Hey everyone!

I'm going to keep this update short and sweet, I was recently interviewed about Welcome To Deadland for Examiner.com and the article is live! Click to check it out! There's additional insight to my writing process and inspiration. 

Only ten more days to go. Thank you to everyone that has placed an order, and to my followers, I hope you'll dive in as well so you can see how Welcome To Deadland unfolds.

Thank you all,

-Zac

400 readers!!! WOW. I'm completely stunned and mostly at a loss for words. THANK YOU ALL. I cannot thank everyone who has placed an order enough, it means the world to me and I feel utterly overwhelmed with gratitude. 

I know it's been a bit since I last sent out a Reader Update, and for that I apologize. I've been enjoying a cross country road trip and have finally reached my destination of San Diego, California. I got to see new parts of the country, I stood above the Grand Canyon and took it how stunningly beautiful it was (and just how small we are in comparison). But now that I'm in one location for the next two weeks I want to be more involved with InkShares and the other authors here. I'll be recommending books through the new feature, as well as highlighting excerpts and leaving comments. 

THANK YOU AGAIN to everyone that has pre-ordered, THANK YOU to InkShares and Nerdist who continue to work so hard to provide this opportunity and community to us, and THANK YOU and GOOD LUCK to all of the authors out there that I've had the pleasure of speaking with. 17 more days, we're almost there.

Also, here's a picture of my jubilation when I refreshed the page and saw the 400! Please excuse the laundry basket of clothes, currently staying in a hotel and the last thought on my mind was shoving it out of the way.

Alas, the time has come where another book has taken the top spot from Welcome To Deadland. I have personally congratulated Richard Heinz, but wanted to do so on a more public platform as well. His determination and drive has motivated me to continue fighting to stay ahead of him, and while I can give him accolades where they're due, I'm not going to back down. 

I don't even know how to express my gratitude and thanks to all of you that have placed a pre-order, and those of you that are following along. Only 9 readers away from crossing 200! I'm completely stunned and humbled by the outpouring of support I've received from family, friends, authors, and strangers. 

Because of the competition I've had the opportunity to converse with other authors, and I can't help but cheer you all on in meeting your own goals. Beyond the scope of a contest alone, we are all contributing new ideas and literature. I've placed a few pre-orders for books already, and I know I'll be placing more before September 30th.

I'm generally pretty protective over my writing, not allowing people to read any of it until they can read everything. So far I've released a few teases between the prologue, chapter one, and chapter 4, as well as the snippet on Welcome to Deadland's Facebook Page, but I know it has been a few days since I've given an update or another look. I have a few things in the works to give additional insight into the book, but I want to take a 'less is more' approach instead of constant teasing. I will be uploading a more in-depth synopsis, one that would be included on the inside jacket flap or the back of a book, today so keep an eye out for that. 

The good news is that the manuscript for Welcome to Deadland is fully written, and nearly fully edited. Of course, once I complete the first edit I'll be going back to the start and running through with another edit, and a professional editor if/when I meet the publishing goal either through The Nerdist Collection Contest or hitting 1,000 pre-orders. I'm extremely proud of this book, and from the feedback I've been receiving others have been enjoying it as well. The sooner we reach our goal the sooner the book can be in your hands in it's entirety. 

Now I must politely ask, if you have a friend or relative you believe will enjoy Welcome to Deadland, please spread the word. If you have a coworker or a neighbor, please spread the word. If you've been following Welcome To Deadland and enjoying what you've read, please consider taking the step and placing a pre-order. I fully acknowledge that I rely on the interest and kindness of others to reach my goal, and I want my writing to be able to speak for itself. 

As always, Thank You most sincerely,

-Zac