Good morning everyone, 

We’re five days into the campaign to get BLUE WATER published, and we’re sitting pretty at 44 preorders.  For other Inkshares writers, we’re barely dipping below the "ideal funding rate" line.  For everyone else, to keep pace to make the finish line, we have to pick up our pace just a little bit.  If you plan on preordering and haven’t yet, carpe diem.

I’ve added a few blog posts on our Facebook page about the process of writing BLUE WATER, from its beginning as a screenplay to a webseries, to crafting our female protagonist, Emily Hunter, and how to make a character deep and motivated.

You can check it out here: http://www.facebook.com/bluewaternovel

I plan on continuing with new blog posts down the road, but the twists and turns in BLUE WATER start pretty early on around chapter 4, so I don’t want to write too much about story elements for fear of giving the game away.

So thank you to all our followers for getting us this far, and I hope you continue to support the novel all the way to victory.  I know you’ll love it once you get your hands on it.

Thank you,

Joseph

PREORDER HERE: http://www.inkshares.com/books/blue-water 

Greetings followers!!

First off, I just want to say WOW you guys are awesome!! I received a spike in pre-orders yesterday and I can’t thank you all enough for your support. Currently, I am in 3rd place but these last 8 days are going to be crucial for me to stay in the Top 3. If you haven’t pre-ordered yet, hit that pre-order button, you won’t regret it!

Also, I just realized that I hit 150 pre-orders (that’s 100 pre-orders away from reaching Quill!). I was literally in tears, sitting in lab, when I saw that number because to me, it means that there are people out there who support my project and want my story published. With all of the negativity out there in light of two police killings of black people, I hold on to these moments of happiness. 

I’ll leave you all with another piece to the painting puzzle. Have a good night!

アリサちゃん

 A bit late with this week’s vlog, but here it is at last!
This time I discuss the idea of the rogue AI in science fiction and try to dig a bit deeper into what it is that makes an evil artificial intelligence so unsettling.  
 

If you like stories featuring deranged artificial intelligences pursuing goals and agendas well outside their prescribed boundaries, you’re sure to enjoy Tantalus Depths. On this impossible world at the edge of explored space, a murderous all-seeing AI may actually be the least of our worries...

I am interrupting my day at work because of this unbelievable happening, and I simply had to share it with you! I have gotten the highest honor I have ever received for my writing! I was notified a few minutes ago by @Matthew Isaac Sobin, the syndicate lead of the GREAT SCIFI for the 21st CENTURY and BEYOND SYNDICATE that Mission 51 is their July selection!!!!

Like I told Matt, this honor has left me spinning with feelings. I am humbled that anyone would think of me and my work like this. I am overjoyed! And I feel like a funny fear has been lifted, a fear that my thought and words are insignificant. This honor is very encouraging!

Here is what Matt had to say:

The SciFi syndicate is thrilled to support Mission 51 with our July selection! Ferd Crôtte has created something truly intoxicating. The perfect premise, which takes one of the great mysteries / intrigues of the 20th century and puts us directly in the alien’s shoes; it’s SciFi and historical fiction wrapped into one. In addition, there is special artwork which illuminates the story with a deft touch. We can’t wait to read more, and for this story to become a book on our shelves. We encourage our fellow Inkshares authors and readers to support this praiseworthy project!

Matt, thank you very, very much from the bottom of my heart for this valued honor! I am re-energized to continue making Mission 51 the absolutely best it can be! Thank you!!!