Jamison Stone · Author · added over 9 years ago

I wish I could draw all the things things...

Rick Heinz · Author · added over 9 years ago · 13 likes

So in today’s Seventh Age update I’m going to write about some of the production stuff and projects I’m trying to assemble prior to the book launch on 11/1/2016.

After the Editing:

Cover Design is still underway.
I keep staring at my actual website and don’t have a friggin’ clue what to do with it.
Wrote an actual acknowledgement.
Placed my claim that all spiders need to be destroyed.
Anddd.. all the Grand Patrons who ordered the book using handles, character names, or odd-ball emails: I have a particular set of skills, and I will find you. Processed Meatman will be printed in the back of the book.
Actually... Processed Meatman is pretty damn hilarious. It stays.

Looking for artists!

I will pay you for commissions related to the Seventh Age! Email me at CrankyBolt@gmail.com if you are interested in helping with art. My website is in vast need of an overhaul, and I’m trying to collect artwork related to the book so I can flesh some things out, make a better book trailer, and swoon over artistic ability that I have not.

The Quest to 1000:

We, and I from the bottom of my heart, I mean we; have almost reached 1000 copies. This is a huge milestone for any first time author. On Inkshares, it also has a special significance. 1000 copies before meant your book qualified for full publishing on it’s own outside of a contest. I think it’s a pretty important statement to make if we can prove that The Seventh Age could make it all the way there before publication on 11/1.

I haven’t issued a direct call-to-action for a while and now that the book is actually coming out in a few months I think this milestone is worth it. If you know anyone who would enjoy an unrelenting, action packed urban fantasy tale: Send them here. The #1 way people buy books is by recommendations.

Until next week!

Alexander Barnes · Author · added over 9 years ago

That’s so bad ass.

Rick Heinz · Author · added over 9 years ago · 17 likes

As tomorrow happens to be my birthday, and I turn the grand ol’ age of 35. I figured I would make this update about something a little more personal.

I mentioned once before that The Seventh Age book was inspired by events in a role-playing game universe that I created years ago. Like any LARP, costumes and props play a fantastic roll. I’ve attached only a mere handful of my favorite pictures from the games that were played.

Here are some of the pictures that inspired me to turn my imagination into an actual book:

There are some extremely talented crafters that played in our games over the years.

And AnotherAnd the final one:

The box of red buttons was one of my favorite game sessions still. If you like these kind of updates as well, or want to know more about the expanded world of The Seventh Age, follow the project page please. I’m on a quest to achieve 1000 copies as well, so if you know anybody who likes sarcastic urban fantasy... please recommend to a friend.

Also, how does everyone feel about me using this update reader feature as sort of a weekly blog? Leave a comment, email me at CrankyBolt@gmail.com, hit up up on twitter @crankybolt and let me know!

Rick Heinz · Author · added over 9 years ago · 7 likes

So Geek N Sundry is running a contest related to Hard Science, and there is one week left in this contest. While everyone knows I’m a rabid occult fan, I grew up wanted to be a Dinosaur Scientist! (That’s the technical term I used btw). There is a book in the contest called "We Clocked The T-Rex." by Ronald D Valle. It’s about using CRISPR gene editing to engage in the first DE-Extinction event to save the world from climate change. It involves a T-Rex.

If you want to add to the stress levels of every author in the contest. Go here and check out his book: https://www.inkshares.com/books/we-clocked-the-t-rex?referral_code=ea707ed3

He’s currently in 4th place, and the top 3 win. I like seeing these contests have some momentum behind them and competition is a good thing.

Speaking of saving the world... but using Magic.

The Seventh Age was inspired from many sources, and truth is pretty damn strange. If you don’t know about Jack Parsons from the Jet Propulsion Lab, he was a known practitioner of Thelma and a fan of the Ordo Templi Orientus by Aleister Crowley. While Jack Parsons would become an integral figure to the future of space exploration, there are many accounts of occult parties and rituals conducted at his home to bring supernatural entities into this world.

In real life.

My setting of the Seventh Age uses true stories and occult organizations like this. In my updates, I’m going to start revealing the awesome and occult organizations that exist in the real world that inspired me. In honor of the Hard Science contest... Jack Parsons is a dedicated scientist with both feet firmly in the occult. Neat!

In other fun news.

This is Jameson Stone (Author of Runes of the Apprentice), Alexander Barnes (Co-Author of The Amaranth Chronicles, Myself representing "The Metal", and Joseph Asphahani (Author of The Animal in Man). We met up last night at The Bottom Lounge in Chicago when people were in town. We did what authors do: We drank. It was fun. More people should meet up.

Now, I’m off to join Team Iron Man and actually go see this Civil War movie :). I know this update is more of a blog post, but I haven’t done one like this before and if you kinda like it, let me know!

PM Me, Email Me: CrankyBolt@gmail.com, Twitter: @CrankyBolt, Facebook: /CrankyBolt. Any game server out there: CrankyBolt.

Notice the theme?

Rick Heinz · Author · added over 9 years ago · 5 likes

Short and sweet updates work best! Cover Voting Options!

