Good morning all (he says at midnight, assuming you'll be reading this when you wake)

Lots of news and good things to go over. First and foremost, the Sword and Laser, the reason yours truly is still talking to you about this dandy little fiction he's concocted (I've spent a good portion of today writing. Does it show?) has returned with another book contest! More authors are being given the same opportunity to get their book published and distributed just as I have. Books like:

The Darkest Places by Byron Gillan
The discovery of an ancient artifact, buried deep below Cairo, brings three individuals together in a race against an ever-ticking clock to stop an ancient and eldritch evil.  

You had me at eldritch Byron. Go here to check it out this tale of 1920s adventurous Lovecraftian horror:
https://www.inkshares.com/projects/the-darkest-places?recommended=true

I also would like to recommend a book that is not actually in the Sword and Laser contest, but looks immensely fun.

Dax Harrison by Tony Valdez
In a space-faring future, an alien war criminal seeks vengeance on humanity, and a celebrated-but-bumbling hero is forced back into action... whether he likes it or not.  

It looks like a great, golden-age style space adventure with plenty of humor to go around. You can read excerpts here. Just remember to do so soon, it only has 15 days to meet its Quill publishing goal:
https://www.inkshares.com/projects/dax-harrison-2276

There will be more recommendations to come I promise.

Meanwhile, because of the new contest, people have been asking me and the winners of last Sword and Laser contest J.F. Dubeau and G. Derek Adams lots of fun questions about our books and our experience with Inkshares. First, Alicia Smock from the Examiner wrote this wonderful article highlighting each of us:

http://www.examiner.com/article/inkshares-and-sword-laser-team-up-for-new-publishing-contest

And the Inkshares team asked us to contribute our insights for their blog on the new contest here:

http://blog.inkshares.com/post/134876312095/insights-from-the-winners-of-the-first-sword

AND I know many of you have been asking when your books will be arriving. Well, the release date is March 15. But if you'd like to see what they look like ahead of time, you can see an advanced galley being unboxed by Tom Merritt of the Sword and Laser by following this link here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0RmQf9h5oM&feature=youtu.be&a

Anyway, that's all for now. I hope to have more good news to tell you soon. Until then, dear readers...

Dear readers,

I've made the difficult decision of placing The Children of the Forest into the sequel contest to the Sword & Laser contest. While I've been blown away by the support and success of the story, I ultimately decided that this offers the best chance for the book to receive maximum exposure. I really believe in my story, the universe, and the cast of wonderful characters. I believe it's a relevant tale of ecological-unrest, and I know that it has the potential to win. 

Recently I put the final touches on the first draft of my novel, and I've been working diligently to complete the second version of the manuscript. I've removed the previous chapters and added the novel's new forward, along with the edited copy of Chapter One. Chapter Two will be forthcoming by the end of the night. 

Now comes the part where I need to ask a huge favor of the community. You've all been instrumental int this entire process, and you've made my story a thousand times greater than it could have ever been without you. The feedback, criticism, and more have helped shape my writing, and the story into something truly wonderful and unique. Now I need to ask that everyone go and pre-order a copy to help me get ahead in the contest. If even just half of the original supporters come and purchase only a single copy, it should shoot me right up to first place! 

I'm banking on the support of everyone who has followed me and my work, and again, I'm eternally grateful for you all.

~ Until next time folks.

-Tony

Hello Rebels!

 Just got notification of 20 readers, Wooh! Have I told you today how awesome you are? Well you are. So it is update time!

Editing - Finn and I are moving forward with the editing process. We're currently discussing things in relation to chapters eight, nine and ten. We think we need an extra chapter in there to really hit the readers in the feels. We're also trying to learn about social media as neither of us utilize social media in any great capacity. 

Prizes - Finn's brother has agreed to do arty things for us!!! (Can you tell I'm excited?) I'm hoping that very shortly we will be able to show you some initial concept art and sketches for the novel. And don't forget, a major prize will be drawn for an original piece of art by a professional artist when we reach follower and pre-order milestones.

Milestones and general rambling- ... we are at 20 preorders, enough to keep us in the top ten, but a lot of work needs to be done...and frankly we need your help. I'm from the bah humbig school of social media, shaking my cane and telling the kids to get off my virtual grass. I'm not a twitterer, just a twit when it comes to all forms of social media. Finn seems similarly inclined despite his leprechaun charm. BUT there are just over ninety people following Finn and myself, and some fifty-odd following the project. So what have we got that we can leverage? We both think we have a cracking story, something that has elements that will appeal to a wide audience (if only they could hear about it)...but we ask ourselves...is that enough, especially when you can only see a tiny bit of it and I know from what the Alpha readers are telling me that by the fifth chapter they are hooked and by the tenth chapter if they don't get the rest of the manuscript they will hurt me to obtain it. Hmm.

