The Gift of Laughter – NJ RenFaire!
May 29, 2019
Taking my family to the NJ RenFaire is a pilgrimage of fun, friendship and the stuff of legend – time with my daughters and summer memories! And as my little girls have now blossomed into young ladies, and my beard has an awful lot of grey, it becomes all the more vital to douse ourselves in the elixir of youth – fantasy, creativity, silliness, theatre, song, dance, absurdity, camaraderie – the list is too long!
We start with an opening picture of your wayward author and a fearsome sampling of The Eastern Tribe of the Hoarde. These folks are full throttle … eerie eyes and fierce cries, especially the horned fellow on the left! 
My girls, along with their friend, also took a snap with one of our favorite creatures roaming Crossford’s town – Ser Oakheartt. When they were younger they simply called him Treebeard, in fondness of Tolkien’s Ents – also known as the Onodrim by the Elves. 
Next, we made new friends with a young fantasy artist and his wife. You had me at “dragons,” but Piya Wannachaiwong’s works include so many other wonderful images. It was a pleasant surprise to find an illustrator at the NJ RenFaire, and with his genial smile and other-worldy art, he was very popular with the crowd. We now own two of his dragon prints, and he was gracious enough to sign both! 
This year, courtesy of my youngest daughter who rides and cares for horses, we spent more time at the jousting ring. Both the riders and horses were impressive, the more so as they managed the crowd, the armor, the weather and the periodic firing of the Crossford cannon! Though not 100% sure of the breed, my daughter identified these as Quarter Horses and a Draft Horse. Watching the knights maneuvering them for mounted sword fighting – yes there was plenty of swinging steel – really emphasized how much skill the knights of old brought to the field of battle. 
And an action picture in full armor!
Our visit to the town of Crossford would not be complete without taking in a show with the Lords of Adventure! TJ and John can serve up a triple threat – acting, music, and swordsmanship! As a father, I remain eternally grateful for their wise words to my daughters to not fall for the smooth wiles of Token Renaissance Guy! I give you a 20-second action video!
And then there’s Shakespeare! Shakespeare Approves is one of the finest gems of audience-interactive performance and family-friendly viewing at the NJ RenFaire! And this year, he included for the first time a more mature-oriented show, Bard After Dark: The Shakesperience! that took place at 7:00pm. Drinking an awesome porter beer courtesy of the Valenzano Winery folks, I knew it was going to be a rare treat. Katie Horahan’s opening standup comedy had the crowd roaring for more, and I barely stopped laughing as Shakespeare did his slightly bawdy and murder-filled fandom mash-up by the most heinous of means – death by fluffy kittens! Did I mention that’s my daughter playing Juliet?! I think I spit my beer on the guy in front of me – drafted to play Prospero from the Tempest.
While resting in the afternoon on the main stage, aka the Amphitheater, we loved hearing the songs of Chaste Treasure. These ladies can be sweet, sultry, and downright pub fare. They have a family-friendly CD of songs, and two other CDs that are not so innocent! 
At the end of the day, the cast of the NJ Faire sings a final farewell to all. Before this, the Duke and Duchess usually give a last goodbye message. This year, the Duke spoke of living life well, of participating, and of making moments count, as we never know if we will all meet again. These are words of truth, transcending the spectacle, and as I sat there with my family, on a sunny day in May, singing the last song with my daughters – yeah, I am a terrible singer, but so what – I thought that everyone needs a dose of this magic. 
Fortunately, you have one more chance to write your adventure. The NJ RenFaire finishes its 10th season this weekend at Liberty Lake in Bordentown, NJ.
Other links:
The Eastern Tribe of the Hoarde on Facebook
Ser Oakheartt on Facebook
Piya Wannachaiwong Illustration
The Lords of Adventure on Facebook
Katie Horahan on Facebook
Shakespeare Approves on Facebook
Chaste Treasure on Facebook
Waking pre-dawn to log the long drive each morning, and then returning late night exhausted, but oddly exhilarated, it was an honor to be an Exhibitor at this year’s Book Expo / Book Con! If you are launching a new book, you can’t miss this Show of Shows. Thus, the next installment of my fantasy and sci-fi series, The Soulstealer War: The Splintering Realm, carried me to New York City this past week. The Javits Center spectacle can be daunting, and it didn’t help that I was exercising rusty “Show” muscles. But what the heck, I always prefer the deep end of the pool!
