Award-winning author and journalist Ron Baxley, Jr. will premiere and sign the five-star award-winning anthology “Tales on the Yellow Brick Road 2023” from YBR Publishing, LLC of Ridgeland, SC, on Saturday, June 24, Free RPG Day, from 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. at Galactic Comics and Games in Statesboro. Baxley has six Oz and non-Oz pieces within the anthology.
Baxley, who has been billed as “YBR’s Oz universe author", said of the anthology he will be bringing to the special day, “All submissions for this anthology were vetted by my publisher, and I am excited to have people see not only my Oz pieces in it but a dark fantasy piece, horror story, and poem by me within it as well.”
The anthology has multiple-genre pieces from authors from all over the United States and Canada. Ron first premiered it during his eighth consecutive guest author appearance at Oz-Stravaganza in Chittenango, NY, the birthplace of original Oz author L. Frank Baum, the first weekend in June and nearly sold out his first order of author copies. Baxley was awarded an Honorary Lifetime Membership to its All Things Oz Museum in 2016 for his contributions to Oz fiction. The museum gift shop sells signed copies of Baxley's books as do other gift shops, comics shops, and bookstores throughout Georgia, S.C., and beyond. The aforementioned museum also displays the works of illustrators with whom Ron has worked, including some pieces Baxley has donated. He has many stories to share, including meeting some of the original 1939 M.G.M. "The Wizard of Oz" Munchkin actors in person and dining with them.
The weekend of JoeFest (a con which focused on G.I. Joe and many other pop culture aspects) June 9-11 in Augusta, GA, Baxley premiered the anthology successfully at Augusta Book Exchange in Martinez, GA as well as at his table at Artists Alley at the con. Not a stranger to "The Boro", Baxley has had many signings of his previous works at Galactic Comics and Games before the upcoming one. The store stocks signed copies of his books.
YBR Publishing owners Jack Gannon and Cyndi Williams-Barnier created the first "Tales on the Yellow Brick Road" with their own pieces years ago. They created a second anthology this year after publishing many books at YBR Publishing, including some of Baxley’s previous titles and works from many other authors. They have pieces within the new anthology, as does John T. Wayne, grandson of John Wayne, plus an award-winning Canadian poet among others.
Participants will have an exciting weekend ahead for the hobby. According to the Free RPG Day website, “Free RPG Day works with top RPG publishers to create the can’t miss RPG event of the year at hobby game stores around the world.”
Participating retailers in Free RPG Day (such as Galactic Comics and Games) will receive a treasure trove of new and exclusive RPG adventures, previews, and accessories to provide an unparalleled day of roleplaying celebration. According to the Free RPG Day website, “Free RPG Day works with top RPG publishers to create the can’t miss RPG event of the year at hobby game stores around the world.”
Attendees will get to snag cool exclusives, maybe play new games, and be surrounded by like-minded gamers.
Galactic Comics and Games has posted that they will be celebrating Free RPG Day the entire weekend, June 23-25. The store is located on E. Vine St. in Statesboro. Baxley, Jr. will only be present on Saturday but may leave behind a signed copy or two of the anthology for the store to sell after Saturday.
