Good Morning Everyone!!!

As I prepare to run off to work, I wanted to send out this quick update. So far we are at 21 orders! This is outstanding and I am truly grateful for each one!

As promised, the idea I had to reward you all. I make things. Usually from clay or things I find at various art or junk shops. What I will do is a raffle with prizes that will be awarded when we reach the Quill goal.

For every 25 orders I will pick a name from that batch and hat person will win a custom keychain! I will take suggestions for a concept, what colors the winner wishes and I will sculpt it from a polymer clay.

How I will do this is like this; eBooks get one name added while the full book gets two names. Now as an extra special bonus, not only would someone who orders three books get a higher chance at the raffle(6 names!), they will also automatically get a custom keychain!

And when we do hit Quill, using the same method, I will raffle off my Dragon Sculpture! I will finish it up and paint it in colors the winner wishes!

If you haven’t got your copy yet, it would mean the world to me if you did! Let’s keep the momentum going!

~S.J. Petersen

Happy Friday.  The production process continues on Women Like Us, with the copy edit due back to me for review next week. I can’t wait to see it!  In the meantime, cover design is almost complete as well.  There’s a new post on the book’s Facebook page, and you can check that out here (and by the way soon there will be a page for the book on Amazon too). Here’s that Facebook link. Please hit the like button on the page if you haven’t yet.

https://www.facebook.com/womenlikeusnovel/

Also, while I have your attention, check out fellow Inkshares author JF Dubeau’s A God In The Shed, which is almost at full funding and is most worthy of your attention.  Here’s that link:

Check out JF Dubeau’s new book, A God in the Shed: https://www.inkshares.com/books/a-god-in-the-shed?referral_code=68914607

Thanks all, as always, for the support. 

Dax fans! You get two updates in one morning! Aren’t you special? This, however, is not about Dax or myself, but another awesome book from another awesome author that needs your most awesome attention. ...Was that enough "awesomes"? I sound like an early ’90s breakfast commercial...

SO CHECK OUT THIS TOTALLY RADICAL BOOK! (Part of your balanced reading diet)

At the time of this update, the project needs 73 more pre-orders to get FULL FUNDING on Inkshares. I am super jealous, but I think it’s worth your attention and I hope you’ll agree. Check it out:

A God in the Shed by J-F Dubeau is a Fantasy/Horror story set in the forgettably small village of St-Ferdinand, in the Eastern Townships of Quebec. The villagers have been hiding a terrible secret for generations, but when their mysterious captive escapes and gets inadvertently trapped in the McKenzy’s backyard shed, it’s up to Venus and her friends to figure out how to dispose of this terrible and malevolent burden; an Old God of hate and death.

You can find out more about this dark and beautiful book, read sample chapters, reviews and pre-order your copy of A God in the Shed by visiting: www.inkshares.com/books/a-god-in-the-shed

You can listen to the prologue as read by Ageless author Paul Inman here: youtu.be/XJw5oZhqtXo

 Need more incentive?

•Each pre-order enters you into the ‘I want to kill a reader’ raffle. The winner will have his name and likeness used in the book as a minor character that gets killed off. The author will work with the winner to find the appropriate means of demise to satisfy both the winner and the story.

•Each physical copy of A God in the Shed will be signed and numbered as an exclusive first edition item.

•Free, exclusive A God in the Shed bookmarks will be included with the physical copies and mailed to eBook supporters.

•Orders of three or more copies guarantees your name to appear in the Patrons list printed at the end of the book.

•You get to enjoy the satisfaction and pride at having supported both art and literature.

 A God in the Shed is the first part of a trilogy that pushes the line between beauty and horror by telling a story that changes how we look at magic and the world around us. You have a chance of being part of making this book a reality and supporting a new author on his journey.

However, time is running out! The campaign ends April 22nd. Don’t miss out and order today!

www.inkshares.com/books/a-god-in-the-shed

I want to share a special moment! 

As you can see in the screen shot of my project page, Blood Dawn now has 398 pre-orders.

Why am I sharing this and not the moment when I hit 400?

Because I’d like to ask 2 people to please pre-order a copy right now. It would mean so much to me -- in fact, it would make my weekend!

Here is a link to the project page where you can do that:

http://www.inkshares.com/projects/blood-dawn

Thank you to EVERYONE who has shown support and brought us this far. May it continue!

INKSHARES EMERGENCY FUNDING DEADLINE

A God in the Shed is approaching the funding deadline and needs that final push to meet the mark. It’s by my friend/semi-nemesis JF Dubeau (author of The Life Engineered, fellow Sword & Laser Pokemon, etc.), it’s about kids and magics and dark gods crammed into a garage. I’ve ordered it twice, and I WANT TO READ IT YOU GUYS. 

