Matthew Isaac Sobin followed How to Remember
How to Remember
When Miranda Underwood wakes up with no memory of the past two years, she suspects the memory-manipulation company she works for is behind it... but why?
Matthew Isaac Sobin followed Anu Besson
Anu Besson
An art historian, a mystery buff and a travelling mind. Anu Besson’s first novel THE OLD GOD is a my...
Follow
Matthew Isaac Sobin followed Terence E.H. Vickers
Terence E.H. Vickers
An avid reader, Aspiring author and editor. I review books, beta read and have just completed editin...
Follow
Matthew Isaac Sobin liked an update for Sister of the Circuit

It’s taken me nearly three months, but I am proud to say that the latest draft of this novel has been submitted to the editor.

If you recall, during the spring 2017 I was invited into the first Cohort for Inkshares novel production. Part of that process was looking at the story from the bones up, and during all the work I did for the cohort I realized that the current title of the book doesn’t really fit what it’s become.

Initially this was a graphic novel, a sort of retooling of Akira except with mechs. As I continued to write, the story morphed into something deeper, an exploration of what it means to treat technology as a sort of religion, and what would happen should it actually become one. As such, Isidore’s journey became much more tightly focused on her relationship with the Church of Technology. And the title of the novel, one that used to be about this fun sort of sci-fi romp, didn’t make sense anymore for her story.  

As I wrote this latest draft (number 4), I started thinking about the title and if it still served the story. I came to the realization that it did not. Therefore, I’ve decided to change the title of this book. Without further ado, I would like to introduce you to the new title: Sister of the Circuit. As soon as I made the commitment to the new title, I got super excited about how it connects to the themes of the current iteration of the novel.

Now I step back in the editing queue to wait my turn to see what Inkshares thinks of the book. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous. I’m going to pass the time working on another project to give myself some space from Circuit.


like · liked by Joseph and 12 others

People who have liked this reader update

    Matthew Isaac Sobin liked an update for U-Turn at Next Synapse

    It has been an emotional last couple of days. At 2:30 AM on Thanksgiving Day, I have looked over my final interior design layout, the final cover is in the works, and my publishing day is fast approaching.

    I am also in shock and awe that I was selected as the November Syndicate Pic for the Next Great Sci-fi of the 21st Century. There, I find myself with past inductees: The Punch Escrow, Dracula Vs. Hitler, and former Nerdist Collection Contest Winner, Welcome to Deadland.

    I truly feel like I am in another time and place. This book has been such a personal, long fought, often leading to a detriment in health, and spiritual journey. The list of people to thank is too long for one post and I do not feel that it properly marks how important each one of them are. This of course brings along all those who have followed, shared, and snagged their own copy, most of who are currently reading this update. Right. Now. 

    As we approach the big day, I ask you to tell others of this crazy written out graphic novel (because this guy can’t draw) broken into two stories written and occurring simultaneously--because I like to make things easy on my self. 

    Thank you all, and if you have not yet hopped into the driver’s seat, I suggest you take your seat, for this race is just getting started. 


    Checkmate and Rummy my dear gladiators,
    CoRy
     
    like · liked by Matthew and 2 others

    People who have liked this reader update

      Matthew Isaac Sobin liked an update for Nowhere Else I Want to Be: A Memoir

      Hello, friends and readers of "Nowhere Else I Want to Be: A Memoir" - 

      Here’s another 5-Star review. This one is from Ryan Lanz at Book Review Directory, and you can link to the original review HERE.

      Carol Marsh has no idea what to expect when she founds Miriam’s House, a care home for homeless women living with AIDS in Washington, D.C. Growing up in a stable, loving family, she always felt a passion for helping others less fortunate than herself, and she believed her role as executive director at Miriam’s House would give her the opportunity to serve a group of women often shunned and neglected.

      What Carol doesn’t realize is that these women, who suffer the debilitating health effects of AIDS and also struggle with addiction, mental illness, and emotional trauma, would, in turn, teach her so much about herself.

      Nowhere Else I Want to Be is beautifully written in the honest voice of a woman who is unafraid to reveal her own personal struggles and heartaches in serving the women of Miriam’s House. At times Marsh creates poetry with her vivid descriptions of the scenery, the women, their conversations, and the memories she’s had with them.

      She uses flashbacks and foreshadowing to move seamlessly from the stories that she’s chosen to share and her own thoughts on the tragic history of black women suffering from AIDS. While Marsh’s choice not to recount her thirteen years at Miriam’s House in chronological order can be overwhelming to the reader who also has many characters to remember, it keeps the reader interested even though the book is quite lengthy.

      Marsh shows her love for the women of Miriam’s House in the way she gives each woman a unique personality: She crafts descriptions of the women’s physical appearances, their voices, and their behavior in such detail it’s as if the reader has met each woman personally and spent time with her. Through Marsh’s storytelling, we’ve watched horror movies with Kimberly, sampled chitlins with Tamara, and observed interesting characters with Gina during emergency room visits.