I love writing about the Realm of Weir – the characters, the creatures, the cultures, the folklore, the languages, the songs – but as an author, I also love meeting the readers. Give me a conversation, and I’m hooked. I come to the Booth with an open mind. This means I don’t care who you are (and usually I can’t tell until 10 minutes into a conversation anyway). Sure, I’m there as the point man for the Realms (Weir and my daughter’s Pyranis), but I also want to hear your story, your business, and your interests. Just as I sometimes delve into the nature of true magic (see my website), the only way a nexus will manifest is by letting the flow occur. I look for awareness in the folks who cross my path, and brief eye contact sends me into a flurry of possibilities. This flight of fancy then lands on firmer ground once the conversation begins.
Book Expo was heavy on people seeking swag, signings, and freebies, and there is a balance to be struck. The Show doesn’t really want you to be selling, but you can take orders and fulfill them amazingly fast! And there is always karma; I give away a fair share of books for goodwill and to see what the Universe will manifest. My Booth was by chance a stone’s throw from the big players – Simon & Shuster, Baker & Taylor, Ingram, IPG, etc. – and I was a wee minnow in that sea, but there was an abundance of synergy. I met foreign licensing contacts, reviewers, librarians, printers, buyers, publishers, literary agents, marketers, translators, artists, designers, social media experts, radio folks, podcasters, authors (aspiring and established) and a few other wild cards. All good. This is a marathon, and not a sprint. I will abide; everything unfolds in due time.
Book Con was the exact opposite of the industry insiders – finally, the public! Here be readers of the genres that are my passion, and possibly dragons too! Teenage girls and women dominated the crowd. I’m talking 80% as a rough guess. That was a surprise, but live and learn. There are too many wonderful encounters to detail, but here’s a few favorites:
To the young women who live near the Appalachian Trail with the software coder who will find my website’s hidden access portals (without hacking it to shreds as promised) … your group rocks!
To the pregnant mom who is an aspiring author – my hopes that you put one foot in front of the other and take the road less traveled – get your writing out there! This advice was a common theme as I met many unpublished authors, and I was happy to impart what wisdom (and foolishness) I could. I’ve been there. I get it.
To Meg-a-Watt – thank you for a great conversation on fantasy, sci-fi and life. At first, I thought you said you were Megatron … then you added the “Queen Bee” to clarify, and I still apologized because that didn’t mean anything to me. Finally, you said you were LitBuzz, and helped further my information gap with discussion on how you began and grew that endeavor.
To purple-haired Kristin and her dad – your spark is bright enough to set the world on fire – and that you read my book (and Hannah’s) that night after buying them, and loved them, and came back to tell me the next day at the Booth … there is no more amazing way to start a day as an author!
To the man who was pushing his niece in a stroller, who was dragged to Book Con with his girlfriend and who never picks up books, let alone reads them … it was my privilege to hand you Book One and Two. The real reward was your girlfriend’s joy watching your willingness to venture into her world, and the long embrace you two shared a booth away.
To Tim, the bow-tied literary guy, who now knows that my alter-ego wears a vest with a pocket watch, often topped in a worn Stetson hat, thank you for the chat and your advice on my Boris Vallejo/Julie Bell front cover banner.
To Janine, author of The Puzzle Quests: Shimmer’s Eggs (and other books), whose son succumbed to cancer – your story is inspirational and our conversation will stay with me.
To the librarians and teachers – there were so many – I wish I could have given you more free copies of Hannah’s middle school chapter book The Pathway to Dragons: The Portal to Pyranis – you have one of the hardest, thankless and yet, most important careers on the planet! That cannot be said enough.
To the group of three teen girls who had their Mikey (a classic commercial, where one brother serves as the guinea pig for tasting a new cereal – and the girls had no clue on this dated reference) be the designated reader for any new book series – that you returned a short while after buying Book One to tell me that during the Show you read the first 50 pages and loved it, that the writing was awesome – thank you for that thoughtful gift.
To my immediate Booth neighbors on either side of the Show floor – Cameron and Rebecca the jewelry gurus of Stern Design Works, and to Anne Wheaton (Piggy and Pug children’s book author) with her outgoing publicist Susan Peters – your cheerful company was an unexpected pleasure!
Though not a meeting, I need to give a shout-out to Dog Ear Publishing and founder Ray Robinson – your support during the Show was invaluable. And indeed, another Dog Ear author stopped by my Booth for conversation.
