Thursday night at 10PM in the Hyatt Embassy was the roadshow to be at. John Hartness, author, publisher and editor of Falstaff hosted this fun-filled event. The hall was full of curious and excited people, especially for a late call time on a Thursday. Several authors in the audience were represented by Falstaff, as well as many fans of these authors.

John, in his usual comic and satirical manner, entertained everyone. He founded his publishing house in 2016 with only a plan of publishing around 12 books a year. To date, not even 10 years later, Falstaff has published around 350 books. The goal was not to become rich, although he did admit that would be cool, but to be able to help others become published and to have enough to pay his staff. He calls Falstaff “Misfits,” a term he used lovingly in regards to being able to give those a chance they may not have had in the corporate process with larger publishing houses to become published authors. Cheers erupted around the room to the success of not only Hartness, but to all of the authors who have become published.

During this hour-long event, several authors were introduced. The randomness of where everyone was seated, it was like a popcorn effect. John would introduce an author. That author would stand and plug their work, and the floor would return back to John. The next introduction would have that author standing in a different part of the room. It was a unique way to introduce everyone, which made this panel homier and more entertaining. There was laughter and banter. There were introductions of award-nominated and award-winning authors that may have been new to the rest of the audience. 

In a publishing world full of rejections and sometimes dismay, John Hartness created his misfit world to include so many talented writers who only want a chance.