Hey all! Short update!

Due to a few orders rolling in, we still need several orders until we reach 100 and I can post chapter six. Would love for this to happen this week!

I’ve been very busy and don’t have much time between work and family, so here are the updates:

• The web-site has been updated with character backgrounds for six characters (eight if you count Mars and Rigel)
• I’ve added an event to the facebook page for the book.
• Inspired by some other authors here on Inkshares, I’ve made a Spotify playlist (which may change). Check it out!
• “What happened to Chapter four?” you may be asking. I’m still working on it and will release it to you readers once we hit 125 orders! Chapter seven will come at 150 orders!
• I may ask Inkshares for an extension if the book gets a decent amount of orders in the next month but doesn’t make the cut.

For now, here’s the background for Mars:

Humans have long been fascinated with Mars, the fourth planet from the Sun, often called the "Red Planet" because of its red hue as seen in the night sky. It is named for the Roman god of war. 

Ever since humanity has contemplated space travel, we have dreamt of going to Mars. In recent years the draw has become even more pronounced as we have discovered frozen water and even liquid water on the surface. Among all the other planetary bodies in the solar system, Mars is the most like Earth. It has an atmosphere, a better temperature than most, decent gravity, and a close to 24 hour day.

However, there are several hurdles to living on Mars. Its atmosphere is extremely thin and unbreathable - the air is much thinner than even the top of Mount Everest. Although the temperature is occasionally bearable, it is on average much colder than Earth and can be incredibly cold at times, causing even carbon-dioxide to freeze. In addition, the "soil" on Mars is contaminated with perchlorates, which can adversely affect human health, acting as a thyroid inhibitor and lung toxin.

Despite these hurdles, many prominent figures have announced their desire to "colonize" Mars in the coming decades.

"I HAVE NEVER WRITTEN A REVIEW ON AMAZON."

Is that you? Once that was me. Then one day seven years ago I put on my Grown-Up Pants, signed-in, and I wrote my first Amazon review. It was for capsules to prevent colds. Woohoo! The excitement never stopped. 

How many times do we ourselves use Amazon reviews? I only buy items on Amazon with great reviews. Ask my wife. I’m strictly a 4-star and up kinda Amazon shopper.

Why I am sharing all this with supporters and readers is because it’s time.

It is time to write an Amazon review of The Astronaut Instruction Manual.

Just sign-in and click here. (Or vice versa.) 

The AIM already has some great reviews, many of which came from Inkshare readers. To everyone who has written a review, thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Everyone else, let’s do this. Click, sign-in, write. Remember, everyone has a first time.

Mike

Hi all!

Quick update. There are only 42 days left in the campaign now for First on Mars. Time is running out, so I’ve decided to make a couple of changes.

Firstly, I’m not going to post any more chapters on Inkshares. Only readers who pre-order are going to get more chapters. I’m so grateful to every person who takes a chance on me and pre-orders and I want to give something back in return.

Secondly, if the funding campaign is successful by Sept. 1st, I’m going to raffle off a copy of The Martian Extended Edition on Blu ray (every pre-order or referral gives you an additional chance):.

Here’s a little teaser: In Chapter 6, the President gives an address to the world, members of the Phoenix crew are split, and an election takes place back on Earth that changes everything.

ONLY 15 MORE ORDERS TO 100 AND CH. 6!

I promised if Tantalus Depths reached 500 pre-orders by July 16, I would upload the first chapter for all to read. Well, as promised, here it is.

I also promised I would upload a special video of me reading it to you. Also as promised, here it is.
 

I hope you all enjoy. It is a shorter chapter, and mainly consists of setting the stage and making introductions to our cast (which is why I chose to use chapter 3 as my main sample chapter instead of chapter 1, since I felt it gave a better impression of the book’s overall tone).
When Tantalus Depths reaches 600 pre-orders, I’ll release chapter 2 and another video reading. I might even throw in a video of me reading chapter 3, if it’s something people want.

Keep up the good work everyone! This insurmountable task is starting to feel really doable. Thanks to all your help, we’ve made it this far. We can make it the rest of the way too.

Tantalus Depths has just received one of the biggest conceivable honors it could have been given on Inkshares.
I am indescribably honored to announce that Tantalus Depths has been selected as the July pick by the Break the Bechdel with Strong Female Characters Syndicate.
 
I’ve mentioned this before, but it bears mentioning again now: one of the primary reasons why Tantalus Depths was written in the first place was to create a story with a strong female lead. I wanted to do my part to break the gender imbalance in sci-fi media. I wanted to write a female lead that could inspire and impress male and female readers alike. I took great pains throughout the entire writing process to make Mary Ketch feel like a real person, her experiences relatable and accessible.
To be honored by the Bechdel Syndicate is to be assured that I have, at least in part, realized my goal. Truthfully, this moment is almost as important to me as earning my full publication goal. If Tantalus Depths hadn’t been worthy of an honor like this, in my own eyes it wouldn’t be worthy of publication either.
With the support of the Bechdel Syndicate, Tantalus Depths is now ahead of schedule. We’re only 214 pre-orders away from our full publishing goal, and we will not settle for anything less than 100% success.
To the Depths!

Readers, Friends, Family, Enemies, Everyone Else,

I have 79 more orders needed to reach the Quill Goal and Guarantee Publication. 

I need ALL your help to do this. If you have not yet ordered, PLEASE do so tonight and support me!

If you have already ordered, thank you again. Please post a link to the book at www.iamwaltz.com to your facebook/twitter/Instagram asking your friends to support.

Once we reach 250 orders we will make a few more big pushes to 750 and get this thing in stores!

Thanks again,

Matt