Hey Team Shaping Fate, 

Happy almost weekend! It's been an amazing week. This project has gotten some new readers, new backers, but probably coolest of all, I'm making some new friends. A lot of contests can feel kind of like the Hunger Games, but the participants and readers here have been so supportive. For example, fellow author A.C. Weston. (We double initial authors have to stick together) Check out this excerpt from one of her recent updates:

"Anyway, I realized something pretty darn significant, people: it's possible, if an author were smart and inclined, for that author to trade pre-orders with every person in this contest - each person gets one new order, but in return, whoever does this methodically would receive potentially HUNDREDS of orders in return. 

It's not cheating. Not at all!

It's just an ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT STRATEGY. Guys!!

There are 270 of us in this contest, and if one person pre-orders every book, that's (realistically) only 5 books they'll have to actually pay for... but if everyone pre-orders back, that's 269 pre-orders for a single person themselves. That would put you in first place!

But what if we all did it? Well, everyone would have more pre-orders and everyone would be elevated. We wouldn't all win, no, but that's not the point. It would be great for everyone's self-esteem - and what if we had a 200-way tie for 3rd place or something?!?! Wouldn't that be cool? It would be CRAZY.

So, hey Inkshares Nerdist competition authors: let's all do it.

Go and trade pre-orders. With. Everyone."

Not only is that pretty awesome of her to explain to everybody, but it's true. And I started doing just that, and guess what, I've gotten a few more backers already. So, participants, spread the love! Readers, thanks as always for your support. If you can't back a ton of projects, maybe leave a nice word about what you read or what you're hoping to see. 

Here's A.C.'s link for her project "She Is the End."

Have a great weekend!

-V.R.