Robert Batten · Author · edited almost 9 years ago · 5 likes

We are underway!

Oh boy! Oh Boy!

Earlier today you should have received the automated email from Inkshares letting you know the crowdfunding campaign has started for Human Resources!

If you missed my earlier announcement, this is as part of The Launchpad Manuscript competition, so I am up against the other 74 finalists. We have gotten off to a great start, and I am incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported me — whether by following the project, writing a recommendation or review, pre-ordering a copy, or sharing the project on social media. The community has been amazing.

For those who haven’t observed or participated in an Inkshares competition, pre-orders can help me get published in one of two ways:

My novel receives the most pre-orders during the competition.
My novels receives at least 250 pre-orders total.

If you can afford to pre-order, it would be very helpful if you pre-ordered now, at the start of the campaign. To win this, I need to attract orders from outside my network. Getting a stack of early pre-orders will make that easier by showing those browsing the entrants there is interest in the book and building momentum.

Please go to Inkshares and Order Now

You can also help by spreading the word:

Share the novel page on facebook / twitter / etc.
Share the novel with friends in real life.
Leave a review or recommendation on the Inkshares site.

But wait, there’s more!
The amazing Rex Smeal has produced some fantastic art for the cover of Human Resources. Check it out!

Thank you again for your support and interest in my novel. I hope you join me on this crazy crowdfunding ride to publication!

Robert

P.H. James · Author · added almost 9 years ago

Woo-hoo! Congratulations! So cool.

Robert Batten · Author · added almost 9 years ago · 15 likes

Thank you everyone that has been following Human Resources here on Inkshares. Today I received some exciting news. Actually, "exciting" doesn’t cut the mustard in this circumstance.

Today, The Launchpad Manuscript competition announced its Top 75 finalists -- and Human Resources is in the list! I am humbled, excited, and a little intimidated -- but I am strapped in and ready for the ride now taking off.

If you don’t know about the Launchpad Manuscript Competition -- it is one of the "Inkshares" competitions, but a little different to their others. This one is run independently in conjunction with Energy Entertainment and Scott Free Productions

(yes, *that* Scott).

Apart from being a partnership, this competition differs from Inkshares regular fair by having an expert judging phase -- entrants had to submit a traditional synopsis and up to 50 pages of manuscript for industry judges to assess.

The Top 75 have been selected by that panel.

You get to pick the winners (hint -- pick me).

At some point there will be a more traditional Inkshares crowdfunding competition -- I’ll be reaching out to you when that happens. For now, I’m just too excited not to share the news!

Robert

Dash McCallum · Author · added almost 9 years ago

Ferd beat me too it, but congrats, Robert!

Robert Batten · Author · edited almost 9 years ago · 1 like

Thanks Ferd! Fingers crossed!

For those who haven’t seen the announcement - my name is in this list!

I’ll be doing a proper post later.

Fernando Crôtte · Author · added almost 9 years ago

Congratulations, Robert, on making the Top 75 of the 2016 Launch Pad Manuscript Competition!!! Wow! That is just awesome!

I wish you all the luck in the world going forward. I’m rooting for you, man! :D

Dash McCallum · Author · added about 9 years ago

Party on, dude.

Robert Batten · Author · edited about 9 years ago · 5 likes

Good morning/afternoon/evening!

I’ve been quiet for a while - but I have not been idle! The manuscript has been expanding as I work towards the climax of the adventure - the re-write is seeing characters better realised and a lot of plot holes bulldozed :)

I’ve also started work with an artist who will hopefully help me with concept art for the characters and the world of Human Resources. Stay tuned for more on that soon...

The plan is still to commence a funding campaign this year. I’m looking forward to sharing more of my world with you once everything is ready. In the meantime, "be excellent to each other."

Robert

Robert Batten · Author · added about 9 years ago · 5 likes

A very good morning to all you lovely people (at least in my timezone).

A quick update on the progress of Human Resources — over the weekend I finished my submission and entered the novel in The Launchpad Manuscript competition! I have no doubt the competition will be fierce, but hopefully my next update on that matter will be to tell you I’m in the second round :)

The competition entry required fifty pages, all of my effort since my last update has been focussed on writing the complete synopsis (entry requirement) and polishing the first few chapters. As a result, it may not have looked like much was happening - but there have been many small changes made to the excerpts available on Inkshares as I worked to give everything a lustrous shine.

Now that is over, apart from catching up on sleep, I’m back to focussing on the main re-write. The synopsis-writing process for the competition helped me tighten up some aspects of the planned re-write, so I am excited to get back into it.

Now, before I sign off, another recommendation: Deus Hex Machina.

This one is already fully funded, but well worth pre-ordering. It is set in a remarkably well-realised future, where society has been transformed by upheaval and technological advancement. It is easy to become absorbed in both the physical and digital worlds of DHM, exploring their surprises with a sense of wonder. The characters launch us into an adventure where things are obviously not what they seem, and where the correct path forward is not clear. Amanda has created us a tale of mystery and adventure that is hard to put down — add this to your reading list and you won’t be disappointed.

Robert Batten · Author · added about 9 years ago · 4 likes

Happy Weekend (unless you are in the US, in which case I guess Happy Friday)!

I’ve been working hard at editing trying to prepare for the Launchpad Manuscript competition, for which entries close later this month. Two important details:

If the manuscript is lucky enough to be shortlisted in the competition, then it will enter a crowdfunding competition in October (this is how the winners will be selected).
If it doesn’t get selected for the shortlist I none-the-less plan to launch the funding campaign before the end of the year - I’ll post more details once we are closer to the date.

Through this next period, while I focus on editing and preparing for the competition, my updates may be a little thinner on the ground. The exciting news is this doesn’t mean I’ll be idle — I’ve negotiated with work to have reduced hours over the next couple months so I can dedicate significantly more time to my writing (something my amazing wife is supporting because she is the best)!

In the meantime, the Inkshares Fantasy contest is underway and you should all check out some of the excellent books in the running. I personally suggest looking at: Child of Secrets: If any of you enjoyed The Lies of Locke Lamora, check this out - an extremely promising fantasy thief romp.

Finally, I wanted to call your attention to Tantalus Depths - an epic sci-fi I’ve recommended before. Over the last week there have been issues with Inkshares discovering some purchasers have abused site mechanics, and as a result a number of pre-orders across Inkshares were cancelled. Unfortunately, through no fault of his, Evan Graham’s amazing book has been hit hard by this, losing a significant number of pre-orders. Thankfully, he still has enough for Quill publishing, but it must still be very frustrating. If you had previously pre-ordered Tantalus Depths - please make sure your pre-order still stands. If not, check out the book because it is worth your time!

Robert