Dear friends and followers,

We stand today at 388 orders. Things picked up a bit this week, and 400 is just around the corner. It’s very exciting, and I thank you all for getting us here. Somehow the thought of being in the 400s makes the achievement of 750 seem that much closer, that much more real.... I should reiterate, by the way, the we go into production as soon as we hit 750, not when we reach the final deadline. This means that the sooner we get there, the sooner everyone gets their books.

If you haven’t checked out the accompanying text adventure game, "Mustard, Music, and Murder", yet, I encourage you to do so.

Speaking of games, it’s the final week of the Nerdist contest. "Too Many Controllers" is currently in the lead, but, to paraphrase Yogi Berra, it ain’t Game Over till it’s Game Over.

Every order helps.

My own personal stake in "Too Many Controllers" aside, there are some worthy contenders in the top ten right now. "Squids In" should, I think, appeal to anyone who enjoyed Landon Crutcher’s "Monkey Business"--which I did. In a way, I see them as spiritual siblings, and it would be great to see them side-by-side on a shelf in matching formats ... part of a series of zoological comedy, perhaps.

In the last Inkshares blog post, the top ten contenders answered the question, "who would you cast in the movie/TV version of your book"? Well, my contribution to the anthology is clearly a John Cleese movie. But what about "Murder at the Veterans’ Club"?

I’d been thinking of Aidan Turner in the role of Eric Peterkin, based solely on Turner’s performance in the latest BBC adaptation of Agatha Christie’s "And Then There Were None", even if he’s technically too tall for the part. Thoughts?

Don’t give me that look, Mr. Turner. Sure, it’s a bit early to be thinking of casting actors in the roles, but some people like to be able to visualise this sort of thing.

With that in mind, I bid you all a good week. Have fun, and keep reading.

A Huge THANK YOU !!

As all of you who already checked your emails have found out - WE DID IT !

I must admit that in every scenario I ran through my head writing this email - it was always close or pretty damn close, but never have I dreamt that we would reach 750 orders, and 11 days ahead of schedule.

What next? Well, the truth of the matter is that I do not know... The book is already available to buy as a regular book on Inkshares, but it will take time for me and whoever will be chosen as my editor, to create a final marketable version. What I do know, is that I will work as hard as I can to make this novel the best & worthy of your support.

I want to thank each and every one of you who pre-ordered. But before I will quickly run through what I’ve learnt during these 4 hectic months and a day,  I wanted to specially thank people who actively helped getting me orders & supported in any way they could: First my wife Yael who not only helped but endured this thing firsthand; my Dad Yosefi, Mom Mira & Sister Michal who actively bugged everyone to a great personal cost of their own; my Aunt Ilana who is by far the top referrer; My mother-in-law Orit; James Rasile & Evan Graham who came close second as referrers; My mom’s friends who helped raise orders as well: Dieda Robins & Judith Lynn, and everyone else who pitched in - I am forever grateful. Finally all my wonderful friends from home and work, who I bugged relentlessly, and they keep answering my calls regardless - you know who you are! 

A special thanks to friends I’ve made along the way who helped with orders or just moral support: Billy O’keef, Peter Ryan, Kelsey Barthel and Rick Heinz - you guys are the best. As well as to all my supporting Goodreads buddies (Vicky, Paula, Diane & Anna Jane) who have been more than kind but actively took a chance on someone who was, until recently, a stranger.

All these people have helped with no personal gain of their own, simply because they like me or my book, and this means a lot.

Regarding the Charity - I want to keep the pledge to Norwood UK a while longer - so any book sold in the course of July, regardless of the referral, will grant 3.5$/2£ for this special cause.

Finally, before i come back with an official schedule (I am just in the dark as you are), I wish to take the time and tell you what I have learned in these educating 4 months and a day:

I learned to write better; I learned to accept criticism; I learned Social Media (is the devil); I learned video making; I learned crowdfunding; I learned that a picture is truly worth a thousand words;
I learned about the kindness of strangers;
I learned about cruelty and jealousy;
I learned that best friends are best friends (and they are always there for you);
I learned that family is family - no matter what you decide to do;
I learned the value of  helping others;
And I learned there’s nothing we can’t do - however far it may seem, if we just set our minds to it.

Oh and these babies will be going out to top referrers, so expect a personal email about it soon ;-)

More in due time...

J Dital