again for taking the time to be interviewed! Let’s begin with telling us a little bit more about who Douglas Rudder is, as well as the inside scoop on RudderHaven Publications.
When did you know that you wanted to be a writer?
DR: I’ve enjoyed writing since childhood. I grew up on books like The Hardy Boys, Tom Swift, Jr., Robert Heinlein, and J. R. R. Tolkien. Our parents encouraged reading and nurturing our imaginations. I still have handwritten copies of stories I wrote as a child and teenager. Science fiction and fantasy have long been my favorite genres.
HN: How did you develop the idea for RudderHaven?
DR: My brother actually started it in 2000 as Athor Productions. He published his first fantasy novel, Sharamitaro, and it kind of took off from there. I joined him as publisher and general partner a few years ago and we morphed into RudderHaven. I’ve always been involved from an editorial standpoint, with a focus on monitoring story flow, continuity, and character consistency.
HN: In developing RudderHaven Publications, what was the most fun to develop? What was the most challenging?
DR: The characters, stories, worlds, and concepts top the list of fun stuff. Learning how to develop and compose books in InDesign and do graphic design in Photoshop has been both challenging and rewarding. The biggest challenge, of course, is figuring out how to make yourself known to potential readers.
HN: What is your plan long-term for RudderHaven?
DR: To be a source of fiction and non-fiction for the whole family. We want anyone to be able to read and enjoy the books we publish and want to offer publishing services to other authors who feel the same way. When Jonathan’s fifth novel is released, we will have thirteen titles available in print, with four of those also on Kindle.
HN: Your brother, Jonathan Rudder, has recently completed his Milhavior Chronicles series, and you have some other great works in your stable, including Tolkien: Roncevaux, Ethandune, and Middle-Earth that you authored. Can you talk a little bit about these projects?
DR: Jonathan’s final novel in the Milhavior Chronicles series, The Flame and the Shadow, is slated to be released in time for Gen Con in Indianapolis – just two weeks away. We recently released a new anthology spearheaded by C. K. Deatherage called Tales with a Twist, which is a collection of short stories and poems of various genres, all of which have a plot twist. We also just published the RudderHaven Science Fiction and Fantasy Anthology II, which was particularly fun to work on this year since my daughter (age 14) has published her first story in it. Watching her grow as a writer is an amazing experience – and may result in a blog post soon.
HN: As a self-published author, I share the challenge of getting the word out on my works. What have you had to do to win broader exposure and branding for RudderHaven?
DR: Conventions like Gen Con, websites (including the new RudderHaven page on Facebook), and a lot of word-of-mouth – beginning with family and friends – have been the staple thus far. I also have a little side outlet, because my office (at my day job) lets me put up a display in the lunch room on occasion. A couple of the authors in our anthologies have also been published in other works and now their readers are being introduced to RudderHaven, providing another avenue for reaching new readers.
HN: This question will start off sounding like an old joke – a person walks into a bar (or convention or bookstore) and bumps into Douglas Rudder – what would be your elevator pitch to showcase your work or that of RudderHaven?
DR: I don’t really have a pitch. I’ve never liked in-your-face salesmanship; it’s a quick turn-off for me as a customer, so I don’t use it as an author. Mostly I rely on enthusiasm for the work. It’s more personal. My friends and coworkers know when something new is in the pipes because I’ll bring around concept cover art or proof copies, and they are often amused at my excitement. That’s okay; I AM excited.
HN: As an author, it’s sometimes difficult to finally say a product is finished, no matter how many times you review or edit. In your works, is there anything you would go back and change? Were there ideas you had in mind and then decided NOT to include?
DR: It is incredibly hard to hit that upload button to send a book to the printer. No matter how many editorial passes it’s been through, there is always the worry that something got missed, that something could have been done better. There are often times in revision when ideas are modified or even discarded. For example, in my short story, “The Observer,” there was some discussion dialogue that I removed when I realized it didn’t fit pacing of the story. There was another piece of dialogue that was pushed to a later scene because of the press of events. It no longer worked where it was in the original concept.
HN: Do you have a certain method you use when you write – i.e., a certain room, music, mood, etc., to help get you in the right writing frame of mind?
