Katherine Forrister sent an update for Curio Citizen

Hello my dear followers!

I am thrilled to announce that Curio Citizen currently holds 1st place! But some interesting news was thrown our way yesterday. From the beginning, there has been a disconnect between the contest ending date--on the official rules, it stated June 27th was the ending date, but on the site settings, June 25th had been programmed as the ending day. I operated under the assumption that the 25th was the ending date, but it turns out, June 27th IS the actual end date for the contest.

Why does this matter? It gives the competition two extra days to gather pre-orders and potentially overtake us. We have a good lead as it now stands, but that could change at any moment. Five days is a lot longer than three when every contestant is bringing in more orders every day. I will need your help to keep me in the top 3 spots and get published!

Please ask at least one other person to pre-order my book and help them find the site and place the order. You all have been so amazing, and we are almost there! Please help me win this contest in these final days. The deadline is now June 27th at 11:59pm. Any individual orders from separate email addresses placed before then will count towards the contest!

Just $10 could truly change my daughter’s life and mine. Please consider helping us so we can find our feet, and I can start a career that will support us. Plus, you get a fantastic sci-fi novel (if I do say so myself, haha :P )

Thank you again! Click HERE to pre-order a copy of Curio Citizen.

And for all you awesome sci-fi fans, here is today’s look into the world of Curio Citizen:

Paz Economics:

As described before, the paz are inherently peaceful, and, as expected, have established a peaceful, planet-wide society. Part of what makes such peace possible is their structured economic standards.



’
Their money is called "din" and is stored on triangular cards.

While different levels of wealth exist on Paz, every child, no matter how wealthy or poor a family they come from, is given the same education and opportunities. Following their education, they choose a field of study which interests them and pursue it as a career. Once in that career, salary, promotional steps, and pay raises are all standardized for each job planet-wide. Pay for each job is based on the level of time and aptitude it requires. The Council of Careers is the primary division of government that handles these decisions and makes relevant policies. 

In addition, the minimum wage on Paz is a true, livable wage. Those who cannot work or are otherwise in need are cared for monetarily by the government. 

The setup sounds ideal to Carmen, but she is left to wonder if a structure like that would actually work with humans involved--or if it is really as perfect as it seems on Paz.

--

               "’But, surely there are favors given, backhanded dealings,’ I prompted. ’You can’t really believe everyone lives in perfect honesty and integrity in that situation. And don’t some people get upset or jealous if they don’t get the career they want? What happens if they fail the tests and have to be a garbage collector or something?’

               Inquieto seemed confused by my logic. ’If someone fails the tests, then yes, they are usually disappointed, but they process their emotions and move on. Most find contentment in their new career because it is better suited to their abilities.’

               He then frowned in consternation. ’And as for backhanded dealings, no, of course not. That would ultimately lead to more trouble than it was worth. Everyone knows that. It’s common sense. Who would want to cause that much trouble?’

               ’Are you really so naive?’ I asked, unable to hold my tongue.

               ’Do you truly think so darkly?’ he asked, greatly troubled.

               ’I—’ I uttered. ’To believe everyone is peaceful and perfect—that’s not dark thinking, it’s just a reality of life.’
         
               ’On Earth, perhaps,’ he said uncertainly."


---


Thank you!

--Katherine

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    Katherine Forrister liked an update for Lost in the Fog

    250 PRE-ORDERS!

    Aloha All,

    I’m very excited to announce my novel Lost in the Fog has received over 250 pre-orders (261 and counting) and will now be published by Inkshares!  Thank you so much for your support, and I cannot even begin to express how grateful I am!

    I’m also thrilled to report this is (hopefully) just the first step for Lost in the Fog.  Inkshares is sponsoring their Launch Pad Contest, and I’m officially entered.  It started April 1st and goes until November 4th, and the top three books on the basis of unique pre-orders will be automatic winners.  For more on the contest, you can click here.

    All Launch Pad winners will receive full marketing/promotion/editing, and their novels will be sold in brick-and-mortar bookstores!  With the 250 pre-orders, I’m only guaranteed Lost in the Fog will be published and available to purchase online, but without any promotion and only basic copy editing. That is cool in itself and a huge accomplishment, and I’m super happy to have reached that goal.

    But being a Launch Pad Contest winner would be a dream come true!  Not only will Lost in the Fog get full publishing and promotion, there’s also top talent agencies  (including UTA & Paradigm) and production companies (such as Village Road Show & 3 Arts Entertainment) involved in the contest.   I’m currently in second place on the leaderboard out of 116 submissions.  That’s very exciting, but there’s still a long way to go.  