So without further ado, as a reward for reaching 20 backers, I'm adding a couple more chapters. Please tell people, tag them on Facebook, twit them on twitter, blast them on goodreads, pintrest and instagram photo's and whatever else I am missing. 

Note that whilst these chapters have had a quick fly-buy and shotgun edit, Finn and I were mainly concentrating on the big picture stuff. When we wrote this the end of the book was still a bit hazy in the crystal ball, so we've mainly been fixing up and foreshadowing things. I haven't received all my alpha readers comments back and we are still in the process of finding a selection of beta readers.  If you see a typo or awkwardly phrased segment of text, please let us know via the comment section, or via email  - suffrageworldkey@gmail.com 

Stay Free Rebels - New chapters are incoming just as soon as I upload them.

Julian

P.S. Thought I'd add another Anime styled image from awesome daughter of one of the Rebel team. Say hello to Mack (short for Mackenzie). .

Good evening Machiners!

We have an exciting update tonight! We will be covering a lucky raffle winner, announcing the item to be raffled at 40 readers, and revealing a new surprise promotion. So lots of goodies here.

OK, first off, we have a winner of the 30th reader give away. As a reminder, the item was a super cool copy of Haunted Horror #12 autographed by Jack Katz above his illustrated story "Bride of Death." And the winner is, drumroll.... Janna Grace! Congratulations! Apparently you are full of raffle luck - I'm well up to date on my Tony Valdez Dax Harrison mug give away videos (which are amazing BTW - everyone go pre-order Dax Harrison immediately and let's get Tony published!) and clearly Janna is full of raffle luck. No videos here though. You all will have to take my word for it. It's legit, scout's honor. Janna, my people will talk to your people and we'll figure out where to send your comic!

Second, and this is serious business. I am astounded by the fact that The Last Machine now has 80 followers. That's incredible! I am amazed by the deep interest in the story. However, I am getting the sense that we have some readers sitting on the edge of the pool only dipping their feet. Trust me, the water's fine - it's time to jump in! Now for the little push straight into the deep end: For folks who are already following but haven't yet pre-ordered, the next ten who take the plunge and pre-order will receive a signed copy of The Last Machine's cover art. I will sign and so will the illustrator, Jack Katz. Now I'm done with swimming metaphors. But seriously, time to get wet.

And last but not least, when we get to our 40th reader - which we are quickly approaching - all readers will be in the running for a framed poem of mine that was illustrated by Jack Katz and appeared in the Alameda County Fair poetry competition this past summer. The poem and the illustration will also appear in California's Lost Gold, an illustrated poetry collection of mine also on Inkshares. Go check it out and give a follow to stay updated on progress there. The illustrated poem is called "Bound in Earth," and you can read the poem without squinting on the California's Lost Gold page. 

Carry on readers!

Hey all,

We have achieved 250 orders! The ebook will 100% be printed. Thank you so much, it is a privilege to receive so much support.

The next goal is 750, which is lofty, but I have confidence we can reach it over the next few months. There will be additional editing input as well as marketing support, and a hardback version, if we reach the goal. I'm excited about the possibilities of reaching more audience at that goal.

To incentivize, I've released another chapter. Please take a look and spread word if you enjoy what you see. I'm thrilled to be able to allow more Nazis to be corralled by the magnificent Dracula.

Thank you,

Pat Duncan

Hey everyone, 

Just taking a chance to post a quick reminder. I've made the choice to enter my novel "The Children of the Forest" into the Sword & Laser Contest through Inkshares. After completing the first draft of the final copy, I decided this was the best way to get the book quickly into readers hands. This means that everyone who has currently pre-ordered a copy of my book has been refunded their purchase(s). 

I'd like to ask that you please use the credit you've been refunded to support me with a new sale to help me take 1st in the contest! This has the added benefit of being cheaper, as the contest is based on unique orders instead of needing to reach a goal-line. Readers only have to support me with a digital sale for a measly $10.00!

Thanks everyone!

Hey everyone!

PANIC! SHEER AND UTTER PANIC!

IN MUPPETY EXAGGERATION!

IN "DINOSAURS ARE COMING TO EAT US" PROPORTIONS!

And so on...

And so on...

Almost done...

Little more muppety...

A little bit Weasley...

Just a little bit spongy...

Last one. This one is actually more my style.