You're so generous! Congratulations on all this buzz I see happening here -- nearly 50% to 1000? Wow! You'll be at 100% by the end of this contest. And we'll keep this great community growing, growing, growing.

Hello. Weekly update time! This week, I'm going to focus this update on saying thank you to everyone who has helped. Including some of the author friends I have met over this contest. The amount  of support from everyone has been incredibly inspiring. It really goes to show that you never know what kind of help you can find by reaching out to complete strangers and engaging in mutual support. Audio files, cover art, editing, coloring books, advice.... the list goes on.

If you are another author who is following this book, chances are you are in the genres of Cyberpunk, Dystopian, Urban Fantasy, Dark Fantasy, or Epic Fantasy. Its because I've already followed you. These are the genres I read. We are building a community of Inkshare Authors here: You will find all kinds of mutual support. Now that being said. Time for some shout outs:

Runes of The Apprentice: 

Jamison is the guy to talk to. Fantastic person, great community organizer, and writer of some Epic Fantasy. If you like Myths, Maps, and Magic this is your jam. I'm not kidding, he has some of the most detailed maps of his world I have seen in any of the inkshare contests and they are absolutely amazing. His prologue is full of blood, violence and conspiracy that sets up a very nice journey. In true fantasy fashion, the world is unique and his own, and I'm damn sure he can tell you what is in every nook and cranny in his world. 

Motor City Chronicles:  

Paul Inman and Patrick Ryerson hit me in the soft spot with Urban Fantasy set slightly in the future. The year 2030, the world struggles to find balance after nuclear war.  17 year old orphan, Cam Blackwell, holds an ancient secret that could bring balance to the Earth.  But first, he has bigger problems. These are also great authors to know as they have already done Inkshares before. AND they offer amazing support. They will do book readings, audio files, advice on crowd funding. 

A Beast Requires:

Jay has written something very unique. It's a fantasy world. Traditional style. With massive elements of urban fantasy, police procedures, humor, politics and conspiracy. The best of both genres. Jay is also a wizard at 'the twitter' and helping other authors out as well. 

Blood Dawn:

For those reading this: Know that I am a huge Robert Jordan Fan. Epic fantasy with massive stories and plots over a long series I love. Many of you might as well. While John is not in this contest with the Nerdist, his book is on Inkshares. I feel it's fair to say, that John Robin has been the figurehead of organizing authors together in forming a community in this inkshare contest. For this alone: I salute you sir. 

The Catchers Trap: 

If you want to talk about random encounters from reaching out to people. Ricardo Henriquez takes the cake for me. Runner? Check. Super nice guy? Check. Former City of Heros player? Check. Into Demons and Horror? Check. Go check out his stuff.

All of the authors I've mentioned, are fine people, and there are many more in this contest as well. If you are just following my book, and haven't backed it yet, consider hopping in. The same with all of these other people. You may find yourself with an ever expanding network of friends you never knew before who are all in the writing world that will go well beyond the duration of a single contest. Because let's be real here: Sept 30th is coming up fast and I'm going to wager that none of us are going to stop writing after that date. 

What?! First place. What black magic devilry is this? You deserve it. But please enlighten me. I'm still struggling to do one chin up on the Top 10 bar.

I keep these updates weekly because there is no need to spam everyone. 

So, we have reached the end of week three. 300 people is a goal actually in the cross-hairs. 

That being said: Thank you to all of you so far. 

I am not going to release any further chapters beyond 5. At this point, you are just going to have to read the book.. :). 

Now, for this weekend. What better way to celebrate labor day weekend, than trying to pitch a book to a friend of yours that has a pro-labor character? Since it is near the half way point, it's time for another social media blitz. If you read this, just share it again on your Facebook wall, and twitter account. Tag people who might be interested.

If you've sent out messages to people, this is the point to touch base with them and ask them again if they've taken care of it. A lot of people I've talked to aren't even aware that this is a contest, or they think that they need to wait until they get paid. 

Enlighten them! Shatter the stranglehold of misinformation!

And enjoy a nice 3 day weekend, 40 hour work weeks, and every other Saturday and Sunday, paid overtime, and many other labor laws (Like the eradication of child labor), from insanely hardcore people a generation ago who starved and protested so that everyone could have a better shot at enjoying life!

Update time! We need 10 more readers and then we hit the 200 mark. Besides stalking local book stores to ambush people in the fantasy section, I'm doing everything I can to make sure this book is brought to print. 

Once we hit 200 readers, I will put up the final chapter for the contest (Chapter 5) as a reward, bringing Mike fully into the world. 

At this point, it's about time for another share OR if you happen to know anybody that likes to read a lot. Also, there are some fantastic authors out here as well that have some great books. 

Hit me up for which books I'm eyeing for myself if you want a good recommendation. Inkshare is really all about bringing readers to authors, and if you interact with the site and read other peoples work (or mine) and highlight excerpts, you can earn some free credits for the first time you do it. 

I'm very intrigued by the first chapter, there is just enough action to keep me interested like pieces of candy leading into a dark ally. I know I'm done for if I go, but I just can't help myself.

Okay! We have managed to hit over 100 unique readers! In celebration, I've had some tacos, and everyone gets a chapter 4. A shorter chapter, but that's because it sets up something awesome for chapter 5. The final one I'll be releasing over this contest. 

Thank you so much for your support so far. Some news of events: I am going to a convention this Sunday: Lake Count-I-Con to do an interview and talk to the guys at http://popculthq.com/. 

I've also written a blog post about world building that is coming out shortly with: https://epicfantasywriter.wordpress.com/ 

Now, one awesome thing to remember is that I have more than just a book idea. If I win this contest, I'm already ready to go after I get this thing copy edited.

I know many of you might be thinking. "Rick... you mention tacos. Yet we have seen no tacos in this book so far." Fear not friends. Fear not. 

If you could be so kind. Send me any reviews you have and I can post them on the front page. Also, any direct people you know that like dry humor urban fantasy that has lots of conspiracy. Please, direct message them or ask them to check this out. Lastly, any shares, tweets, or any IDEAS you have on how I can start reaching out to other people in the world without violating the rules of internet etiquette let me know!

I really love what you're doing here.

Thank you everyone for your support so far! Currently we've made it to the top 4-5 by 1 reader. As a celebration, I've sent everyone chapter 3. Chapter 2 should already be up for everyone to read. Now we begin the long drive to maintain the spot. I'm in the top 5! This means if I can hold it till sept 30th we actually get picked up. 

As this contest gets near it's end, there will be a massive push by everyone on these boards. So please if you can, identify at least one friend you know you can lean on to pledge over the next 15 days. I'll put chapters 4, and 5 up as the contest keeps going. But no more after that! Chapter 5 will complete Mikes intro into the world. So... stay tuned!