A very Happy Thanksgiving to the Inkshares community! 

I was on the verge of an update in the early afternoon (Pacific time), asserting that my scheming in the kitchen was progressing according to plan, allowing me a few undisturbed minutes without any pots boiling over or large poultry erupting in flames. However, the minutes proved too few to complete my post even without any mishaps, so the update now follows a tasty Thanksgiving dinner. I hope everybody had an equally delicious and memorable evening with family and friends.

I am happy to announce that the conclusion to the Last Machine has been posted. I am proud that the entire story - not just a preview or glimpse - is available on Inkshares, completely free, for all to see. Ultimately I may expand this into a novel, or include the novella in a short story / poem collection (see California's Lost Gold).

I have been gratified by the interest in the story, and by the thoughtful feedback which shows that readers are enjoying digging into the ideas presented. Science fiction enables us to investigate the human condition and the psychology of man in fascinating settings and under unique circumstances. I'm personally interested in exploring characters and environments while maintaining the plausibility of realism. I think this makes for compelling reading, generating a layer of tension from the understanding that this could happen in the future or in some alternate reality or dimension.

OK, enough on writing, on to the reading! Thrilled to present the conclusion of the Last Machine. I hope you all enjoy and I look forward to hearing your thoughts!

Two additional quick points:

First, I want to thank those who have provided reviews for my story, namely Kandice Ohnstad, Vincent Lim and Tony Valdez. Both Vincent and Tony have books funding, so please support them (The Cora Chronicles and Dax Harrison, respectively)! Dax only has 30 days left, and I really want that book on my shelf - so let's go!!

And finally....to pump you all up for the inaugural Inkshares Review-a-Thon! 

Hello!

If you're not in the United States, today is Thanksgiving. A day when people get together with family, eat too much, and think of the things for which they are thankful. I'm writing this email to thank you for making a dream of mine possible. With crowdfunding, every single one of you matters and your support means a lot to me.

Here's a short list of people who keep me going.

My wife, for keeping me sane.

Dan Rooney, for reviewing my work and giving excellent feedback.

JF Dubeau, John Robin, A.C. Weston, G. Derek Adams, Paul Robinson for making sure that my writing path is fruitful. (Their names are links, check out their books.)

Inkshares (the company,) who care about quality and are great to work with.

The Inkshares community, where publishing was once a solitary and competitive push, a group now exists of writers working together to improve and present their work and share their knowledge.

This one is a cop out, but YOU. Seriously though, the path to publication required a lot of pitching, and when publication decisions came down, every single person mattered. You made this happen and you are great.

Thank you!

P.S. You look great and smell nice.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

I'm thankful for all of your support, because as of a couple minutes ago, we officially hit our goal of 100 pre-orders!  So, as promised, I have now uploaded "Chapter 4: fiat voluntus tua" to the BLUE WATER Inkshares site.  I hope you enjoy the trip as we go further and further down the rabbit hole into Emily Hunter's mind.

So now, we have made 40% of our light publish goal of 250 orders.  We have 20 days left.  So if we make 50% (or 25 more preorders) I'm letting "Chapter 5: causa latet, vis est notissima" fly.  So spread the word, toss out some recommends, and get your friends to pre-order.  Together, we can discover the mystery behind BLUE WATER.

All my best, and thank you again,

Joseph