Friends, Readers, and Sorcerers All,

First off, an apology. A few readers had issues with the Kindle files that went out last week. The Inkshares team quickly fixed the problem, and new e-files will be sent to everyone later today. 

Secondly, books are being printed! There was a slight snafu with the covers so physical copies will be shipping the week of October 17. This has been a tricky book to format and finish, so again, our apologies for the delay. I think you’ll be happy with the finished product, though. 

To thank you for your patience, we’ve put together a special treat that will be included with your physical book when it ships. (Extra thanks to our illustrator Juliane, who did all the work.) Here it is:

Once you read the book, you’ll get the full significance of this bookmark. For now, I’ll just say there’s a secret code on it that’s key to our heroes finding the Codex Arcanum bookstore.

Finally, we’ve had some more great reviews! GeekMom praised the "compelling, engaging characters" and said you should "plan on reading the book twice." Nivi really got the spirit of what we were going for, and this is my favorite review so far.

Also, Ohio.com gave us a nice shout-out, calling the illustrations "refreshing" and the story "exciting and humorous." 

Hard to believe it, but we’re one week away from our first book events! Both Juliane and I will be at the Westlake, OH Barnes & Noble on Friday, October 13 at 7 PM EST, and at Magic Tree Books in Oak Park, IL on Saturday, October 14 at 4PM CST. If you’re in the area, we’d love to see you!

Thank you all again for your support and patience. Keep posting those reviews and pics of the book on social media, it means a lot to us!

mh

Thank you for your interest in my first novel, Tainted!  I appreciate the support you have shown me in my pursuit toward publishing this beast.

I am currently sitting snuggly in 4th place, about ten new readers behind the third place contestant.  This doesn’t, however, mean that Tainted will not get published.  The rules to the contest are "wonky" and they may choose to publish more than the top three.... like I said, wonky.  

Anyways, I wanted to let everyone know that even if this doesn’t work out and the book doesn’t get published this time around, I will continue to look into other avenues to get it out to the world.  I will keep you all posted, and thank you again!

P.S. Continue to share this with everyone you know!  Combined we have contact with enough people to blow the competition right out of the water!  I appreciate all the help you have already given and in three weeks we will see how this all turns out!

Stay scary!  Keep sharing!  Hug a puppy!

P.J. Marshman

P.S...S?  I added the first couple scenes to the screenplay I wrote to coincide with the book.  You can check it out here:  

https://www.inkshares.com/books/tainted-77b7a5/book_segments/opening-scenes-tainted-script-

Let me know what you think!

My friends, today is a very special day for a very special book.
But not one of mine this time.

Today is the official publication day for The Last Faoii. Some of you may recall I’ve been championing this book from the very beginning, and today, at long last, it is out and available for purchase.

I’d like to ask you all to consider supporting this new book, for a couple of reasons. For one, I helped design that kick-butt cover, so I have to brag about that at least a little. It’s also a really fine fantasy novel, so it deserves to be read for its own merits.

But beyond any of that, I’d like you to support the author. Tahani Nelson has been as big of a supporter for both Tantalus Depths and Proteus as I’ve been for her book, also from the very beginning. She’s been through some of the worst struggles imaginable during the process of campaigning her book and getting it through the production process, and the absolute tenacity with which she has tackled those obstacles deserves every reward. She’s inspired me tremendously on a personal level and has helped keep my spirits up during the various obstacles I’ve faced during my own campaigns and production processes. Heck, she inspired me enough to name a planet after her, so that should tell you all you need to know about how much I respect her.

It’d also just be nice for me to plug a book you can actually hold in your hands shortly after buying it, for a change. Tantalus Depths is coming, but still not any time especially soon. The Last Faoii is out right now (I have a copy on the desk in front of me). So yay for semi-instant gratification!

Anyway, I’d just like to make this the best Publication Day possible for The Last Faoii. The book is great, the author is even better, and they both deserve as much support as we can send their way.

10/2/17

We’re heading into the home stretch – as of tomorrow there will only be ONE WEEK left in the Launchpad Competition on Inkshares.

What’s going on with “Devil You Don’t”?

“Devil” has been sticking to fifth place for the moment, but a run into the top three isn’t out of the question, and I need you to make that happen! If you haven’t ordered yet, this would be an awesome time to change that!

 I know from last year that crazy things can happen at the end of the competition – let’s make crazy things happen for Devil!  

Special thank you to Michael Welch for his recommendation: The promise of this book is what Chuck Palahniuk’s Damned could’ve been if he hadn’t crawled so far up his own ***. Remarkably poised writing, well-imagined characters, and biting humor drove me to buy this book today. Go and do likewise, as Blake says.

Possible order hiccups?

Just a quick detour – if you HAVE ordered a copy of “The Devil You Don’t” and you HAVE NOT received a note from me thanking you profusely, please contact Elena at hello@inkshares.com as soon as possible. 

I’ve had two instances in the last week where some wonderful people have ordered, and have gotten a confirmation, but Internet gremlins have hijacked their orders. Elena will be able to get that sorted out for you!

Don’t forget the raffle at 50!

I’ll be raffling off prizes to two lucky readers once we hit the 50 milestone, and we’re almost there.  One reader will get a signed copy of my first novel, "Darkstar Rising." The other will win a $25 Amazon gift card!

THANK YOU!!!!

I would be remiss if I didn’t thank all of the great people who are supporting me this year. I know for many of you this is round two as you wait for last year’s book to work its way through production. I wouldn’t be here if not for you—thankyouthankyouthankyou!

Best,
Susan

A Quick Update For Followers of “The Dark Mountain”

Massive Rewrites in Progress

After receiving my 30+ pages of feedback from CritiqueMyNovel.com, I have been hard at work raising the level of my story. If you haven’t checked it out lately, I’ve updated all of the posted chapters and touched up some of the excerpts as well. I’m not posting anymore for now, but know that every chapter is being redone. I’m even adding an entire new character, introduced in Chapter 10, that fills in much of the lore and also a gaping plot hole.

There are several ideas I’ve had for world building that I’ve been holding back on to save for the sequel. But let’s be real…I’ll probably never write the sequel. So many of the ideas/revelations I was saving are now going to be in this book instead.

Where’s My Book?

So, as you see the book isn’t finished yet. I thought it was, but it’s not.

If you have placed an order, you will only receive a copy IF the book wins a publishing deal. And then only WHEN it is completed, edited, and printed.

If it does not win then you will receive a refund via Inkshares. Contact hello@inkshares.com if you have any issues/concerns.

About the Contest

It ends Oct 31st. So only 1 month to go.

I’m planning one last push for orders this month. I have been writing instead of campaigning because I needed to.

I know it’s cliché to say, but: If every follower ordered now, we would be in the Top 3!

So what are you waiting for?!

P.S. I posted an article on my blog here if you’re interested...