Hi everyone,

I’ve been trying to write this short update for a few days now, but I keep being interrupted with more things to add in.

Friday night, I was having diner with family and my phone as vibrating like it was trying to make a break for it. I usually don’t look at my messages at the diner table but the whole point of having a mobile device is to be available in case of emergencies and, considering I rarely get any messages, I was wondering what was up. Turns out, I had sold a handful of copies of The Life Engineered in a very short amount of time. “Cool.” I thought, making a note to track down what as up later that night.

The thing is, I’m a marketing guy. My instinct when seeing sales is rarely about the money or about the visibility, it’s almost always about ‘where are these coming from?’. So as soon as it was polite to do so, I went to social media to see what had happened. Turns out, The Life Engineered, along with Sword & Laser, were the focus of a short article on io9.com.

I read io9.com daily.

Already that's pretty awesome and I wanted to put up an update about it. Then I got confirmation of this article by Alicia Smock being posted on examiner.com. It’s a great article and was fun to participate in. So I was going to include that in my update.

Then The Life Engineered gets mentioned on Geek & Sundry and I lose my God damned mind. I can only keep a rational, marketing oriented line of thought for so long before I become an irrational mess. This isn’t a client’s product being mentioned in the media according to plan. This is my book.

Finally, another article, this time on Inkshares very own newsletter pops up.

So there you have it my friends. The surreal events of the first few steps of promotion of The Life Engineered. If you’ve ever doubted that this little crowdfunding venture takes care of their authors, I think I can testify that we are handled with much love and care. And that’s just the stuff I feel comfortable putting on a public forum!

Oh, and by the way, I still intend to kill you. When A God in the Shed gets published I will draw a name at random from those of you who've pre-ordered and I'll include your likeness in the final draft as a victim. It will be awesome. Also, for each people you've referred you get one more chance to win the raffle. To my editors: Don't worry. I wouldn't offer this if I didn't already have a minor character that I could replace with the winner.

So lets start referring this book to all our friends and family so I can get to killing you as fast as possible.

As always, you have my gratitude. It’s an incredible ride so far and none of this is happening without your support. Thank you.

JF

Good evening Machiners!

We have an exciting update tonight! We will be covering a lucky raffle winner, announcing the item to be raffled at 40 readers, and revealing a new surprise promotion. So lots of goodies here.

OK, first off, we have a winner of the 30th reader give away. As a reminder, the item was a super cool copy of Haunted Horror #12 autographed by Jack Katz above his illustrated story "Bride of Death." And the winner is, drumroll.... Janna Grace! Congratulations! Apparently you are full of raffle luck - I'm well up to date on my Tony Valdez Dax Harrison mug give away videos (which are amazing BTW - everyone go pre-order Dax Harrison immediately and let's get Tony published!) and clearly Janna is full of raffle luck. No videos here though. You all will have to take my word for it. It's legit, scout's honor. Janna, my people will talk to your people and we'll figure out where to send your comic!

Second, and this is serious business. I am astounded by the fact that The Last Machine now has 80 followers. That's incredible! I am amazed by the deep interest in the story. However, I am getting the sense that we have some readers sitting on the edge of the pool only dipping their feet. Trust me, the water's fine - it's time to jump in! Now for the little push straight into the deep end: For folks who are already following but haven't yet pre-ordered, the next ten who take the plunge and pre-order will receive a signed copy of The Last Machine's cover art. I will sign and so will the illustrator, Jack Katz. Now I'm done with swimming metaphors. But seriously, time to get wet.

And last but not least, when we get to our 40th reader - which we are quickly approaching - all readers will be in the running for a framed poem of mine that was illustrated by Jack Katz and appeared in the Alameda County Fair poetry competition this past summer. The poem and the illustration will also appear in California's Lost Gold, an illustrated poetry collection of mine also on Inkshares. Go check it out and give a follow to stay updated on progress there. The illustrated poem is called "Bound in Earth," and you can read the poem without squinting on the California's Lost Gold page. 

Carry on readers!

Good Evening Lovers of the Written Word !

I'm super excited to check in at the end of week #1 of the Sword & Laser with our 30th pre-order. That's an impressive week, much of which we spent in second or third position. Not bad at all! I cannot thank all of you readers enough for the amazing support.

Because we have reached our 30th unique reader, as promised, I will be raffling off the signed copy of Haunted Horror #12. I'll send an update tomorrow with the big winner - but for now, I must call it a night and briefly leave you in suspense.... I know, it's shocking. How about that for a proverbial cliffhanger?!

OK, I'll sign-off for tonight with this: I'm already thinking about something special to raffle away when we reach our 40th reader. I expect I'll announce that tomorrow with the winner of Haunted Horror. Also, don't forget, the super early addition of Kipling's Mine Own People is up for grabs to all supporters when we reach 50.

Now that you've finished this update, time to put your nose in a book! Until tomorrow...

So I've been noodling the pizza party idea (lol it's a food pun!) and I'm thinking it will go something like this.  When we hit 50 preorders I will raffle off a $20 gift certificate to your local pizza place.  Obviously, it has to be something I can buy online.  

I got you a Christmas present. 

Well, I’m kind of ’re-gifting’ it. Every year, me and my co-conspirator Jonathan Sparks get a bunch of friends together and make a Christmas album. This is our sixth one from last year, and I just uploaded it all on Soundcloud and made a fancy playlist for you all to enjoy.

As should come as no surprise: it is weird. But some nice songs! Your heart will be warmed even as you are confused.

AMOD Update: Turned in copy edits this week, so we are full speed ahead into proofing, production, and staying on schedule for release in April. It was odd/nice to do my final ’creative’ work on the book - there’s always a tiny ache along with the relief as my brain gets to free up resources for other projects. I am beyond proud of this book - and very eager for you all to get to read it.

Reviews and blurbs. Over the next few weeks you’re going to start seeing me actively address and educate you about the massive importance of reviews to the success of AMOD. All of the backers should be receiving copies of the book before the official release - those early reviews are crucial to the long-term survival of the book. I’m also on the hunt for extremely influential and famous people who want to tarnish their reputation by reading the book and giving us a blurb for the cover - which is daunting!

Thanks as always for your support and attention! Enjoy the Shadeaux Bros!

Hey everyone!

PANIC! SHEER AND UTTER PANIC!

IN MUPPETY EXAGGERATION!

IN "DINOSAURS ARE COMING TO EAT US" PROPORTIONS!

And so on...

And so on...

Almost done...

Little more muppety...

A little bit Weasley...

Just a little bit spongy...

Last one. This one is actually more my style.

We're number 2!  I'm over the moon! I recorded it for posterity because this is a momentous occasion.  I want to stay number 2 for the next month, but I know too much is in flux in this sort of contest, so I'm going to enjoy this present moment and let it energize me for the weeks ahead.  

We are only three orders away from the next round of the Shadow of the Owl giveaway.  I would love to do another raffle today.  Can we get there?  Let's do this!