It’s not often write-in votes amount to anything when it comes to awards and elections. The most popular victor of such an outcome is Boaty McBoatface, but maybe it doesn’t have to be that way. I was going to send a follow-on email thanking you all for your write-in efforts, except YOU TOTALLY DID IT! The Punch Escrow is now a semifinalist for the best science fiction book of the year in the Goodreads Choice awards. Thanks to each of you for donating 4.8 seconds of your time and writing in the name of my book. As you can see, we made it into the semi-finals. That means The Punch Escrow is already recognized as one of the 20 top sci-fi books of the year! 
Now, I have but one last favor to ask of you. As you can see, we’re in the semifinals, which means I need your vote again. BUT—I only need 1 second this time. You see that vote button under The Punch Escrow? Just click it, and you’ve done your part. It’s so easy to make such a big difference!
Thank you so much—this whole journey has surpassed my wildest dreams. I have no idea what happens next!
Hello horror fans!
I come to you with a humble request. A God in the Shed has the honour of being a semi-finalist for the Goodreads Choice Awards 2017. This is a big deal. What would make it an even bigger deal is making it to the next round as a finalist. A huge deal. Gargantuan really.
All I ask of you, is a few clicks.
First, click here to get to the voting page. Then, while logged into Goodreads, click on the red VOTE button under A God in the Shed.
There you go. With that simple gesture, you participate in what can be a huge step in my writing career and that makes you awesome. Hurry! You only have up to November 12, 2017 to vote!
Thanks for the support! You’re the best.
JF
Dear friends and readers of "Nowhere Else I Want to Be: A Memoir":
Good news!
"Nowhere Else I Want to Be" has won the Nonfiction GRAND PRIZE in the Authors Talk About It 2017 Book Contest.
This is the third award won by the book, which has also been awarded the FINALIST in 2017 Indie Excellence Book Awards (Memoir) and a FINALIST in 2017 Next Generation Indie Book Awards (Autobiography and Memoir).
The book has also received 5-Star reviews from Authors Talk About It and Readers Favorites.
And here’s a LINK to an article about the book and me in the September issue of A&U MAGAZINE.
On November 16, I’ll be featured in a podcast interview on Janna Marlies Maron’s More to the Story.
Finally, please bear with me as I drop a broad hint: THE HOLIDAYS APPROACH! "Nowhere Else I Want to Be: A Memoir" makes an inspiring gift:
Best wishes, Carol D. Marsh
All things literary have been a whirlwind. I’ve recently gotten notified that The Punch Escrow has been selected as one of Kirkus Reviews’ 100 Best Books of the 2017. That is great news! But on the same day I learned that Goodreads didn’t see The Punch Escrow fit to be listed among their selections for the Goodreads Choice Science Fiction awards. What adds insult to a bit of injury is that some of the books that they did nominate aren’t even published yet!
However, there is still some hope. YOU can alter reality! If you read and liked my book and have a Goodreads account, it takes about 4.8 seconds (I timed it) to write-in The Punch Escrow in the Best Science Fiction category. It would mean the world to me. The write-in field is at the bottom of the link above. It looks like this:
All you need to do is type in The Punch Escrow (it will auto-fill) and that’s it—you’ve altered reality!
Thank you for everything you’ve done for me and this book. I’ll be writing a more comprehensive update on what’s going on with the film adaptation next year, there’s just a lot going on and I’m legally not allowed to discuss any of it. But it’s all *good* stuff!
-Tal
HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYBODY!
Happy Halloween!
Another month has come and gone, and it’s time for another reader update. The Walls are Closing In is still voyaging through the production process. The entire first round of rewrites is wrapped up and has been submitted to my editor.
Portions of my precious story were difficult to part with, and some rewrites flowed easier than others. But, out of the ashes of my murdered darling came a stronger, more piercing novel that I am incredibly happy with and eager to share with all of you.
Matt has already marked up Act 1 (of 3) for round 2 of the developmental edit, and I have completed those changes as well. I am now waiting for him to return Acts 2 and 3 with notes. It will likely be about two weeks before he gets those back to me. So, in the meantime, I am going to dive into National Novel Writing Month.
Every November, authors around the globe strive to write 50,000 words of the first draft of a novel within the month of November, and I have jumped on board.
Someone stop me, please.
The rewrites of The Walls are Closing In will take priority whenever it is in my hands, but when the manuscript is with Matt, I am going to strive to meet the quota (1,667 words per day).
During this time, I’ll likely resemble the undead roaming the streets this all hallows’ eve, and will accept all offers of free caffeine and chocolate.
Until next time,
Jacqui