Tony Valdez · Author · added about 9 years ago · 12 likes

Hey there, readers!

My TimeHop app on my phone just informed me that today marks two anniversaries...

1) Today is one year to the day since I joined Inkshares and started my book campaign.
2) 26 years since the classic Disney cartoon TaleSpin premiered in 1990.

Anyone around my age probably has the theme song stuck in their head now. You’re welcome. (If not, here you go)

They really just don’t make them like they used to. Seriously though, bush pilots and air pirates in 1930s-40s style serial adventures? This is the kind of stuff that fuels me. Granted, Dax takes place in the far future, but the spirit is the same.

Speaking of which, I hope you all are enjoying the early ebook! I am both excited and terrified to hear your reviews. :) In the meantime, I’m continuing to occupy myself with a few things on my to-do list.

1) A proper book trailer
2) Scraping together all my notes and carving out an outline for Dax 2. Ooooh I want to talk about it so bad but I don’t want to spoil anything!

I’ve also updated the synopsis on the book project page to better reflect what I think might be the back cover copy. Again, I’ll keep you all posted on the publishing date.

Until next time!

Tony Valdez · Author · added about 9 years ago · 21 likes

DAX FANS! ...Hey, does my forehead look huge in this photo? Stupid phone cameras. Grrr...

I HAVE AN IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT! As always, I must thank my backers for your continued patience and apologize for the delays.

For those not in the know, I handed in my completed manuscript at the beginning of July. Unfortunately, it was roughly around this same time that Inkshares began going through some organizational changes.

DON’T BE ALARMED! I have been assured that my book will in fact be published as promised, and you will eventually have your copy in your hands and/or on your e-reading devices of choice. What I still don’t know is WHEN.

To make a long story short, Inkshares has been going through some growing pains, and they have quite a backlog of books waiting to be published. I have not been informed where I stand in this long line exactly, but I understand the Inkshares team is hard at work squeezing everyone in on their production calendar. I thank the Inkshares staff for their service, and I do not envy their herculean task at hand.

Now, let me get to the point. I have a story, and I want to share it with you awesome folks who were gracious enough to buy it. And I know some of you are itching to read it, judging by my daily encounters of "HEY, TONY! WHERE’S THE BOOK?!"

So, if you have purchased a copy of Dax Harrison, you can expect an email from me soon. Check you inbox over the next day or so for the subject line "DAX HARRISON - The Early Ebook Edition".

If you choose to read the story at this time, here’s a couple things to keep in mind:

First, the book has not yet been professionally copyedited. Meaning, you may run into the occasional grammatical error, weird sentence structure, etc. I’d like to think I was thorough, but it happens.

Second, I would love your feedback! If you like my silly little sci-fi tale, please leave a review on Inkshares! I would love to direct you to leave reviews on Amazon and Goodreads as well, but those pages won’t exist until we get closer to publishing.

Reviews = more eyes on the book = more books sold = Tony gets to write more books!

I will keep you all informed on the publishing news as soon as I have it. For those of you that prefer to wait for the official ebook/paperback of Dax, I hope I won’t have to keep you waiting too much longer.

Thanks again! You’re the best. Now I’m off to outline some more of Dax 2: Space Boogaloo. (No, that is not the actual title)

-Tony

Tony Valdez · Author · added about 9 years ago · 19 likes

Are you there Inkshares? It’s me, Tony.

What’s this? A prideful look with my morning coffee and unapologetic insane morning hair? What could this mean? It means that after an obscenely long journey, I have handed in my manuscript to Inkshares. That’s it. It’s done. No more tinkering. No more hemming and hawing. Save for any grammatical errors the team finds during copy editing, the book is exactly what it will be when it reaches your hands in the hopefully nearish future.

I know what you’re thinking. WHEN, TONY?! WHEN?! I don’t have an answer at this moment, but I should very soon. The Inkshares team will post a Production Status timeline on the Dax Harrison book page with estimated dates. With Inkshares’s booming growth, they have a LOT of books in various stages of production. Which is great news! But hopefully that doesn’t mean any major delays for Dax. We shall see.

This has been one long strange trip for me. A challenge, a huge learning experience, crazy rewarding and crazy humbling. I can’t thank you all enough for your patience and support. I think I’ve probably said that in every update, but it is absolutely true. There will be a Thank You section in the back of the book listing all the contributors who bought multiple copies during the funding campaign. If I could though, I’d list every single person who helped make this possible. You guys are all my heroes.

In the meantime, I’ll be updating the posted sample chapters of the book from their original versions to their finished edits. Unfortunately, this means some of the lovely comments people have left will be removed in the process. So if you feel like re-reading your favorite chapter and commenting again, have at it!

Also, if you haven’t tired of hearing me blabber on about this book (I really don’t know how that’s possible), you can check out a new interview with me on Christopher Irvin’s author blog! Chris is an experienced writer of crime/noir fiction, and he is now branching out into sci-fi/fantasy with his new Inkshares book WRESTLETOWN! Wrestletown is an illustrated adventure novel and a love letter to professional wrestling and comics. I highly encourage you to check it out!