I have some free download codes for Audible.com of my first novel Spell/Sword. (8 codes remaining at this moment). The first 8 of you that go and back A God in the Shed at any level, I’ll send you the download code as a thank you. YER GITTIN’ TWO BOOKS FOR YOUR MONEY.

Just send me a screenshot of your receipt to gderekadams AT gmail - or just tag me in your twitter notification @gderekadams when you back. They are first come/first served - I hope to give them out quickly. 

Only 7 days remain in the ’God in the Shed’ campaign, and it’s sooooo close to hitting the mark. 

I feel a tad strange writing this here, but....

Transilience has been picked up by Unbound as an eBook. Unbound is a crowd-funding site like this one; however, goals are based on money raised and not number of books sold. All funding books (regardless of format) are professionally edited, designed and typset. No half-measures there.

With that said, take a look at my site. It’s pretty cool. I even have a video this time! A lot of funding options especially if you live in the London area or what a reason to go there. Yes, I believe I am a reason to travel to one of the great epicenters of modern civilization.

Here is the link:

https://unbound.co.uk/books/transilience

Thanks for being an amazing community!

You can also follow me here where I plan to be, henceforth, much more active.

Cheers!

Kevin

Since The Army of the Man is in the Hard Science Contest, I thought it might be time to discuss some of the hard science behind the book!  Get ready y’all...it’s time to SCIENCE.

As discussed on my project page, The Army of the Man involves a shadow group using the parasite Toxoplasma gondii to their advantage. How? They use its behavior altering properties to change humans into super humans, unafraid of consequence and the perfect soldier. 

At a base level, this is exactly what the parasite T.gondii does to mice.  Mice infected with the parasite (by eating contaminated food/cat feces) are noted to be more active, the first ones to enter traps, and unaffected by the presence of cats and their smells.  Some evidence exists that the mice may even become sexually aroused by the smell of cats!  The result? A mouse that runs right up to a cat to be eaten.  To the parasite, this is important because it reproduces ONLY inside feline gut.

The specific mechanism for this behavior is thought to be a dramatic increase in the infected organisms’ dopamine and hormone levels. Interestingly, similar impulsive behaviors can be found in humans who are infected by T.gondii. Humans with the infection are more likely to be involved in car accidents.  Infections have been linked to schizophrenia and other mental health diseases.  The length of time a human has been infected also seems to have an effect.  One study found that men who had been infected for many years are less conscientious of others. Huh...

What if science could harness T.gondii?  Use it to alter behavior of humans?  Make them more impulsive, less afraid, and more aggressive.  Access specific personality traits that might make, let’s say, a super soldier. Then, my friends, you would have the beginnings of The Army of the Man.

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/common-parasite-linked-to-personality-changes/

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who has pre-ordered The Army of the Man. I’m blown away by the support I’m finding here on Inkshares. If you haven’t pre-ordered already, please do so! 

All right, Dax fans, LISTEN UP! This is Commander Dax Harrison himself speaking.

Dear Mr. Sugar Smack,

Firstly, thank you for your business again this tax season. As usual your financial situation presents some unique challenges for myself and the tax codes of our great country. Working with you certainly keeps me on my toes! Accounting, like pimpin’, ain’t easy but I assure you it is necessary.

I am writing to respond to the various inquires you texted last night:

1. I’m sorry to say you may not write off your condom purchases. While I agree it is a necessary piece of safety equipment for your employees, attempting to use it as a tax deduction would be tantamount to admitting that your employees have sex for money, which as we have discussed repeatedly, is illegal.

2. Regarding the medical expenses stemming from the Repetitive Strain Injuries to your “Pimp Hand” you may only write off the amount for the year that exceeds 7.5% of your adjusted gross income. This unfortunately will not apply as you did not exceed that amount.

3. As you know, to write off the $7500 rims for your work vehicle, you need to adequately demonstrate that A: they were a necessary purchase and B: that they significantly increased the value of your business. I think you have achieved this with your extensive spreadsheet on the subject. Thank you for your excellent documentation. Quick question before referencing the depreciation chart, are they spinners?

4. If your pimp chalice is officially recognized by the Vatican, you will be able to write of a percentage of its value next year after you gift it to Rooster. Just be sure to have it appraised by a reputable antiquities dealer and keep a copy of that written documentation.

I think that addresses all of your concerns. If you have any other questions don’t hesitate to contact me.

Respectfully,

Roland Crestfield, C.M.A., C.P.A.

Check out Landon’s novel Monkey Business and share it with your peoples. Coming May 24, 2016 from Quill.

Happy freaking tax day homies.