Tony Valdez · Author · added almost 10 years ago · 5 likes

It's that time again! Another 10 book orders means it's time for Dax Mug Giveaway #4!

-Tony

Tony Valdez · Author · added almost 10 years ago · 14 likes

Hey everyone!

My eyes have long since gone cross-eyed and bloodshot over the past couple days, endlessly staring at the computer and pitching my book to every soul on the internet. So I thought I'd take a quick sanity breather and wish you all a happy middle of the week.

DAX COUNTDOWN: 17 days, 68 orders to publishing

I've been surprisingly fairly relaxed as the countdown to the campaign deadline has been steadily approaching. That said, I will now use my aforementioned break time to illustrate my thoughts, in the calm, collected demeanor which those who know me personally are well familiar...

PANIC! SHEER AND UTTER PANIC!

IN MUPPETY EXAGGERATION!

IN "DINOSAURS ARE COMING TO EAT US" PROPORTIONS!

And so on...

Almost done...

Little more muppety...

A little bit Weasley...

Just a little bit spongy...

Last one. This one is actually more my style.

Ok, moment over. Honestly guys, I'm not that worried. Ok, a little worried. Not THAT worried. But animated GIFs are fun.

To my other authors here on Inkshares, I applaud you and your efforts. This has been my first crowdfunding experience, and it is a dance, a race, sometimes a slog, but also amazing and rewarding.

So authors, readers, and assorted random followers who just happened to follow me back: let's all take a collective deep breath...

Thanks, Sherlock. *over-dramatic-yet-refreshing sigh* All right then, back to the grind.

And if any of you still need help finding your calm, get a trusty friend to give you the Airplane treatment...

Or better yet, just go watch Airplane. That movie is amazing and still holds up.

-Tony

Amanda Orneck · Author · added almost 10 years ago

Grats Devin! Couldn't happen to a nicer guy!

Tony Valdez · Author · added almost 10 years ago · 8 likes

Happy Sunday everyone!

We picked up another 10 orders, which means it's time for another mug giveaway! CLICK HERE to watch me draw the winner!

DAX COUNTDOWN: 20 days left, 79 orders to go

Cheers folks!
-Tony

Tony Valdez · Author · added almost 10 years ago · 6 likes

They're here! My custom Dax Harrison coffee mugs have been delivered to my doorstep (finally), and a new giveaway video is live! Plus, a quick update on the book campaign. CLICK HERE TO WATCH!

As always, thanks to everyone supporting the book. Keep spreading the word! You all rock my socks.

-Tony

Tony Valdez · Author · added almost 10 years ago · 7 likes

Good morning readers! Happy Wednesday!

DAX COUNTDOWN: 25 days left, 87 orders to go

The suspense is killing me. That's a little over 3 orders a day to make it. So close yet so far!! In the meantime, I've received some more support in the past few days by some incredibly kind folks. Some of the Inkshares staff personally reached out to show their support for the book and let me know they're rooting for me. Also, fellow authors JF Dubeau & Paul Inman featured Dax on their WriteBrain Podcast, in which they had some very lovely things to say. If you're not familiar with the podcast, JF & Paul chime in on their experiences with Inkshares, writing and publishing in general. It's a great listen for both readers and writers. You can listen to it on iTunes, in your favorite podcast app, or directly from JF's website.

If you haven't already, you should also check out JF & Paul's own books on Inkshares, which I have listed at the bottom of this update.

All right, friends. The battle continues! I had a bit of an extended Thanksgiving weekend (much needed), but I'll be working to get some more content up for you ASAP. If you've taken a look at the first four chapters of Dax, you may have noticed they are pretty quick reads. Hopefully I've posted just enough to pique everyone's interest into ordering. But out of curiosity, let's take a poll here. Would you prefer I continue posting each new chapter of Dax as the story unfolds? Or perhaps post a random chapter from later in the book, possibly revealing much more of the story? Or would you say "Forget all that, Tony! Just focus on selling the darn thing so we can get our published copies in our hands!" ? Feel free to post your answer in the comment section of the book page, or email me personally at rockhollywood8@gmail.com. :)

And lastly, mug contests! Yes, this is still ongoing. Every book order is included in a raffle to win a Dax Harrison coffee mug, and winners will be selected every 10 orders. We already got our first winner (click HERE to watch the video if you missed it), and another will be announced tomorrow night!

That's it for now. Talk to you again soon!

-Tony

The Life Engineered by JF Dubeau
A God in the Shed by JF Dubeau
Ageless by Paul Inman
Motor City Chronicles - Book One: Transgressions by Paul Inman

Tony Valdez · Author · added almost 10 years ago · 6 likes

WE HAVE A WINNER!

With 10 new book orders, the Dax Harrison super groovy coffee mug giveaway has come to a close. Watch me draw the lucky winner here: https://youtu.be/JubfEEqWEI8

-Tony

Tony Valdez · Author · added almost 10 years ago · 4 likes

Hi everyone! Happy Saturday! (I'm at work, but I'm sneaking in an update for you. Shhh!)

