My First YA Fantasy Book Signing: The Jar of Dreams Comes Home to Bookoccino in Avalon
I am very excited (and a little overwhelmed) to be hosting my first-ever book signing for my debut YA fantasy book, The Jar of Dreams at Bookoccino in Avalon, the very place where I wrote and edited a lot of this novel over the past few years.
After carrying this story with me for 24 years, I am excited to invite readers to meet Tarun and discover his quest in search of his stolen dreams, a story that began for me as a dream halfway up a mountain in the Indian Himalayas.
If you love YA fantasy books, rich world building, and immersive epic fantasy with positive life messages, I’d love to meet you.
Book Signing Details – Meet Me at Bookoccino, Avalon
Author: Alan Riva
Book: The Jar of Dreams (YA Fantasy Novel)
Location: Bookoccino, Avalon (NSW)
Date and Time: Saturday 14th February from 10-11am
Event: Author Meet & Book Signing
What to expect:
- Signed copies of The Jar of Dreams
- A FREE printed map of the Lands of Vaniya [vah-nye-ah] and the realm of Naz-Djek [nahz-jhek]
- A FREE The Jar of Dreams bookmark designed by Luke Choice of Velvet Spectrum (Luke designed the incredible cover art)
- A chance to chat with me about the story, the worlds of The Jar of Dreams
- The story behind how the book began
- Relaxed, friendly atmosphere and great coffee at Bookoccino
Bookoccino isn’t just the venue, it’s part of the story. I wrote much of The Jar of Dreams surrounded by books that have inspired me as a reader and writer. Like every place that I have written, I feel the energy of Bookoccino and its amazing staff when I open my copy of The Jar of Dreams. Somehow, this place has helped shape the worlds, the characters, and the mythology. Bringing the book back here feels like bringing the story home.
About The Jar of Dreams – A YA Fantasy Book 24 Years in the Making
The Jar of Dreams is a YA fantasy book built on deep world building and the spirit of epic fantasy. It’s a story of mystical lands, an epic battle between the light and an unexpected prophecy - but at its heart, The Jar of Dreams is a story about hope and courage, to discover your dreams even when everything around you is falling apart, and the dark mists of fear plague your mind.
This journey began with a dream, halfway up a mountain in the Indian Himalayas. I had a dream that stayed with me. I didn’t know what it meant at the time, only that I couldn’t let it go. That dream became the seed of this tale, and over the next 24 years, I slowly built everything around it.
Over two decades, I developed:
- The Lands of Vaniya - a fully realised fantasy world, and the spirit realms that are accessible via magical portals created by the Hehlani [heh-lah-nee]
- Cultures, lore, and mythology
- The languages of the worlds that you will travel through; Xhadurian [sha-doo-ree-ahn], Duzkharan [dooz-kah-rahn], Falhaz [fah-lahz], Hymezian [hi-mehz-ee-ahn] Pathika [pah-thih-kah]
- Characters who grow through loss, courage, and discovery
- A magic, or mystical system shaped by dreams and the light of Marai
- An unexpected prophecy that will shape The Dream Chronicles as the series expands from The Jar of Dreams as Book One.
For readers who love epic fantasy with emotional depth and immersive settings, this book is my invitation into a world I’ve been living in for half of my life. I realised during a recent creative writing workshop with a Year 9 group that I have lived in the worlds within this book longer than any one place on this planet, and that I have known these characters for longer than my children (who have helped inspire me to follow this dream of writing and becoming an author).
Why This YA Fantasy Book Is Different
What makes The Jar of Dreams different for me is the time it was allowed to take. The world building wasn’t rushed. The world grew inside me and alongside me. The practice of writing, or creating, this novel every day has taught me many lessons. One is the state of being completely committed but unattached. For the book, this means being committed to being in the experience of imagining, writing, learning, sharing, writing again and not being attached to any outcome. Like most life lessons, this didn’t come easy at first, but with daily practice, it has helped me to keep the joy in writing.
The Jar of Dream is a story that I have carried quietly for years, and I am excited to now share it and help it out into the world.
If you enjoy:
- Deep, immersive fantasy worlds
- Epic fantasy with heart and wisdom
- YA fantasy books that speak to adults as well as teenagers.
…then I think you’ll feel at home in this world.
Why Bookoccino in Avalon Matters to Me
Bookoccino is where The Jar of Dreams really took shape. Over the last seven or eight years, much of my writing happened here. Scenes, world details, character development, entire chapters shaped between coffees and travelling through my own portals into the Lands of Vaniya and into the minds, hearts, bodies and spirits of the characters within this tale.
I have moved further from Avalon recently, but always love coming back to Bookoccino and I am so grateful to Ray, Mary and all the team for their support as I begin the journey, now helping this story out into the world.
Book Signing FAQ – The Jar of Dreams
What genre is The Jar of Dreams?
It’s a YA Fantasy Book with strong Epic Fantasy, world building elements and allegory (or life messages).
Where can I buy The Jar of Dreams?
The Jar of Dreams, Limited Edition Pre-Release is available via the store on this site and also at Bookoccino in-store and online.
Is this your first novel?
Yes, The Jar of Dreams is my debut novel, developed over 24 years.
Is the book suitable for young adults?
Yes. It’s written for YA readers, but I’ve found adult fantasy readers connect deeply with the world and themes too.
Do I need a ticket?
No ticket needed, just come along to Bookoccino in Avalon.
Can I get my book signed?
Yes, I’ll be signing copies on the day and would love to meet you.
A Personal Invitation
This story began as a dream halfway up a mountain in the Himalayas. I carried it home with me, and for 24 years it quietly grew into a world I never imagined I’d one day be brave enough to share.
If you’ve ever carried a story, an idea, or a dream inside you for years, I hope you’ll come and say hello. I’d love to meet you and share The Jar of Dreams with you.
Join Me at Bookoccino, Avalon – YA Fantasy Book Signing
If you love YA fantasy books, immersive world building, and heartfelt epic fantasy, I’d love to meet you at Bookoccino in Avalon, on 14th February from 10-11am, and introduce you to The Jar of Dreams.
You can purchase your copy of the Limited Edition Pre-Release in-store on the day or online at https://shop.bookoccino.com.au/p/the-jar-of-dreams.