DR: Usually, the only light I have on is the desk lamp near the computer. It’s almost like creating a tunnel from me to the screen and helps keep me immersed in what I’m doing. I don’t have music going, because, well, I find myself listening to the music. I can write anywhere, but I prefer my “bat cave” approach because it’s easier to stay focused.
HN: What are you reading right now?
DR: Jonathan Rudder’s The Milhavior Chronicles and Timothy Zahn’s Night Train to Rigel.
HN: What are RudderHaven’s next upcoming projects?
DR: After the push to get our science fiction and fantasy books out in time for Gen Con, we have a manuscript for a Bible study book from my Dad, who is a semi-retired minister (he’ll never really be retired; I expect he’ll drop in the saddle someday). I’m also working on a science fiction novel, with bits and pieces of two more sci-fi and two fantasy novels floating around in my head.
HN: Where can readers go to find out more about Douglas Rudder and RudderHaven?
DR: Well, there’s my author bio in the back of my books (wait, was that a sales pitch?). My wife and I, along with C. K. Deatherage, will be manning the RudderHaven booth at Gen Con in Indianapolis, August 14-17. You can also go to the RudderHaven facebook page or company site (www.RudderHaven.com) for further information.
HN: Thanks, Doug, for sharing some of your time!
DR: Thanks for asking me. It’s been a pleasure.
With a break in the Forging of a Knight action while ‘Prison Planet gets its final polish, I was able to reach out to Doug. He graciously accepted my offer to interview. So, without further ado…
HN: Hi, Douglas – thanks again for taking the time to be interviewed! Let’s begin with telling us a little bit more about who Douglas Rudder is, as well as the inside scoop on RudderHaven Publications.
When did you know that you wanted to be a writer?
DR: I’ve enjoyed writing since childhood. I grew up on books like The Hardy Boys, Tom Swift, Jr., Robert Heinlein, and J. R. R. Tolkien. Our parents encouraged reading and nurturing our imaginations. I still have handwritten copies of stories I wrote as a child and teenager. Science fiction and fantasy have long been my favorite genres.
HN: How did you develop the idea for RudderHaven?
DR: My brother actually started it in 2000 as Athor Productions. He published his first fantasy novel, Sharamitaro, and it kind of took off from there. I joined him as publisher and general partner a few years ago and we morphed into RudderHaven. I’ve always been involved from an editorial standpoint, with a focus on monitoring story flow, continuity, and character consistency.
HN: In developing RudderHaven Publications, what was the most fun to develop? What was the most challenging?
DR: The characters, stories, worlds, and concepts top the list of fun stuff. Learning how to develop and compose books in InDesign and do graphic design in Photoshop has been both challenging and rewarding. The biggest challenge, of course, is figuring out how to make yourself known to potential readers.
HN: What is your plan long-term for RudderHaven?
DR: To be a source of fiction and non-fiction for the whole family. We want anyone to be able to read and enjoy the books we publish and want to offer publishing services to other authors who feel the same way. When Jonathan’s fifth novel is released, we will have thirteen titles available in print, with four of those also on Kindle.
HN: Your brother, Jonathan Rudder, has recently completed his Milhavior Chronicles series, and you have some other great works in your stable, including Tolkien: Roncevaux, Ethandune, and Middle-Earth that you authored. Can you talk a little bit about these projects?
DR: Jonathan’s final novel in the Milhavior Chronicles series, The Flame and the Shadow, is slated to be released in time for Gen Con in Indianapolis – just two weeks away. We recently released a new anthology spearheaded by C. K. Deatherage called Tales with a Twist, which is a collection of short stories and poems of various genres, all of which have a plot twist. We also just published the RudderHaven Science Fiction and Fantasy Anthology II, which was particularly fun to work on this year since my daughter (age 14) has published her first story in it. Watching her grow as a writer is an amazing experience – and may result in a blog post soon.
HN: As a self-published author, I share the challenge of getting the word out on my works. What have you had to do to win broader exposure and branding for RudderHaven?