Also, to Amy and Julie from Reed Exhibition, and Scott from Freeman – your assistance helped make my Show experience a success, and the Booth “check-ins” were greatly appreciated.
Finally, as a reminder, a portion of our book proceeds are donated to The NJ Center for Tourette Syndrome, Special Strides, and The Bridge of Books Foundation. Any additional support you can provide to these worthwhile charities will make a difference!
With utmost gratitude to all of you,
W.L. Hoffman – breathe slowly, observe humbly, dream deeply and evolve!
Author of The Soulstealer War (and other tales) – www.WLHoffman.com
Proud Father of the Author of The Pathway to Dragons – www.HannahBrookeHoffman.com
Regards to the Father of Aviation
January 3, 2012
The summer of 1878 in Iowa was more oppressive than usual, and Milton Wright longed for an evening breeze to waft through his upstairs window. He had been working all night. His wife tiptoed into his study. The flickering oil lamp revealed her presence before her free hand lightly tapped his shoulder. “Milton, can the labor of God not wait until morning? It’s late, even the crickets are hushed.”
Milton turned from his feverish sketching, and explained, “Susan, I met the most amazing Frenchman today at Church. Alphonse Penaud. An inventor, a man that would see humanity become as birds in flight. He gave me this toy.” Milton pointed to his desktop. The toy, about a foot in length, was crafted of cork, bamboo and paper, with a rotor that spun using rubber bands. “I am going to give it to the boys in the morning. Can you imagine, people using a machine to simply soar into the sky?”
Susan leaned closer and peered at his pencil marks. Her husband had a keen mind. That was how he had risen to Bishop in the Church of the United Brethren in Christ. She asked, “What’s that you’ve drawn?”
Milton adjusted his spectacles and proudly announced, “Well, there are details to refine, but it’s a flying machine.”
Susan giggled quietly, not wanting to wake the children, and then said, “Oh really? How does it work?”
Milton was tired, but rode the wave of excitement that had inspired him after meeting the Frenchman. He blurted, “Alphonse had spoken about propellers and engines, and I got to thinking about how birds move. I’ll need the right wing shape and span to generate lift, and I must control the direction, rudders and, I mean… the ideas just kept flowing.”
Susan was as practical as she was spiritual, and asked, “To what end? If God had wanted us to fly, would He not have given us wings?”
Milton nodded. “Yes, you have a point, but God also gave us intellect and the will to use it. This might take years and I’ll need funds, but I think it can work. Why, my dear, someday humanity might sail through the clouds on immense machines carrying hundreds of people. They’ll be like a flock of giant birds overhead, day and night, rushing from one place to the next. You could visit your relatives in Germany in a matter of hours, maybe minutes if powerful engines could be built.”
Susan’s eyes sank to the floor, “Engines. Will they be very loud and smoky?” She thought about the steam traction engines that belched and spit as the fields were plowed near the Church.
After nearly twenty years of marriage and bell ringing at the churches, Milton understood Susan’s aversion to booming noise. She preferred the gentle hum of God’s creatures. “The machines might rumble and roar a bit, but if they travel high enough, you might not hear them. Not too much. And there’s bound to be exhaust of some sort, but the vapors should dissipate before causing any mischief on the ground.”
Susan shifted to the open window nearby and gazed at the stars. The heavens were glorious in their beauty and peace. She whispered as if in a dream, “Would you see these machines in the night sky?”
“Yes dear, I think they would need bright lights to keep from hitting objects and one another.”
Susan mused aloud, “Will they be like trains or boats? I mean will everyone be crowded into compartments, with soot pouring in from the engines? Will the wealthy have their own quarters, while those less fortunate suffer?”
Milton rubbed his bearded chin. “There’s always an issue with weight. Birds bones are less dense than ours, and their wings, well… they don’t say light as a feather as an idle boast. So, I guess space would be at a premium. It might be like Sunday Worship when the pews are packed elbow to elbow.”
Susan issued a long sigh and then urged, “Come to the window.” Milton rose and joined his wife.
She asked determinedly, “Do you not see the miracle around and above us?”
