Welcome to my writing blog. My name is Johnny Ray and as the writer of many novels, short stories, poems, blogs, screenplays, speeches, commentaries on breaking news, etc. I hope this blog will help to show the frustrations and joys of the work behind the scenes, and hopefully attract many people that will become friends, and maybe even fans of my work. Like all of life, it will be an adventure none the less. Thanks for joining me on the ride, and being a part of my life.
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Monday, July 22, 2013
Saturday, July 20, 2013
THRILLERFEST CONVENTION
THRILLERFEST
THE INTERNATIONAL THRILLER ASSOCIATION
RECAP OF NEW YORK CITY CONFERENCE
This year was fantastic with so many people attending. There
is nothing better than having meeting with the best writers in the world and learning
from them.
The first day there was called CRAFTFEST and had some great
instructors, you know, people like Steve Berry, Karen Dionne, Phillip Margolin,
Stanly Trllip, John Samford, James Bruno, Gayle Lynds, Michael Connelly,
Michael Palmer, Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child, Catherine Coulier, David
Morrell just to name a few.
Knowing what makes a writer tick and how they go about creating
bestselling novels is a fantastic way in taking any writers work to the next
level. All of these great instructors openly shared how they work and answered
questions from those attending. This was both during the meetings and walking
around.
The next day was AGENTFEST where over 600 writers went after
about 50 agents in a frenzy attempt to connect. All presentations were limited
to 3 minutes where the writer could make his case. Since I am looking for a new
agent, I was in that group. At the end of the day, I had received over 10 requests,
which may be a record, for my recently completed manuscript.
Later that night there was a major cocktail party. This is
where many more contacts could be made. I spent a lot of time with one special
editor I would love to work with. As such, I will write my next novel tuned to
what he loves to edit. Luckily, we both love the same stories.
The next day started THRILLFEST with many more panel
discussions and the main banquet. Since I had other commitments, I had to
leave, but really missed, perhaps the best part. Next year, I will do better in
planning my time.
I have a photo of where this convention is held in NYC. I
hope to see more people there next year.
Monday, July 08, 2013
THE SALSA CONNECTION
GREAT NEWS
MY NOVEL IS THE #1 INTERNATIONAL ROMANTIC THRILLER ON AMAZON
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009UX5O7M
THIS NOVEL WON THE ROYAL PALM LITERARY FOR BEST THRILLER
When you never give up hope
love will find a way
Where ever you have to go
love will lead you
And all you have to do
is simply--DANCE!
THE
SALSA CONNECTION--AN INTERNATIONAL ROMANTIC THRILLER is a 93,000 word
romantic thriller that has already won the Royal Palm Literary Award for
best thriller. The story moves from the salsa clubs of St. Petersburg,
Russia to New York to Louisiana and, finally, to Italy. The red-hot
thread of the dance runs through a novel that explores the Russian mob,
slavery and prostitution rings, and the art world, as well as love,
loss, revenge and the strength of family ties.
When Nickolay
Panov left St Petersburg, Russia to go to New York City for an
international ballet competition 25 years ago, he was considered one of
the best ballet dancers in Russia. The Americans say he was murdered.
The Russians say he defected. In any case, he never returned. Just
before Nickolay disappeared, several priceless paintings and icons from a
major museum were stolen. While he was accused of the theft, no solid
proof has ever been offered to tie him to it. However, evidence shows
that the stolen goods were shipped to America. The CIA and the Russian
Government are still pursuing all leads connected to the heist, and so
is the Russian mafia.
Sveta was three years old when her father
disappeared, so it’s a shock when, in the mail, she receives an
invitation to a salsa dance competition in New York. At the bottom of
the invitation is a note: “Please come to the competition and enter, my
little lady.” No one but her father has ever called her that. Why has
her father surfaced after all these years? Sveta wants answers, even if
it means entering the late-night, sultry world of salsa dancing in St
Petersburg and New York City and coming into uncomfortably close contact
with the Russian mob.
Friday, July 05, 2013
INTERNATIONAL ROMANTIC THRILLERS
EXCITING NEWS
I write international romantic thrillers and compete against some great writers around the world. When you search for these on Amazon, this is the results you will see
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=international+romantic+thriller
It is a great and yet humbling feeling when 4 out of the top 10 have my name on them.
But even more exciting
I hope to have my next novel published soon.
It is currently being edited and I am shopping for a new publisher since many people have asked to see it in hardback this time.
This novel will present my best character yet, a female warrior, unlike any you have ever discovered before.
I hope to have more good news to share soon.
Thursday, July 04, 2013
4th of July read
HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY
HERE IS A GREAT READ FOR THE 4TH.
While Suzan Mercer’s father promised in his dying words the
land he left her would bring her love, she never anticipated the events
involved in the process.
Now, could she balance her new love life with her hidden CIA commitment? Could she?
After
serving eight years in the army, Suzan Mercer returns from Afghanistan
to Florida as a female war hero–her works as a CIA operative, of course,
would always be hidden.
She couldn’t believe her mother had used a
power of attorney while she was gone to sell the land her father had
left her. After learning her mother also has early onset Alzheimer's and
claims to have been taken advantage of by Matt Harris, the billionaire
developer involved, Suzan uses her military and CIA training to plot her
revenge and to reacquire her land.
Entering a world where high
heels replace combat boots and deep red lipstick becomes more deadly
than a colt 45, Suzan never anticipated the cost to reacquire her land
would be losing her heart.
Matt also learns his money and power
cannot acquire the one asset he has always lacked in his life as he
ventures into untested skies without a golden parachute to save him.
Also, would the ghost of his playboy image come back to haunt him?
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