DR: Conventions like Gen Con, websites (including the new RudderHaven page on Facebook), and a lot of word-of-mouth – beginning with family and friends – have been the staple thus far. I also have a little side outlet, because my office (at my day job) lets me put up a display in the lunch room on occasion. A couple of the authors in our anthologies have also been published in other works and now their readers are being introduced to RudderHaven, providing another avenue for reaching new readers.
HN: This question will start off sounding like an old joke – a person walks into a bar (or convention or bookstore) and bumps into Douglas Rudder – what would be your elevator pitch to showcase your work or that of RudderHaven?
DR: I don’t really have a pitch. I’ve never liked in-your-face salesmanship; it’s a quick turn-off for me as a customer, so I don’t use it as an author. Mostly I rely on enthusiasm for the work. It’s more personal. My friends and coworkers know when something new is in the pipes because I’ll bring around concept cover art or proof copies, and they are often amused at my excitement. That’s okay; I AM excited.
HN: As an author, it’s sometimes difficult to finally say a product is finished, no matter how many times you review or edit. In your works, is there anything you would go back and change? Were there ideas you had in mind and then decided NOT to include?
DR: It is incredibly hard to hit that upload button to send a book to the printer. No matter how many editorial passes it’s been through, there is always the worry that something got missed, that something could have been done better. There are often times in revision when ideas are modified or even discarded. For example, in my short story, “The Observer,” there was some discussion dialogue that I removed when I realized it didn’t fit pacing of the story. There was another piece of dialogue that was pushed to a later scene because of the press of events. It no longer worked where it was in the original concept.
HN: Do you have a certain method you use when you write – i.e., a certain room, music, mood, etc., to help get you in the right writing frame of mind?
DR: Usually, the only light I have on is the desk lamp near the computer. It’s almost like creating a tunnel from me to the screen and helps keep me immersed in what I’m doing. I don’t have music going, because, well, I find myself listening to the music. I can write anywhere, but I prefer my “bat cave” approach because it’s easier to stay focused.
HN: What are you reading right now?
DR: Jonathan Rudder’s The Milhavior Chronicles and Timothy Zahn’s Night Train to Rigel.
HN: What are RudderHaven’s next upcoming projects?
DR: After the push to get our science fiction and fantasy books out in time for Gen Con, we have a manuscript for a Bible study book from my Dad, who is a semi-retired minister (he’ll never really be retired; I expect he’ll drop in the saddle someday). I’m also working on a science fiction novel, with bits and pieces of two more sci-fi and two fantasy novels floating around in my head.
HN: Where can readers go to find out more about Douglas Rudder and RudderHaven?
DR: Well, there’s my author bio in the back of my books (wait, was that a sales pitch?). My wife and I, along with C. K. Deatherage, will be manning the RudderHaven booth at Gen Con in Indianapolis, August 14-17. You can also go to the RudderHaven facebook page or company site (www.RudderHaven.com) for further information.
HN: Thanks, Doug, for sharing some of your time!
DR: Thanks for asking me. It’s been a pleasure.
Gettin' ready for Gen Con
Ok - got the table cover, posters to hang, books, and freebie stuff to pass out - cards, cover pic magnets (MAGNETS! We gots MAGNETS!!), cards...
I'm really thinking about using some of my armor from my Doom costume sans mask for the event - but (a) its real armor which means it gets hot, and (b) not exactly easy to sign books wearing steel gauntlets...thoughts?
https://www.facebook.com/Forging.of.a...
I'm really thinking about using some of my armor from my Doom costume sans mask for the event - but (a) its real armor which means it gets hot, and (b) not exactly easy to sign books wearing steel gauntlets...thoughts?
https://www.facebook.com/Forging.of.a...
Pics from Gen Con 2014!
Well, another great Gen Con experience has come and gone - as always, an event that brings out the most creative, engaging, and just all-around wonderful people around. From vendors to special guests to attendees, its a forum that truly can't be missed.
Some old friends were back - the Rudders from Rudderhaven Publications, Roger Sicely and Peter Lewia, authors of the Ameron Chronicles, Robert Dennis Baird, author of the Brazen Serpent Chronicles, and some new ones, like author Julie Scott, author of The Guardians of Oakhurst!
