Greetings and Salutations! The John F. Allen Author Online Store is Officially Open!
Effective immediately and just in time for the holidays, anyone interested in purchasing books from me directly, can use the NEW John F. Allen Author Online Store to do so!
The Online Store allows you to choose from any of my titles, get them with personalized signatures and mailed directly to your door! Credit card transactions are processed through PayPal and fulfilled by me personally. Payment, postage, and label printing are all automated.
This site sells physical book ONLY. Should you desire to purchase an eBook, please visit Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Kobo at the links provided below. Simply click the eBook provider of your choice.
COMING SOON: Author exclusive products! Stay tuned to my Facebook page for details!
Books make TERRIFIC holiday gifts and Fantastic stocking stuffers!
The NEW Online Store will make personalized book mailings easier and much more efficient.
The Kobo Black Friday Sale ***LIMITED TIME ONLY*** Friday, Nov 29th through Monday, Dec 2nd! My short story collection, The Best Is Yet To Come is on SALE!
With the Holiday Season just around the corner, I thought I’d share some Popular Holiday Gifts Ideas for that special author on your list!
1. BUY THEIR BOOKS!
It might seem obvious, but just purchasing an author’s book(s) is a gift in and of itself. It helps to compensate them for their hard work. Look for their latest releases and snatch them up. Continuous compensation for their compositions keeps authors composing! And, as an added bonus, give their books out as gifts to others during the holiday season. Books ALWAYS make EXCELLENT stocking stuffers!
2. CHECK THEIR EVENTS!
So, checking an author’s Events Calendar is a good way to see where they’re scheduled to appear, and you can go meet them and get your picture taken with them while giving them gift number one on this list! Visit the author’s website or the publisher’s website and you should find an Events Calendar there. I mean, who wouldn’t like to have a SIGNED COPY of their book, right?
3. GIVE THEM LOVE ON SOCIAL MEDIA!
Do a Google search or if you’re already on your favorite social media platform, seek them out and give your favorite author a follow/like! It won’t cost you a dime and the more followers/likes an author has, the more traffic they’re likely to get to their social media platforms, which translates into more potential buyers of their books! Plus, following your favorite authors helps you develop a relationship with them and interact on their posts. This could even net you exclusive bonus content that other folks won’t get. So, follow them on Facebook and/or like their author page, follow them on Twitter, Instagram and/or Pinterest. And while you’re at it, be sure to subscribe to their blog, newsletter and their Amazon Profile. This is the gift that keeps on giving for sure!
4. HYPE THEM UP!
Now that you’re following them on social media, share their tweets, Facebook posts, etc. In fact, why not tweet or post your reaction to their book(s)? If their latest novel was a must read, then SPREAD THE WORD! Encourage your fellow readers to go out and pick up their copy. And, if you’re feeling uber generous, go all out and support their Kickstarter/Go Fund Me, etc.
5. POST REVIEWS!
When you read an author’s book, they really would appreciate it if you let them know what your thoughts on it was. This is helpful for various reasons including: general feedback for improvement, knowing what you liked about their work. Knowing what their readers think of their work can be rewarding. The best places to leave reviews are on Amazon and/or Goodreads. Also, your review doesn’t have to be like the ones written by professionals, and it doesn’t have to contain a great amount of details either. Just be honest and let them know what your genuine thoughts are. Mention what you liked, how those things made you feel and if it triggered any memories or stirred any thoughts. When other visitors to Amazon and/or Goodreads see the reviews an author has, it often helps them to decide on purchasing the author’s work for themselves.
Regardless of what gift you decide to give, just be sure to give from the heart. Every little bit helps and the author on your list will truly appreciate the effort. Spreading a little holiday cheer with a good review and helping to share the love, because SHARING IS CARING!
Seventh Star Press is proud to reveal the new cover art by Enggar Adirasa for the new short story collection The Best is Yet to Come by John F. Allen! A Kindle pre-order window is now open, so reserve a copy today! The Best Is Yet to Come will be available in print and eBook formats on October 17th!
Featuring ten stories collected for the first time ever, The Best Is Yet to Come, presents nine years of creativity spun from the mind of John F. Allen. Action and adventure are ever present in these stories, but be prepared for some drama, horror, fantasy and science fiction as well.
This volume includes a holiday story, “An Ivory Christmas,” featuring Ivory Blaque, Allen’s bold heroine from his acclaimed urban fantasy series The God Killers, and the center of his literary universe, The Ivoryverse.
Also included are:
“Forest of Shadows” the debut of a fabled, ancient warrior named, Jaziri, Prince of Kimbogo Province.
You may want to think twice before venturing out into the dark woods of rural Indiana in “The Legend of Matchemonedo.”
A young, set assistant of a 50’s science fiction serial gets to embark on the journey of a lifetime in “The Adventures of Star Blazer.”
A young woman in late 1970’s Indianapolis, learns to be careful what you wish for in “HoodRatz.”
When a woman struggles to care for her ailing father, she discovers the truth behind her troubled past in “The Sweetest Autumn.”
Long ago, a noble samurai finds forbidden love with a beautiful, ebony skinned princess in “The African Princess.”
A mysterious, military operative is sent on a covert mission in Egypt, when he encounters an alien monster bent on revenge in “Lazarus.”
