Dear Machiners!

Time has come and gone since we last spoke. Much has happened and there are many things to update you on. 

First, I want to begin with the Nerdist contest which is CONCLUDING tomorrow. This contest was hosted by Inkshares following the Sword & Laser: The Sequel contest (which we co-won, in case anybody forgot :-) and many thanks to you!). 

This Nerdist contest’s theme is SPACE OPERA. So that’s really fun and there are many fantastic entries in the competition. I have backed about five or six myself. 

I’m not going to pick favorites, especially at this late stage. But I will emphasize that as a past contest participant I very much appreciate the drive, love, dedication, passion, and ultimately sometimes, pain, that goes with these six week emotional sprints. I tip my cap to these authors, fighting for discovery because their words need to breath. The battle doesn’t end here. So even for those disappointed come tomorrow, it’s so critical to remember that if your words deserve to be heard you must never stop fighting for them. This is also part pep talk for myself - just because my story will be published, it remains difficult to stay focused on writing, and write on we must. 

Remember, the contest is not over yet. So keep pushing authors! The last full day was the best day for us in the S&L - I think I had exactly 50 new readers.… 

And to all my supporters: Some of you may even have stray Inkshares’ credits hanging around on your accounts. Go take a look at the entrants and pick a favorite to support:

https://www.inkshares.com/contests/nerdist-space-opera-contest 

To update you on THE LAST MACHINE IN THE SOLAR SYSTEM: 

I really cannot tell you how excited I am for you to hold this story in your hands, to read the words and to enjoy the truly unbelievable illustrations by Jack Katz. I have completed the manuscript and it is ready to hand into Inkshares, and then all the real fun shall begin! I am wrapping up a few straggler pieces that Inkshares requires to begin the process and will be handing things over in the next couple of days. I am not sure yet of a publication date, but expect to know soon. Whether it is late this year or early next, I know that the wait will be worth the ultimate reward. Thanks again for being along for the ride!

At the bottom is a brand new illustration from the man himself, Jack Katz. I don’t know how he does it or where it comes from. He takes inspiration from my writing it seems. The value I draw in turn from him bringing my story to life is the best part of all. 

As a fan of my story, I have an important favor to ask on behalf of Jack, the greatest creator I know. Jack is 88 years old and his vitality and creativity, as evidenced by his illustrations, has not waned. With that said, after a seven decades long career, illustrating such famed works as Popeye and Bulletman, money remains a hardship. In addition to working with me on The Last Machine, Jack is working diligently on the epic sequel to The First Kingdom, called Beyond the Beyond. Please consider supporting Jack, one of America’s great living artists from the gold and silver age of comics via Patreon. I very much appreciate your support for my friend! 

https://www.patreon.com/user?u=2830339&ty=c 

This update is becoming long-winded, which probably shouldn’t be surprising as I took too long to update (nearly 2 months). However, I have a couple more quick hits which are important!

There is an absolutely spectacular epic fantasy project which everyone who supports me, Inkshares, and flat-out awesome writing, should back. The book is Blood Dawn by John Robin. I could write an elaborate explanation of why, but it’s actually not necessary because a number of John’s super fans (including yours truly) made a sweet video. Here’s the awesome fan video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdDc8B-dL7o 

And here’s my uncut endorsement of Blood Dawn! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqLl2njZbTw 

Last but certainly not least, I have started a syndicate on Inkshares! This is basically a monthly subscription book club. Inkshares is the real deal everybody and as one of their authors I want to support Inkshares and the wonderful projects that they help bring to light. The syndicate is called GREAT SCIFI for the 21st CENTURY and BEYOND SYNDICATE! 

As indicated by the name, we are backing books that explore complex issues in the realm of SciFi. Books in the same genre as The Last Machine. So if you like my novella, you will hopefully enjoy the work we support. Feel free to check out our syndicate and sign-up today to support other authors. You can also read more about syndicates in general here.

Annnnd, drumroll, I’m thrilled to announce that The Inhabitants: An Unremembered Life is our first backed book! Congratulations to author Mike Sebby. His book is amazing and perfect for our syndicate. I love it as our first selection; it sets a great tone for us going forward. Check it out today as Mike is still funding his book and needs your support. Also, Mike sent out a hysterical video update today. I suggest you watch. You also may hear mention of a certain machine in said video! 

I will do my best to update more frequently so I don’t have soooo much to mention per update. It’s all important, and I hope none of the individual items get overlooked because of the length of this message! 

 -Matthew 

Hello readers and followers!

I’d like you all to meet Penny Thorne, the badass secret agent protagonist of "To Live and Die in Avalon"!

Professional illustrator Nathan Anderson created this wonderful depiction of Penny and if I’m being honest, I got a little teary-eyed when I saw the finished product! As previously promised, I will be producing three high-quality prints of the above image for the top three referrers. So, if you want to help spread the word, become a part of my "street team" as it were all over the world, then get out there and tell everyone how awesome my book is and get them to pre-order! Remember to use the refer via email link on the project page so I can track the referrals!

The cover art magnets also arrived today! (best day ever, right?) I will be emailing everyone who has already pre-ordered for shipping info. I’ll be sending out a mass email, so please hit "Reply" and not "Reply to all", unless you want everyone to know where you live. If you haven’t pre-ordered and would like a magnet, then get ’em while they’re hot! I only had 250 made, so help me get into Quill, get a piece of literary history and then spread the word so you can have Penny framed and up on your wall!

I also want to say a special thank you to some of my fellow Inkshares authors for their kind words and support: Joseph Asphahani, Michael Haase, Billy O’Keefe, RH Webster, Peter Ryan and John Robin, just to name a few. Here are links to their works, if you haven’t supported them yet:

https://www.inkshares.com/books/the-animal-in-man-7699

https://www.inkshares.com/books/the-madness-of-mr-butler

https://www.inkshares.com/books/lucky

https://www.inkshares.com/books/sync-city

https://www.inkshares.com/books/these-are-my-friends-on-politics-0985

https://www.inkshares.com/books/blood-dawn

And here’s a link to Nathan Anderson’s website. I may get him to draw a few more of the characters. A portrait of the eccentric holographic A.I. LOLA would be pretty sweet, methinks.

http://www.nathanandersonart.com/

Thanks again for all the support everyone!

-Jason

Monthly Update! So, my publication date is now 11/1/2016. Much closer. I have 3 days left to finish my line edits. I’m on schedule. That stuff is boring. 

WE HAVE COVERS TO VOTE ON!!!

Okay. Here is the deal. Tweet me @crankybolt or email me, or even comment here. Each of these covers is a design direction. 

Not the final cover. By any stretch. These are just looking at which avenue we should head down. 

Option #1

This cover is filled with arcane imagery in an organic cover design where text blurs with the artwork. If you think we should head in this direction, even with different colors and would like to see more usages. Vote for this one. 

Option #2

This cover is closer to the original cover art. The intent of this design path is to create something that is more like an arcane tome. A spellbook one could hold. If you like this direction. Vote here!

Option #3

This one is the most off putting at first. Yet it’s important to know that this is just a place holder for an Illustrated cover with a character (Mike) in his green trenchcoat with the black sun on the horizon. Or of his coat tattered on an I-beam above the Chicago Skyline. I know it may be hard to visualize, but if you like that design direction. Vote here!

Option #4:

Don’t like any? Then say so!

Send me your gut reactions and your initial feedback! Tweet them out, email me, or throw paper rocks at me with notes on them. 

Twitter: @CrankyBolt Facebook: facebook.com/crankybolt Email: Crankybolt@gmail.com