Dear Machiners!
Time has come and gone since we last spoke. Much has happened and there are many things to update you on.
First, I want to begin with the Nerdist contest which is CONCLUDING tomorrow. This contest was hosted by Inkshares following the Sword & Laser: The Sequel contest (which we co-won, in case anybody forgot :-) and many thanks to you!).
This Nerdist contest’s theme is SPACE OPERA. So that’s really fun and there are many fantastic entries in the competition. I have backed about five or six myself.
I’m not going to pick favorites, especially at this late stage. But I will emphasize that as a past contest participant I very much appreciate the drive, love, dedication, passion, and ultimately sometimes, pain, that goes with these six week emotional sprints. I tip my cap to these authors, fighting for discovery because their words need to breath. The battle doesn’t end here. So even for those disappointed come tomorrow, it’s so critical to remember that if your words deserve to be heard you must never stop fighting for them. This is also part pep talk for myself - just because my story will be published, it remains difficult to stay focused on writing, and write on we must.
Remember, the contest is not over yet. So keep pushing authors! The last full day was the best day for us in the S&L - I think I had exactly 50 new readers.…
And to all my supporters: Some of you may even have stray Inkshares’ credits hanging around on your accounts. Go take a look at the entrants and pick a favorite to support:
https://www.inkshares.com/contests/nerdist-space-opera-contest
To update you on THE LAST MACHINE IN THE SOLAR SYSTEM:
I really cannot tell you how excited I am for you to hold this story in your hands, to read the words and to enjoy the truly unbelievable illustrations by Jack Katz. I have completed the manuscript and it is ready to hand into Inkshares, and then all the real fun shall begin! I am wrapping up a few straggler pieces that Inkshares requires to begin the process and will be handing things over in the next couple of days. I am not sure yet of a publication date, but expect to know soon. Whether it is late this year or early next, I know that the wait will be worth the ultimate reward. Thanks again for being along for the ride!
At the bottom is a brand new illustration from the man himself, Jack Katz. I don’t know how he does it or where it comes from. He takes inspiration from my writing it seems. The value I draw in turn from him bringing my story to life is the best part of all.
As a fan of my story, I have an important favor to ask on behalf of Jack, the greatest creator I know. Jack is 88 years old and his vitality and creativity, as evidenced by his illustrations, has not waned. With that said, after a seven decades long career, illustrating such famed works as Popeye and Bulletman, money remains a hardship. In addition to working with me on The Last Machine, Jack is working diligently on the epic sequel to The First Kingdom, called Beyond the Beyond. Please consider supporting Jack, one of America’s great living artists from the gold and silver age of comics via Patreon. I very much appreciate your support for my friend!
https://www.patreon.com/user?u=2830339&ty=c
This update is becoming long-winded, which probably shouldn’t be surprising as I took too long to update (nearly 2 months). However, I have a couple more quick hits which are important!
There is an absolutely spectacular epic fantasy project which everyone who supports me, Inkshares, and flat-out awesome writing, should back. The book is Blood Dawn by John Robin. I could write an elaborate explanation of why, but it’s actually not necessary because a number of John’s super fans (including yours truly) made a sweet video. Here’s the awesome fan video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdDc8B-dL7o
And here’s my uncut endorsement of Blood Dawn! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqLl2njZbTw
Last but certainly not least, I have started a syndicate on Inkshares! This is basically a monthly subscription book club. Inkshares is the real deal everybody and as one of their authors I want to support Inkshares and the wonderful projects that they help bring to light. The syndicate is called GREAT SCIFI for the 21st CENTURY and BEYOND SYNDICATE!
As indicated by the name, we are backing books that explore complex issues in the realm of SciFi. Books in the same genre as The Last Machine. So if you like my novella, you will hopefully enjoy the work we support. Feel free to check out our syndicate and sign-up today to support other authors. You can also read more about syndicates in general here.
Annnnd, drumroll, I’m thrilled to announce that The Inhabitants: An Unremembered Life is our first backed book! Congratulations to author Mike Sebby. His book is amazing and perfect for our syndicate. I love it as our first selection; it sets a great tone for us going forward. Check it out today as Mike is still funding his book and needs your support. Also, Mike sent out a hysterical video update today. I suggest you watch. You also may hear mention of a certain machine in said video!
