Ron Baxley Jr.

A published author for 28 years and former educator for half that, Ron Baxley, Jr. is known for his Oz fiction which has gleaned him guest invitations to Wizard of Oz festivals and cons for a decade. In fact, Ron was recognized in 2016 with a Lifetime Membership by the International L. Frank Baum and All Things Oz Foundation in original Oz author L. Frank Baum’s birthplace, Chittenango, New York, for his contributions to Oz fiction. His most recent work, a graphic novel which he wrote the story and scripting for, partially takes place in Oz, and has a main character and hero based on Ron’s shelter-adopted, emotional support Corgi Ziggy. The graphic novel, _Ziggy Zig-zags the Light and Dark Fantastic, Vol. 1_ (illustrated by Vincent Myrand) has fictional Ziggy the Corgi, steed for the Welsh elves, going on his own quests to save and assist characters in the aforementioned land as well as Neverland and Wonderland – all while trying to evade the Dark Elf and his minions. In early September, Ron’s graphic novel was awarded a finalist award by the 2019 Readers’ Favorite International Fiction Contest and was one of five graphic novels awarded internationally. It was published by YBR Publishing of Ridgeland, S.C. as was Ron’s previous well-reviewed Southern fantasy novel, _O.Z. Diggs Himself Out_.