Evan Graham followed Rosella Weigand
Rosella Weigand
All of us play primary characters in the story called LIFE
Follow
Evan Graham followed Shmuie Berger
Shmuie Berger
An avid reader.
Follow
Evan Graham liked an update for The Last Faoii

Updates, Faoii! Listen up!

I promised you all that I would do an audio version of Chapter 2 if we made it to 270 pre-orders. We’ve done that, so I’m upholding my end of the bargain. You can listen to it on youtube by clicking HERE.

Other than the audio chapter, I’ve been doing everything in my power to bring you perfection. I want us to take that hill-- I want us to stand at its summit with our war cries on our tongues and our victory in our hearts and for everyone to know that all of this finally came to fruition. That there’s some sort of karmic justice in the universe that repays hard work and determination. That at the end of next week we’ll know that The Last Faoii had finally earned mass publication and that maybe my health would finally improve and my heart wouldn’t be so tired all the time. Because dreams keep us going when other things don’t.

But we’re warriors. We need contingency plans. Realism. I don’t know how to produce miracles-- I don’t know how to inspire you all any more than I’ve already tried to. I was never able to get us featured in the Inkshares blog like many of the other authors we’ve fought (and in some cases, overcome). I was never quite able to get us to 4th place in this contest, much less to the top 3. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to stop trying. You’d think after submitting The Last Faoii to 200 agents during its initial run 18 edits ago, I would be used to rejection-- to falling short. But I don’t, because it’s just not something I do. 

I don’t know how to get us to the top of that hill. But I do know how to give you the best I can, no matter the outcome of the contest. Even if we fail at parts of the war, the victories we have will be perfect. There are no half measures here.

So I’m editing again. I’m going through The Last Faoii a 19th and final time since its completion--looking for any errors, any sentence, any word that doesn’t add to the story. That doesn’t prove to be absolutely worthy of your attention. I’ve sent it out to two more beta readers (numbers 13 and 14 if that matters to you) with instructions to make it perfect. 

If those that are following this army now are the only ones who are ever going to know how hard we fought to win this war-- if we will be the only ones to see the forces that Kaiya overcame just to exist, then I will make sure the reward at the end is worthy of the battle fought. 

Shield up, Faoii. The end is coming and we will not meet it lying down.

-Faoii-Tahani

like · liked by Evan and 5 others

People who have liked this reader update

    Evan Graham liked an update for Rune of the Apprentice

    Hello Masters and Apprentices! 

    1. Hardcovers Shipping This Week!
    2. Exclusive Letter In Hardcover Edition
    3. Signings / Events
    4. Reviews

    1. Hardcovers Shipping This Week

    For the past few weeks, I feel like I have been in a mental daze as I’ve watched RUNE’s official release date quickly approach. This emotive state of tense anticipation--filled with excitement, fear, and hope--is now coming to its apex, because after so many long months of waiting, the physical copies of Rune of the Apprentice are finally being shipped out!

    This whole experience has been been both an exciting and terrifying experience. Some of you will be surprised to hear this, but I am actually a deeply introverted person. So going to conventions and meeting new people and sharing such an intimate thing as my first novel has been personally challenging beyond words. (In truth, the only way I could do it was by dressing up in cosplay!) Although immeasurably stress provoking, putting myself out there in such a personal way--and risking humiliation, failure, and ridicule--has forced me to grow in ways I never imagined possible. You all have allowed me this opportunity to share myself on such a visceral level, and for that I am eternally grateful. It is my deepest hope that you enjoy the epic journey that is Rune of the Apprentice and take as much pleasure in its world and characters as I have. 

    In that vein, many of you have already downloaded your ebooks and told me via email and Twitter (@stonejamison) how much you are enjoying the novel--thank you so much for your kind notes! It also warmed my heart to see a new blog review posted by THE NERDY GIRL EXPRESS yesterday. Words cannot describe the joy I feel when learning of a new set of readers who resonates so deeply with my story and its characters. RUNE was a labor of love and I am filled with gratitude knowing that people are enjoying reading it as much as I enjoyed writing and sharing it with the world. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you all for making this experience possible not only for me, but each and every reader, too! 