It occurred to me today that while I've spent so much time pumping work into this campaign, I should probably give you all some more of the actual book to read. Wouldn't you say?! After all, those of you who have already purchased, it's YOUR BOOK! And for the few of you that may still just be following the campaign and debating whether or not to click that pre-order button, perhaps a few new chapters may teeter you over the edge. :)

You may have already seen Chapters 3 & 4 delivered to your inbox a few minutes ago. Chapter 3 continues to follow Dax where we left him, on his cargo run/impromptu mini-vacation on Saleon. Chapter 4 introduces two of my favorite characters in the book, one of which receives a new assignment watching over a particularly well-known Commander...

I also did some minor editing on Chapter 2, which now has a mysterious new character introduced at the tail end.

Enjoy folks!

-Tony

Tony Valdez · Author · added almost 10 years ago · 1 like

Quick update on the Dax countdown clock: 29 days, 99 orders to go, and all 10 spots filled for the 1st mug giveaway! I'll announce the winner on a separate update soon. And now, a special event coming to Inkshares...

Get ready for the inaugural Inkshares Review-a-Thon!

On December 19th, all authors and readers are invited to leave reviews on currently funding Inkshares books using the Inkshares "leave a review" option.

Throughout the day we'll be hanging out on Twitter in the #InksharesReviews tag as we share our favorite book projects, answer author Q&As, debate the merits of astronauts with swords versus cavemen with lasers, and more!

Then, from 3 - 5pm PST (6 - 8pm Eastern), JF Dubeau and Paul Inman of the WriteBrain Podcast will be hosting a video livestream filled with author interviews, review readings, and live announcements of prize winners!

Prizes?!?!

Everyone who leaves a review on December 19th by 3pm PST (6pm Eastern) will be eligible to win one of our fantastic general prizes:

Sword & Laser Contest Winners Package - print copies of the six winning books from the Sword & Laser Inkshares contest!

Nerdist Contest Winners Package - print copies of the five winning books from the Nerdist Inkshares contest!

An immediate pre-order of the book of their choice for five winners!

$30 in Inkshares credits!

Readers: Peruse the "currently funding" books on Inkshares and leave as many reviews as you want on Dec 19th. You could even start up a "must-have" list of books to order in case you win a free pre-order or the $30 in credits!

Authors: Join our review exchange to leave three reviews in exchange for two guaranteed reviews on your Inkshares project and a chance at author-exclusive prizes! Email AC Weston at cara.c.weston@gmail.com to learn more and get on the list.

-Tony

Tony Valdez · Author · added almost 10 years ago · 9 likes

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

I'm saying it today since I'll be busy tomorrow, and the first of multiple family events I'm supposed to attend actually begins tonight! ...And if you don't celebrate it in your neck of the woods, then I hope you're having a great week in general.

BUT FIRST! I want to say I am sincerely thankful for all the support I have received on this project. Not just from family and friends, but also complete strangers. I have a few orders coming from Australia. AUSTRALIA! Which happens to be on my bucket list of places to travel. Who knows? Maybe one day I can thank a Dax fan in person out there!

In the past few days I've been laying low with Dax and instead spending every spare minute working to give back to the Inkshares author community. My time is limited due to the day job and other obligations, but when I can, I've been sounding off on social media for my fellow authors' campaigns-in-progress. I'm sure plenty of folks on Twitter are sick of me, but if you feel like following my madness, I'm @rockhollywood8. :)

Again, thank you thank you THANK YOU to all my friends, family, complete and total strangers, and new Inkshares pals. You're the best.

So, reality check: As of today, the book is sitting at 149 pre-orders. As far as I'm concerned, that's an amazing feat! But there's still a ways to go. 101 more orders. 32 days left. That's a little over 3 orders a day, which doesn't seem like much, but momentum is, as it has been with most of this campaign, at a crawl.

It would most certainly be a photo-finish if we make it in time for the deadline. But don't fret, gang. First and foremost, this is not a premature declaration of defeat. I plan to give this campaign everything I got until the possibly bitter end.

Remember that Simpsons episode when Homer's roasted pig is rolling away on a runaway grill? And he chases after it through some bushes yelling, "It's just a little dirty! It's still good! It's still good!"

...And then it falls into a river and he says, "It's just a little slimy! It's still good! It's still good!"

...And then it gets launched into the air like a cannonball and he says, "It's just a little airborne! It's still good! It's still good!" And only then does he finally accept it.

That will be me, if necessary, in the final hours. Still fighting the good fight. "It's still good! It's still good!" Hahaha (Click here to watch that clip!)

And furthermore, should this particular campaign not meet it's goal, I will refuse to consider it a failure. Why? I got the word out on Dax, gained a small but excited following, and discovered an awesome community of authors eager to help each other out. For all of these things, I am thankful.

Plan B goes into effect the second the campaign ends with 249 pre-orders or less. I will keep everyone informed on my progress, posting more content for you to review/critique/get excited over. And when the time comes, hopefully just a few short months down the road, I will let you know where you can re-order your copy of Dax, most likely on Amazon's ebook and print-on-demand services, as was my original plan before discovering Inkshares.

But enough of that! The 12th round ain't over yet!

Talk to you soon, guys!

-Tony