Why I love being a writer...

No one ever said writing a book would be easy.  It's hard enough to balance having a full time job (more like a job and a half) while also striving to be the best husband and father I can be.  Finding the time to dedicate to writing can be incredibly difficult.  Even worse though is being faced with the seemingly impossible task of getting others to take notice of your work after its finished.  Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining.  I am extremely blessed to have all that I have in life.  This was never something I had to do.  It has always been something I wanted to do - a dream I've had since I was a boy.  I knew going in that the road to success as a writer would be long and arduous. I must confess at times that I have questioned whether or not it's worth it.  Maybe I should just take up golf like normal people my age.  But then, something happens to remind why I love this journey I'm on, and I am inspired all over again. 

At my recent book signing, a young girl and her parents paid me a visit. They live not far from where I live, so I know firsthand that they traveled pretty far out of their way to come see me.  The girl was shy and soft-spoken as she approached, and at first her parents did most of the talking.  I quickly learned how the young girl read my book over the course of the summer and how she absolutely loved it.  She was so excited to meet me and was so enamored with my book that now her parents are reading it with her so they can share the experience.  As I continued to talk with this wonderful family, my heart melted inside.  I was truly humbled to realize how I had captured the imagination of this young girl.  It took me back to when I was that age, completely fascinated by the heroics of Jedi Knights, Caped Crusaders, and Real American Heroes (Go Joe!)  As we spoke further, the young girl opened up more and more and soon wanted to know when the second installment would be out so she could read what happens next.  I regretted telling her that it was still a ways off, but that I was working on it.  What I did not tell her and wish I had is that she had inspired me that day.  She made me realize why I began this journey in the first place, and why I am committed to seeing it through to the end.  I realize that I am not changing the world here, but there is something pretty cool about connecting with people through my work.  There is nothing more rewarding for me as a writer than hearing from someone that they thoroughly enjoyed my story. 

To that young girl and her parents - if you are reading this - thank you!!!

Upcoming Events - September 2010

I am excited about two major events coming up in September!  This upcoming Labor Day weekend, my book will be featured at Arts, Beats, and Eats in Royal Oak, MI.  This is a huge event with a massive draw from throughout the Detroit metro area. 

http://www.artsbeatseats.com/

The following weekend, I will be doing my third book signing with Borders, this time at the Oakland Mall in Troy, Michigan.  The signing will be on Saturday, Sept 11 from 1pm to 3pm.  If you are in the area, please stop by! 

http://www.borders.com/online/store/StoreDetailView_348

2nd Borders Book Signing / Milford Memories

July 17th I completed my second book signing at Borders, this time in Toledo, Ohio.  Once again, the event was a tremendous success.  Thanks to everyone who came out to support me.  It was great to see some familiar faces, as well as meet some new fans!  For the second consecutive signing, the store manager told me it was one of the best signings they've ever held! 

This past weekend, August 13th - 15th, I partnered with the Networking Authors of Michigan at Milford Memories in Downtown Milford, MI.  Milford Memories is a huge art fair with over 200,000 visitors.  It was a great success and I had the opportunity to connect with a ton of great people! 

I will be continuing my partnership with Networking Authors of Michigan at the Woodward Dream Cruise and Arts, Beats, and Eats in the coming weeks.  I also have three more books signings with Borders in the works. 

I will be at Borders in Troy, Michigan (at the Oakland Mall) on Saturday, September 11th at 1pm -4pm.
http://www.borders.com/online/store/StoreDetailView_348

On Saturday, October 9th, I will be at the Borders in Downtown Indianapolis, IN from 12-4pm. 
 http://www.borders.com/online/store/StoreDetailView_488

The third book signing is still being finalized, so I can't announce it just yet, but I am extremely excited about it!!!

Updates from Azcera

Realizing its been a little while since I last updated, the past 30 days have been extremely exciting for me. 

MY FIRST BOOK SIGNING:

I completed my first book signing at the Borders in Novi, MI, which was an overwhelming success. I am incredibly fortunate to have so many great supporters!

The next book signing is coming up next week - July 17th at the Borders in Toledo, OH - the city where I was born and raised!  Check out the attached link:  Borders Book Store - Toledo, OH (Westfield Mall)  It's great to be heading back home to celebrate the release of my book.

