Well, I might have lost the 72 ounce steak eating challenge, but I did receive another syndicate pick! That’s the Idiosyncraticate Syndicate, and those guys are awesome! We have a lot of ground to cover before September to reach the full publishing goal of 750, and this is exactly the push we need. I’ve also decided that every 50 orders will see the drawing for another print from The Sleeping Man art, and when we hit 300 I will eat a python:

The only bad part about this roadtrip is I lost Emma in Texas because she refused to take her state issued gun. 

Please share this book and pre-order so I can afford bail for Emma, it’s getting to her. I can see it in her eyes.

Sweet Dreams,

Stephen 

Just a reminder:

As of now, we’re just shy of 50 pre-orders to get to this goal. 50 pre-orders in 6 days is hard, but it can be done.
I really want the opportunity to share this with you. If you haven’t placed your pre-order yet, now is a great time. If you already have, talk to a close friend or relative and ask if they’d like to pre-order a copy. Remember, this entire campaign depends on your support: I can’t do this without your help.

Hendrix and I started the SQUIDS IN campaign like this...

But today I feel a bit like this...

There has been massive movement at the top of the leaderboard which now means that finish Top 3 is now out of reach. I have no plan for achieving 46 unique pre-orders over the next 5 days. That’s what is required as of today in order to finish in the Top 3 and get published.

What does this mean for you guys? Well it means that, if I choose not to chase the target of achieving 250 pre-orders within the next 2 months, you guys will all get your money back and this project will be put to bed.

I have a difficult decision to make.

In the meantime, please check out the current leaderboard and support one of the books still in with a chance of finishing in the Top 3 - https://www.inkshares.com/contests/nerdist-video-game-contest

Throughout this contest I have been supporting Peter Ryan and his book "Destiny Imperfect" as well as Prescott Harvey and his book "In Beta". If you have yet to order either of these books, please do so. It’s so close at the top, your order may make a huge difference.

Onwards and upwards!

Matthew

  Hey, readers.

  Welcome to our 10th Detective Sunday and the start of our pre-ordering campaign! It’s been about over 10 weeks since I started Inkshares, and by being here, I feel like I can accomplish my goals with the right connections and effort. So, I’d love it if you guys ordered or nudged a friend and told him/her about my book to see if they are interested. I could ramble on and on, but I’ll just say that my goal for now is reaching 250 orders. I wasn’t entirely sure about the amount of time I would need, but I decided that 90 days would do. I’ll continue to keep these updates coming and come up with new ways of perfecting the project. This project has a loooong road ahead of it, and I’ll just slowly make it better step by step. Oh, I almost forgot the mention that Chapter Four: Society (Edited Version) has been up for about some minutes, so check that out if you want to see the big changes in dialogue and information. Enjoy your evening or morning wherever you are, and remember to show support!

  Until next time, A.J.III.

I am interrupting my day at work because of this unbelievable happening, and I simply had to share it with you! I have gotten the highest honor I have ever received for my writing! I was notified a few minutes ago by @Matthew Isaac Sobin, the syndicate lead of the GREAT SCIFI for the 21st CENTURY and BEYOND SYNDICATE that Mission 51 is their July selection!!!!

Like I told Matt, this honor has left me spinning with feelings. I am humbled that anyone would think of me and my work like this. I am overjoyed! And I feel like a funny fear has been lifted, a fear that my thought and words are insignificant. This honor is very encouraging!

Here is what Matt had to say:

The SciFi syndicate is thrilled to support Mission 51 with our July selection! Ferd Crôtte has created something truly intoxicating. The perfect premise, which takes one of the great mysteries / intrigues of the 20th century and puts us directly in the alien’s shoes; it’s SciFi and historical fiction wrapped into one. In addition, there is special artwork which illuminates the story with a deft touch. We can’t wait to read more, and for this story to become a book on our shelves. We encourage our fellow Inkshares authors and readers to support this praiseworthy project!

Matt, thank you very, very much from the bottom of my heart for this valued honor! I am re-energized to continue making Mission 51 the absolutely best it can be! Thank you!!!

This is a reminder about the Mission 51 Raffle. Only a few more spots remaining! Don’t miss out on your opportunity to win this one-of-a-kind Idan Carré sketch! Click here for details. :-)

Alright Readers, I have uploaded a new excerpt! This segment takes us deep inside the Greatwood Forest, the oldest and most magical forest in the realm of Tír na nÓg.  Here is where we will meet Nastas, one of only a thousand pureblood ancestors of mankind left after the wars of the first age.  Here is some artwork that reflects how I see Nastas.  

I hope you enjoy the art as well as the excerpt I am sending you.  Please feel free to comment and give feedback on both!

Cheers!

Greetings, my wonderful readers.  I have two bits of news for you.

First, Rise was sent to the printer 27 minutes before the writing of this update (assuming Girl Friday sent it at the time they scheduled it; always potential for a hiccup).  Wow.  It’s, literally, out of my hands now.

Second, on the same day a Canadian distributor bought 127 copies!  I mean, the day couldn’t get any better could it?

That’s it for now.  Be sure to check out Too Many Controllers, an anthology of 15 of Inkshares’ finest authors’ short stories themed on video games!  It’s pre-production preorder phase ends next Sunday, the 16th of July.  After that, the sweet deal to get the ebook and hard copy in one order changes to individual orders.  Plus, it’s in a contest. ;-)