Greetings readers and supporters. It’s been a while and I’ve got lots of news for you.

First, Rise has been through its developmental edit. I just got the manuscript back and, wow! It’s going to be a lot of work but I am liking what I see so far. I like the approach the editor took and the tools he gave me as I re-attack the manuscript. I think it’s going to make some very subtle but very good changes to the narrative.

Second, I got the first round of cover designs back. I saw some I liked, some I didn’t, and came to the conclusion that I couldn’t do this alone. So, I’m reaching out to you. Below, you’ll see three options (two really, but one has a difference in font). This isn’t a voting call. This is a request for qualitative feedback. What do you like? Why? What don’t you like? Please send me your feedback to colberra@gmail.com before Dec 5 to let me know what you think.

Third, in case you didn’t notice, the tentative release has been moved to September, 2016. Specifically, we’re aiming for an early September release. For those of you that know me, that happens to coincide with a certain convention I regularly volunteer at involving dragons. We’re still discussing the idea, but a release party at said convention is a possibility. Stay tuned for updates on that.

Lastly, an update on Fall, Rise’s sequel. I’m almost done writing it and am starting to consider what to do with it. Owing from the experiences of fellow authors that tried and did not succeed, I’m wary to attempt another Inkshares campaign for a new book before the previous one has released. I’m certain I could get to the new light publishing level but getting to the top of another contest. That’s another task. So, I’m curious what your thoughts are. Would you, the supporters of Rise, be willing to back and support the sequel before you’ve even received the first book? Let me know at the email I listed above.

Here are the tentative cover possibilities:

Cover 1

Cover 2

Cover 3

Till next time.

Brian

Greetings readers and supporters. It’s been a while and I’ve got lots of news for you.

First, Rise has been through its developmental edit. I just got the manuscript back and, wow! It’s going to be a lot of work but I am liking what I see so far. I like the approach the editor took and the tools he gave me as I re-attack the manuscript. I think it’s going to make some very subtle but very good changes to the narrative.

Second, I got the first round of cover designs back. I saw some I liked, some I didn’t, and came to the conclusion that I couldn’t do this alone. So, I’m reaching out to you. Below, you’ll see three options (two really, but one has a difference in font). This isn’t a voting call. This is a request for qualitative feedback. What do you like? Why? What don’t you like? Please send me your feedback to colberra@gmail.com before Dec 5 to let me know what you think.

Third, in case you didn’t notice, the tentative release has been moved to September, 2016. Specifically, we’re aiming for an early September release. For those of you that know me, that happens to coincide with a certain convention I regularly volunteer at involving dragons. We’re still discussing the idea, but a release party at said convention is a possibility. Stay tuned for updates on that.

Lastly, an update on Fall, Rise’s sequel. I’m almost done writing it and am starting to consider what to do with it. Owing from the experiences of fellow authors that tried and did not succeed, I’m wary to attempt another Inkshares campaign for a new book before the previous one has released. I’m certain I could get to the new light publishing level but getting to the top of another contest. That’s another task. So, I’m curious what your thoughts are. Would you, the supporters of Rise, be willing to back and support the sequel before you’ve even received the first book? Let me know at the email I listed above.

Here are the tentative cover possibilities:

Cover 1

Cover 2

Cover 3

Till next time.

Brian

End of November update: I has finished my developmental edits and a quick round of copy editing. I've also filled out the Inkshares paperwork. For everyone out there, their initial packets they have you do are not light reading. It easily takes a few hours to fill out, and a few trips to book stores. 

They ask about your target audience, excerpts you want, what kind of books you like, what covers are appealing to you, why are they appealing. What percentage of your presumed reader base are male or female? So on, and so forth. 

I'm super curious to see how this process goes from here on out. On Tuesday, I turn everything over. I'm glad to see that Inkshares has a very robust initial packet. It's feels good to provide them with some meat. 

I'll keep you guys posted! Now my next step is to continue with a two more rounds of editing. One more developmental edit, even though I already had that done, a second pass never hurt anyone. Then a round of copy editing. This last part, I'm super pumped for. I'm a storyteller, not a writer by trade. So I'm about to pick up a bunch of new skills and grammar rules I probably never even heard of. 

Zac Linnville has already been busting my chops on comma usage in dialogue. :).