It has been five months since Murder Happens snatched first place in the final minutes from The Vampire and the Dragon in the 2017 Inkshares Horror Contest.

And now I feel compelled to post an update to all you wonderful supporters who I cajoled, bribed, threatened, blackmailed, extorted and wooed into supporting my book with a pre-order. 

Why now? 

Because the next finish line is very close and soon I will let go of the manuscript that is haunting my life. 

I am not a fast writer but I have attended to the story every day and sometimes it makes me laugh and I am amazed at the words I read and often times I worry that it is a big heaping pile of crap. 

The usual stuff.

A couple more passes through the draft and then I will review the Inkshares submission documents and send it off after my fellow Black Hats Writers Group editor reviews it and picks out the darlings I must kill.

Once submitted, I will take a break from writing although I do have another project posted on Inkshares. Better to use the time to create a marketing plan and begin executing it. 

Because executing is fun.

Hi everyone! I’m climbing out of the crazy-busyness that has been March. Here in Northeast Ohio, it’s still cold, but the sun has been out, thankfully. I am excited for real spring weather.

I wanted to let you all know that the manuscript is in! I turned it in last weekend after an inspiring retreat with some of my writing friends. I also read the fabulous YOUR BOOK, YOUR BRAND by Dana Kaye. Those of you who are authors must check it out. I’ve got lots of great ideas for publicity now!

But since we don’t have a release date yet - that’ll be the next update! For now, I’m working on my new manuscript, THE ENIGMA VARIATIONS, which follows three people in a small town after they receive a mysterious code in the mail. I’ll also post short stories for LOST MEMORIES as I finish them, but to be honest, I have been very into ENIGMA - I’m at about 20,000 words, and I hope to have a good first draft completed by this summer.

Well, I’m on my lunch break at work, so I had better get moving! Can’t wait to give you all more news :-)

March 26

Hello everyone!

Today I’m really excited to share two things with you: the new title of "The Devil You Don’t" and the cover art, done by the wonderful and talented Charlene Maguire!

The new title is "The Devil Inside." Not a tremendous change, but it more accurately hits on a recurring theme throughout the book. And the cover is...

Charlene was kind enough to give me an image designed to look like a real, honest-to-goodness book and I got all giddy over it.

We’ve still got a ways to go in the queue for the editor, but as new developments or milestones come up, I’ll let you know.

Best,
Susan

SHORT UPDATE!

I’m working on the next draft after some interesting feedback from my editor. I’m still buckling down, still pounding out the words, and still crafting this book to be the best it can be. Just thought I’d let you all know and thank you once again for your support and patience. 

I’ll let you know when I send in the next draft. Until then, feel free to reach out. 

Thanks again, and I love you all. 

-Michael

Hi, everybody!

Time for another update.

A couple of weeks ago, word came down from The Powers That Be that Matt Harry, the suave and debonair head of story development for Inkshares, would at last be turning his attention to the three books that won the Nerdist Sci-Fi Contest.

In a month or two I can expect to receive a document from Matt full of suggestions on how to make my story even better than it already is. In the meantime, I’ve swapped manuscripts with the other contest winners — Katherine Forrister, author of CURIO CITIZEN, and Ferd Crôtte, author of MISSION 51 — and over the next several months, these talented writers and I will be working with Matt to make sure our final manuscripts are the best they can possibly be.

Once developmental editing is done, whenever that may be, the book will presumably move on to copy editing, cover design, and production design.

I will, of course, keep you updated along the way.

As always, thank you so, so much for your continued patience and support. I can’t wait for you all to read AFTER DEATH. I promise the wait will be worth it!

Welcome to the final frontier, Space Crew. We’ve reached the edge of the galaxy, and there’s no turning back. 

News #1: Content is Complete

I’ve been through a couple rounds of edits with the Inkshares team since the last update, and this week I sent off the final doc for one last look-over before it hits the printers. The deal is sealed; I can no longer touch this book (which I have very good and very anxious feelings about). 

News #2: We Have a Cover

I’ve admittedly been holding onto this for awhile, but I wanted to do a BIG UPDATE with all the BIG THINGS. This was created by the good folks at Cover Kitchen, and they knocked it out of the park in my biased opinion:

News #4: Backer Goodies are Being Prepped As We Speak

The Companion Guide is getting its finishing touches before I send it off to print. Pendants have been shipped by the amazing Esanany, and they’re looking fantastic. Take a look:

No doodle today, because these images are worth more of your data. 

And in case you missed it, you’ll have your books by May 1! Don’t forget to make sure your address is up to date on Inkshares. 

Your somewhat sedulous Space Captain,
-AC

Greetings from a cold and rainy Japan. Finally got enough time and internet to get the reader update function to work on Inkshares through absolutely zero fault on their part and one hundred percent fault on old computers running a version of Windows that dinosaurs used. Things are progressing well, the first round of edits is done and we’re shooting for a publication date of June 19th. That means you will have your ebook ready, and the print version will be mailed out accordingly. Don’t forget, half of the pre-order are going to charity, so anyone that’s holding out on buying should do so!

Also, due to some issues beyond anyone’s control, I had to switch the cover art. For anyone who is disappointed by this, I encourage you to check out Millicent Barnes Comics for some amazing art and stories. I have a lot of his art on my walls, in fact.

The day gets closer and closer and I get more and more excited. I’m sure when I get to sleep it will all feel like a dream.

Thanks!

Stephen

P.S. "P.S." doesn’t make sense in emails because you can go back and edit. It’s not like I’m writing in ink.

WE DID IT!!!!
Thank you all so much!  I am so thrilled!!

I will keep you updated as we begin the production process. Inkshares will soon connect me with an editor and a cover designer and I will work hard to give you the best book I possibly can!

So much love to all of you!

709!!

I have an AMAZING prize package to get us to 750!

If we can reach our goal in 72 HOURS, one lucky person will win:

+A WV shirt from KinshipGoods
+ A book-themed mini quilt from Emily Nudge
+ A headband from Raina Roo
+ $20 either to you or the charity of your choice

Everyone on Rock of Ages’ followers list will be entered so be sure to share!!!