I usually try to do very short updates that only really pertain to Monkey Business but today I wanted to write you about something completely different.

If you have a few minutes to spare over the weekend, please, please, please consider voting for these fine novels in the DragonCon; Dragon Awards. These are all Inkshares, novels, they’re all freaking great and they all deserve to win.

So here’s what you do. Go to this link and register to vote (takes about a minute.)

Then go vote for the following awesome books!

Asteroid Made of Dragons by G. Derek Adams is a supremely enjoyable mashup of sci fi and fantasy. I mean, this book has long dead ancient technologies in the same world as wild mages, dragons, knights, gnomes, half-dead pirates, goblins... and it’s funny. I really can’t say enough, this book is awesome.

The Life Engineered by J.F. Dubeau is an beautifully realized exploration of artificial intelligence, civilization, and the implications of what it means to exist. If you’re a fan of smart science fiction, do yourself a favor and check this book out. Also if you just like robots this shit is rad.

An Unattractive Vampire by Jim McDoniel is a wonderfully fun read that really turns some vampire tropes on their ear. Light-heated, fun reads are always a favorite of mine, if you feel the same way, you’ll really enjoy this book.

That’s all folks. Please take a few minutes to do this for all of us who choose to publish at Inkshares. A win for any of us is a win for all of us. And a Dragon Award is a super cool thing to win.

Thank you, thank you, thank you! Oh and if you’re really bored, click here and leave a review of Monkey Business.

Firm handshakes, kisses on the cheek and Top Gun style "feel the need for speed" high fives,

- Landon

Hello Sweethearts! 

I hope that you are doing well and that you’re having an exceptional day! I am sorry to be emailing you twice in one week, but this update was one that I couldn’t wait to share with you.

We have decided to update the cover of the book! The team at Inkshares thought that having a brighter and lighter cover would be more in the spirit of the book itself, so they updated it. I was just emailed the image moments ago, and I had to send it to you all immediately.

I didn’t think that I could love a cover more than the original cover, but I am so over the moon about this new version!  I hope that you like it too! 

Heart,

Katie 

What?? What?? What?? One Murder More = Finalist for 2016 Silver Falchion award in THREE categories: Best First Novel, Mystery/Crime Novel and The Judges’ Choice Award!  Past finalists for the Silver Falchion include Stephen King, John Sanborn, John Lescroart and Robert Dugoni. I’m headed to Nashville this weekend for the awards banquet at the incomparable #‎KillerNashville  conference! Will I see you there? (C’mon, use those miles, it’s Nashville!) "Killer Nashville is one of the most popular conferences in the country for writers and readers... Established by writer and filmmaker Clay Stafford in 2006, the conference assists authors in the craft of mystery, thriller, suspense and crime fiction writing. Stafford and American Blackguard, Inc. also work to further various literacy programs throughout the year. As a part of both encouraging and rewarding writers in their varied fields, the Silver Falchion Award is given to outstanding books published in the previous year." Thanks for taking this journey with me, and thanks to Inkshares for an incredible partnership! Kris    www.kriscalvin.com

Good Morning Sweethearts! 

I hope that you all are doing well and that you are having a wonderful summer!  I have a few exciting updates that I wanted to share with you all as the publication date gets closer and closer! 

Over the last few months we have seen independent, as well as corporate bookstores purchasing copies of How to Get Run Over by a Truck. With this push from these bookstores (as of today) we have pre-sold 2,450 books! Which is unbelievable! So unbelievable in fact, that when I got the email saying that over 2,000 books had been sold I threw my phone across the table at my friend Tommy and immediately started to cry (are we sensing a theme with how I handle good news?!)  

We have also seen more reviews of the book start to come in that I would love to share with you: 

"Katie McKenna has written an incredibly moving and insightful journey through her horrific medical trauma and painful rehabilitation. In courageously confronting her brokenness she reminds us of the inestimable value of faith, family, friends and a remarkable sense of humor. Her narrative emerges as a constant reminder that compassionately listening to the patient is the primary instrument of healing. This book should be required reading for all professionals who work in the field of medical trauma and rehabilitation."

Leo J. Shea III, Ph.D. Clinical Associate Professor of Rehabilitation Medicine NYU-Langone Medical Center

"Gripping, honest and full of humor, I couldn’t put Katie McKenna’s How to Get Run Over by a Truck down. At times I felt like I was listening to Katie recount her story as we shared a glass of wine, as it was incredibly personal and very real. Her clever blend of honesty and humor encourage the reader to reflect on their own approach to overcome challenges in their own life. She gives you perspective and strength by sharing her story." 

Sarah Lowell Harmon, LMHC, Wentworth Institute of Technology 

"How to Get Run Over by a Truck is one of the funniest, bravest memoirs I’ve ever read. I think we all wonder what would happen if we had to start over. Here is how one woman did it -- rebuilding her body and life by force of will and personality. It reminded me how humor truly is an act of grace."

  --John Freeman, editor of "Freeman’s" and author of "How to Read a Novelist." 

I cannot tell you how honored I am to have such incredible people take the time to read this book, and to  have such lovely things to say about it! 

The final piece of news that I have is that the book launch party for "How to Get Run Over by a Truck" will be on October 4th from 7:00 - 9:00, and I would be delighted if you could join us! Here are the details: 

KGB Bar 

85 East 4th Street

New York, NY 10003

There will be readings, a brief Q& A with me, and some time to talk afterwards! I hope that you can join us! 

Thank you again for your incredible support! None of this would have been possible without you!

Heart,

Katie 

Happy National Book Lovers Day! Today also marks the official launch date for Welcome to Deadland! Next week will be the year anniversary of entering the Nerdist Collection Contest, and today this book no longer belongs to just me, but to all of you and to all of the future readers who pick up a copy. Over the weekend I had the opportunity to take Welcome to Deadland to the source of its inspiration, where the initial seeds of imagination were planted in my mind. 

I had the privilege of launching Welcome to Deadland at a Barnes & Noble in Orlando. The turnout was beyond what I could have expected. I didn’t get a picture of the entire crowd, but this was about fifteen minutes before we started and the seats were filling up fast. I read the prologue and answered a series of questions. One of my close friends filmed the entire event and will be editing together a video of the event as well. I was overwhelmed with support, friends and family drove down and flew in from all over the country. Each time I was surprised by the appearance of one person, someone else unexpected would show up and surprise me all over again. 

Another awesome moment of the day was a stop by the tattoo parlor where my mom received the first Welcome to Deadland tattoo, and had it done in my handwriting! 

Also: Welcome to Deadland Ferris wheel tattoos!

My dad and stepmom drove over from Tampa, and I had my siblings by my side. 

I can’t say thank you enough to everyone who showed up, to those of you that backed and preordered my book, the readers who ordered the book beyond the funding campaign, and to Inkshares and Nerdist for giving me the opportunity to put Welcome to Deadland out in the world. From the bottom of my heart, I give you all my sincerest gratitude. 

And remember, the infected aren’t the only thing you have to watch out for in theme parks. Dinosaurs are right around the corner, too!!