Milton looked onward, and thought, it’s a jubilee of stars tonight. Mother Moon’s waning crescent would be a cozy spot from which to cast a fishing line into the sea of stars. And there’s Sirius at the horizon. With his faithful hound at ease, Orion is done hunting this eve. Indeed, everything with sense is resting in this heat. He removed a handkerchief from his trouser pocket and dabbed his forehead. Just then, a fluttering gust combed the tall grass below, and as the breeze caressed his cheeks, he caught the scent of lavender on Susan from the flowers she had gathered before dinner.
Susan brushed her lips to his ear, taking advantage while she had him, “Now close your eyes. Think about what you’ve described. Blaring, malodorous machines at all hours of decency, cutting the evening majesty apart with their lights… jammed tight with people hurtling across the world so fast as to miss the splendor of life. And do you suppose those machines might fail every so often, the way the trains do when they leave the tracks?”
Milton’s eyes snapped open, “But people will be able to cross the globe without taking days or weeks…”
Susan frowned.
Milton paused, deep in reflection. His arm slipped around Susan’s waist as he nuzzled against her. After a time of silence, he spoke softly, “I wouldn’t be the first to open Pandora’s Box, but have it your way, dear.”
She kissed him, and said, “You need your sleep.” Susan held her hand out waiting, as Milton folded the sketches and tucked them into a desk drawer. He couldn’t quite bring himself to burn them. He thought, human technology must go forward… we have the right, don’t we, don’t we?
As he slipped into bed, he wondered what his sons would do when he showed them the toy. Wilbur and Orville were sharp for their age.
Author’s Note: As a Fantasy & Sci-Fi author (www.SoulstealerWar.com), writing is my preferred method of activism. Thus, I offer you this original short story with a science-fiction twist as a means to highlight a local issue. As my family walks around the neighborhood, and tries to settle down at night, we cannot help but observe that the flight paths above Princeton/Montgomery Township evidence a sky overburdened with low-flying, crisscrossing planes, excessive noise and air pollution. Contact your Legislators, FAA Eastern Region Noise Complaints at 9-aea-noise@faa.gov or FAA Noise Program Specialist: (718) 553-3365.
In these uncertain times, when digesting the daily serving of discouraging news, remember that there is no greater fountain of hope than that which lies in the deep waters of the human soul.
Since my prior Blog entry, my author labors have consisted of marketing Book I, working on Book II, and preparing for BookExpo America 2009 (BEA). Trust me… that triumvirate speaks volumes. There are not enough hours in the day. BEA, held in New York City this week, is touted as the largest North American publishing industry event. I have an exhibit booth and will be autographing The Soulstealer War during the Sci-Fi Salute on Saturday.
While my next entry will recap tales of BEA, here’s a recent Press Release for those who aren’t familiar with either my background or the Realm of Weir.
PRINCETON, New Jersey – March 2009 – Released in January 2008, The Soulstealer War: The First Mother’s Fire, is the first book in an epic fantasy series of magic and mysticism by debut author W.L. Hoffman. Despite the risks and challenges inherent with small press/self-publishing, the novel’s critically acclaimed content has propelled Hoffman from relative obscurity to placement on Barnes & Noble’s shelves. In August 2008, due to demand, a second printing of the novel was completed in traditional offset lithography format. Ingram is the distributor. For a new author, the learning curve has been steep – and a dream come true – but one replete with trials and tribulations. There’s a story in that journey in addition to the novel’s unique fantasy vision that touches upon philosophy, the universe and true magic. The novel also features dazzling original cover art by the esteemed Boris Vallejo and Julie Bell. BookExpo America 2009 held in New York City is the next career step for Hoffman who knows that beyond talent, it takes perseverance and luck to succeed as a writer. While he hopes this opportunity will bring heightened access to readers and mainstream publishers, Hoffman is thrilled to participate in this milestone.
“This is one of the best fantasy books… within the past couple of years.” Roundtable Reviews
“Indeed, it is the mark of good genre fiction that it is able to transcend its foundations and shake the very rafters of existence. Douglas Adams did it with his Hitchhiker’s Guide series, Tolkien did it with his Middle Earth, and now W. L. Hoffman has done it with the beginning of The Soulstealer War series.” Front Street Reviews
“Highly recommended for community library fantasy collections and for fantasy lovers in general…” Midwest Book Review, Small Press Bookwatch Vol. 7, No. 5
About the Book: Unemployed after graduation, Kenneth McNary seeks inspiration on the Appalachian Trail. He never suspected that it would find him first. Ken is transported to a fairytale world by a god-like sentience and is tasked with uniting its denizens for a coming war—a war with eternal consequences for every soul consumed by the Enemy. While grappling with his strange surroundings, Ken learns that humans are slaves to near-immortal beings who have lost their magic. Complicating this situation is a mysterious new race of magic wielders and the reappearance of subterranean, flesh-eating creatures long thought extinct. To survive and embrace his destiny in a land hostile to humanity, Ken must discover the Fire within. But he faces two problems: he is a novice pitted against masters, and the magic may kill him before the masters do!
