When I kicked off the 120-day pre-order campaign for These are my Friends on Politics on January 3rd, my hope (even though I had little idea how to do it) was to reach Inkshares’ light publishing goal — 250 copies sold and distribution to Amazon — by campaign’s end.

89 days early, and exactly one month and four hours later... 

...we got it there. And I say “we” because the majority of you reading this update are responsible for getting it there. Barring an unforeseen circumstance on the level of an alien invasion or the cancelation of the election (both of which admittedly have their upside), the book will go into production this spring and into your hands not too long after that. I can’t thank any of you enough for making that a reality. 

With that said, there’s more work — specifically, 497 more copies’ worth of work — for me to do before May gets here. Reaching Inkshares’ light publishing goal is wonderful. But achieving the larger goal of 750 copies pre-sold — which means the book will go to national and independent physical bookstores all over the country, among other benefits — is a whole other layer of exciting. 

So with that said, if you’re willing, I have a few uncomplicated favors to ask (that don’t involve ordering more copies of the book, though of course I won’t stop you if you do that): 

1. If you know someone whom you think would enjoy the book, please tell him or her (or them) about it. The vast, vast majority of sales so far haven’t come from all-encompassing Facebook or Twitter posts or other impersonal tactics, but from one person telling another person about the book. If I’ve learned anything about sales in the first 31 days of this campaign, it’s that classic, personal appeals work like nothing else. Some of you have already done this favor for me multiple times over. But if you know someone who would enjoy this and don’t mind telling them about it, every recommendation helps immensely. Feel free to give them this easy-to-remember URL: FriendsOnPolitics.com. (That’ll lead them to the right place.) 

2. If you’ve followed the book but haven’t yet ordered a copy, please consider doing so. I won’t twist your arm but the support is greatly appreciated. And if you’re an author on Inkshares, I absolutely will return the favor.

3. If you know ANYONE who has ANY aspirations about being a writer, please tell them about Inkshares. I received several congratulations from people I’ve known forever when I reached 250. But I received just as many from other Inkshares authors whom I didn’t even know 32 days ago, but who have supported my work wholeheartedly since almost the instant I arrived here. I cannot overstate how valuable this place is to anybody who has any aspirations of writing a book and seeing it get published. The prospect of breaking into publishing, even finding an agent to represent you, is daunting and possibly alienating. Self-publishing is a lonely, frustrating proposition. Inkshares offers the potential possibilities of working with a publisher, combines it with the freedom of self-publishing, and surrounds you with a community of writers who understand what you’re trying to do (because they’re trying to do the same thing). More than simply an innovative way to shake up the publishing industry, it is a gratifying community that rallies around itself to give aspiring and talented writers (and illustrators) a chance that may not otherwise exist. The proof is right here. 

If you know someone who might benefit from such a place, tell them to pay a visit and get involved. If they do, they will thank you later — possibly in the pages of their first book. 

(Photo of Nina included for no reason. Thanks for reading all of that.)

I ordered books!  For the first time I placed an order for my own books, for the express purpose of signing them and sending them out to the winners of my DHM raffles.  (I am three orders away from my next one, btw, so I ordered an extra just in case).  

End of January / technically beginning of February update! Another long one, so here goes.

So far my plan of obliterating the first chunk of the book (more or less) is working out. It’s taking a lot longer than I planned, and I’m even adding stuff that was meant for book 2 for the sake of world-building. Here’s the basics of the changes for no other reason than why NOT tell y’all. In bullet-point format, for the cool kids (spelled "kool kidz" if you’re not whack).

• First four chapters have become first five. Fewer words per chapter, more down to earth dialogue that fits my style. There’s a much stronger sense of respect, teamwork, camaraderie, and / or dislike between all characters.
  
• The Counterbalance are a faction that is basically this world’s cops. Daytime is ruled by mass-hypnotism, so crime is ultra-low. At night? S*** gets dangerous and wild, and this group handles it. In each major metropolis, the faction goes by a slightly different name. Stone-State’s crew is known as the Igneous Counterbalance (IC for short).
  
• Constable Henrov Renker leads the IC. She’s smart, has a limp, and hates (HATES) Saints. Captain Hanyan Hays is already in the novel later on, but I like him and wanted to put him in earlier. These two additions have expanded the conversations that take place in the early parts of the book in cool ways.

Okay, that’s the major stuff I wanted to say. Figured to do some kind of update since my thoughts are constantly on this project. I’ll update again in about a month. Also, the older you get, the more you realize that time is the greatest commodity you have to use properly. Those of you who follow me or Blurred Weaponry and read this update have given me your precious time, and I appreciate it immensely. 

Thank you, and I look forward to sharing some of the surprises and content I’m working on soon (this update was twice as long until I realized I’m giving everything away too soon ^_^).

Peace out,

Michael V.