    The goal now is for new readers to keep pre-ordering so I can cement Top 3!

    You are all the absolute best, and thanks again from the bottom, top, and (gooey) center of my heart for your support!  If you think any of your family or friends or work colleagues would enjoy Lost in the Fog, I would be very grateful if you shared the link with them via email or text:

    https://www.inkshares.com/books/lost-in-the-fog

    With the first goal of 250 pre-orders complete, Top 3 in the Launch Pad Contest is in now in our sights!  Mahalo, mahalo, mahalo!!

    Here’s a picture of me on Maui (on my birthday this past weekend) celebrating 250 pre-orders.  😊

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      Katherine Forrister liked the forum thread, Ending time for Nerdist contest
      Great questions--that means you’ll have the full day of the 27th, and the contest will close at 11:59 PM (PST) on the 27th! So that day is still open for pre-orders. Let me know if you have any further questions!
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        Katherine Forrister sent an update for Curio Citizen
        Hello Everybody!!

        Curio Citizen is still in 2nd place! I never dreamed we would get so far, but we are currently only 3 ORDERS away from stepping into 1st place! Now, there is absolutely NO guarantee we will get there or even stay in the top 3, and honestly, I would be extremely happy to be 2nd or 3rd. BUT there is still an enormous chance we will be overrun by the books in lower places at any time if we do not keep gaining pre-orders over the next 4 DAYS. That is all that is left in this contest. It ends THIS SUNDAY, June 25th! Please, please, please, if you have not pre-ordered yet, I need your help right now! Please don’t wait any longer to pull the trigger and pre-order. Please also keep asking a friend or two personally to pre-order a copy to help me out!

        Thank you all SO much!!

        Here’s today’s look into the world of Curio Citizen:


        Canción (Canto) Ortorgan is an illustrious socialite in the Capitol of Paz. He is extremely wealthy, and his unusually boisterous personality (by paz standards) makes him a very popular person. His excessive demeanor is unquestionably positive, however, and so is viewed differently from Carmen’s often fiery temperament.

        While the High Council members are ultimately responsible for the legal decisions regarding Carmen’s life on Paz, popular opinion can play a factor. The support of Canto Ortorgan could be just what Carmen needs to improve her chances of being accepted as an intelligent being. But there is something strange about Canto--does he have other motives for his involvement with the curio?

        ’


                       “’Oh, this is excellent!’ cried a booming voice from the stands. I looked up; the festive man in red, green, and gold was off his seat, applauding like a Roman emperor at the Colosseum. ’’What a show!’

                       Tenaz was grinning beside me. I found Inquieto, his arms folded, tucked in the shadows of the stadium entrance. He stepped forward, shifting his face into a smile.

                       The applauding gentleman made his way past the rowdy team and their jaw-dropped coach to the pitch level.

                        ’Inquieto Reúnen,’ he said, clasping forearms with the younger man as if they were longtime friends. ’I have been wanting to meet you. Ever since I saw your story on the news, what a tale!’

                       He looked over at me and beckoned me with welcoming arms. I hesitated, looking at Inquieto for confirmation that this flamboyant man was sane.

        ----

        Thank you all again so much for your support! I am truly humbled by the amount of love I have been shown throughout this contest. We are in the final days, and I ask you all to make a final push to help me get more pre-orders so all of our work won’t be for nothing. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

        --Katherine
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          Katherine Forrister sent an update for Curio Citizen
          Hello all!

          Curio Citizen remains in 2nd place! However, the 3rd, 4th, and 5th place contenders are gaining pre-orders just as fast as we are, if not faster. I could really use your help to ask others, one-on-one, to please pre-order a copy. If you are following these updates and have not pre-ordered, now is the time I could really use your help! There are only 5 days left! The contest ends on June 25th! Thank you! Just $10 could change my life and be the start of my writing career!

          Click HERE to pre-order!

          Here’s today’s look into the world of Curio Citizen:


          Electrolocation:


          The paz have inherent biological features known as electrolocation and electroreception. They can send electrical signals outward from their bodies to detect the locations and shapes of objects around them, and through electroreception, they can interpret the electrical signals of other people or animals nearby. This ability was originally developed for the species to hunt, but as they evolved to be a naturally peaceful species, their electrical abilities altered in function. Now, paz use these electrical signals to understand the physical manifestations of others’ emotional states so they can better approach an upsetting situation and resolve it. They also use electrolocation to calm others by sending a small, soothing electrical pulse through them.

