Today Showtime hit another big milestone: 300 copies pre-ordered! I was hoping to reach 300 by this upcoming Friday, so a couple days earlier than hoped for is an unexpected (but welcome) surprise. Thanks to everyone who has ordered over the past couple weeks to get it there. I’m a little behind in my thank-yous so if you haven’t received a personal note, e-mail, or message from me, stay tuned! Your support and generosity has not gone unnoticed, I promise.

In other news, Inkshares has also agreed to another 30 day extension. The new end date is now June 21st. Depending on how the upcoming month goes in terms of sales, this may be the final time I ask for extra time. If pre-orders continue to come in, I could see the benefit of extending; however, if orders start to dry up, I’ll know it has come to its natural end date.

So now more than ever, would you consider ordering another copy—or persuading someone you know to order? Order one for your cousin Jimmy, your great-aunt Hilda, or the ghost in your attic. Maybe even the stray dog that’s been digging through your trash (they deserve books, too). Order one in honor of my squeaky clean, no-cavity dentist visit this morning. Or the series finale of The Big Bang Theory tomorrow night. Or maybe you’re prone to sleep-buying things. That’d be cool, too.

Like I said before, 750 orders is the goal but it’s not the requirement. Shout out to Leo Valiquette who, fifteen days ago, received a publication contact for his novel, Bane of All Things with 438 pre-orders. Leo’s campaign is proof that publication is possible with a sizeable amount of pre-orders, the support of enthusiastic readers, and a polished, ready-to-go manuscript. Looking back, Inkshares has also published books that hit: 277 orders, 183 orders, 251 orders, 278 orders, 339 orders, and others with less than 750. So for anyone seeing my progress bar half-full and thinking, What’s the point of ordering now?—it’s still possible!

Thanks again to everyone who has continued to support and order, read and share, and for sticking around just a liiiiiiitle while longer.

Ricky

P.S. For fun, here’s some Showtime stats (because when are stats not fun?):

Copies ordered: 300
Followers: 245
Ranking of reviewed "funding" books: #1
Days left: 37
People bothered: 7,004

12 days left!

Thank you to Jack Quaranta, Brian James Freeman, Brian Keith Jones, EvaMarie Davis, and Catherine Newman for their recent orders! We’re now at a solid 275! I plan on asking for one more extension post-May 17th (the newest end date), and getting Showtime’s order total to 300 by then, which is my mini-goal, would help make the case for Inkshares to approve one last push!

Remember, eBooks are only $10.00 and you CAN e-mail them as a gift. Two lattes at Starbucks will cost you roughly the same amount as an eBook, but a 400+ page book will give you more hours of entertainment and bang for your buck. It’s math, people. ;) So if you’d consider buying an extra copy for yourself or a friend (or maybe you drink too much on this Cinco de Mayo and order ten), I’d be super appreciative (and a special thank you to those who already have).

I’ve gotten a lot of comments from people who want to read the whole book and I can’t emphasize this enough: it can’t happen without you!

Thanks again to every single one of you who has pre-ordered so far, read, reviewed, shared, and showed enthusiasm for me and my book since January. We’re almost there, you guys. :)

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Ricky

If you haven’t seen my latest Facebook update, Inkshares has officially OK’ed an extension for Showtime’s pre-order campaign with the new end date being May 17th!

Over the next month, it’s more important than ever to show that Showtime was worthy of the extension. If you haven’t yet, now would be a great time to read my sample chapters (1-4 available now) and leave a review. And, as always, pre-ordering additional copies and sharing with friends and family would also be helpful.

Remember that 750 copies is only the ideal. Showtime still has a shot at publication based on our pre-order totals, reviews, followers, and time spent reading chapters. So if you’ve done one but not the other, would you consider checking it off your list? :)

Those of you who know me well enough know that I don’t as for things (favors, help, money, etc.)--must be the stubborn Italian in me--but this is the one time I am. So if you’re feeling extra-generous or extra-supportive or extra-really-wanting-to-help-someone-you-like-get-this-baby-published, I’d appreciate any additional help you’re willing to offer.

Thanks to everyone for sticking around with me a little longer. :)

Ricky

We are now down to the wire, everyone, as only 3 more days remain in Showtime’s pre-order campaign!

If you know anyone who said they were going to order—or if you know someone you could persuade to order—now is the time! Remember, anyone who orders an additional copy within the next three days is entered into the Dunkin’ Donuts gift card giveaway.

We’re currently at 260 copies pre-ordered in almost three months. That’s a lot (and is extra amazing to think about since we started at 0)! I have roughly 25 additional verbal yeses, but so far those orders haven’t been placed.

I’m planning on asking Inkshares for an extension and the higher the order total by Tuesday (the end of the campaign), the higher the chance that they’ll be willing to give it. Additional pre-orders and/or writing a review of what you’ve read in the sample chapters would be more than welcome. :)

Many people have said to me (either online or in person) over the last few months that they would really like to read the whole book. I want that, too, but it can’t happen without you!

Thanks for your continued support,

Ricky

P.S. A special thank-you to some awesome people who have recently gone above and beyond to show their support with their positive words and additional orders: Leo V., Liberty G., Debbie P., Charlie W., Rusty R., Pam R., Irene P., and Amanda H. You guys rock. :)

Do do do do

Do do do do do

Do do do do…

The final countdooooooown!

There are now officially 10 days left in Showtime’s pre-order campaign. We’re currently sitting at 243 copies ordered (it’s sure come a long way from Day 1!) and while it’s far from the ideal 750, remember: reaching that number isn’t the only thing Inkshares looks at for publication.

As much as I hate to ask, if you have the means or are feeling particularly generous, would you consider ordering an additional copy? In addition to your book, you’ll also get a virtual high-five and the self-satisfaction of helping someone you like get one step closer to being able to leave his job and write full-time.

Also, for the next ten days, anyone who purchases (or already has purchased) an additional copy—either eBook or print—will be entered to win another Dunkin’ Donuts gift card. eBooks are only $10 and, upon publication, you’ll be able to choose what format in which to download them—so you could even send them as a gift!

A couple years ago, reaching 250 orders was enough for Inkshares to offer a “lighter” publication contract (without most of the bells and whistles). While that’s not the case anymore, 250 orders sure would make for a good case for publication. (Plus, it’s exactly one-third of the “ideal”.) 7 more and we’ll be at 250! That, combined with amount of chapter reads, reviews, and Facebook shares might get us to where we need to be.

Thanks again, everyone. We’re almost through!

Ricky