Wonderful updates!
First, the initial manuscript for The Madness of Mr. Butler, albeit not finished, is going quite well. I’ve even enrolled in Camp NaNoWriMo in order to hold myself accountable. The story has blossomed into something far beyond what I originally thought. It is becoming a story that surprises me as I bring it all together. I know that once I am done I will be handing in my best work. So, on with your much deserved apology, my dear readers.
I am sorry that the story is taking a while to submit, but I’m also not sorry...and he’s why:
Beyond it just being a busy place around here with infants and toddlers and new jobs and obligations, I am intentionally not rushing the story. This in no way means I’m being lazy. In the stats for Camp NaNoWriMo, I’m averaging 2300 words per day that I have occasionally sacrificed sleep in order to write, as there is no other time. I am putting in a ton of work on this book, and it’s all good work. The way I see it, when you all supported me and helped me win the contest, what I won was a publishing deal. A MAJOR publishing deal. And that means I work until I think the manuscript is the best it can be. I’m not going to hurry and get it done just to get you a book. That is not the habit of a professional author, and by being honored with a contest win, I intend to behave like a professional author. The great folks at Girl Friday are going to do their best with my book once I submit it, they can’t make it good when it’s not.
This is a positive thing. I’m not down on myself or being perfectionistic. In fact, I’ve become quite flexible when it comes to the story. A lot of it has admittedly changed for the better, because once I got these characters interacting, the story became something much more than just about some crazy guy. At this rate, my little 241 page satire might push 300 pages. I’m not sure. Right now I’m just growing everything in the garden until I have to go back, transplant, weed, and mulch.
So I’m not making promises about release dates yet. I’m making promises about quality. You will receive a great book when it’s all said and done. But I do apologize about the wait. It honestly takes a long time to produce any book. You just happened to be there for the moment the agent approved to sell the idea, which is waaaay ahead of publication for any book.
In the meantime, I still have stuff for you to read.
I want to give you a free book if you’d like. It’s only a first draft, but if you email me at madmrbutler@gmail.com, I’ll send you a PDF of An Adventure with Dada, a book I finished during last NaNoWriMo. I’m not bugging you to buy it this time. I’ve been told that I was crazy to try and fund another book, and perhaps those who said that were right. The funding campaign ends in 9 days, and I have 143 copies left to sell in order to make Quill. I could ask for an extension, like so many others have, but I’m going to respectfully bow out and let this one expire and revert to draft. This means those of you who invested (THANK YOU!!!!) will get your money back (unless it completes a Hail Mary in the next week), and the book reverts to draft format. Those of you who chose to follow the book will still be followers, if you wish to be. My plan for that book is to maybe try again after I submit the Butler manuscript. I just need to give Mr. Butler my full attention right now, so it’s time for that campaign to be done. Thank you for your time, support, and attention. If you want a free copy, like I said, just let me know. (I’ve been told it’s quite a fun book with a great story, actually.)
On a side note, I started a draft for an idea I’ve kicked around for a little while. It’s called "The Widower’s Wife," and it’s going to be a bizarre comedy. It’s about a grumpy curmudgeon whose nagging wife dies suddenly, and just as he thinks he is about to get to spend his last years in peace, her ghost starts haunting him relentlessly. It’s just an idea, but if you want to follow that or check it out, I’d appreciate it.
If you’re curious about some of the changes I’ve made to The Madness of Mr. Butler, head on over to the page, because several days ago I quite sneakily updated the teaser, synopsis, and I took down the old chapters and put up a new draft of the prologue.
I hope you enjoy!
Have a great summer everyone!
-Michael
For those who still haven’t invested in Dada, the whole book is up on the Inkshares site! ENJOY! READ! TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK!
Regarding my other book that’s funding, "An Adventure With Dada..."
CONTEST!!!
The Beta readers have been contacted for Mr. Butler!
I realized how much I’ve been neglecting my precious little book, "An Adventure With Dada," lately.
It has been quite some time since a little update on here...but, there’s children (plural) at my home now, and they both expect me to take care of them. Good thing they’re absolutely adorable...
3 days left to support Parkinson’s Research...and a great little humor book.
This is my “Hail Mary Pass.”
The campaign ends in 3 days, and there are 143 copies left to sell in order for the book to get published.
It can happen if we all band together.
I realize that you would like something in return for your gallant efforts, should we make it, should the book fund…that’s fair.
IF YOU BUY (JUST $10!!!), and THE BOOK FUNDS:
It’s a great gamble to take, because if you pre-order An Adventure with Dada this weekend, then you have a chance to get any and all of the above if it funds by some amazing miracle. If you buy a copy and it doesn’t fund, then you get 100% of your money back, plus you get to keep the PDF copy of the first draft.
SO PLEEEEEEASE?!?!! Please give it a try. You can even start reading the entire book online now. Go ahead, I put the whole thing up on Inkshares to read. Just click the link I provided below, read the first draft, and if you like it, or if you just want to see me succeed as well as put a little money toward Parkinson’s research, then press the “Pre-Order Now” button at any level, and know that you might have just helped a guy achieve a dream, made a dent in the fight against Parkinson’s disease, and perhaps won a piece of writing history (I’m talking about the typewriter).
So what’s the risk? You’ll get your money back from Inkshares next week if the book doesn’t fund…so consider it more like I’m borrowing some cash for the weekend. I’m good for it.
From what I’ve heard thus far, the book is pretty good, too! Check out the reviews I’ve gotten so far:
CLAUDIA E. SORBIN If you like dogs, toddlers, and family men (and who doesn’t?!) then you’ll love this humorous adventure! This guy literally goes to Hell and back for his family. Written in first person, reading this book is like listening to a friend tell a great story. Michael Haase writes with a level of sensory description that totally engages the reader and makes you feel like you’re in the story with him. This book will have you laughing out loud, sighing with it’s sweetness, and shedding just a few tears. Well worth the read!
LANDON TRINE Although not within my favorite genre, I find the premise of this book very interesting. As a parent of two small children, I find the first chapter true-to-life, expressing the emotions and fears we feel as parents (with a generous helping of humor). It reminds me of the famous quote, "There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed." I can’t wait to see how Mr. Haase fills out this story.
NICOLÁS LASAÏGUES I read six chapters in a row, and I only stopped because my lunch break was over. This story is AWESOME: very well written, good pacing and incredible sense of humor. I would love to have this book in my personal library.
ABIGAIL UNDERWOOD This is brilliantly funny and the characterization is stunning
STEPHEN CARIGNAN It is exactly this type of thing which convinces me to not jog for any reason. The casual tone of the present narrator blends the author’s voice with that of the protagonist so the story is filtered through the events as they are happening. The extra technique of having the narrator know more of the story, though exactly how much is unclear, keeps the pages turning while the reader feels the events in the present moment. I look forward to reading more!
JASON POMERANCE From what I’ve read so far I can’t wait to read more. This promises to be wicked fun. Everybody please pre-order Mr. Haase’s new book so we can see the rest!
What are you waiting for??? These are the last days to support this book! Click the link below and know that I love you no matter what!
https://www.inkshares.com/books/an-adventure-with-dada
Thank you for your love, support, and everything!
-Michael Haase