Hey, and Happy Friday!
Somebody went to the Women Like Us Amazon page and ordered 5 copies yesterday! Here, take a look:

Not sure who did that, but I would thank that person most heartily. Okay, sure, not 500 orders, but you gotta start somewhere, right?
Production of the book continues toward that July 26th publish date, which is extremely exciting. In fact cover design is mostly complete, and there will be two blurbs on the back . Here’s a preview:
"If you have parents, if you have kids, if you have a heart, Women Like Us is the book for you. It’s like a great recipe for life."
This is from author Charles Dickinson, who wrote a novel called The Widows’ Adventures. I fell in love with this book from page one, and hopefully one day soon there’s going to be a movie version of it (full disclosure: I adapted the book and will co-produce the movie), but do yourself a favor if you love to read and get a copy. You too, I bet, will fall in love with Ina and Helene, two ladies who go on a kind of road-trip you haven’t seen before. Or look into one of Charles’ other books like A Shortcut in Time, or A Family in Time. Here’s a link to The Widows’ Adventures:
Here’s the second blurb:
"Women Like Us is a wonderful and true examination of deep, real human emotion."
This one comes from Joseph Asphahani, whose novel The Animal In Man, a Sword & Laser contest winner, is coming soon from Inkshares. If you haven’t pre-ordered a copy, consider doing so. Here’s a link:
https://www.inkshares.com/books/the-animal-in-man-7699
Speaking of other Inkshares books, there’s a Father’s Day sale going on -- there’s 50-75% off some cool books, so check that out. I can especially recommend director Jake Bender’s wonderful The Elephant in the Room, and Landon Crutcher’s Monkey Business, which is a super trippy head-trip of a book!
So that’s it for now. Stay tuned as publish day approaches because there will be more news to share about the book. And, as always, thanks everybody for the support.
Joni Dee
Hey there,
Hello everybody,
Just wanted to follow up on the e-mail you should have received earlier from Inkshares letting you know that The Battle Within has reached its funding goal. I’m still a little in shock that this has actually happened, so I’ll try not to go on a long rambling note, but I wanted to get in touch with everyone who’s supported this project as soon as possible to say thanks.
This dream couldn’t have happened without all of you. Many of you will know my personal background that lead me to this point in my life, but for those who don’t, let’s just say that for me, it definitely embodies Frost’s ’road less traveled.’ Thanks to all of you, that road has become a bit less daunting and I am humbled at the support. From here on out, my focus will be on working with Inkshares to make sure you get the best story I can possibly deliver - I hope you’ll enjoy it.
Very Respectfully,
Alastair Luft
Hey everyone!
Well, I’m currently at the DC United game, but I just couldn’t wait to tell everyone that my interview is live on examiner.com at
http://www.examiner.com/article/inkshares-writer-stephen-carignan-talks-about-his-book-s-campaign
This is an amazing opportunity for more exposure so a huge thank you to Alicia!
As far as the pre-orders go, we are still crushing it above the line at 121 orders. I really think my suggestion about cornering people on the street is working and I’ve even gone to a new length of matching with people on Tinder and telling them to buy my book, just check my facebook, I can’t show you from my phone.
Thanks to the support so far. Keep sharing, recommending, and ordering (since the copies are signed, get one for someone you don’t like and I’ll write whatever you want).
Sweet dreams,
Stephen
P.S. let’s go United!
I am feeling dizzy with gratitude! This was truly a special night. Mission 51 reached a funding milestone in a truly heartwarming way. I simply asked on Facebook, and friends responded. We now sit a 100 pre-orders! I am overjoyed!

Thank you Marie Nall for helping us get there, and Sally Johnson Reed for your friendship and support! You are the greatest! :-)
And a very special thank you to Michael Haase and wife Margie, who took time off from new baby duties, to dial the pre-orders up to 100! Thank you!! :-)
Michael, as you all must know, is the author of The Madness of Mr. Butler, winner of the Nerdist Space Opera Contest (in production), and of An Adventure With Dada which is currently in funding. Please give them both a look and send some love his way! :-)