Today, guys, I’m so excited to get to share a new book with you and a guest post from the author, my friend Jason Joyner. We first met at an ACFW conference, gosh, I don’t know how many years ago now, but it’s been so fun to see Jason getting ready to launch his book this year. (Hahahaha, okay pardon the lame joke. If you don’t get it now, you will later.)
And this is perfect because my copy of Launch (do you get it now?) arrived in the mail in perfect time to take it to this year’s Realm Makers conference to get it signed! I mean, what’s the point of having author friends if you can’t get them to sign your books for you?
Anyway, I’m excited to tell you a bit about Jason and his story (which, by the way, is a SUPERHERO STORY!) and then I’ll let him take over for the rest of the post!
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Sixteen-year-olds Demarcus Bartlett and Lily Beausoliel are among a select group of youth invited to an exclusive, all-expenses-paid conference at social media giant Alturas’ California headquarters. Led by charismatic founder Simon Mazor, the world’s youngest billionaire, this isn’t the typical honors society. It seems that everyone here has some secret, untapped potential, some power that may not be entirely of this world. An ancient prophecy suggests that if these teens combine their abilities, they could change the course of history. The only question is: Will it be for better or for worse?
Find Launch on Amazon
Find Launch on Barnes & Noble
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jason C. Joyner is a physician assistant, a writer, a Jesus-lover, and a Star Wars geek. He’s traveled from the jungles of Thailand to the cities of Australia and the Bavarian Alps of Germany. He lives in Idaho with his lovely wife, three boys, and daughter managing the chaos of sports and superheroes in his own home. Launch, a YA superhero story, is his first published novel.
You can find him online on his website, Twitter, Instagram account, and his Facebook page.
GUEST POST: JASON JOYNER
The past year has taught me a lot about fellowship.
As a Christian, the word speaks of family, the people of God being a body together. As a fantasy fan, I think of books like the Lord of the Rings, and the fellowship commissioned to carry the One Ring to Mount Doom. Both of these meanings have been evident to me.
My debut novel released this month. It wouldn’t have happened without walking with so many people to help me craft and fashion my words into the best version they could be. Still, there is so much more going on besides editors, publishers, cover designers, and more.
Gillian and I are part of a writing community called the Realm Makers Consortium on Facebook. This group sprang out of the Realm Makers conference, which is a faith-friendly conference for speculative fiction writers. A key factor in my growth and development as an author has been walking with other authors in this group (Realmies). We laugh, cry, share each others’s burdens, beta read for each other, offer critique and cheers, and share a huge amount of memes.
As writers, it can be a solitary life. We get absorbed into worlds of our own making, having conversations with people that only exist in our imagination. Sometimes we argue with those people…and lose.
Yet more and more on this journey, I realize the importance of finding a tribe and joining in. I love walking things out with my writer friends, helping them, lifting them up when they need encouragement, and rejoicing in their victories. Like Gillian – I was thrilled to see The Songkeeper Chronicles come to fruition with the release of Song of Leira. I want to see my compatriots succeed because if they do well, we all do well. The cliche of “rising water lifts all boats” is very true in this instance. Writers need readers, and if we get the word out about great books and interest more readers, that helps us all.
Whether it’s humans, elves, dwarves, and hobbits bonding together to carry cursed jewelry to impossible places, or a scoundrel flying a farm boy, old man, and two droids on a hunk of junk to save the Rebellion, great stories so often deal with the trials that groups endure. I am so thankful to have a tribe that I can serve in love, and that returns the favor when I’m in need.
There are many writing communities out there like Realm Makers. Find others you can connect with. Brothers and sisters who will carry you when you can’t carry yourself. Of course, that means you have to take turn carrying others as well. But when you walk in fellowship, whether it’s in writing or life in general, you will have others to help you lift your burdens. I hope you find that fellowship!
Thanks, Jason, so much for sharing with us! I know I’ve become increasing aware of just how important and awesome it is to have that kind of fellowship in life!
Y’all be sure to check out Jason’s book and stop by his Facebook Group for readers: The Heroes’ Hangout! And if you’re looking for more fun things, you can check out the Launch Pinterest Board and Spotify Playlist!
And now, it’s your turn:
Q: How have you seen the impact of fellowship/friendships on your life lately?