I will do my best to update more frequently so I don’t have soooo much to mention per update. It’s all important, and I hope none of the individual items get overlooked because of the length of this message!
-Matthew
Ladies & Gents-
So I surpassed 100 unique readers! That’s splendid. I mean, seriously. Absolutely splendid.
This means it’s time to raffle off a $50 Amazon gift card! So I made a video. Or at least I thought I made a video.
Thanks to human error (in the IT biz, we refer to it as PEBKAC -- Problem Exists Between Keyboard And Chair), I kinda messed up my raffle video. Look, it’s been a very tiring week after moving to a new house, and I’m going to use Daylight Savings as a cop-out excuse like the rest of your co-workers inevitably will today, even though one hour shouldn’t make that big of a difference in our basic functioning. But hey, I’m not above playing that card if it gives me a pass for making fundamental technical mistakes.
Fear not, though. I still have something to present, and all prizes were still awarded!
If you want to know more about that and who won, you’ll just have to click this link to find out:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoRvK8Pv0v4
Phew, okay. Congrats to the winners, and let’s hope the next one is less bungled.
Toodles.
Well, here it is. The last day of the Nerdist contest is upon us.
Currently we need 100 more orders to win. This is the last chance.
In your support can you reach out to a family member? A friend? A colleague? In a society filled with book enthusiasts we should be able to find people to get excited about this project.
But it’s going to take a personal effort. We’ve spammed social media to death, but have we been messaging our friends and acquaintances? And for those of you who have, let’s send out reminders that today is the last day. Every order counts.
What happens if we don’t win?
That’s a question I’m trying not to think too hard about. Short answer, it’s not the end of the line. We essentially get an extension via Inkshares to the end of May to gain 750 pre-orders for the same result (editing, publishing, marketing, distribution), just outside the Nerdist collection. At 250 we still get to publish under Inkshares, but without all these lovely services. So we get some breathing room, but the challenge increases. And I don’t know about you, but I’d like to close this campaign successfully tomorrow.
Your-Nervously-Fidgety-Space-Captain,
-AC
ps: happy pi day
pps: hand sketch today because my tablet was being unhelpful
Hello Friends!!
It has been a while! So I thought I give you an update on the world of The Catcher’s Trap
The production process is moving steadily. Last week I received my manuscript back from the developmental editor, and I’m working hard on the revisions. Many thanks to Ryan Boudinot for his thoughtful editing, his honesty and his words of encouragement.
Funny thing. Apparently my straight main character spends too much time talking about other male characters’ bodies and outfits, which, I’ve been told, most straight men don’t do. Lol, that’s the beauty of developmental edits. Your editor sees things you don’t.
The back cover copy is done and ready to go, and I’m expecting to get the first round of front cover concepts by the end of the week. All exciting stuff.
The e-book will be out the same day of my husband’s birthday! October 8th. Which I take as a good omen sent to me from the multiverse.
In the meantime:
Have a wonderful week!!
Hello readers and followers!
Rather than send a mass email, I’m going to use the update readers function to get the word out about the cover art magnets! If you have already pre-ordered my book and would like to receive a cover art magnet, please email me back at split0@gmail.com with your mailing address and I’ll send you one for each copy you ordered! 
If you would like a magnet and haven’t pre-ordered yet, please order TODAY and I will get one out to you! My thank you email has already been adjusted to ask for mailing info.
Also, don’t forget that I am producing high-quality prints of the Penny portrait by Nathan Anderson for my top referrers. I will be giving those away if and when I get into Quill, so help me get there, spread the word, talk my book up to everyone you know!
Thanks again for the support! Chapter 5 should be up soon!
-Jason
Hi followers and supporters!
So what the news...?
I’ve finally finished editing the whole book, now all that is left is to get published!
And...
I’ve just replaced and fully edited the prologue chapter and I would very much appreciate any feedback for it. And if anybody can help with promoting my book to your friends and family I would certainly be very grateful.
If you haven’t ordered your copy yet, then what are you waiting for? Please help to support and pledge towards my book, it would mean a lot to me if it would reach the quill goal of light publishing.
Please feel free to contact me if you wish and thank you all for the support you have given me. Inkshares is such a wonderful community of readers and authors and I am glad to be apart of it.
I am also on goodreads so look me up through there and good luck to all of you and best wishes!
Kirsty
Hello friends and readers!
