We have a spiffing new letterhead. Marvellous, isn’t it?

One more week before the pre-order sales campaign goes live. It’s so exciting I spent the last six hours failing to type this up. I did manage, however, to upload another Peterkin short mystery onto Wattpad: "The Thirteenth Rule", which is set just a little later than the stories I’ve uploaded so far. 1931, to be exact. It’s also less of a whodunnit and more of a whydunnit. Enjoy.

I’d like to take this opportunity to talk about JF Dubeau’s second novel, "A God in the Shed". Honestly, I think this beats his first novel. I’ve described it elsewhere as "a little bit Lovecraft, a little bit Twin Peaks", and I’m not sure I can sum it up better than that. The characters felt real and distinct from the moment I met them, and the world appropriately familiar. If you haven’t picked this up yet, I suggest you do so.

I’d also like to mention "Judith", by Zack Budryk, which just caught my eye today. It sold me within the first four paragraphs, with the easy flow of its prose and the way the personality of the viewpoint character is deftly and effortlessly conveyed. This will be a novel well worth getting, I think.

And that’s the news for this week. When next I post an update, it will be to announce the opening of the pre-order sales campaign. Until then, ladies and gentlemen!

Dear Readers,

Just time for a quick update before I have to go do my dishes (yay for responsibilities, am I right?).

FIRST: Chapter Seven has been uploaded! This is the last chapter I will be uploading before the end of the Nerdist contest so...ENJOY!

SECOND: I’m still waiting on a few more purchases before AC Weston and I raffle off ten FREE copies of her novel, She Is The End. Don’t hesitate if you want a copy of this wonderful novel!

THIRD AND MOST IMPORTANTLY: We are still 75 copies short of where we need to be to win the Nerdist Space Opera Contest! There is only the remainder of today, Monday and Tuesday to make your purchase count for the contest. I am the point of imploring each of you - $10 from each person receiving this update will push us over that ledge into success!

If you haven’t purchased yet, I want to know what I can do to help you make that decision, either to preorder or not. Let me know via email (adrian.babst@gmail.com - yes, it’s me. Webster is a pen name) or on Twitter (@RH_Webster) or Facebook (www.facebook.com/RHWebster.ScienceFiction). I am keeping a close eye on all of these and will be trying to respond to each of you as quickly as possible.

In return, I will tell you all the fun story about how where the name RH Webster came from. It’s a rip roaring tale about...a kid, a missed homework assignment, and a stairwell.

- Webster

Just checking in with a brief update. Today is my 6th day off work in 6 weeks, so it has been more than a bit hectic. I continue working on various materials for and relating to Exile, Magus, but due to the time constraints of my work schedule and the general physical exhaustion it brings on that work has been slow. There’s a silver lining though. Based on what was said in our Thursday meeting we’re going to be able to stop the excessive overtime for at least the next few months, maybe even until the end of this season. The slow down is kicking off in a big way for me since I’ll have a 3 day weekend this coming week as well as another 3 day weekend the following week. That means I’ll have as much time off in these next 2 weeks as I did in the past month and a half! Even after that we’re scheduled to be back to a normal 5 day work week, so I’ll actually have time to get things accomplished.

With all this time off rapidly approaching my brain is swimming with all the (currently unpaid but loved deeply by me) work that I’ve been having to put on the backburner and/or creep slowly into. I’m having a hard time deciding just what to focus on first, which means I’ll probably be skipping between projects maniacally the entire time. The only thing set in stone in my mind is that I will finally complete some beta-readings I’d promised to do. You may also be wondering if this means I’ll be getting back to Sunday reviews. Probably not since I’ve built up such a large backlog of other things I need to do at this point.

The main announcement on the Exile, Magus front at this point is that I’ve decided to start an email newsletter to more directly keep in contact with and update everyone interested on my progress. In addition to the status updates each month, I’m starting a monthly newsletter. It will mainly be detailing the progress which has been made each previous month, but I also intend to include exclusive, sneak peek content such as maps, short stories, bits of background lore about my world and its people, and so on. I’ve already sent out an email to those of you who I have email addresses for, but for the rest of you feel free to email me at redtom.mythmaker@gmail.com if you also want to sign up for the newsletter. I want to make this more of an interactive matter than the typical newsletter, so also feel free to include any comments/feedback or requests for newsletter content when you message me to sign up. Here’s hoping I hear from the lot of you.

Final bit for today is solely on the current contest. I have been watching it(especially during the craziness of these last few days) with all the rapt attention that most folks reserve for sporting events. I’m not much of a sports fan myself, but a literary race for the top just turns me into a whooping, screaming, and often nonsensical superfan. So of course I’ve picked out favorites, those books which move beyond the realm of “I really want to read this book” into “OMG I must read this book!”

Unfortunately some of those have dropped below the top 10, and thus are not likely to make it. There are however 3 remaining which are in truth my dream team of winners which are currently still high in the rankings. I realize that I will likely not get to see all 3 of them in the final winner’s circle, but I can still dream!