MY FIRST REVIEW:
I also received my first official review, which far surpassed my own expectations.  It is so good!  I honestly got choked up after reading it!  Check it out:

Official Apex Reviews Rating: 5/5 Stars

"After the valiant knight Agostine Brynn slays a vicious dragon that’s been terrorizing his homeland, the remains of the formidable creature are used to construct a magical orb whose sole purpose is to protect the newly liberated kingdom from harm; however, the boundless power of the orb soon proves to be too much for the King to handle, and following a dramatic battle for its possession, the precious weapon mysteriously disappears and is widely believed to be lost to the ages...generations later, though, the orb is unearthed, and another climactic conflict for its possession ensues, ultimately bringing about animprobable merging of past and present as a long forgotten fantasy era makes its indelible mark on a modern world surprisingly primed for its arrival...

"The stellar debut of what promises to be a riveting new series, The Orb Of Azcera is a captivating read. Boasting a well-balanced mix of action, drama, and suspense, author Tony Van Sant’s engaging tale combines equally compelling elements of Fantasy and Sci Fi as he offers a fresh take on the ages-old cautionary tale of the destructive temptation of evil. With taut, crisp storytelling, smooth transitions, and an imaginative cast of characters, The Orb Of Azcera successfully stokes the readers’ imagination enough to leave them craving the next installment of the series – especially after being sideswiped by the surprise cliffhanger ending.

"Creatively crafted, The Orb Of Azcera is a must-read for fans of well told fantasy fiction. A highly recommended read."

 - Chelsea Perry, Apex Reviews



INTERVIEW:  Check out my recent interview on Swordreaver.com



CHECK OUT THE COOL ART:
Finally, I wanted to share the awesome artwork done for me by April Cummings.  Featured are Sergeant Loxzana Terrey, Lieutenant Cale Tanner, Agostine Brynn, a Morrok warrior, Kaenac, and a medusa warrior.  You can check out more April's work at:  http://www.studio-atmosphere.com/

Character Bio: Agostine Brynn

One of the key elements of this story is the intersection of Medieval Fantasy and Futuristic Science Fiction.  It all begins with the journeys of Agostine Brynn, a knight and defender of the Kingdom of Aadanea.  In a time long before interstellar travel is even conceivable, Agostine leads his men on a quest to save his Kingdom - a quest that ultimately results in the creation of the future Orb of Azcera. A noble and virtuous knight, Agostine is faced with an internal dilemma as the all-powerful nature of the orb is revealed.  Should he remain loyal to his King who bares the orb, or follow his instinct and seek to destroy it? 

As Agostine's story unfolds, he encounters a bevy of formidable opponents, to include dragons, medusa warriors, and the savage Morrok hoard.  Even more frightening for Agostine however is the reality he must face as he comes to discover his place in history. 

The rest you'll just have to read about... 

It was a true joy for me as an author to write about characters from a time of fantasy and magic.  I have always loved stories of chivalrous heroes and amazing creatures, where anything you could imagine was possible.  For me though, the real joy was to bring those characters and creatures together with my other love, Science Fiction.  How that plays out... well - you guessed it - you'll just have to read about...

Character Bio: Lieutenant Cale Tanner

An officer of the Allied Territory Army, Lieutenant Cale Tanner is head of the Special Ops Team known as the Dregmols.  Husband to Alena and new father to Ashlyn Tanner, Cale struggles with balancing his love of family with his calling as a soldier.  He is as loyal to his unit as they are to him, and is dedicated to upholding the ideals of the Allied Government - a democratic society of planets focused on freedom and equality for its citizens.  His commitment to his duty is only surpassed by his devotion to those dearest to him. 

When writing this character, it was important for me to excentuate Cale's emotional connections with others.  Cale bears the weight of competing priorities, something that most of us face in some way, shape or form in our daily lives.  He must make tough choices, and must deal with the emotional hardship that sometimes results from those choices.  And yet, he always stays true to himself and his core values, even under the most tumultuous of circumstances.  For me, Cale represents a beacon of light in the darkest storm.  He is a the kind of hero that I have always been inspired by - one who faces internal adversity and perseveres, holding his head high no matter what.   