Forty years ago, a young boy discovers that family means everything in “The Chocolate Malt.”
The Best is Yet to Come also features the special bonus short story, “Witch Way is Up.”
This year will mark my 7th consecutive year as a vendor at the InConJunction Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention! This convention holds a special place in my heart because it’s where, as an author, I “cut my teeth,” as it were. I promoted my very first novel, appeared and moderated my first panel as an author here and was welcomed with open arms. I met quite a few authors I admired, and developed long lasting friendships along the way. The people who run this convention are amongst the most loyal and dedicated group I’ve encountered yet, on my writer’s journey. Please plan to attend and visit me there!
WHERE: Indianapolis Marriott East, 7202 E 21st St, Indianapolis, IN 46219, just off Shadeland Avenue.
This coming weekend I will be attending Imaginarium 2018.
And though my books will be available at the Seventh Star Press table, I’ll be more mobile. Unlike Imaginariums of the past, I intend on focusing the majority of my time attending workshops/panels and participating in panels of my own. But, FEAR NOT TRUE BELIEVERS, I’ll still visit the Dealer Room, but this year I want to participate more.
Imaginarium has become a great convention for networking and learning more about craft. It’s also a venue for veteran author friends to come together in a safe and friendly environment to mentor new and up and coming writers.
So, if you’re olanning to attend Imaginarium 2018, check out the panels I’m scheduled to sit on and of course stop by the Seventh Star Press booth and pick up a copy of my work.
IMAGINARIUM PANEL SCHEDULE
Fri, 5:30 pm in the Derby Room.
Defining Urban Fantasy Today – The definition of urban fantasy has evolved and broadened over the years, and this panel will discuss where that definition is today. The panel will explore the elements of urban fantasy for those interested in writing in the genre. Fri 5:30pm in room Derby. Panelist inlcude: (Mod- Megan McIntosh) John F. Allen, S.C.Houff, Michael Williams, Nathan Day, Carma Haley Shoemaker
Fri, 8:00 pm in the Derby Room.
Superheroes and Villains in Writing –Our panelists will discuss the elements needed for writing compelling superheroes and villains for today. Fri 8pm in room Derby. Panelist include: (Mod- Dan Jolley) Eric Moser, John F. Allen, Michele Lee, Tim Waggoner, Victoria Escobar
Sat, 5:45 pm in the Appalachian Room. Marvel Vs. DC – A Face Off! – A fun “showdown” panel where our panelists (and audience) can debate and compare the worlds of Marvel and DC! Panelist include: (Mod- Tony Acree) Leah Pugh, Sara Marian, John F. Allen, Brian Hatcher, R.J. Sullivan, Brandon Aten
It’s March.
We’re already into the 3rd month of 2018 and you may find it odd that I’m talking about resolutions.
I’m not referring to the hollow New Year’s traditions which most people make with earnest intentions, but usually fall short and say, “Well, there’s always next year!” No, I’m talking about PERSONAL RENEWAL. It’s about real, attainable and determined change.
It’s taken me years to come to this point in the road of my journey and I can’t afford to turn back, backslide or waste another moment or squander any opportunities I’ve been blessed with. At nearly a half century in age, time is of the essence.
So, starting yesterday, almost a week before you’re reading this, I came to recognize that there will be some extensive changes in what I do and how I do it.
This not only applies to my writing career, but also to every facet of my life. In fact, the changes started much earlier, but I am now starting to take stock of them regarding my writing.
To my loyal readers, expect more from me, expect better from me and expect more of me.
To those who may be joining me at this point in my journey…stay tuned, TBIYTC (The Best Is Yet To Come)!!!
Hey everyone BIG NEWS! Last year I authored the novella length, novelization of Submerge: Echo 51, a Science Fiction film by Demetrius Witherspoon. The novella debuted on October 6, 2017 at the Imaginarium Convention sponsored by Seventh Star Press, and is now available on Amazon or through me by direct mail.
To those who live in Indianapolis and the surrounding areas, on Saturday November 18, 2017, I will be featured at a book signing, movie screening and Director/Cast Q&A for the Submerge: Echo 51 film & novelization (see below for details).
Location: The Box – Media Production Space
1413 E Riverside Dr.
Indianapolis, Indiana 46202
Who: Meet Submerge Echo 51 Director Demetrius LaSean Witherspoon, Novelization Author John F. Allen, Actress Grace Carlton, Paisley Blackburn, Amy Thompson, Actor Brad Clark, Makeup Artist/ Submerge 51 Model Rachel Madison, Submerge Concept/ Book Cover Artist Bart Willard
Time: 2pm-4pm
2pm – Book Signing and Photographs with Actors in full Costume
4pm – Showing of the film: Submerge: Echo 51 and Q&A
This year will mark my 7th consecutive year as a vendor at the InConJunction Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention! This convention holds a special place in my heart because it’s where, as an author, I “cut my teeth,” as it were. I promoted my very first novel, appeared and moderated my first panel as an author here and was welcomed with open arms. I met quite a few authors I admired, and developed long lasting friendships along the way. The people who run this convention are amongst the most loyal and dedicated group I’ve encountered yet, on my writer’s journey. Please plan to attend and visit me there!
johnfallenauthor.com 