Amanda Orneck · Author · added over 9 years ago · 14 likes

So I just got an email from Inkshares, letting me know Deus Hex Machina was selected as this month’s CEO Syndicate pick! Alluva sudden we’ve blown past 200 orders, and are almost to 220! It’s amazing!

Thank you to everyone who believes in this book. It means so much that you are falling in love with Isidore, Dax, and the crew as much as I am.

In other less gushy news, I finished chapter 4 today, so I am fixing to send that out to those who have preordered. If you want to make sure you get yours, please add yourself to my email list and I’ll mark you as a preorder VIP.

This chapter features the end of the Archive hexing sequence, as well as the results of what Isidore learns from her efforts there. It’s quite a fun ride. I had a blast sending her back into the Grid, and I can’t wait to hear what you readers think after reading it.

Alright, I need to get back to planning Chapter 5’s big set piece. Joseph Asphahani would be proud.

Love,

Amanda

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Amanda Orneck · Author · added over 9 years ago · 6 likes

Hey all,

I’m progressing toward the end of chapter 4, and am super excited to share it with you. As a gentle reminder, all chapters shared from this point on will be exclusive for those who have already preordered. Want to find out what happens to Isidore in the Archive? Order today to find out!

Yesterday I started a little fun Pinterest board about Isidore RAM, check it out here: https://www.pinterest.com/amandaorneck/isidore-ram-character-profile/ Once I’m done with my cold (started yesterday so hopefully will be over by the end of the weekend) I will dive in and make others for the rest of the main characters. It’s a lot of fun. What do you think? Anything missing I should add?

Anyway, I’m going to go find a cup of tea for my throat. Have a great weekend hexers!

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Amanda Orneck · Author · added over 9 years ago · 7 likes

The writing on Chapter 4 has begun! I’ll give you a hint as to what’s happening now in the book: 54 68 65 20 75 6e 61 77 61 6b 65 6e 65 64 20 70 61 72 74 20 6f 66 20 74 68 65 20 73 6f 75 6c

Anyway, I can’t wait to get this chapter finished and on its way to you. Only thing is, this will be the first exclusive chapter, so I need your help if you want to read it. I’m going to be sending this to all the people who have already preordered the book, but in order to do so I need you to sign up to my email list so I can put you on the VIP list to receive it.

It’s a pretty simple form, so all you need to do is enter your name and email address here and I’ll do the rest. Spam laws prevent me from adding you myself, so this is the only way you’re going to be able to read the chapters before the book gets published.

If you haven’t ordered the book but still want to read chapter 4, you totally can! All you need to do is preorder DHM and then sign up for the email list. (You can also do it the other way around, but you have to have both parts of the process in order to get on the special VIP list)

Okay update over. Back to writing! Poor Isidore is in a bind!

Cheers,

Amanda

Amanda Orneck · Author · added over 9 years ago · 8 likes

Hail hexers!

Quick update. We are at 185 orders, inching at a snail’s pace toward Quill, and hopefully, beyond. No referrals have come in since my last update, but I’m hoping a few of you have an eye on that prize package and are working behind the scenes to build up a referral base to blast away the competition.

But enough about the buying of the book, since you’ve already done that. This weekend I will be joining some brilliant lady scifi writers from around Inkshares on a live chat! I would love it if you stopped by and listened to us talk about the state of science fiction and what it means to be a female writer in a male dominated genre. I might even spill some plot secrets from Deus Hex Machina. You never know.

Tune in Saturday at 2pm CST/3pm EST : https://www.facebook.com/events/611136085710105/

And feel free to share this with your friends.

I’m never comfortable on camera, but I am comfortable talking about things I am passionate about. Which will win out, the passion or the awkwardness? You’ll have to watch to find out!

Amanda Orneck · Author · added over 9 years ago · 9 likes

Greetings hexers,

I’m happy to say I was able to finish chapter 3 yesterday. I didn’t know it was finished yesterday, but I realized it this morning sitting down looking at how I’m planning things out. This means I will post this up for you today. I’m sure you’re going to LOVE it.

