Lots of good stuff happening, but I’ll be brief (mostly because I’m writing this update during my lunch hour, and I’m starving). First, please be sure to check out my latest The Future Is Now column on Geek & Sundry. This time I examine just exactly how close we are to putting human feet on Mars. (close than you think!)

Now, I get about ten emails every week asking me, "Is the book done, yet?" - So, as is my charter, I will show you just exactly where I am in the rewrite:

As you can see, I’m very, very close to being done with the first rewrite. I’m staying up extra late and waking up extra early every day this week to get it done, and in my editor’s hands in order to meet the Inkshares manuscript delivery deadline of August 1. If I get that done I think there’s a good chance the book will land on the early side of 2017.

While we’re here, I’d like to also update you on the short story I’m writing for the Too Many Controllers anthology, which, if you haven’t already acquired, you really should. As promised, since the anthology reached its 300th reader target, I’m unveiling the name and synopsis of my contribution. My story is entitled: Morcom is here. Here is the synopsis:

A journalist researching the UK’s World War 2 Colossus computing program at Bletchley Park inadvertently unearths Alan Turing’s most complex, clandestine program. A tome of handwritten code designed for a computer that he knew would not exist for decades after his death. Many believe the program to be an artificial intelligence game Turing designed to defeat his own famous test. A one hundred million dollar XPRIZE challenge is announced, awarded to the first person or team who could successfully execute Turing’s opus. A team from the University of Michigan thinks they’ve got what it takes.

Lastly, I wanted to call your attention to my editor, Robert Kroese, and his new book The Big Sheep which is officially available for purchase today. I’m a huge fans of his writing, and this book is sure to entertain. It’s half Philip K Dick, half Douglas Adams. What’s not to love? You can get yourself a copy from Amazon, or, if you’re a collector, autographed copies are available from Schuler Books. 

Excelsior! A new chapter pertaining to the Time Traveler will be uploaded in honor of the 40 follower mark. 

Note: This chapter takes place much further in the book somewhere around twenty ’sections’ later.

Reminder for the Quill Goal:

First 50 paper backs will not only be signed first editions of all first editions, but also contain pieces of the History of Valthera. No one else will have the same piece as you. 

As always thanks for reading, Pre-order if you haven’t, recommend, *cough* give me your soul *cough*, tell others about it in all truth and honesty I don’t have local resources to help me push the book forward in my own home so if you will allow me to lean on you, I promise I don’t smell. 

Peace.

Character Update:
This week’s highlighted crew member is none other than the stern, by-the-books mission commander, Drake Gorrister.
 

Is Commander Gorrister’s focus on discipline and procedure the necessary key ingredient to hold the crew together when things take a turn for the worse? Will his leadership skills be up to the challenge of managing the greatest exploratory mission ever faced by man? Or will his limited adaptability prove disastrous for him and the entire crew?
Find out in the pages of Tantalus Depths!

Good morning to all!

Hello all!

News

Good news! “First on Mars” just got another great review, this time from Kendra Namednil (maybe go check out her book Borehole Bazaar). This means there are now six great reviews!

In other news, “First on Mars” is about one-third of the way to Quill! There’s no time to rest though. We still have a long way to go.

As an incentive, I’m going to post the next full chapter (6: Bottom Up) when we hit 100 orders (which is not too far away). Although it still needs some work, the draft is done. This chapter is when the real crisis of the book begins and things really get interesting. So please pre-order, share, or recommend!

Art

As part of doing research for this book, I’ve hacked together some concept artwork. Here is one such image, a design concept for Rigel:

Readers

One of the great things about funding this book is that I’ve gotten readers from all over the world. Here’s a map of the readership (Inkshares provides this by analyzing IP addresses I assume):

Thank you for reading. In case you were wondering, you’re the reason I write. Yes, you, the one reading this – not those other people, just you. :)

Until next time,

Hey Everyone,

With 13 days left in the campaign, we are 51 percent funded. Thanks to those of you who pushed me past that mark over the weekend. We just need 121 orders and we are published!

Last week, I said that every new pre-order made until we hit 250 would be entered into a drawing for an Amazon gift card. However, I have decided to change that. Rather than one drawing at the 250 mark, we will have three drawings at three different milestones.

The first drawing will happen at the 150 mark. All pre-orders that were made since my last announcement have already been entered into this.

The second raffle (the prize of which will be announced when we hit 151) will be for all pre-orders made after 151 and will span to the 200 mark.

The final will be for pre-orders 201 to 250.

Again, thanks for taking this journey with me. We are almost there. Please continue to spread the word.

Rob

Hey guys!

What are the haps, Space Crew?

I wish I had more news. If I had to choose a highlight of the week, it would be that I came up with a twist for this novel that has left me cackling uncontrollably. So that’s fun. I mean, of course I planned and plotted every detail and had an extremely polished draft already. What?

The only thing I want to talk to you about this week is getting the expletive to 300 orders. (I’ve chosen to omit actual expletives from the newsletters  in favour of expanding our Crew.) We’re currently at 281, so it’s extremely close. But I need to push it over the edge; and when I do, I’ll be sending you the theme song!

I’ve already asked my 300 closest friends for support, and most of them came through. Some came through with a passion rivaling your puppy who hasn’t seen you for an hour. But what I’m really saying is that I’m out of people to ask. 

If you’re getting this newsletter, you’re (on top of being a fabulous and unique individual) in one of two categories: those who have ordered this book, and those who have hit ’follow’ to show support or interact with me in some way. 

Space Crew, my orderers, you’re what has kept me going. I’m going to keep leaning on you between now and our deadline in September because you’ve proven yourselves to be amazing people who can do amazing things. Please, keep sharing this story. 

Space...Standbys? I’m uncomfortable with the plural form of this word. But you guys could easily set this book over the 300 mark. You could push it over 400. I’m dying to know what it would take to get you in my official Crew. You can connect with me on Inkshares or Twitter; I’m always up for a chat!

Your Stewing and Sinister Space Captain,
-AC

Good morning Dreamers!

And if that wasn’t enough, Stuart McCune of Millicent Barnes Comics has created some custom artwork for The Sleeping Man! The first is an alternate cover:

And here’s The Sleeping Man standing:

And here’s my personal favorite, Conqua: