100!
100!
100!


We did it! 100 readers! This was the goal I set for myself in my first YEAR after my book was published. It's not published yet, true, but this is still a big milestone for me. Thank you all so much.

Now I have to figure out who will win the illustrations... I think I'm going to print all of your names out, cut them up, and put them in a hat. Then we'll do a video of the drawing! So this is your last chance to like that one update to put your name in the running.

As for new art to share, I realized you haven't gotten to see what Ky looks like yet! Madeleine did her artwork a long time ago and Ky looks different now, so that's why I haven't shown you her impression of him.

But here's mine!


Ky doesn't know exactly how old he is... relativity, man. Relativity.

:)

Anyway, I realized something pretty darn significant, people: it's possible, if an author were smart and inclined, for that author to trade pre-orders with every person in this contest - each person gets one new order, but in return, whoever does this methodically would receive potentially HUNDREDS of orders in return.

It's not cheating. Not at all!

It's just an ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT STRATEGY. Guys!!

There are 270 of us in this contest, and if one person pre-orders every book, that's (realistically) only 5 books they'll have to actually pay for... but if everyone pre-orders back, that's 269 pre-orders for a single person themselves. That would put you in first place!

But what if we all did it? Well, everyone would have more pre-orders and everyone would be elevated. We wouldn't all win, no, but that's not the point. It would be great for everyone's self-esteem - and what if we had a 200-way tie for 3rd place or something?!?! Wouldn't that be cool? It would be CRAZY.

So, hey Inkshares Nerdist competition authors: let's all do it.

Go and trade pre-orders. With. Everyone.

I've already started. I know I'm in the top 10, so maybe you don't want to help me get higher. That's fine. If anyone doesn't want to pre-order my book in return, that's okay... but I'm still ordering yours! Every single order serves as encouragement, and that's something a lot of writers could use. What will the cost be? With the numbers the top 5 are showing, the cost will be nothing but a bit of time. So go encourage each other. Order each other's books and promote them on twitter and review their excerpts! There are a lot of great books out there that deserve more affirmation.

Like, perhaps, these books:

A Burning Light, by Katy Farmer - In a world of scars and shadows, the light is hard to find. But where it shines, it burns. (Prophecies and destinies and war and a girl with a gift. Looks like a fun YA fantasy adventure.)

The Otherworld Club, by Sam Pearson - Three outcasts find their only refuge in a world of their imagination. But when another world invades our own, these three friends will be our only hope. (Everyone loves a book that starts off with snark and goblin-stabbing!)

:) Thanks again, everyone. You're awesome.

Hey friends!

I may or may not have been a little bit tipsy last night (sources can neither confirm nor deny) when I wrote that update, but the crux of it was true: I don't really care that we didn't get to 100 on my birthday. I am STILL 30 TODAY. I will be for a while, yet. So... the contest is still on. When we reach 100 readers I'll raffle off two illustrations, one for the first 70 readers and another for the newest 30.

HOWEVER...

What if you're all, "Meh. I don't actually care about some illustration that doesn't exist yet. I just wanted to support my friend Cara..."?

That's okay! No big deal! However, my art for this book is actually a really big deal to me, and I don't want to send it to people who aren't going to see value in it. So I have a request:

If you actually do really want to be in the running to win the art, LIKE THIS UPDATE.

If you don't so much really care to receive any art, DON'T LIKE IT.

If you work for Inkshares... man, I don't know? Do you have rules for if you can win your potential authors' contests?

If you were raised in Minnesota and can't imagine how I could possibly not be silently offended if you don't like this update, it's okay. I grew up in Colorado. I'm not offended.

Thanks!

Now, go read about these books and consider pre-ordering them:

Witches Undercover by Rochelle German:

“Hold the torch a little lower, I can’t tell if that’s a newt or a candy bar wrapper.” Cheryl wiped her hair out of her face with the back of her hand. “And why did it have to be a torch? Don’t you think people will notice?”

“Like I said in the car, anything like a flashlight will emit EM radiation that could taint our specimens. It throws off the magic.” Kimberley lowered the torch closer to Cheryl’s back, careful not to singe her hoodie.

How can you not already want to buy this book?? I love love LOVE the fantastical blended so wittily with the mundane. So fun. I want to read it.

Drift by Danielle Mohr:

Jax flinches at the word "chip." Having his wrist chip changed out will end his military career and completely redefine his rank. The blue star insignia spinning slowly next to his bio in my retina screen will be stripped from him, replaced with the plain green half moon marking him as a civilian.

People will talk, certainly. Failing training is rare, particularly for someone of his genetic rank. Even without reading his signature, I'd known from his build, and his endurance and strength in prelims, that he was exceptionally well-designed. His parents will be distraught about his dismissal. They probably paid a fortune for his blueprint, and another hefty sum for his incubation and birth.

Such a careful, thoroughly designed world. John Robin's blog is going to love this lady. And the characters! They're already making me feel things!

Okay, back to the nighmarish mess that is Episode III...

Later, everyone!