One more thing: I ALSO encourage you to check out Monkey Business by Landon Crutcher! Now that I’m out of writing mode, I’ve finally been able to fully dive into this one, and it’s great. Landon was the first to be published through Inkshares’s Quill imprint, and he’s provided some great insight into the process for us other authors. And his writing is hilarious. Look, it even has my endorsement on the cover!

All right, gang. That’s enough out of me. I’m off to do very important author things: Getting off the computer and washing the dishes for the wife like I promised. :)

-Tony

Tony Valdez · Author · added over 9 years ago · 1 like

Friends! What’s that you say? "Two updates in one day?! This is madness!" I know, I know. But this isn’t about me. This is about all the other authors on Inkshares and maybe even YOU! Have you been thinking about starting your own project on Inkshares? Now is a good time to get started, as an upcoming event may get your book some extra special attention...

Get ready, because Draftshares is about to begin!

When: May 30th - June 4th
Readers: Check out as many drafts (projects currently in the Draft stage) as you can during the week of May 30th - June 3rd, and participate by opening and commenting on your favorite drafts’ excerpts.
Why: To encourage community engagement...and, PRIZES!

Prizes you say?: Yes! For every Draft (or synopsis*) you critique, you will be entered into a drawing for the following:

Prizes for Anyone

Three sets of a copy of Asteroid Made of Dragons, button, and shirt
Church of Technology/Deus Hex Machina swag (pins and shirts)
Copy of Shadow of the Owl
Signed copy of Ageless
Order of Dax Harrison
Order of Bones of the Past
Order of Proxy
Original drawing by Jack Katz

Ladies of Sci Fi poster from A.C. Weston
Mix CD set with custom cover art by C. Brennecke
$25 in Inkshares Credits

Prizes for Authors

Video editing by Yicheng Liu
Interview on The Warbler
Guest spot on Drinkshares: Last Call
$25 in Inkshares Credits

Drafters: Let us know if you’d like to receive a soft critique or a hard critique by messaging a member of the DLC cast or tweeting your project link @drinkshareslc with either the #critiquemekindly or #critiqueme hashtags. If you want your synopsis critiqued, include the hashtag #critiquemypage too.

Soft Critiques (#critiquemekindly): This is the default critique if the author has not specifically requested a hard critique. The tone should be supportive and curious. Point out things you like, comment on the broader story ideas, and ask questions.

Hard Critique (#critiqueme): Only give a hard critique if the author has specifically asked for one. This is where grammatical errors, typos, and oversights can be pointed out. It’s best to include elements of a soft critique too, but you can unleash your inner editor a bit more here.

*Synopsis Critique (#critiquemypage): Interested Drafters should create a thread in the Inkshares forum (https://www.inkshares.com/forum_threads?topic=promo), linked to their book draft, titled “Synopsis Edits: [Book Title Goes Here].”Throughout the week, fellow authors will browse these threads and offer help with editing and improving your project page synopsis so you’re better prepared to switch over to funding with a fantastic, compelling, error-free introduction to your book!

Not sure where to start? Check out these Drafts first!:https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1QP0JPCCsijyIFIa0YKk4ZdQjHJPFW3mqtVvyOpNO3x4/edit?usp=sharing

Watch: Tune in at https://youtu.be/82ged3xwwew on Saturday, June 4th @ 4/3 Central to watch us discuss the drafts and announce the winners!

Good Luck & Great Drafting!

Tony Valdez · Author · added over 9 years ago · 9 likes

DAX FANS!

I’ll make this quick. As always, apologies for my lengthy radio silence. Rest assured, I’m hard at work. I have received some amazing feedback from my test readers so far. The book definitely needs a little bit of work, but overall, the response is SUPER POSITIVE!

I am ridiculously excited. First off, I’m overjoyed that people are liking this silly little book at all. Some of my favorite moments from the story have been met with equally giddy enthusiasm, and that blows me away! Also, I am incredibly grateful to have some honest feedback regarding the parts that could be improved. I am now on the path to make this story better than I thought possible.

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU all again for your patience. I want you to have this book in your hands YESTERDAY, but I have a bit more work to do before that happens.

TO THE WRITING CAVE! AWAAAY!

Oh wait, one more thing! This is going to feel like bragging, but...

An Inkshares Staff Pick?! When did that happen? Did I get the memo? In any case, that’s kinda awesome. I guess I better go make it worth the wait!

-Tony :)

Andrew Sweetapple · Author · added over 9 years ago

The first few paragraphs caught me right away. A quirky adventure story that makes me think of Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Can’t wait to read more!

Tony Valdez · Author · added over 9 years ago · 8 likes

Happy May readers! ...Is that a thing? Wishing people a happy month of May? Ugh, now I just reminded myself it’s the 1st and rent is due. Lame...

