There’s a lot of double and triple meaning in A Beast Requires, mostly because I’m twisted like that, but also because I so strongly believe in the power of words. There is one that will always stand out to me, as it towers over the fountain plaza outside the constabulary.
Why a flying pig?
They’re my spirit animal. Ok, sure it’s a little bit because I grew up in Cincinnati. I know, right? Queer kid growing up in the concrete sprawls of John Boehner country? No wonder I escaped the moment I had the chance.
See, when I was a kid I loved writing. Loved it more than anything in the world. Problem was, I couldn’t write for shit. My words, they made no sense. Letters were backwards, the spacing was off, and I couldn’t form sentences to save my life. So you can imagine the responses of my parents and my teachers when I told them I wanted to be a writer.
I’ll write a book when pigs fly.
It’s taken me the better part of four years to write A Beast Requires. I’d show people the original draft, but it’d make no sense unless you spoke the secret language of my pencil scratch. The time put in was worth it. I think I’ve managed to write an amazing book, one that I hope will make you laugh, and occasionally scream at Albicon’s poor choices. For those that have backed me, thank you. And for those still considering, I hope you sign on and help make this dream become a reality.
- Jay
Hello again, readers!
A few days ago, I wrote to let you all know I did not intend to ask for a campaign extension. Now I’m writing to let you all know someone out there believes in this project so hard, they worked their magic and convinced me to accept one anyway.
My initial intention was to put Devil’s Call in a drawer and move onto my next project. Not query agents or self-publish on Amazon or something, but just let it go. Let me tell you real quick why, on second thought, I’m glad I didn’t.
This year has been trying. As I mentioned in an update at the campaign’s commencement, this spring I experienced a severe, acute depressive episode that culminated in a suicide attempt, and I spent a considerable amount of time in the hospital as a result. I’m currently in outpatient treatment for alcohol dependence (39 days clean!) as well as generalized anxiety that worsened as a result of my not self-medicating anymore. Depression and alcoholism didn’t kill me, but they sure are eating up a lot of time that would have normally been allocated for promoting my ass off.
That said, waiting for the "right" time to pursue this project isn’t an option, as life doesn’t give two licks whether I’m ready or not. Both the manuscript and I are improving day by day, and I want this book to make it to Quill not for my own gratification, but because so many people have helped it get this far, and I really feel as if Devil Call is Inkshares’ book.
I can’t top that last gif, so I’m going to sign off with more heartfelt thanks and my standard "spread the word on Tweetface, it helps" message.
Y’all are the best,
J.
Hello Cape’s Side Bayers!
Here we go! One month left in the campaign, 146 orders until we reach 750. It has been a long exhausting road, and the light is finally visible at the end of the tunnel!
Hitting full-publishing is a close reality but not a given. Those of you that have pre-ordered already, thank you very much, but if you could recommend, share, insist on others that would be great.
The last month will be grueling, I believe we can get there, and I believe in this book and cannot wait for you all to get a chance to read it!
https://www.inkshares.com/books/cape-s-side-bay
That’s all for now. Thanks for taking the time to read it. I’m excited for what’s to come!