    (An excerpt of THE NERDY GIRL EXPRESS review is at the bottom of this update -- but click HERE to read the full version.)


    2. Exclusive Letter In Hardcover Edition

    Sadly, due to logistics outside of our control, we were unable to get the hardcovers signed by launch date. In fact, Inkshares actually had to perform some publishing magic to get the books printed and shipped to you on time. 

    BUT to make it up to you all, I have personally (at my own expense) designed and printed a special letter to be included in each physical copy of the novel. This letter includes the fateful and prophetic message to RUNE’s main character, Aleksi--sent by his exiled mentor, Master Rudra. This is the letter which not only spurs the epic journey of Rune of the Apprentice, but also serves as a cryptic guide to our young hero upon his tumultuous adventure.

    Embedded within the letter is both guidance and warning to Aleksi, and although confusing (for both him and you, the reader!) it is my hope that having your own physical copy will help you discern, decipher, and be able to find each and every prophetic hint and reference hidden within Rudra’s message. Seriously, every line of this letter is in direct reference to the events of the story and directly correlate to Aleksi’s trials and tribulations. I think I will run a special giveaway for people who can find all of the references. Think you "catch’em" all?

    The only way to get this physical version of the letter is either by pre-ordering the book like you all have, or meeting me in person at a convention or book signing. I have also included a brief thank you note from me at the end, too. I want to mention, I won’t be the one physically folding and inserting these letters into the books being shipped to you this week--that noble task was graciously accepted by Elena Stofle of Inkshares, who has truly earned over a thousand thank-you’s (there are a lot of books being sent out, folks.) I have been folding my own set of letters in preparation for upcoming signings, and I can tell you this is no small feat.

    Which leads me to my next topic...

    3. Signings / Events

    As a reminder to Boston people, this Saturday at 2:00 pm is the Official launch of RUNE at the Prudential Center Barnes & Noble so please come get your copy signed and/or tell a Massachusetts friend about the event! But if you do not live close to Boston, fear not, we have some other awesome signings scheduled. Here is our ever growing list below! 

    • Oct 29th, Barnes & Noble Prudencial Center - Boston, MA (2:00 - 4:00)
    • Nov 10th, Proctor Academy - Andover, NH (all day)
    • Nov 11th, Buffalo Books - Ithaca, NY (5:30 - 7:00 pm)
    • Nov 13th, South Maryland Comic Con (all day)
    • Nov 18th Bookends & Beginnings - Evanston, IL (6:00 - 7:30 pm)
    • Nov 19th, Barnes & Noble Napersville - Napersville, IL (12:00 - 2:00)
    • Dec 1st, Fort Lee Exchange - Fort Lee, VA (all day)
    • Dec 9th, Langley AFB - Hampton, VA (all day)
    • Dec 12th Third Eye Comics - Annapolis, MD (7:00 pm)
    I will be making Facebook events for each of these signings on RUNE’s Official Facebook page HERE so please head on over and hit it up with a "like" so you don’t miss the invite! 

    4. Reviews

    I cannot stress this enough: Rune of the Apprentice and I NEED NEED NEED your review on Amazon, Goodreads, and Barnes & Noble! I know it’s a pain, and most people don’t know what to say--but just stars a few honest words is all that is required, and that small time investment from you will help both this project and me tendentiously. You can start posting reviews on all three sites NOW, so once you have read the book, PLEASE click the links below and share your stars and review. And if you have already read the book, please post your review NOW! It really means the world to me and will have a profound impact on the book’s success. THANK YOU!

    1. Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Rune-Apprentice-Jamison-Stone/dp/1941758916
    2. Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28650517-rune-of-the-apprentice
    3. Barnes & Noble: www.barnesandnoble.com/w/rune-of-the-apprentice-jamison-stone/1123466804

    This has already been a really long update, so I will keep my sign off quick: Words cannot convey the feelings in my heart. I am so humbled to be able to have my book in your hands. It is both an honor and privileged. Thank you. 





