Abyss Rising

A few months ago, a friend of mine offered to do some pro bono graphic design work for my publishing company Abyss Press for a class assignment; however, the assignment changed so I paid him with a book for the work. To get an idea of what to design he asked some questions.

Answering a question on the company’s values and beliefs I stated: Values: Integrity, Honesty, Thinking For Yourself. Beliefs: Questioning Everything, Accepting Nothing Blindly, Even the Answers.

Then one on what I promise to those who read my work to which I replied: Honesty, I write what I believe, nothing less. Quality, 110% my best, Fair Price.

What is the significance of the word Abyss? The depths of the mind. Then I summed up the company overall:

Abyss Press is very small, owned and operated solely by me. Usually focuses on politics and societal and cultural issues. What I like to do with my writing, is to break down the subject matter where a 6 year old can understand it in a conversation, much like the Albert Einstein quote.

From that came two eagle designs, a samurai, abyss kanji and broken chains; along with font designs for Abyss for me to pick or discard. I liked the eagles so he went back and tightened the designs.

From this came a black distorted eagle with Abyss overhead and an Eagle attacking a snake with the words Question Everything below. That last one was good enough to be on a flag but did not really fit Abyss. It felt…too American. I liked the concept of it though, the courage to attack the lies. However, the black eagle, yeah that fits with Abyss.

I suggested combining the two and my wife said put Ronin inside the eagle. I liked the idea so I went with that. It didn’t fit so Brandon used the kanji for truth and it was love at first sight. He sent the black eagle with a white kanji and a white eagle with the black kanji, opted for the white eagle since my books are black. Nevertheless, the black one is my phone wallpaper now.

Therefore, I present to you the finished logo, mission statement and slogan of Abyss Press:

Mission Statement
“From the depths of the mind we present honesty and integrity after questioning everything with a critical eye. Welcome to a dark reality.”

Slogan

From the darkness, the truth shall emerge.

(Brandon Ryals came up with this one)

Thoughts? Also the new website and webstore is up here

What’s Next? It’s Up To You.

I’m at a crossroads with which direction do I take Abyss Press. And I would like you, all of you, my readers to share your thoughts.

Would you rather I publish Growls Of A Wolf to Kindle like I did with Howls From The Wolfpack?

Or…

Start on the next book Breakdown (tentatively titled), the expansion of the Breakdown Series of posts I wrote a while back?

The costs of publishing are paid for by the profits from those who buy the books. I roll most of it back into writing more books. And so far I’ve sold 31 copies of Growls. However, it’ll take time to write Breakdown, at least a year and a half into the future. Research, hiring a copy editor, contract out for the cover possibly. I’m raising the bar.

So, which do you want to see first? Answer in the comments please.

Art, Books, Free Hugs, Wolf Fest, and a Book Signing; Day 3 of DragonCon

It’s Saturday and I wake up somewhat early and hit the kettlebell. Yeah, it came with me. After finishing my Heavy Day and congratulating myself on moving up the volume every two weeks instead of one, I had to pay up on a bet.

My wife falls asleep on every road trip longer than a hour and a half. So expecting an easy victory I bet her she would fall asleep on the way to Atlanta. Winner gets whatever they want.

I lost.

Jazz Hands

And she got pampered with room service and breakfast in bed. From there we went downstairs to meet up at Jazz Hands and wait for the rest of the pack. My best friend and his boys were there and while we talked this guy just walks up and starts handing out books, cards and brochures. Introduces himself as Thomas Knowles. And starts talking about publishing. Well I know a thing or three about that So I hand him my card and we three, Bobby and I start talking. Interesting promotional idea. May try it. So if you’re at DragonCon next year and a couple of guys in black hand you a free book, it’s probably us.

Finally we head out to the underground mall in the Peachtree Center to meet a guy Thorin and a few others ran into the night before that was familiar with Wicked Jester and Wolf Fest. Well, someone showed up but it wasn’t that guy. Tripped all our alarms. Quickly separating from him we took off upstairs to wait on Thorin, who wasn’t long on coming…alone. Talk about the heebie-jeebies.

After hitting Gibney’s Pub for lunch we were once again roaming the Con we hit

Dragon Wolf & Dragon

the Art Show. Comic book creators on one side like Neil Adams who modernized Batman, Mark Bagley who does a great Spider-Man, Humberto Ramos who worked on Wolverine and did the art for the DragonCon badges. Had to watch my wallet. A lot of prints I wanted. Explored the Art Show/Auction side searching for an artist I bought a print from the previous year, didn’t find her but I found a dragonwolf and a dragon print from a guy named Stanley Morrison. And a few others I held off on buying.