Help decide the fate of which direction we are going to roll in. Send me an email to CrankyBolt@gmail.com or reach out on twitter @CrankyBolt with what you like!

If you are a follower as well, that hasn’t picked up a copy of the Seventh Age yet... hop in so you can vote! If you’re a fellow author who is in the fantasy genre, reach out to me via direct messages as well.

One note: These covers are not complete yet. There is still another round of direction after this.

Cover #1

Cover #2

Cover #3

Rick Heinz · Author · added over 9 years ago · 7 likes

It’s an Editing Party! As of today I have my next round of Copy Edits to begin. They are due back on May 3rd. Now, the exiting thing about Copy Editing is it’s the round where all of my horrible typing and grammar style mistakes are cleaned up and polished into one rabidly bad-ass vampire manuscript.

I can’t seriously tell you how excited I am about having my work chopped and cleaned up by professional editors. Alright, that aside. I have a little bit of Inkshares promotion below for a fellow authors book that I ordered a bunch of copies of a while back.

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There’s a project that’s nearing its funding goal that I’d like to bring your attention to. It still needs a little over 70 pre-orders to get full funding onInkshares. I think it’s worth your attention and I hope you’ll agree. Check it out:

A God in the Shedby J-FDubeauis a Fantasy/Horror story set in theforgettablysmall village of St-Ferdinand, in the Eastern Townships of Quebec. The villagers have been hiding terrible secret for generations, but when their mysterious captive escapes but gets inadvertently trapped in theMcKenzy’sbackyard shed, it’s up to the Venus and her friends to figure out how to dispose of this terrible and malevolent burden; an Old God of hate and death.You can find out more about this dark and beautiful, read sample chapters, reviews and pre-order you copy of A God in the Shed by visiting: www.inkshares.com/books/a-god-in-the-shedYou can listen to the prologue as read by Ageless author Paul Inman here: youtu.be/XJw5oZhqtXoNeed more incentive?

Each pre-order enters you into the ‘I want to kill a reader’ raffle. The winner will have his name and likeness used in the book as a minor character that gets killed off. The author will work with the winner to find the appropriate means of demise to satisfy both the winner and the story.
Each physical copy of A God in the Shed will be signed and numbered as an exclusive first edition item.
Free, exclusive A God in the Shed bookmarks will be included with the physical copies and mailed to eBook supporters.
Orders of three or more copies guarantees your name to appear in the Patrons list printed at the end of the book.
You get to enjoy the satisfaction and pride at having supported both art and literature.

A God in the Shed is the first part of a trilogy that pushes the line between beauty and horror by telling a story that changes how we look at magic and the world around us. You have a chance of being part of making this book a reality and supporting a new author on his journey.

However, time is running out! The campaign ends April 22nd. Don’t miss out and order today!

www.inkshares.com/books/a-god-in-the-shed

Craig A. Munro · Author · added over 9 years ago

#2 is awesome!!!

Jamison Stone · Author · added over 9 years ago

Very cool covers @Richard! I really like all three!

#1 really reminds me of the Rider-Waite tarot deck (my personal favorite deck) and has some great color and symbolism. It also has a more lighthearted, old school Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, classic feel.

#2 is much darker and sinister. Has a very "Diablo" feel which is very cool--just different from #1’s colorful motif. #2 is not an "old school" feel but REALLY OLD SCHOOL, like Kabbalah and Necronomicon old school!

#3 is a great character cover. I could see it being a series cover for future books, too. Possibly showing Mike’s evolution over multiple books and the world around him changes.

Ultimately I feel that I feel #1 and #2 are the most unique, but as far as favorites, that is a tough one. I guess it all depends on if you want to do for a lighter feel #1, a darker/sinister feel #2, or a character driven feel #3. I think each direction is a strong one!

Rick Heinz · Author · edited over 9 years ago · 9 likes

Monthly Update! So, my publication date is now 11/1/2016. Much closer. I have 3 days left to finish my line edits. I’m on schedule. That stuff is boring.

WE HAVE COVERS TO VOTE ON!!!

Okay. Here is the deal. Tweet me @crankybolt or email me, or even comment here. Each of these covers is a design direction.

Not the final cover. By any stretch. These are just looking at which avenue we should head down.

Option #1

This cover is filled with arcane imagery in an organic cover design where text blurs with the artwork. If you think we should head in this direction, even with different colors and would like to see more usages of linked occult symbology. Vote for this one.

Option #2

This cover is closer to the original cover art. The intent of this design path is to create something that is more like an arcane tome. A spellbook one could hold. If you like this direction. Vote here!

Option #3

This one is the most off putting at first. Yet it’s important to know that this is just a place holder for an Illustrated cover with a character (Mike) in his green trenchcoat with the black sun on the horizon. Or of his coat tattered on an I-beam above the Chicago Skyline. I know it may be hard to visualize, but if you like that design direction. Vote here!

Option #4:

Don’t like any? Then say so!

Send me your gut reactions and your initial feedback! Tweet them out, email me, or throw paper rocks at me with notes on them.

Twitter: @CrankyBolt Facebook: facebook.com/crankybolt Email: Crankybolt@gmail.com