An introduction to James Raven - author of Sentinels of Tzurac

As a young boy growing up in an era of pre-television with only the radio to listen to on Sunday mornings, my brother and I would entertain ourselves with the classic comics by Marvel and other companies. It was here that I discovered my passion for heroes of the future, Batman, Superman, Green Arrow, Flash, The Phantom, Thor, The Shadow. I read the super sized comics over and over again until they started to fall apart and I was always pretending that I could fly and jump off tall buildings. That was until I came face to face with reality one unlucky afternoon while sailing off the next door neighbour’s roof. I landed with a shocking thud on the hard surface of the ground below. Even this didn’t deter me from believing in my heroes and in a world where good always overcomes evil.

As I grew older and conditioned into being a responsible adult I had to curtail my vivid imagination and suppress my creativity. Performing my public service duties I had to write unemotional, factual reports and submissions. In my own time, after hours and on week-ends, I would escape into my creative world writing my sci-fi story with heroes struggling against villains for good to triumph. I was careful not to write about matters that appeared illogical or ridiculous and too far fetched for the reader to discard as absolutely absurd. Rather I wrote down possibilities with real potential to eventuate in accordance with some scientific principles. My reasoning being was if the reader believed these things were possible as I do, they would enjoy the adventure more so and experience the emotional journey and perhaps an adrenalin rush to the senses.

I never envisaged myself being an author, a title that seemed to belong to those who over the decades, nay centuries, have produced volumes of literature and left their footprint firmly embedded in the sands of time. I have always been in awe of those writers who had this creative talent to keep me intrigued, page after page to completely engage my imagination, stimulate my emotions and leave me saturated with excitement.
Yet, amazingly, I have now made my tiny baby imprint with my first published sci-fi novel for the world to read and listen to thanks to modern technology. And, amazingly, readers who have already acquired my book have informed me how they have enjoyed the story and are waiting impatiently for my next book. This encouragement has given me the enthusiasm to continue to write sequels for the trilogy that I have already started entitled “Zarkwin’s Revenge”.

But it hasn’t been an easy road as many authors will confess. Like most trying to put pen to paper (in modern terms, finger to keyboard), it has taken many drafts and many disappointments with my threats of throwing the manuscript in the bin on several occasions. However, the old adage still applies that “persistence pays off.” Even the most notable artists will tell you that it takes patience and hard work to massage, refine, smooth out and rework all the parts to produce a piece of art that is worthy of praise.
And just when I thought I had finished my masterpiece (being subjective), the hard work had only just begun. Now I needed the manuscript published and potential readers wanting to indulge in my science-fiction “space opera” as it was once coined by a professional assessor. Should I produce a paperback, an eBook, even an audiobook or all three? Well as you will discover I decided on all three. But that’s another story to tell of how I went about it for my next segment on Raven’s Ramblings.
James Raven - “May the spirits of the Ancients guide you and protect you”