As always, thank you for the support.  I've been building this world in my head for the better part of twelve years, and I'd love to see it fully come to life.  What started as a bold epic of clear heroes and villains became, over time and like its author, jaded and cynical, but it never lost its heart.  It simply traded self-righteousness for biting wit.  The characters I wrote as a teenager and young adult, the world in which they live, have transformed into something new and fresh and cruel and ugly, and in my opinion, so very much better.  Characters aren't fully humanized without their flaws. 

As I turn in for the night, flipping through my pages to make last minute edits, I am down in this competition but not out. The response has been staggering.  Not only from friends, family, and strangers who enjoy my sample enough to place $6 of faith in me, but also from fellow authors and erstwhile "competitors" in this contest.

I'll come once more to you with hat in hand, pleading to keep sharing my project with others in the hopes of publication, but I will also ask that you give a look to A.C. Weston's She Is The End and John Robin's Blood Dawn.  There are other worthy authors who have pre-ordered The Defeated , and I encourage you to find them on my readers list and check them out as well.

Thank you for your support.  Like I keep saying, whatever happens with this competition, I will get this damned thing published, and I'll make sure to contact each and every one of you if that's the way things turn out. I am currently losing, but I don't have to be.  Keep sharing.  

Joseph G. Calcagno · Author · edited about 10 years ago
Sorry the updates have been few and far between.  I had initially intended to close out the editing and revision on the last handful of chapters today.  The Defeated is only a day or two away from ready status!  Unfortunately, two of the three German Shepherds who own me decided that today was the day they were going to eat the entire roast chicken I had just carved.  I digress.

Everyone's support has been incredibly moving.  Keep this project alive and keep spreading the word!  I'm very nearly breaking the top ten plane, and after that it's just the long, uphill trudge to the top five and that sweet, sweet publishing/promotion deal.

In the meantime, another project you may want to check out: 

She Is The End

From the bottom of my heart I thank all of you and urge you to keep spreading this.  Additionally, don't despair.  If I lose I still fully intend to pursue alternative means of publication and update every one of you.  The Defeated, which I understand may have been an ominous choice of title to enter into a contest, will see print.  But with your help, it might see print here and now!

Thirty  eight people from THREE CONTINENTS have shown their support with a pre-order of The Defeated.  I could not possibly be more grateful.  But to win this contest we need a little more.  If each one of you convinces just ONE more person to pre-order today, The Defeated will break into the top five!  I implore you all, please spread the word.  Find that one person you know who will love this book, ask them personally, and connect them for a pre-order.  Thank you.