Here is a link to some pictures I took during the four days at the event. A shot out as always to James Buckhorn, who stopped by as he had done last year to say hi and buy a signed copy of the second book in the Forging of a Knight series!
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?s...
Some old friends were back - the Rudders from Rudderhaven Publications, Roger Sicely and Peter Lewia, authors of the Ameron Chronicles, Robert Dennis Baird, author of the Brazen Serpent Chronicles, and some new ones, like author Julie Scott, author of The Guardians of Oakhurst!
Here is a link to some pictures I took during the four days at the event. A shot out as always to James Buckhorn, who stopped by as he had done last year to say hi and buy a signed copy of the second book in the Forging of a Knight series!
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?s...
Forging of a Knight, Rise of the Slavekeepers Kindle Sale!
It's that timmme! Gen Con time! To celebrate our 3rd book signing appearance at this year's Gen Con, I will have the kindle version of the second book in the Forging of a Knight series, Forging of a Knight, Rise of the Slavekeepers, on sale for .99 cents 7/30/15 - 8/2/15! If you've been thinking about joining the adventure, especially with the fourth book in the series slated to come out this October (Forging of a Knight, The Stolen Thief), now's the time to do it!
And if you are attending Gen Con this year, stop by Authors' Avenue and say hello!
And if you are attending Gen Con this year, stop by Authors' Avenue and say hello!
Gen Con
Well, Gen Con 2015 has come and gone - but nevertheless a wonderful experience with amazing authors, artists, cosplayers, musicians, and more! I had a great time meeting both current and new Forging of a Knight readers, and also a chance to witness some amazing costume work! Check out the pictures at www.facebook.com/Forging.of.a.Knight. Gen Con - where else can you see a Klingon and a Wookie on stage playing musical instruments together??
Gen Con Exhibit Map 2016
The Gen Con 2016 Exhibit Map is finally up! You can go to their website at www.gencon.com/exhibit_hall_map to check it out, or visit their Facebook page. Over 500 vendors, plus an expansion into the Lucas Oil Stadium should make for an even more entertaining event at the 'Con.
As before, I will be boothing in the Authors Avenue area - table AA-AE for anyone who plans on attending and wants to stop by and say hello!
As before, I will be boothing in the Authors Avenue area - table AA-AE for anyone who plans on attending and wants to stop by and say hello!
pssst - 99 cent sale!
So Gen Con has come and gone - and the withdrawal symptoms have started to sink in. Film festivals, cosplay parades, amazing games, live adventure dungeons, and amazing people - that's pretty much it in a nutshell, but that last part is the best. As an author at Author's Avenue, everyone is an instant familiar friend, as are the many readers who stop by year after year to buy a book, talk about the older ones in the series, and ask what's coming up in the next.
Everyone gets involved - even the local bars and restaurants - take this example from the Tavern on the South's menu: "Wandering Monster Plates", "Kicking Open the Door" appetizers, and "Halfling Approved Sandwiches".
If anyone is on Facebook, I invite you to my Forging.of.a.Knight page where you can see pictures and videos of the amazing cosplay parade. You have to see it to believe it!
And that leads to the title sale - The first TWO books in the Forging of a Knight series (Forging of a Knight, and Forging of a Knight, Rise of the Slavekeepers) kindle versions are on sale on Amazon.com for 99 cents each until Sunday to celebrate the fun of Gen Con. If you haven't tried them yet, you cant beat Book Two at 423 pages for 99 cents!
I'll be writing soon about Book Five's status, upcoming events, and updates to that fun contest that will reveal itself when Book Five is live...
Everyone gets involved - even the local bars and restaurants - take this example from the Tavern on the South's menu: "Wandering Monster Plates", "Kicking Open the Door" appetizers, and "Halfling Approved Sandwiches".
If anyone is on Facebook, I invite you to my Forging.of.a.Knight page where you can see pictures and videos of the amazing cosplay parade. You have to see it to believe it!
And that leads to the title sale - The first TWO books in the Forging of a Knight series (Forging of a Knight, and Forging of a Knight, Rise of the Slavekeepers) kindle versions are on sale on Amazon.com for 99 cents each until Sunday to celebrate the fun of Gen Con. If you haven't tried them yet, you cant beat Book Two at 423 pages for 99 cents!