          Electrolocation and electroreception have become key elements to the paz culture. Their formal, friendly greeting, for example, consists of individuals clasping forearms and putting forth a small amount of electrolocation to show peace. Paz also use electrolocation to calm their children or to show affection. In extreme cases, electrolocation can be used in a stronger form to temporarily stun an unruly paz or animal, but only those in law enforcement or animal handlers tend to use this ability.

          ’


                         “’Get me out,’ I said, flicking my eyes to the window and back again. ’Get me out,’ I repeated. ’Help me.’

                         His face fell with sympathy, and he reached out to touch me. I stiffened. His hand stroked my forehead, and two of his firm fingers pushed lightly against my skin. I closed my eyes in surprise. A subtle pulse emanated from his fingers, and the muscles of my forehead smoothed. The pulse continued in a low, comforting wave of soothing euphoria. I blinked a few times as I waded through the brief experience.

                          He removed his hand. His black eyes were consoling and carried a promise.

                          ’Are you going to get me out?’ I whispered, testing his supposed resolve. I felt the smoothed muscles of my forehead twitch back into being, and the furrows reformed as I waited for him to answer."


          ---

          Fun fact, duck-billed platypuses use these same abilities through electrical organs and sensors in their "beaks" (snouts), and many fish and invertebrates have similar abilities. While writing Curio Citizen, I knew I wanted the paz to be able to have some sort of ability like this, but it wasn’t until the research phase that I discovered this particular biological adaptation used by many animals on Earth. It fit in perfectly with my aims for the book, and is one example of how I love to incorporate actual science into my science fiction!

          ’


          You are all so amazing! Thank you for continuing to help. I hope these updates are ramping up your excitement for Curio Citizen! Hopefully I will be able to share it with you in published form. 5 days will reveal whether or not that happens! Until then, we’ve got to keep working for more pre-orders!

          --Katherine
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            Katherine Forrister liked the forum thread, Ending time for Nerdist contest
            Just curious on the actual ending time for the Nerdist Contest. One place on the contest page says the 25th and another says the 27th. And since the 25th is a Sunday and the offices will be closed...? @Elena Stofle ?
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              Katherine Forrister sent an update for Curio Citizen

              Hello everyone!

              Curio Citizen is still in 2nd place! I am so grateful to all of you for helping to get it there! There is only one week left, so please keep spreading the word! Deadline is June 25th, THIS SUNDAY.

              Oh, and we made the local news!! Check it out:

              https://www.facebook.com/wyffmyraruiz/posts/1918736561744451
              https://www.facebook.com/wyffmyraruiz/posts/1918745398410234


              And here’s today’s look into the world of Curio Citizen--one of the important characters who can influence Carmen’s journey:

              Memoria Levantan is a long-time member of the High Council of the Capitol, and some would say she’s the most influential. She has a calm, but commanding presence, and her wisdom is respected, her opinions not taken lightly. She is compassionate, but does not allow her interpretation of the law to be sullied by emotion. 

              Carmen must convince the entire Council to see her as equal to paz, but she knows swaying Memoria is key to achieving her goal.

              ’


                             "’Inquieto,’ Levantan said, and then corrected herself, ’Citizen Reúnen, you are an expert in your field. Your evidence of her behavior is strong and is substantiated by your education and experience in animal, specifically, curio, behavior. I don’t believe anyone on this Council can ignore the validity of your testimony.’

                            She eyed her peers, who seemed to acknowledge her words. Even Fortalacen’s lips were thin in assent.

                            ’As such, I think it would be unwise to make any rash decisions in objection. However, Citizen Reúnen, you must not have expected your unconventional request would be immediately granted today,’ she continued.

                            ’I did not,’ Inquieto agreed.

                            ’Then, granted the new petition, I ask my fellow members of the Council for a delay in this decision, and that we shall confer amongst ourselves and notify the petitioner when further action on his part is required,’ she said. ’Do I have the agreement of the Council?’

                            One by one, hands raised in agreement. I eyed Fortalacen as he hesitated, and his hard eyes met mine. I believed he thought I would look away; he certainly looked perturbed when I did not, but he raised his hand in agreement."

              --

              Thank you so much for continuing to personally ask others to pre-order Curio Citizen. I really appreciate all your help. We are almost there!!

              Click HERE to pre-order Curio Citizen!

              --Katherine
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