As promised, here is my post-contest update.

Let me clarify up front: the end of the contest today is NOT the end of the road for me at Inkshares. My campaign will continue in regular funding mode until May 1st, so I will still be seeking pre-orders to hit at least 250 book pre-orders for a light publishing option, or, ideally, 750 book pre-orders for a full publishing option.

Even though I have congratulated them multiple times, I will do it one more time -- congratulations to Joseph Asphahani, Matthew Isaac Sobin, and Craig Munro for winning the Inkshares Sword & Laser Contest. Their novels, The Animal in Man, The Last Machine in the Solar System, and The Bones of the Past, completely deserve all the success they are enjoying.

"Published" is one of the sweetest words a first-time writer can add to his or her résumé. Every author on Inkshares craves it, but not all of them can achieve it. And it's usually not for lack of quality.

Sometimes it's difficult to get people on board with a completely unknown author. I have to admit, it's a very hard sell. Some authors are better at the sales pitch than others. Some authors are already connected in the literary world to some degree (I am not). Some authors excel at both, and it pays off big for them.

But I'm glad Inkshares exists, because it's a new route that challenges the old publishing establishment. Query letters and chasing down literary agents are part of a difficult game. Inkshares opens a direct avenue between the authors and readers to let the people decide what's worth their money.

I uploaded my first chapter back in early September while the Nerdist Contest was raging on. I was absolutely in love with the platform, but I had too much other stuff on my plate to commit to launching a campaign and entering a contest. So I sat on it for a bit, even joking in one of my updates that Inkshares should consider launching an early December contest right after NaNoWriMo. Imagine my half-surprise when they actually did.

I had no advance notice, so I found out about it December 1st -- the first day of the contest. This is not an exaggeration: I remember sitting in front of my laptop with my cursor hovering over the launch button to start the funding campaign. I asked my wife if it was the right choice as I dangled my finger over the button -- Would it be crazy for me to do this? She said, "go for it." So I did.

By the way, as I was typing that last paragraph, an owl hooted outside my apartment. In the three years of living in this apartment, I have NEVER heard an owl hooting nearby. I don't know what that means. But if you've seen my cover art, watched my raffle videos, or read the chapters of my novel, you know the significance of owls and strange coincidences is not something to be ignored.

Hmm...

Anyhow, running a campaign through the holiday season seemed like a bad idea, but I did it anyway. Do I regret it? Not remotely.

I told Matthew Sobin this today, but I thought I'd share it here, too: this was easily one of the friendliest competitions I have ever participated in. Inkshares is an amazing community in that respect. Everyone wants to help each other out. We're all in this together. Things like Cara Weston's Review-a-Thon and John Robin's constant championing of other writers on the Goodreads forum are just a couple examples.

I have learned so much from this experience so far. Everyone I've met on Inkshares is absolutely solid. I will try to repay as much goodwill as I can as I continue my journey.

As for my backers, you are the ones who are keeping me going. Every e-mail I get informing me of another order reminds me of why I'm doing this. It's easy to despair during a dry spell when facing seemingly insurmountable odds. How we react to these moments is what defines our level of resolve to continue chasing that dream, regardless of how far-fetched it may be.

I am so grateful to everyone who has pre-ordered my novel. Your names have been etched in my heart, and I will never forget any of you for supporting me. I will certainly remember the early adopters who, when I basically said, "Guess what? I'm writing a novel," they unflinchingly responded with, "Guess what? I'm ORDERING your novel."

This may all sound like a eulogy, but like I said, the campaign will continue. Nothing is ending here. There is still a lot of work to be done, and I'm ready for it.

Diligent writing and editing will continue. The raffles will continue. Everything is business as usual. This just seemed like a good time to stop and reflect.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I must get back to work weaving stories.

Thanks for reading, and have a great weekend.

I want to write something deep and meaningful but in truth I can barely see straight. I can't stop smiling and I want jump up and down and yell at the top of my lungs!!! 

It's been an amazing ride, hasn't it?