We lost track of everyone so we took off for the Walk of Fame again and got the actor that plays Laffayette on True Blood’s autograph. Met up with Wade and took off to unload our art, and autographs. And let Wade try his hand at military pressing my 53lb kettlebell. You can see that here.

I was surprised and proud. By then it was time to meet up again at the Westin before heading to the Feast at Max Lagers. I grabbed my books for the signing and headed off with Casey. Properly caffeinated, we walked to Max’s where a few were holding our spot. As most of our dinners go, it was a lot of questions and going around the table answering. If you want the details then all I’m saying is, should’ve been there.

While Casey took pictures of the Feast and later the book signing, which you can see here, our waitress questioned us about the books. Bobby started telling her about them and even got both for her from me. Excellent timing since most of the Howls From The Wolfpack authors were there. And I do love signing books. From there it was back to the rooms to drop off the books, in my case, rest in the others’ case. And meet up again at Jazz Hands.

This time we all made signs.

And shenanigans prevailed. Casey racked up 160 to Connor’s 140 that night. Guys jumping out of cars, off of bikes, and we all got to discover my “crazy eyes” when one didn’t let go and kept spinning her. 

Around 2am myself, Bobby, Wooly, Connor and Alex headed back to the hotel. Casey went to sleep and the rest of us stayed awake until 4:30 talking about this, that, and combat. Even had an impromptu BJJ class in the hotel bar.

A busy day.

And We Are Off to the Con!

I’m in Mississippi! Or I should be when this publishes to Ronin’s Journey.

Why am I in Ole’ Miss? Road trip to my second favorite event of the year. DragonCon and more importantly…Wolf Fest.

Where authors of the book Howls From The Wolfpack get together with other wolves, black sheep, etc. This year we’ll have the Feast, and I’ll have a small (very small) book signing there.

We should arrive in Atlanta at 3pm, I hope. And Viking, Thorin, and Burke should already be there. Get our badges, planner, and go eat. Catch up and hash out an agenda. Then off to sleep. Gotta wake up to meet the Swatcops. They’re driving all night to arrive at 5am. You bastards. Making me wake up.

The rest will arrive on Friday and we can explore the Con. My wife is going, looking forward to the celebrities, and will be the Abyss Press photographer, because she’s better at it than I am.

I’ll post pictures on my Facebook page s Ronin/AbyssPress and exclusive ones in the newsletter. Which you can subscribe to by emailing SUBSCRIBE to abysspress@gmail.com

When I get 25 subscribers I’ll send a discount code for 2$ off in the next newsletter for my books.

To keep up with the fun this weekend you can watch the Ronin page or for quicker updates, follow me on Twitter at twitter.com/RoninsJourney

See you later! Unless you’re at the Con, and maybe I’ll see you there.

Changes, Updates and Keeping Up With It All

Been making  some changes on this site, Facebook and the new book. First this site.

Ronin’s Journey

Changed the header, went from a red font to a blue. Is it easier to read?  Removed the poll but the results say my commentary and politics are the favorites. Added a Facebook plug-in to new Ronin/Abyss Press Author Facebook page. More on that below. Also added and subtracted some of my favorite websites to visit.

The New Book

Growls Of A Wolf is now being carefully looked over by volunteers to check my writing. Chris, Amanda, Audrey and my Uncle Mike. They’re helping me bring the best book I can to you. The cover is ready now also.

Facebook

I started a Facebook page for Growls like I did for Howls, but got to thinking, one central Facebook page for all of my projects would be easier. So I created the Ronin/Abyss Press page so I can keep everyone up to date easier.

The Howls From The Wolfpack and the Growls Of A Wolf pages will stay up. For one Howls was a group project and I use it to promote the authors within and other wolves doing their own thing.

And Growls is staying up because it already has quite a few Likes. However, the book project Breakdown won’t have it’s own page. You’ll have to go to the Ronin page. And you can from this site, right side, and above my Twitter Feed.

Big things coming, enjoy the ride. Like the pages please, help me spread the word.

Facebook Page Links:

Howls From The Wolfpack

Growls Of A Wolf

Ronin/Abyss Press