Anyway, a few bits of business:

First off, the book status. I am eagerly awaiting some detailed reviews/critiques from my test readers. Thus far, I’ve received a couple quick responses from people still in the process of reading, and the going trend seems to be "I have notes, but I’m loving it so far". So that’s nice. That’s very nice actually. I’m sure I will soon hear all the details regarding the parts of the book that could use some improvement. But in the meantime, feel free to join me as I do my own personal happy dance to the tune of this awesome end credits theme from Iron Man 3. I wonder what the credits music will sound like when Dax becomes a movie... (Hey, I can dream can’t I?)

And now, let me turn your attention for a moment to some other Inkshares projects that need your help!

Beyond the Code, by Kelsey Rae Barthel
This fantasy book has only 12 days left to fund and is just 34 pre-orders away! The story features a group of warriors with extraordinary powers, locked in a war against their corrupt former order and redeeming themselves on a path toward becoming true heroes. Deep-seated conspiracies and fast-paced action. Check it out!

The Amaranth Chronicles: Deviant Rising, by Alexander Barnes
I’m giving you the exact pitch on this one because it’s perfect: "A group of freedom fighters join forces with a cybernetic killer to escape a totalitarian government that wants them dead." This has sci-fi blockbuster written all over it. Just take a look at Alexander’s project page and you’ll see the amount of love put into this sci-fi universe. 52 orders away and only 5 days left!!!

To Live and Die in Avalon, by Jason Chestnut
This book has a bit more time to spare, but I’m sharing it anyway because it’s a personal favorite. It follows a spacefaring secret agent in a 60s-spy-film-meets-Buck-Rogers retro-futuristic setting. It’s a lady James Bond in space! What’s not to love? I believe Jason has been granted an extension from the Inkshares team, so the book currently has 66 days to go with 169 orders to fill. Make it happen!

That’s all for tonight. Until next time!

-Tony

Tony Valdez · Author · added over 9 years ago · 6 likes

Dax fans! You get two updates in one morning! Aren’t you special? This, however, is not about Dax or myself, but another awesome book from another awesome author that needs your most awesome attention. ...Was that enough "awesomes"? I sound like an early ’90s breakfast commercial...

SO CHECK OUT THIS TOTALLY RADICAL BOOK! (Part of your balanced reading diet)

At the time of this update, the project needs 73 more pre-orders to get FULL FUNDING on Inkshares. I am super jealous, but I think it’s worth your attention and I hope you’ll agree. Check it out:

A God in the Shed by J-F Dubeau is a Fantasy/Horror story set in the forgettably small village of St-Ferdinand, in the Eastern Townships of Quebec. The villagers have been hiding a terrible secret for generations, but when their mysterious captive escapes and gets inadvertently trapped in the McKenzy’s backyard shed, it’s up to 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 book, read sample chapters, reviews and pre-order your copy of A God in the Shed by visiting: www.inkshares.com/books/a-god-in-the-shed

You can listen to the prologue as read by Ageless author Paul Inman here: youtu.be/XJw5oZhqtXo

Need 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

Tony Valdez · Author · added over 9 years ago · 16 likes

All right, Dax fans, LISTEN UP! This is Commander Dax Harrison himself speaking.

What happened to Tony? Well, he’s cooling his jets in the brig as we speak. His crime? Not getting his Inkshares Reader Updates out in a timely fashion. No worries, though. He’s learned his lesson, and he extends his humble apologies for keeping you fine folks waiting for his book.

Speaking of which, when Tony approached me to write my official tell-all story, I thought "Sure! Go ahead! Be sure to make me look good, we’ll slap my face on the cover, and badda-bing! We’ll have it out by next Friday!" What he didn’t tell me was that he was actually going to be writing his first book ever and that it was going to be a bit of a process.

So now I’m here to help convince you fine folks that our mutual friend isn’t some kinda Old West snake oil salesman who rode off out of town with your business. Though, I did find this old photo of him on his Facebook. Judging from the intensity of that mustache, I’m really starting to wonder...

But never mind that now. Impressive facial hair histories aside, I’ve come to tell you that Tony has in fact COMPLETED my story! Yes, the book is written. So what happens now?

Well, if anything is going to have Commander Dax Harrison’s stamp of approval, you better believe it’s going to be my life story. So we’re not quite done yet. Now, Tony will be sending the book out to a select group of trusted beta readers. These folks will review the book for him, and advise him on the stronger parts, the weaker parts, what works, what doesn’t work, what’s great, what’s not so great, what’s downright terrible, and so on. If my story is going to be told, it’s going to be told right!

So hang tight, cadets. This is where the real fun begins. The polish. The spit-shine. Whatever your preference. And I’ll see to it personally that Tony sends you out some regular updates. If he doesn’t, I’ll get some Verdasian moonshine in him, strap him to the hull of my ship and zip around Neptune a couple hundred times.

Yours truly,

(The Legendary) Lt Cdr. Dax Harrison