IT’S OVER 100!

We crossed the 100 mark today, folks, and the orders are still streaming in. This is fantastic progress, and I could only be slightly happier with the results. 

The reality is that we are still 50 unique pre-orders away from third place. Because this is a contest, and as we gain support, so do other people. We’ve had 10 every day for a few days now because you’re amazing. Help me make 10 happen in total today for another sample excerpt tomorrow.

So now, as time is quickly running out, I need to know: are you in my crew? We have 5 days left, which makes this mission critical. Today will you commit to sending the order link and a personal recommendation to one more person?

Now, onto so much news!

First! It’s just been confirmed that The Traveller’s Cup will be mentioned on the Sci-Fi Geeks Club Tonight! Thanks to my friend and promo pal JF Dubeau (author of The Life Engineered, which you should immediately check out), we’ve managed to get the folks at Galactic Netcast to feature this humble space book. You can check that out tonight at 9:45pm EST right here: http://gncasts.com/category/thescifigeeksclub/

For a Spacey Special Offer: The person who orders the 125th copy will receive a super space collection of three short stories in the same universe after the release. These will be first-edition, otherwise unpublished stories!

Of course, other prizes are still available. If you refer three people to pre-order this week you’ll get: 

•  A signed first-edition draft version of the book complete with random scribbles of frustration
  
  
• A collection of sketches of characters and setting, 10 in total, as a bound art-book
  
  
• A pack of 10 Traveller’s Cup bookmarks

• A custom Traveller’s Cup mug so you can enjoy your hot caffeinated beverage of choice with your new book

All of these items will be delivered physically to you after the release date, complete with a spacey thank you note. If you refer by word of mouth, that counts too. Just send me an email or message telling me how you know the person. 

Your next hard-earned sample excerpt will be available tonight, so stay tuned for that! If you liked the last one, or if you didn’t, please leave a comment or a review on the main page. Since the book isn’t yet published, I still have time to make changes. That’s the beauty of crowd-funding a novel; we’re on this ship together!

And with that I leave you the doodle of the day. 

"Space crew, what does the Inkshares say about our pre-order count?"
"...It’s over 100?"

Your slightly overzealous space zealot,
-AC

Will you guys get out pitchforks if I update twice in one day?

See, I realized I left out a few things. You can skip this one but I promise I made it special for you. 

1. The Sample Excerpt is coming right up! It’s here and ready for you. I just wanted to preface it by letting you know where in the story we are. I’ve gone back to the original chronological order, so you’ll be reading from Damaus getting left in a room with the Contessa. dundundun!

2. More Contest FAQ. I know we did this awhile ago, but I probably left out some details, and a lot of you have joined the crew since then. 

This contest is important because it’s a publishing deal, but it’s also more than a publishing deal (that’s the quick spiel I give for busy folks). But you, my dedicated backers, deserve more info. 

The truth is, this partnership with Nerdist and Inkshares won’t only publish my book, but will give me a solid publishing house to edit, revise, and distribute my book. They have the power to put me in book stores and libraries, which is something I would never expect to accomplish through self-publishing. When I say these guys can make me a professional author, I really mean it. 

And you should know that despite all the hard work they’re willing to do for the top three winners, as an author I still make a significant amount of the profit back. Not that the money is so important, but it helps when you want to treat something like a job!

And the usual disclaimer that if for some reason I don’t win this contest, and don’t meet the Inkshares funding goals after that, you will be refunded your contributions. 

3. Video Update! Some of you may not be aware but my other side gig is music. I used to do some embarrassing acoustic videos and now get to work on things more exciting than that. Regardless, some people have found the video format works for them, so if you’d like it you can view it here. 

4. Doodle! It was pointed out to me that I didn’t include a doodle of the day. I guess this is a thing now. This has been me since last night when we jumped into 6th. 

Dear Readers,

SIX DAYS LEFT before the end of the Nerdist Space Opera Contest!  We had been sitting comfortably at #3 on the leaderboard for about a week when out of nowhere two other books took our spot, pushing us back down to #5.

THIS is the time for us to rally and grab support from any and all corners! Have a coworker who likes to read? Tell them about this novel and this campaign! Walk them through the very simple steps to preorder their copy of Lucky. Have a cousin that likes to donate money to political campaigns? Tell them their $10 is better used here, furthering the creation of novels. Have a library in your neighborhood? Grab an extra copy and donate it to your local library!

In honor of only having SIX DAYS LEFT (imagine me saying that in a loud, dramatically booming voice), CHAPTER SIX will be online for your enjoyment this afternoon! And this time I really mean it - I will get it uploaded in the next two hours so you can read it over dinner after work tonight.

As always, dear Readers, you are the force that is driving this campaign. It is your donations and your willingness to believe in this novel that will make it possible! Don’t let Lucky slip away now - we’re almost there!

- Webster

Hey everyone, it’s time for another update from your’s truly. 

First off, I wanted to just take the chance to post this great sketch of ~Euwin Cohmwell~ which will be included in The Children of the Forest’s art booklet. This is the first of three pieces, all drawn by the wonderful Andy Barry. I quite like his style, and can’t wait to show off the other two scenes he will be drawing for the booklet. 

Secondly, I have the names of the two chosen winners who will both have a chance to create characters for The Children of the Forest! Barbara Heathcock and Thomas Arnold, you are the lucky winners. I will be reaching out to each of you shortly, to oversee that process. So congratulations, and I look forward to hearing your input!

Finally, work continues on the book. I have begun edits, and looking ahead, March will be devoted to coming as close as possible to finishing the manuscript for final edits. My general updates will be fairly limited until the novel is finished, but I will occasionally drop by to update things where needed, and keep backers informed about the status of the work. I want to thank everyone again for backing The Children of the Forest, and I promise the wait will be worth it~~!