    "With Jamison Stone, you get a writer who clearly understands the epic fantasy audience, yet also must find a way to appeal to readers who rarely explore these kinds of books. I belong to the latter group. The key here is to excel at characterization and plot, as Stone does. In addition, I found that Stone’s writing has an almost poetic allure where there is a beautiful and insightful rhythm to his word choices. Stone’s writing style is quite seductive. Like an artist, Stone uses descriptive words as his brush, meticulously painting each character... I applaud Stone for demonstrating his incredible writing ability, psychological insight and descriptive flair in his first novel. Rune of the Apprentice offers readers a memorable experience." --THE NERDY GIRL EXPRESS (click HERE to read the full review.)
    like · liked by John and 8 others

    People who have liked this reader update

      Evan Graham liked an update for The Last Faoii

      Greetings, Faoii!

      Are you the type of person that likes to listen to chapters rather than reading them? Well, then you might like this audio version of Chapter 1 (I put it on youtube because I figured that was one of the more convenient ways for people to listen in). 

      This is entirely new territory to me-- videos, audio and things that don’t involve my pounding frantically at a keyboard. But I’m trying. I hope you like it. :)

      -Faoii-Tahani
      like · liked by Kendra and 6 others

      People who have liked this reader update

        Evan Graham liked an update for The Last Faoii

        Updates, Faoii! Listen up!

        There’s NINE days left in the contest. This is exciting to me, but it should also be exciting to you for 2 reasons:

        1) I’ll still be picking THREE people to name a character from The Last Faoii on October 31. If you want your chance, make sure to pre-order before then!

        2) Are you the type of person that likes to LISTEN to books instead of reading them? Well, I’ve started recording The Last Faoii, one chapter at a time. I’ll post one of the excerpts in the next couple days as a sample, but then it’s up to you! You get us to number 4 in the contest and I’ll start posting full chapters. Pretty awesome, right?

        We’ve fallen back to number 6 in the contest again, but I’m not surprised. Every time I rise to number 5 A Light in the Void gets one more reader within 12 hours and pushes us back down. It’s actually been rather amusing and I’m enjoying the leapfrog almost as much as any other part of the contest. Don’t worry, Faoii. We’ll prove our worth.

        Shields up.
        -Faoii-Tahani
        like · liked by Jane-Holly and 3 others

        People who have liked this reader update

          Evan Graham liked an update for The Last Faoii
          So I know I’ve been saying how excited I am to have finally hit Quill and to know that my book will be in the hands of actual people sometime in the near future. But, honestly, I don’t think it hit me until today.

          On the way home from work I had to pull over because I was suddenly, intensely aware of how much work it has taken to come this far. I saw every word I wrote, erased, re-wrote, re-erased, and re-re-wrote. Every character I sketched into notebooks and introduced to paper, as ready to tell their story as a child on the first day of school. I saw every excited key stroke as I experienced new events and people that screamed at me to make them real. I saw every moment of anticipation as I waited for my betas to respond. A thousand smiles when they praised something they liked or offered advice to make the story better. Every bit of terror as I wrote out queries, and more anticipation as I waited for a response. I re-experienced each and every time my heart dropped into my stomach at an agent’s rejection. And another. And another. The determined flits of my fingers as I turned each letter into a different origami animal to add to the ever-growing zoo. I felt that tiny spark of hope that glimmered when someone finally told me what was wrong with the original manuscript. Too long. Too long. The fevered dash to correct the issue-- erasing entire chapters, people, subplots. The tearful goodbyes as I deleted entire lives so that the others might have a fighting chance. The uncertainty of trying a less-than-traditional publisher. The soul-crushing doubt for each day I didn’t get a single pre-order. The amazement each time I did.

          And it all brought me to... this. Laughing and sobbing on the side of the road, tears streaking my face even as my cheeks hurt from smiling. Amazed and relieved and humbled all at once.

          It’s indescribable. Thank you.
          like · liked by Jason and 10 others

          People who have liked this reader update

            Evan Graham followed Anne Bingham
            Anne Bingham
            Follow
            Evan Graham followed Karley Sun
            Karley Sun
            Follow
            More items