Still writing - turning the corner on 50k in the draft tonight. End of the second act, now it's time for prophecies, laser fights, improper make-out sessions, and the coming of the Asteroid. Here's a sweet picture of a dragon. Talk to you guys again soon!
Good evening all! I hope you are well!
(Let's get the business out of the way first) If you haven't followed me here on Inkshares, please do so by clicking here and then click follow! I'm still working on my best polished draft before I send in my manuscript for dev. edits.
So, something a little more fun now? Sure, why not?
Those of you who know me personally already know that my wife and I are traveling around our amazing country (USA, for those of you who might be from somewhere else).
Today we had the pleasure of stopping by the Inkshares office in San Francisco. We had a chance to me the creative team behind this amazing publishing company. They gladly welcomed us into their little part of the world and treated us with kind words and respect. Avalon, my contact at Inkshares, helped set up the meeting and it was an absolute pleasure to meet her along with Matt, Thad, and everyone else who help run this outstanding start up. Read on...you know you want to...
When my wife and I arrived, we were offed refreshments (which I immediately took, San Francisco is all hills, I am chubby...do the math). We were quickly introduced to several people who were hard at work. Inkshares is currently in launch phase for Mr. Gary Whitta's debut novel, Abomination. They were packaging over 900 novels to be distributed across the country. I was lucky enough to receive a signed hardcover 1st Edition, 1st Print (even though I already had bought the e-book version, and it's great so far).
Next, we were given a tour of The Vault office area. There are about 20 start up companies sharing the office space. We were informed it was the old Ghiradelli factory that had burned during a fire a long time ago. The office is really cool and it's an inviting place to work. We finished the tour by stopping in what was called the library. They had books up that they had recently published (I was given another book that also looks like a great read, a mystery called One Murder More).
I met Thad hard at work in this area and we all discussed the history of the company and the future of the company a bit. It was all very fascinating. Then, they were all kind enough to give us some recommendations and hidden gems to explore in and around the city.
I am happy to get to meet the people who will help make Ageless a reality. I can freely admit I was slightly nervous; that doesn't happen to me much anymore. Yet, everyone was so nice and easy going that my nerves melted away and I genuinely had a great time.
Then it was back to work. Those books aren't going to pack and ship themselves.
Until next time, keep being amazing and spreading the word. I don't call you Inman Insiders for nothing...
Paul
The roof of Waters & Moore Fiduciary Exchange was a small wonder of unnoticed architecture. Each tile was made of thin-cut marble in a most flattering shade of faded green. The builder, a famed goblin crafter whose name was remarkably silly even by local standards, had used an enchanted chaos saw to transform massive blocks of the stone into finger-thick slices. Most importantly, each tile was slightly curved with a simple notch on the bottom. The roof was assembled with no mortar at all, . . .
Good evening, Squires and Wild Mages - backers new and old. Here's a picture of me dressed as a wizard.
I'm trying very, very hard to not panic. There's only a week left in the Sword and Laser Contest and thanks to YOU [FINGER POINT] we're doing very, very well. I should be calm, I should play it cool. But I can't!
We've come so far - farther than I ever really expected, especially for a book about dragons, saxophones, friendship, magic, cruise liners, automaton mage-hounds, witches, and minotaur tea parties. I honestly think the most amazing part of all this is the feeling that I'm writing for someone -for you guys specifically. My other books I sort of type away in the wilderness, mutter drunkenly about them to my patient friends in gutters and gazebos, then they go out into the great unknown. But now, I love the feeling of owing you something. I love the feeling of a sold-out crowd for opening night of my little Muppet Show. (Don't worry - it's also intimidating enough to give my anxiety-demons all sorts of ammunition.)
I just shared another chapter from a little further in the book - here's a link if you didn't spot it in your email:
Chapter Three : Half-Ghost Sea
...But of late, he had started to see a shift, something change in his companion. The laughter - the way she seemed to revel in her power, it made the squire worry. There wasn’t one thing he could really put his finger on, but it seemed that Rime’s magic was perhaps beginning to get out of control.
“I’m going to blow their ship up too!” Rime said with exultation, weaving her lightning into a large ball above her head...
I love that I can write a chapter, and just send it to you! I mean, it's raggedy and needs some editing TLC, but bah! There it is, fresh off the dome and put up on your internet refrigerator with a heart-shaped magnet. Comments and feedback are very much appreciated.
This is what it will be like if we win - me sending you these little updates and napkins smeared with lipstick. IT WILL BE WEIRD. But it will also be kind of wonderful.
So, rainbows can wait - back to stress-bombs. 7 days! I want to win for myself, obviously, but I'm also really feeling the responsibility of all the time and energy you guys have put in - we have got to finish this thing monster strong.
THINGS I'M DOING
THINGS YOU CAN DO TO HELP
Thank you all so much for everything you've done so far, and dealing with me coming completely unraveled over the next week. Here's an even MORE unflattering picture of me. As the annoyance builds this week, just look at this picture and feel your rage pass like a summer breeze.