      Marsh shares the times of celebration–Christmas traditions, Miriam’s House anniversaries, and when women, like Kimberly, eventually improve in health and move out, but more often the stories are more tragic: women who die alone in the hospital, who leave young children behind, or who themselves are not much older than children. In this way, she memorializes these women, who would have been otherwise forgotten, and which makes their deaths–so many deaths–that much more heartbreaking.

      As much as this is a story about the lives of these women who struggle to overcome addiction and face their debilitating health and imminent deaths bravely,Nowhere Else I Want to Be is also about the impact these women have on Marsh. What is perhaps most refreshing about the narration is Marsh’s honest reflection of herself.

      As amazing as it is that she has given so much of herself to Miriam’s House, she is open about how her passion to serve others is tied closely to her need to be liked by others. In working with women who are vulnerable and mistrusting and taking on the tough role of enforcing unpopular rules to help women addicted to drugs and alcohol, Marsh realizes that true love is about serving others without expecting them to make her feel good about herself.

      As enlightening as it was for her to come to this realization, it takes tense encounters and some big mistakes with the women and staff at Miriam’s House to slowly break the addiction of seeking others’ approval, which many adult readers can identify with.

      During her first years at Miriam’s House, Marsh finds it difficult to assimilate into this community of black women with whom she has little in common. In order to truly help them, she has to come to terms with her own prejudices. As a white woman who grew up in a community where everyone spoke and looked like her, she comes to realize judgments that she didn’t even know existed.

      Having never been addicted to any substance, she has no idea how difficult it is for these women to break this habit that worsens their health. Through living with them and witnessing their heartaches, Marsh develops a love for these women and becomes their greatest advocate.

      In Nowhere Else I Want to Be, Carol Marsh describes the harsh realities that homeless women living with AIDS face. She gives the women of Miriam’s House a voice to share their untold stories–some of hope, but most of tragedy–with an elegance that makes her memoir unforgettable.Recommended rating: 5 out of 5 stars.

      I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

      Carol

      WEBSITE                    FORUM FOR GROWTH IN SERVICE
      like · liked by Matthew and 1 other

      People who have liked this reader update

        Matthew Isaac Sobin liked an update for Transilience

        Transilience has been out over 6 months now! It is hard to believe. Reviews have been few but good. People are digging it. And again, Inkshares played an integral role in helping me get it published. I learned a ton while Transilience competed for the affections of Sword and Laser.

        You can grab a copy HERE or most other online booksellers.

        In other news, I recently finished Tony Valdez’s novel Dax Harrison. I am happy to have supported it. I enjoyed reading it and you can find my Amazon review HERE and my GoodReads review HERE. When the next Dax Harrison novel comes about, I will be sure to be near the front of the line to support it.

        That’s all I’ve got. Have a great week and a Happy Thanksgiving to all you State-side.

        Kevin

        like · liked by Tony and 1 other

        People who have liked this reader update

          Matthew Isaac Sobin liked an update for Crow’s Gambit

          Greetings Supporters of Crow’s Gambit! Sorry for the silence and welcome to NanoWriMo the National Novel Writing Month.

          Some of you have asked where we are with publication. We picked up a few orders during a Halloween cookie offering but not enough. We are still trying to get to the required number of Pre-Orders. And I could really use your help right now.

          If everyone receiving this who has not ordered did it now…we would be celebrating! If only half of those who have made Pre-Order got a friend to make an order…we would be celebrating! With your help we can get things kick-started again. Could you give me a hand?

          It’s appropriate you are getting this during NanoWriMo. Crow’s Gambit was actually written during NanoWriMo 2015. I am working on a new book for the event this year. It’s a “weird western”. The world is built with elements from several different magical and mythological settings and includes some of the typical Western genres. Honestly right now I’m a little behind in my word count but maybe in a few years you’ll be hearing about this story too.

          More to come...no really...I’m serious... :) 

          like · liked by Teresa and 7 others

          People who have liked this reader update

            Matthew Isaac Sobin followed Adam St.Pierre
            Adam St.Pierre
            Toronto-based, PEI-native Sci-Fi/Spec/Weird writer now working on Stellar Drift
            Follow
            Matthew Isaac Sobin liked an update for Mission 51

            Quick update-

            The 94,200 word Mission 51 manuscript delivered to Inkshares is currently waiting its turn in the editing queue. I am told it may be after the first of the year before the Inkshares staff can "dive into it." - I think I can hold my breath that long!   


            Meanwhile, Mission 51 got a little press on Nerdist:

            https://nerdist.com/introducing-the-latest-winner-of-our-inkshares-publishing-contest/

            Peace and love to all!
            ~Ferd
            like · liked by Evan and 20 others

            People who have liked this reader update

              More items