Anyway, the 3 books I would most like to see finish in the top 3 are(in no particular order)

“The Life Interstellar” by Zack Jordan

“The Traveller’s Cup” by AC Baldwin

“Lucky” by RH Webster

Ultimately though I just have to say good job to those of you in this contest. Even if you didn’t get named to my own personal top 3, there’s a pretty good chance that you’ve caught my eye because this top 10 is filled with great choices (not to mention all of the great choices that aren’t currently on the top 10).

That’s all I’ve got for this week. I’ve got to do lowly human chores such as laundry and house cleaning now. This place has reached nearly full blown clutter mode during these hectic few weeks and I fear what may be hiding under the piles of clothes or behind the empty Cheerwine bottles. Enjoy what’s left of your weekend and keep reading!

Hello friends and readers!

Space Crew, 

We’re almost out of time. With only a couple of days remaining, this is the moment that will make or break us. 

I need you today. Today we will plaster The Traveller’s Cup throughout the universe, everywhere we go. Crew, I issue you this quest during the next 24 hours: commit to sharing the link on your social media channels with a personal message. Commit to telling someone you haven’t yet about this book and what you love about it. Commit to getting more copies in your household, and to talking to someone in person. We are so close to the goal I can feel it, but I can’t do it alone.

*Remember that only unique pre-orders count in the contest, so it’s more important that we get more people engaged than binge on our own copies. 

Yesterday Was Amazing! I’m still blown away that Gary Whitta (Book of Eli, After Earth, The Walking Dead by Telltale Games, Abomination, and many more) and his Syndicate chose The Traveller’s Cup for his award. This is such a big deal, and I’m so humbled and honoured.You can see my fancy new badge on the book page. 

Here’s the Sappy Part. You guys really are incredible. You’re the only thing keeping me going in this campaign. Sometimes it’s a bit awkward for me to pitch the book or ask people to go for a copy, and it can be even tougher to know how to thank you. I guess I do suffer from a bit of imposter syndrome, so when I get this amazing feedback from you all, I usually assume you meant to message someone else. 

It can be confusing getting all of your great comments and feedback and still struggling to get up the ranks. But I’m accepting that this is what creative competition feels like. And something I’ve learned in all of this is how important it is to support our fellow creative people. Since this campaign started I’ve bought so many indie and Inkshares books I’m a little afraid to look at my credit card. But this industry is hard, and any support I can give to those who work hard is worth it.

When you support my book, it’s not just a book. You’re supporting my dream, and a goal I’ve worked countless hours and days and years to achieve. I build up anxiety everyday just preparing these newsletters. If I say the wrong thing I won’t get orders today. Or...oh my gosh; yesterday’s email had three errors in it. Now they’re gonna hate me. And yet you guys stay positive and keep me grounded. 

I almost wish money weren’t part of this, because I know that for some of you $10 can be a lot to give in the name of support. And it’s never been about dollar signs for me. If you want to contribute but find it difficult, please let me know if there’s a way I can support you back. 

We’ve gone from total underdog to a real contender for third place, which is all we need. 

So I truly, sincerely, from the bottom of my awkward heart, thank you for being the greatest Space Crew of all time. Of all time.

Sincerely,

Your "I have no idea what I’m doing" Captain,
-AC

SPECIAL UPDATE: LUCKY EDITION

Lucky by RH Webster is an amazing space opera book starring a smart, complex woman on an adventure hauling freight across the galaxy.

I love the idea of the book and I want it to place in the current Nerdist contest!

SO!

The next 20 new readers to pre-order Lucky will have a 50/50 chance of winning a copy of my book, She Is the End, FREE! Those are some pretty good odds... I hope you’re feeling lucky.

That’s right, two books for the price of one! Two space operas about strong, interesting women and dashing, conflicted men in space!

If you’re a follower who hasn’t ordered my book or her book yet, now is the best time EVER to do it. Go on, GET LUCKY!

Dear Readers,

Chapter 4 is now UP! It has been sent to all readers, but if you didn’t get it, I have linked it in the project description. 

Penny gets a briefing from headquarters on the next phase of what she thinks is her final mission and then we get the requisite casino scene. I hope I didn’t disappoint anyone by not elaborating on the finer points of a poker game, I know how action-packed those can be. Some things that work in a movie, don’t necessarily translate well to the page.

Also, I submitted my first chapter draft to a science fiction writing workshop and got some great feedback which helped me with my revisions. Critiques are  big part of the writing process, constructive critiques anyways, so please don’t be afraid to give me some constructive feedback on the submitted chapters and I will certainly return the favor! I will be uploading the revised first chapter sometime this coming week. I’m still working my way through all the chapters I’ve finished and giving them a once over.

Thanks again for all the support! The Nerdist contest is just about over and I want to say a special congratulations to both Christopher Leone and my good friend Michael Haase for reaching their Quill goals! I can’t even imagine how good that must be feeling!

Greetings Jackolytes,

Two words. Inkshares syndicates. A question. What do you know about them?

There are currently nine Inkshares syndicates backing authors from a wide variety of backgrounds. Each month these syndicates back a book to try and turn an author’s dreams into reality. They really do make a difference.

Go check them out and see if it’s something you can be a part of. You can find them at www.inkshares.com/syndicates  There’s something there for everyone!

Cheers,

Peter