Book tour arrives at LA's Anime Expo!

We had a great time promoting the book as the tour caught up with our publisher, Glenn Kardy of Manga University, at the massive Anime Expo in LA from July 4-6.

What I realised most in terms of how people react positively to the comic book is that this story is really about the human interactions Sonny has with those people directly involved in his life, from his coach and friends to in Japan dealing with the different sensei, his home stay family, his co-workers and his new friends. The vehicle of the story may be about fascinating karate, but the human element of how both in funny and serious ways Sonny deals with one life moment to the next is the most touch element of the book.

So at Anime Expo, when describing the book the potential readers, the karate angle may have caught their eye at first, the story of Sonny's journey through real Japan most intrigued them.

 

100,000 of cos-players at this event! Wow.

While not a karate sporting event, the reaction from the anime/manga fans to the comic book was actually really great though.

 

Lots of people had actually done martial arts and many are interested in going to Japan one day.

 
And it was lots of fun speaking to people passionate about good artwork.

Naples, Florida: The comic book tour has started!

The first stop of my book tour in Naples, Florida has gone really well! Everyone seems to really like the comic book, both the beautiful cover, the perfect size, the directory on Japan and of course the story!

Initial comments about the book have been very positive! People really like its beautiful cover, its perfect size and its directory on today's Japanese karate, plus the best part is that both kids and adults have been enjoying the story.

When I ran out of books at a few events some people were so disappointed they found me the next day at the next event to the point I was selling them like hotcakes from the back of the car!

Big thanks goes out to Eric Masino at American Sports Karate for hosting me and helping to get the word out about the book now being for sale!

Another big thanks to George Kotaka, WKF World Champion, visiting from Hawaii to give a seminar at Kurokawa Martial Arts in Fort Myers. I also appreciate everyone there who have offered to help promote the book.

In Naples they asked me to teach classes in their 2 (!) dojo, but also on the beach under the hot, perfect Florida sun.

Here's Eric Sensei (grey shirt) and I putting the students through their paces.

The students were focused, but still fun in the classes! Thanks again everyone! I look forward to being back soon!

The next stages of the comic book tour are:

AAU Karate Championships, Fort Lauderdale, FL, July 2-3

Anime Expo, LA, July 4-6

LA July 7-9 NKF

Nationals, Reno, NV, July 9-13

Richard