{"id":42266,"date":"2025-10-28T16:10:07","date_gmt":"2025-10-28T23:10:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uprinting.com\/?p=42266"},"modified":"2026-05-05T09:08:37","modified_gmt":"2026-05-05T16:08:37","slug":"customer-story-j-r-rice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.uprinting.com\/blog\/customer-story-j-r-rice\/","title":{"rendered":"Customer Story: J.R. Rice"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Launching an award-winning debut novel is no small feat and promoting it is a story of its own. In this feature, multi-hyphenate artist\u00a0J.R. Rice<\/a>\u00a0opens up about his writing journey, balancing creative roles, cultivating community, and using print to communicate and connect.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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\nTurning Struggles into Stories\n<\/h2>
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What\u2019s the use of a broken pencil? It may seem pointless, but even broken pencils have their purpose. That idea lies at the heart of\u00a0Broken Pencils<\/i>, J.R. Rice\u2019s award-winning debut novel.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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A book display table with printed books and a tall branded banner at an indoor event<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

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Captivated by the power of stories to motivate readers and transform lives, J.R. was determined to use his voice to help others by turning struggles into meaningful lessons. That\u2019s what inspired him to write.<\/p>

Broken Pencils<\/i>\u00a0is a dark coming of age story that follows Jonah Tarver, a troubled teenager from Oakland. On the night of his senior prom and the anniversary of his best friend\u2019s death, Jonah grapples with the idea that life is pointless, like broken pencils, and embarks on a 12-hour journey to find his own purpose.<\/p>

J.R. draws inspiration from two of his favorite books, J.D. Salinger\u2019s\u00a0The Catcher in the Rye<\/i>\u00a0and Langston Hughes\u2019 poem\u00a0Teacher<\/i>, both of which explore the timeless search for purpose. Jonah\u2019s story is also personal. Having faced depression and manic episodes since his teens, J.R. understands what it means to carry an invisible weight while longing to be understood.<\/p>

Writing became his way of transforming pain into purpose; through a character whose struggles mirror his own resilience.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Writing Jonah\u2019s chaotic yet courageous journey was my way of turning those struggles into a story that others could see themselves in. My hope is that readers will not only understand the challenges of living with bipolar disorder but also recognize the beauty and resilience that can emerge from it.<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

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\nCreativity that Fosters Community\n<\/h2>
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J.R.\u2019s love for storytelling goes beyond writing. He embraces other artistic outlets to inspire and empower fellow creatives to do the same.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Two people standing beside a branded book banner holding printed books<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

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Whether as an author, performer, teacher, host, or creator, each role he takes on is an opportunity to showcase his passions and bring people together.<\/p>

Onstage, he delivers raw and emotional narratives that spark conversation and reflection. In the classroom, he strives to help young people find confidence in their voices. And through events like open mics, book readings, and artist showcases, he connects local creatives with audiences eager to witness talent and listen to authentic stories.<\/p>

J.R. adds,\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Balancing these roles hasn\u2019t always been easy. There have been many times when managing everything just felt overwhelming.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

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A collage of book event photos featuring banners, displays, and a speaking setup<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

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\nPrint That Connects\n<\/h2>
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When it comes to promoting his works, visibility is everything.<\/p>

As J.R. puts it,\u00a0\u201cA good product sells itself. Those words are true to a point. The reality is, even the best product needs to be visible.\u201d<\/i><\/p>

That\u2019s where quality print comes in \u2014 serving not just as d\u00e9cor, but as effective tools that catch the eye, invite people into conversation, and ensure J.R.\u2019s presence is remembered long after the event ends.<\/p>

Through UPrinting, he invested in\u00a0retractable banners<\/a>,\u00a0bookmarks<\/a>,\u00a0stickers<\/a>, and\u00a0pens<\/a>. These simple yet strategic print items have equipped his booth to capture attention and make every interaction memorable.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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I would highly recommend UPrinting to other creatives. Their process is efficient, their delivery times are consistently early, and the product quality is top-tier. I also found their pricing to be more reasonable than other printing services. As I continue to grow my brand and projects, UPrinting will definitely remain my go-to resource for all my print needs.<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

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At large gatherings like the AWP Conference in Los Angeles and the Bay Area Book Festival, these print products turned audience curiosity into meaningful connections.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Printed bookmarks and promotional cards arranged in a flat lay display<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

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For fellow artists and authors looking to elevate their promotions, J.R. shares these tips:<\/p>