Interesting observation. I think there is a tendency to have the ocean to the left. Though, what the consequence this is, if any, I don't know.

What I think is more interesting, is that many fantasy maps are maps of regions, with the whole world intentionally left out. Middle-earth, Dragon Age and even your own The Steel Remains are only part of a bigger world.
I think this has to do with the potential of expansion within the universe of the map. LOTR has a huge elaborate universe beyond Middle-Earth, Dragon Age will definitely have its universe expanded and maybe Richard K. Morgan will branch outside the bounds of the first book (where did those scaled folk come from?).

The point is that a lot of maps are of RPG settings and therefore leave out the "whole view", so that they can be expanded upon later. Or maybe its up to the reader himself to image it, which is all the more interesting.