Ooh! I should make an update! That should happen!

A lot of you already know this, but in my excitement, I neglected to make an official update about it, so here I am, finally doing that.

WE MADE IT!

Proteus is now completely funded! We reached our goal of 750 pre-orders, and the whole project has shifted into production mode. I’ve already been congratulated by Inkshares staff, and they’ve sent me some of the paperwork I’ll need to do in order to launch the book into the production process. It’s really happening!

So what happens next, in terms of Proteus? Well, as any of you who have ordered Tantalus Depths are already painfully aware, the production process takes a very long time. Also, since Tantalus Depths was my first project and people have been waiting the longest for it, it is still going to take most of my attention from now until it launches, so Proteus is something I will have to be working on in the background as I prioritize Tantalus Depths.

My plan is to get Proteus into the editing process shortly before Tantalus Depths is released. The whole intent behind launching my Proteus campaign when I did was to ensure that my second published novel came out no more than a year or two after my first, and my goal is to try and release new books on a yearly or bi-yearly schedule, consistently. Inkshares has finally given me a tentative release date of winter 2019 for Tantalus Depths. It’s much later than I thought it would be, but the delay is necessary to accommodate some new ideas that Inkshares’ CEO has in mind for it. It should be a particularly strong release next year, and Inkshares is showing a lot of confidence in it, so the delay will be worth it.

In the meantime, I’m not going to be idle. I have a surprise project I’m working on that should come out later this fall, to tide everyone over as we wait for Tantalus Depths. I also plan on building myself a proper website, which I’ll be loading with all manner of content related to the universe I’ve created, the art of writing, and the community we’ve formed. Now that the burden of campaigning is over, hopefully for good, I finally feel free to devote more of my time and energy into the parts of this process I actually enjoy: the writing, the creativity, and sharing my work to the world.

For now, I’m taking a week off, ‘cause by golly, I’ve earned it. But after that, work starts anew. We’re going to do great things together.

August 25, 2018

Hello, hello! We are just a hair over 5 weeks away from official launch day, and wanted to send out a quick update.

Shadow King Production Update: I just had the opportunity to look at the final interior for Shadow King. I’m really pleased with how it turned out. The cover has also gone through a last few adjustments on the spine, and should be final now as well.

Next it is on to creation of the ebook version and prepping the whole thing for physical printing. After that, we’ll be on the countdown for when you’ll all be getting your copies!

Upcoming Events: I am still looking for a place to have a book signing event during launch week, but in the meantime, I do have a Q/A/Book signing on the calendar for October 24 (7 pm) at Belmont Books in Belmont, MA. If you are in the Massachusetts area, I hope you’ll be able to join us!

Haven’t Ordered Yet? Over the past few months, several awesome people have followed Shadow King on Inkshares. I would love to add all of you to my official reader list, so please considering ordering a copy today at: www.inkshares.com/books/shadow-king.

I’ll keep you posted as we move into September on how things are going.

Have a  great rest of your weekend!

Best,

Susan

It’s almost disgusting how close we are to being done with this campaign, you guys.

Seven days. That’s it. Not even seven full days, more like six and a half. That’s how long it is until the deadline for the full funding goal. We only need 65 more orders to get there. That’s ten a day, if we don’t mind cutting it reeeeeally close. This is getting intense. It’s like the end of a sports movie, where the end buzzer goes off just as the ball sinks into the hoop, or like an action movie, where they defuse the bomb with two seconds left on the countdown clock. We’re cutting this very, very close. But I’m supremely confident we can do it.

I would just as soon not cut it quite that close. There’s nothing stopping us from getting the remaining 65 pre-orders tonight, or tomorrow. I’ve mentioned this before, but it bears repeating: when we funded Tantalus Depths, we got more than 80 pre-orders that last day. We can do it again.

Whether we hit our goal tonight or at the last possible second, we WILL hit that goal. I’ve campaigned for more than a year on this project. I’ve had a passion for this story for almost a decade, and I won’t fall short of the opportunity to have it told now, not when I’m so close. I’ve sacrificed a lot in this past year to get to this point. We are finishing this.