Chapter 3 sees the introduction of another major character that certain readers will be very interested in *cough* A.C. Weston *cough*. I am having a TON of fun destroying Orange County and rebuilding it. I only regret not being able to do my research in person. Instead I’m working from memory and from consultations with Professor Google. If anyone lives in Orange County and finds inconsistencies, please let me know. It’s best to change these things now before we get further down the story road.

Have fun learning more about Dax and Isidore!

Cheers, Amanda

PS: Remember I’m still giving out prizes for referrals on my quest to get to #DHM750. Right now Joe Terzieva and Billy O’Keefe are leading the pack, and I know either one would look amazing in a Church of Technology pendant. I can’t wait to start giving these away! Join my Mech Crew today and start winning!

Amanda Orneck · Author · added over 9 years ago · 5 likes

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Good morning Hexers!

First of all I want to say a hearty congrats to the top 10 in the Nerdist Space Opera contest. It’s rough to get so close and not get the prize, I’ve been there. Even if you didn’t win, I want you to feel proud of how many people rallied around your book. That is your real success.

Attention Lurkers, you can help this book!

I just received my 198th follower for DHM, and that is super amazing to me. I am here to ask you a favor though. There are about 60 of you that have yet to preorder the book -- and we are coincidentally 68 orders from our first funding goal. I would like to get your feedback as to why you haven’t yet pulled the trigger on ordering the book. Please email me at amanda@goldleafbooks.com and let me know why. If there is something more I can do to convince all the followers of this book to back it, I want to do it.

I for my part am on the last scene of Chapter three. This is a major set piece, so it’s taking me a while, but I will give you a clue as to the location:

and

Ooh so intriguing!

I am hoping to have this last scene done by the end of the week, which means I will have a third chapter to share with you soon. Like mega soon.

Anyway, have a great Wednesday and I’ll talk to you soon. Like mega soon.

Brian Fitzpatrick · Reader · added over 9 years ago

Hi Amanda, I work near those hangars in Tustin! I love that you set the novel in Orange County! Can’t wait to read it!

Amanda Orneck · Author · added over 9 years ago

Hey Sarah,

My suggestions were actually for getting the word out about Deus Hex Machina :). There really isn’t a place to share news about a specific promotion on the Inkshares site other than the Forums (which you should totally check out if you haven’t), or sharing an update on your own book’s page about Deus Hex Machina with the use of your referral link.

Largely though, I envision most referrals to DHM will come from outside Inkshares, which is why I mention leveraging your own social media to get the word out. I have already scoured my own contacts, which is why I set up the street team to see if we can come together to get this book to the finish line.

Hope that helps and thanks for your interest!

Sarah Bryant · Reader · added over 9 years ago

Hi there,
Thanks for putting the time into this answer. Actually, my question wasn’t really about how to get the news about my book out there, I’ve got venues for that (and I’ve published seven books commercially, just not in this country, hence being on here!) I was more wondering where you posted the news about your giveaways and raffles specifically for the Inkshares community. Do you just paste it here in your comments section, or is there somewhere else where one can put the word out to members who might not yet be followers? Does that make sense?

Amanda Orneck · Author · added over 9 years ago

Hi Sarah, great question.

How people spread the word about a crowdfunding campaign can sometimes depend on the person. Many people find success just reaching out their network of friends on social media and asking them to order the book. Others put out flyers. If that’s something you’re interested in, I can send you the PDF of the file I put up here in town.

The nuts and bolts of the referral system are thus: You go to the Deus Hex Machina main page (points up) and hit one of the recommend links. Those will contain a URL that has your own personal referral link. Copy that down someplace to share with everyone you think would like the book. I find a lot of success with keeping track with Google Sheets, but I am a spreadsheet geek. Must be the gamer in me.

Does that clear at least some of the process up? If not we can talk via email, but I figured since your question is a good one other potential Machina Crew members might want to hear the discussion.