I'll be writing soon about Book Five's status, upcoming events, and updates to that fun contest that will reveal itself when Book Five is live...
Forging of a Knight, Knighthood's End!
Greetings, all!
Lora Lee continues to amaze with her renditions of my cover ideas. Her latest is a true knockout! Should be coming your way in a couple of months or less, as it goes through a final once-over.
For the sake of a forbidden love, Qualtan will find himself on the run with a Mah-Zakim to free her from her curse, or be consumed by it. No longer a knight, his friends now turned against him, how great will the price be that must be paid? Can a Mah-Zakim truly love back, or has the curse that has followed the First Knight for so long come true at last?
https://www.goodreads.com/photo/autho...
Lora Lee continues to amaze with her renditions of my cover ideas. Her latest is a true knockout! Should be coming your way in a couple of months or less, as it goes through a final once-over.
For the sake of a forbidden love, Qualtan will find himself on the run with a Mah-Zakim to free her from her curse, or be consumed by it. No longer a knight, his friends now turned against him, how great will the price be that must be paid? Can a Mah-Zakim truly love back, or has the curse that has followed the First Knight for so long come true at last?
https://www.goodreads.com/photo/autho...
Book Five ready at last!
It's here, it's finally here! Book Five in the Forging of a Knight series is available at last. A hearty 536 pages, which explains the delay from the original intent for an October release. There was just too much to cover in this addition to the series! Without trying to list ALL the characters that show up, both new and old, you have Sir Qualtan, Sir Bartholomew, Sir Euric, Sir Rutt, Sir Jesepha, Termenon, the Sword of Eagles, Cassandra, Glaive, and the half-orcne's nemesis Lord Thule from his past. Plus, you have a return to the Woodworm Ports, the School of the Arch-Mages, and a lot more.
It will be making its way out soon to the typical online vendors like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc., for both the paperback and ebook versions, but if you can't wait, both are available now through Lulu.com. The price tag based on its girth is $24.99 for the paperback, the usual $2.99 for the ebook, but you can get the paperback version at a special 15% discount ($21.24) on Lulu if you go there:
http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/HugoN
A twisted love story, for redemption, and for hope. Or is it NOT a love story at all? The blurb from the back cover says it all:
"For the sake of a forbidden love, Qualtan will find himself on the run with a Mah-Zakim to free her from her curse, or be consumed by it. No longer a knight, his friends now turned against him, how great will the price be that must be paid? Can a Mah-Zakim truly love back, or has the curse that has followed the First Knight for so long come true at last?"
This one puts a major change into Qualtan's life, and shifts him into a new direction that will doubtless bring a ton of problems, more than he ever expected, in the two-puncher that will follow.
And speaking of follow - that brings us to a fun contest that I'll be staging shortly concerning this volume and how a particular character has a connection to an earlier volume in the series! More details will be coming soon.
In the meantime, please be safe, and happy holidays to everyone out there!
It will be making its way out soon to the typical online vendors like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc., for both the paperback and ebook versions, but if you can't wait, both are available now through Lulu.com. The price tag based on its girth is $24.99 for the paperback, the usual $2.99 for the ebook, but you can get the paperback version at a special 15% discount ($21.24) on Lulu if you go there:
http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/HugoN
A twisted love story, for redemption, and for hope. Or is it NOT a love story at all? The blurb from the back cover says it all:
"For the sake of a forbidden love, Qualtan will find himself on the run with a Mah-Zakim to free her from her curse, or be consumed by it. No longer a knight, his friends now turned against him, how great will the price be that must be paid? Can a Mah-Zakim truly love back, or has the curse that has followed the First Knight for so long come true at last?"
This one puts a major change into Qualtan's life, and shifts him into a new direction that will doubtless bring a ton of problems, more than he ever expected, in the two-puncher that will follow.
And speaking of follow - that brings us to a fun contest that I'll be staging shortly concerning this volume and how a particular character has a connection to an earlier volume in the series! More details will be coming soon.
In the meantime, please be safe, and happy holidays to everyone out there!
