Today has been a momentous day. Early this morning (Australian time) the latest round of finalists in The Launchpad Manuscript Competition were announced — The Judges’ Top 25.

I am ecstatic to confirm Human Resources has been included in this exclusive list! This competition started out with thousands of entries from twenty-four countries. To have HR selected by industry judges as being in the twenty-five best manuscripts from such an impressive cohort has me lost for words.

Moving forward, the judges will continue to whittle the finalists down. In a few short weeks they will announce the Top 10 and the judges’ winners! In parallel to that, the crowdfunding competition will continue until 16 December (PST). The three winners of the crowdfunding competition are guaranteed publication, regardless of the results of the main judging process, so if you are following the novel but haven’t pre-ordered yet, please consider putting in an order now.

The competition has been fierce, and even with the amazing support I have received, the pack is slowly reeling me in. If you are able to spread the word, to help me get HR in front of new eyes, it would be an enormous help.

Thank you, and fingers crossed,

Robert

Hello! I know this update comes sooner than expected, but I wanted to share with all of you that I learned earlier today that "Shadow King" made the Top 25 list for the Launchpad Manuscript Competition!

While we’re all biting our nails waiting on election results, I wanted to share a little news: KILL CREEK has been named a Top 25 Finalist in the Launch Pad Manuscript Competition!  I couldn’t be more thrilled, and I’m excited to get this gnarly little haunted house story out into the world.      Check out the complete Top 25 list here:

https://www.tblaunchpad.com/contests/6

Thanks for your support!  And if you know anyone who might like KILL CREEK, please encourage them to pre-order a copy!

Scott

Friends, Readers, and Sorcerers All,

Big news today. SORCERY FOR BEGINNERS has been chosen as the November selection for Gary Whitta’s Nomad Syndicate. Yes, THAT Gary Whitta! Writer of The Book of Eli, After Earth, and this little unseen, indie gem:

I won’t lie, my heart is beating like a scruffy-lookin’ Nerf herder right now. It’s been a pretty awesome six weeks since we started this campaign, and we’re not done yet. You can still pre-order SORCERY FOR BEGINNERS, get a signed copy, and an extra-special "early adopter" prize which we’ll be unveiling soon. But you have to purchase before January 1. Tell your friends, tweet it from the mountain tops, and pick up a copy if you haven’t already! Darth Vader will thank you.

May the Force be with you all --

mh

Greetings Hexers and Machina Riders:

Editing is in process on the second draft of Deus Hex Machina (my spreadsheet of many colors is about 60% blue now to indicate finished scenes), and although I had to push into November, I am expecting to be done soon.

But that’s not what I’m here to talk to you about. Today I will be joining forces with Extra Life and starting the first of four gaming sessions where I will stream for charity -- specifically Children’s Hospital of Alabama. My goal is to raise $100 to help kids at the hospital get the treatment they need, and I will be streaming every Sunday evening throughout the month of November over on my Twitch channel. I’ll be starting at 8PM Central, and am thinking it might be fun to let the audience help make my choices as I start a new character in Stardew Valley. If you like watching gaming, stop by and say hi, and if you like what you see, please consider donating to a good cause.

TL;DR:

WHO: Well, me, actually.

WHAT: A Charity Gaming Stream for Extra Life

WHEN: 8PM Central every Sunday evening throughout November

WHERE: http://www.twitch.tv/mandifesto

WHY: To raise a minimum of $100 for Children’s of Alabama. Donate here if you want to jump the line and just give money to kids without having to watch me make a fool of myself online. Although, I think that’s half the fun.

See you tonight!