I don’t like going too many updates in a row begging for help without actually giving something back, so here’s another little lore update. Jacob Sicarius is no stranger to sacrifice: his intense dedication to the mission has cost him dearly, but it was a price he too was more than willing to pay. Let’s have a look at the technology that not only put Jacob back into the fight, but made him an even more formidable soldier.

For more information on how the Expansionary Coalition views the subject of cybernetic enhancement, you can check out this previous update here:

Also, I feel I deserve some mad props for not making a single “cost him an arm and a leg” joke.

Updates, Faoii! This one’s short but I’m so excited that I can’t keep it secret any longer.

A lot of you have asked me for an audiobook version of The Last Faoii. So, I’m making that happen. 

The Last Faoii audiobook is coming to Audible soon! Production is already underway and I can’t wait to give you more details as thing develop. After listening to dozens of auditions, I am so honored to announce that the the amazingly talented Sara Morsey will be the voice of the Faoii for this production. The moment I heard her read a sample, I couldn’t imagine anyone else being the voice of Kaiya and her Faoii army. Morsey is bringing an entirely new feel and level to this story, and I assure you that you won’t want to miss her telling of the tale. 

Keep watching for more updates on this front. I hope that a successful audiobook launch will be one more step in the fight to make Faoii Betrayer real. 

Keep those shields up.

Faoii-Tahani

I have SO MANY updates this week, Faoii! Listen up!

First off. Let’s see how we’ve done this month. Status report incoming:

But I know a lot of you out there are fighting. And I want to welcome our newest soldiers to the field. Faoii Betrayer has, like its predecessor, been graced with the amazing and esteemed honor of being chosen by the Break the Bechdel with Strong Female Characters Syndicate. I cannot tell you what this means to me or how honored I am to be placed in their ranks again.  Look at the new medal in our barracks, my warriors! Let me hear your warcry!

Also--Did you see the new cover for Faoii Betrayer, once again put together by the incredibly talented Evan Graham? 

That’s it for now, Faoii. You have your orders. Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and FOR THE LOVE OF ILLINDRIA ORDER YOUR COPY OF FAOII BETRAYER. It’s going to take all of us to make this book real. Some people might say it’s impossible... but they don’t have an army on their side. Do not fail me.

Shields up.

First: thank you, thank you, and thank you for following this project. I really, sincerely, genuinely appreciate it and I can’t wait for you to see more. 

Second: I’m posting this to inform you all that I’ve uploaded a promo-video-thing to the BREATHLESS story-page, which I think turned out pretty darn good. Author Ed Kurtz (Bleed, The Rib From Which I Remake the World) provided original voice-work and HE. ABSOLUTELY. NAILED IT. Check it out and let me know what you think. Happy reading, and remember what your ol pal Shane says: LIVE WELL, and LIVE SLOW

--Shane

July 20, 2018

Hello, hello! Hope you’re all having a wonderful summer. I just wanted to share a few quick updates on "Shadow King."

The Manuscript
The book itself continues to move through the process. It is with the typesetter now and I should get my first look at the layout on or around July 30. From there we have a few more reviews as we close in on having a final book ready for physical production and release.

Cover
The cover has been proofread, and once we know the spine size, my cover designer (the wonderful Charlene Maguire!) will be able to complete the final template that Inkshares will need.

Important: Have you moved?
Everyone who has pre-ordered will get their copies of "Shadow King" in advance of the October 2 release date (yay!). If you ordered a hard copy, and have moved in the last 365 days, please contact Inkshares to update your shipping address! I’d hate to see your copy go to the wrong address!

Interview
I was interviewed by Writing Bloc about "Shadow King" and writing dark fantasy as a genre. Please check it out!

Spread the Word
Like all writers, I’m always interested in spreading the word about "Shadow King." Please share what you know about "Shadow King" with friends, family, your hair stylist, dog walker, and mailman (mailperson?). And if you’re following my adventures here but haven’t ordered yet, now would be a most auspicious time! 

Thanks again for all of your support, and I’ll update again in August!

Best,
Susan