So something happened overnight that I wasn’t expecting. We hit the light publishing goal. No matter what, this book is getting published, and I have you generous, handsome, intelligent, marvelous people to thank for it.
I can’t stop smiling.
On the writing front, I am one scene away from finishing chapter 5, and then I’ll send it out to all the backers. Isidore has left Ess-Dee behind, and next she’s heading into the heart of Oh-See, the house of mouse. It’s going to be a blast to write, especially as someone who used to work there.
I want you to know I won’t stop hustling on this project. I still have the Machina Crew rewards for those that refer people to buy the book. Those referrals might be easier now that it’s guaranteed that they will get their book in their hands. I still have 57 days to see if I can get this book fully funded. But even if I don’t, the book you receive will be professionally edited, with a professional cover and all the love I have for Orange County poured into its pages.
Today though, no hustle. Just writing. Well, writing and smiling.
1500 COPIES
WE DID IT!!!! In fact, we killed it! It’s dead! We are over 1600 copies on our way to 1700. VAMPIRE PARTY!
(When going to your snobby vampire blood tasting, swirl the blood in your glass and take in the full bouquet.)
DID YOU KNOW?
9 out of 10 hypothetical doctors say that leaving a review on Amazon makes you super cool. The last doctor is your dentist who keeps trying to give you adult braces. Don’t listen to her. Leave a review!
NEWS
An Unattractive Vampire was this months featured book pick of the Paranormal Shopping Network. I also did an interview with them on Twitter which I compiled into a handy little post here. Also, I will be a spotlighted author on the 125 Pages blog in September.
Dragon Con is accepting nominations for their new awards and there is a push to get Inkshares authors into the mix. So head over and nominate An Unattractive Vampire in either the Fantasy (Paranormal) category or...Asteroid Made of Dragons in Fantasy and An Unattractive Vampire in Horror. Either way, be sure to nominate The Life Engineered in Science Fiction.
As for events:
Tonight
Our Fair City is having a fundraiser at Headquarters in Chicago (2833 N. Sheffield) Come out, say hi, and support your favorite dystopian mad science audio drama featuring a wall of meat.
Saturday
Our Fair City (including me) will be doing a podcasting panel at the Columbia Geek Culture Gala at 2 PM. I will have postcards to hand out and fruit will be SMASHED!
Next Week:
I will be returning triumphantly(?) to my old Quad City stomping grounds to sign books for backers at Barley and Rye in Moline, IL. There will also be copies available for those who make a donation to Children’s Therapy Center.
OTHER NEWS:

Big congrats to fellow Sword and Laserer J-F Dubea for hitting tha magic 750 preorder number for his second Inkshares book.
Remember: there are still lots of worthy books out there looking for love in all the right places (Inkshares). For example Lucky by RH Webster and the contestants for the Live Free or Die...Hard Science competition.
So that’s all for now.
Go forth and leave Amazon Reviews.
(I must be this guy...because I keep Harping on that.)
Hey, everyone!

Whoa! My fellow thinking beings, what a ride the last few weeks have been.
In case you haven’t heard, my second book, A God in the Shed, on Inkshares has funded successfully and will be seeing publication in a few months. It’s pretty exciting stuff but unfortunately I have no time to dwell on it. What else is taking up my thoughts?
DragonCon is starting its own awards. I won’t bury the lead; I want to see The Life Engineered nominated. I mean, I’ll be happy if any Inkshares book gets a nomination but obviously I’d be deliriously happy if The Life Engineered got a nod in there. So this will fusion reaction powering my communications with you for the next little while: Let’s get Inkshares a Dragon Award. Have a look at the nomination page and please consider putting in The Life Engineered for the Science Fiction category. While you’re there, here are some suggestions for other categories if you feel like supporting the Inkshares platform:
Click here for the nomination page.
Next up: one of my friends is nearing the end of her funding campaign and she is so very close to her goal of 250 pre-orders. I know I’ve been asking a lot from you guys lately, but if you have a few credits rolling around or you’re just curious about her book, check out A.C. Baldwin’s The Traveller’s Cup. It’s a great book and A.C. is a tremendously promising author and a tireless artist. She deservers this.
Finally, while I’m still asking for favours, currently The Life Engineered is sitting at 80 reviews on Amazon.com. That’s awesome and I love to read the comments and critiques of readers. However, if I can get to 100 reviews, magical things start happening on Amazon. If you’ve read The Life Engineered and enjoyed it, consider leaving a review on Amazon. It helps me more than you can imagine and I’d love you forever.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go prep the funding campaign for Arch-Android.
JF
Greetings wonderful people,
Quill is just around the corner which is super exciting...but then again the end of the campaign is also not far away which is terrifying!!
Keep it together!
So I just wanted to drop a line with you fine people who have decided to follow this crazy dream of mine. First of all thank you all soooo very much for you continuing support and awesome feedback. You all have carried me through the uncharted territory of this campaign and I couldn’t be more grateful.
Secondly, I need your help to make that last push. We are short only 56 orders till Quill and I know we can make it. So please if you ever wanted to support Beyond the Code put in your pre-order before time runs out.
Thanks again
Kelsey Rae Barthel