Character Bio: Kaenac

Introduced in Chapter 6, Kaenac is billed as one of the most dangerous beings in the galaxy. A fugitive of the Allied Government and an assassin-for-hire, Kaenac lives without loyalty to anyone and without remorse for any of his past transgressions. He is guided only by his own skewed morality, which is often barren of virtue. For me, Kaenac is the bad guy you both love & love to hate. He is smart, manipulative, and to put it simply – a real “bad-ass.” Before I even decided to write this book, Kaenac was a character I had dreamt up. I wanted to have a central character that was neither good nor evil in the conventional sense, but rather was simply self-serving. Kaenac is that character. Throughout the book, this alien creature (known as a cendaling) aligns with both heroes and villains as he attempts to fulfill his own objectives. Whether or not he ultimately chooses a side is something you’ll just have to read to find out. If you love bad guys like I do, I am sure you will thoroughly enjoy this character!

Character Bio: Sergeant Loxzana Terrey

One of my absolute favorite characters to write about was Sergeant Loxzana Terrey. The second in command of her Special Ops military unit, Loxzana is a tough-as-nails, take-no-prisoners breed of soldier. She is brash. She is bold. She is the furthest thing possible from a damsel in distress. It was important to me to include strong female characters in this story. For me, Loxzana emulates the characteristics of some of the most impressive women I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. A stout and muscular black woman, Loxzana is both edgy and strong-willed, but also has a softer side that comes out with those that she cares about most. Her biting wit and her consistent displays of heroism are just two of the reasons why Loxzana is one of my most beloved characters.

Character Bios

In the coming weeks, I wanted to provide some insights into the characters you will find in this book.  I love these characters and believe you will too.  I am posting the first couple today.  Look for more soon.

Author Insights

One of the things that I loved most about writing this book is that I got to be in the driver’s seat for the first time in my Sci-Fi & Fantasy obsessed existence. Whether reading a novel, watching a movie, or even perusing the occasional comic book, I have always found myself playing out the storyline in my head several steps in advance. At times, I am pleasantly surprised by a writer’s direction, and I walk away feeling fulfilled & even energized by what I’ve just experienced. In many other cases however, I have found myself saying “I wish they would have gone here instead…” or “it would have been so much better if they had done this…” Many of the ideas that have run through my head over the years are the same ideas that went into my book. I always envisioned a story where the world of Medieval Fantasy was brought forward in time into a Futuristic Sci-Fi era - kind of a “Lord of the Rings” meets “Star Wars” setting. Beyond the setting however, the true joy of this book for me was writing the characters. I absolutely love the various personalities found in this book and truly believe that my readers will love them as well. It was incredibly important to me to have compelling and endearing characters that would keep readers wanting to come back for more. Whether it’s the brash yet lovable Sergeant Loxzana Terrey, the virtuous knight Agostine Brynn, or the insidious assassin Kaenac, there is someone for everyone to love (or love to hate) in this story. In writing this book, it was my objective to combine a fascinating environment with great characters and to ultimately tell a truly spell-binding story. While I’ll let you, the reader, judge for yourself how I did, I personally couldn’t be happier with the way this book turned out. Happy reading!

Check out Google Books for a free preview and list of online sellers

Google Books

This book is now available via Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-a-Million, and many more.  Available in Hard Cover, Paperback, & E-Book

Now on sale at Borders

My book is now on sale on Borders!  The Rochester Hills location is carrying this, and it is available on Borders.com.  I am extremely excited.  If the book does well, there is a good likelihood that other locations will carry it.  We are also in discussions about doing some book signings in the very near future.  

Borders - Rochester Hills, MI

Borders.com

The Official Orb of Azcera Website

Check out the offical website at http://www.orbofazcera.com/

ON SALE NOW!!!

The Orb of Azcera is now available for purchase via Author House Publishing.  Click on the following link to complete your purchase:  http://www.authorhouse.com/bookstore/ItemDetail.aspx?bookid=68903

It has been a lifelong dream of mine to publish this work, and I have every confidence that you will enjoy it.  Thanks for your support in making this book a success.

Sincerely
Tony Van Sant