About the Author: W.L. Hoffman was born in the 1960’s in Atlantic City. Hoffman’s interest in reading fantasy and science fiction was voracious from an early age. He took advanced English curricula through high school, received his BA in English from Duke University and attended English literature classes at New College at Oxford University in England. Following his introduction to legislative drafting while serving in the Duke University student government, Hoffman obtained his JD from Cornell Law School. While there, his dreams wandered into strange realms as he quested for life’s higher meaning. Thus was born the foundation for The Soulstealer War. Ultimately, Hoffman left his law practice to pursue his writing career and currently resides in central NJ with his wife and daughters. He enjoys spending time with his family in their organic vegetable garden, exploring the Sourland Mountains, and telling tales on the front porch to the next generation of dreamers and writers.
The Soulstealer War: The First Mother’s Fire
By W.L. Hoffman, http://www.SoulstealerWar.com
ISBN-13 (Paperback): 978-1598-585-391
Price: $14.95 – 284 Pages
BookExpo America 2009, Booth 5049, May 29-June 1, Javits Center, NY
For more information: WLHoffman@SoulstealerWar.com
A Fantasy Author in New York Comic-Con’s Court – Awesome
April 22, 2008
Okay, I’ve come up for air. No, I have not yet responded to all my e-mail traffic from the New York Comic-Con weekend. I promise you that I will, but this post takes priority.
My first major convention was loads of fun, serious work and an amazing learning experience. I took hours to set up my booth. It was to be the public stage for greeting fantasy/sci-fi fans of all ages and introducing The Soulstealer War in the non-virtual world. As good as a website can be, it takes a back seat to the face-to-face with folks and I wanted to put my best foot forward. There were tables, chairs, coverings, stickers, wooden chests, leather boxes, parchment signs, silk scrolls, books, lamps, candles, seven feet of armor and other accents to handle – all designed to create the right atmosphere.
There were impressive technical displays by the major industry players, and less spectacular, but equally satisfying, sights to be found in the convention’s nether recesses. I imagine it was impossible for the fans in one weekend to find their way to every nook and alternate realm. However, I met my share. I was tucked in the Small Press community, an abode of independent risk-taking artists and publishers who seemed to be phantoms – Aisle 2200 bore neither a ceiling sign nor a “Small Press” banner – perhaps some industry handicaps will always remain. Then again, it could be that lady Fate retains her sense of humor. Heck, even the “Podcast” area had a banner sign.
Despite these hurdles and the seemingly endless garden of visual delights, a lot of you found your way to my table. It was simultaneously humbling, thrilling and harrowing – adding lots of java to the three day mix only hyped the surreal factor. Whether I was just
– talking fantasy & sci-fi;
– offering my tidbits on the novel and characters;
– tracing the story-line on the five-foot map of the Eastern Rim of Weir;
– meeting industry professionals;
– chatting with the librarians;
– encouraging fellow writers to complete their manuscripts;
– scrutinizing sample materials from the supporting cast of marketing people;
– discovering fantasy & sci-fi reviewers and bloggers;
– waving to Stan Lee as he passed my table with a retinue at his heels
– casting an approving glance at the costumed attendees; and
– making a note that I need to find out where the Star Wars Stormtrooper armor and weaponry can be acquired…
… it was my great pleasure and sincere honor to be counted among those present.
THANK YOU ALL.
W.L. Hoffman
P.S. – Congratulations to Dawn Toledo, winner of my crystal globe drawing.
P.P.S. – This message was copied to my e-mail database so that the update can reach those of you who are not yet tracking my Blog sites: http://SoulstealerWar.Blogspot.com and http://SoulstealerWar.Wordpress.com. As always, if you want to be permanently removed from this database, please just send a reply message making that request. I will be disappointed, but will certainly respect your wishes.
Soulstealer War Weblog 