Hey!  Happy New Year All!  So last night, New Year's Eve, we decided to celebrate by having Manhattans, which as we know are Edith Vale's cocktail of choice. On the spur of the moment, I decided to make a little video of the drink-making process. This should accompany the recipe you already have, so now your Manhattan knowledge is complete! Please note that my video making is still very much a work in progress -- as to this one, think early bumbling Julia Child and you'll get the idea!  So here, take a look-see:

Happy New Years everyone! 2016 has begun. Next week I have my Inkshares kick off meeting to begin production on the Seventh Age Dawn. So, there is that. I'm going to be at Midwinter Gaming Convention up in Milwaukee on the weekend of Jan 16th. Peddling my wares and trying to get some gaming in. If anyone wants to meet up, drop me a line on twitter if you are in the area. 

Lastly: Today I begin trying to define the sequel. The Seventh Age: Rise of Dystopia into to 15 words so I can start building my outlines. If you curious how I start a book, it works something like this: I start off with 15 words regarding what the story is about. (This is actually really damn hard). I then make those 15 words into 5 sentences, followed by taking each of those 5 sentences into a paragraph. Finally each paragraph ends up as it's own page. That's how I start off building my outline. Today... I need to do this. 

So here is where I ask for help: I LOVE music, and it's my largest inspiration for writing. Tweet me @crankybolt for any music that reminds you of the cyberpunk or techno-thriller music. I'll be assembling a playlist all month as I dabble with the outline. 

I'm really curious to see what some of you other authors and Seventh Age Followers come up with in regards to music. Toss your best at me :)

Dear Readers! May your path to post-NewYears recovery be short, and may your 2016 be fruitful and delicious! ...what am I saying...? Good morning and Happy New Year!

Just wrapped up our third "The Animal in Man" Reader Raffle video. Things didn't go quite as planned, plenty of plot twists in this one. CLICK HERE and have a look to see if you've won.

Thank you all so much if you've already pre-ordered your copy of The Animal in Man. You've shown me that you expect great things from me, and I promise I will not let you down. 2016 is the year I get this 10+years project done. I couldn't do it without you.

There’s no other way to describe 2015 other than ‘eventful’. I’m still reeling from the chain of events that have brought me to this point. From entering the first Sword & Laser Collection contest, becoming a runner up and being chosen for the collection, it’s all been an insane ride. I’ve discovered the near-euphoric joy of working with a good editor, had my book read and reviewed by a plethora of people, got an awesome cover blurb and will soon be seeing my book in the hands of readers. Started Paul Inman and I’s podcast, WriteBrain. Most of all though, I’ve been able to forge relationships with people I admire as well as meet so many new and awesome people that it’s hard to keep track of everyone.

None of this would have happened without your support. The silver lining of 2015 is completely your doing, and I'm forever grateful for that.

But, it wouldn’t be January 1st without resolutions. Like everyone I have the standard weight loss, increase in physical activity and maybe yelling a little less about robots in public places, but I have some creatively driven goals that I think might be interesting.

• Finish my first book for The Ed Greenwood Group (as per contractually demanded)

• Get A God in the Shed to 750 copies by April 1st and get it published

• Finish the sequel to The Life Engineered and start the funding campaign for it

• Write another book (I have ideas) and start giving it out to beta readers

• Write four short stories (I’m not good at short stories. I need the practice)

What are you guys looking forward to in this new year? Apart from more robots that it.

JF

There’s no other way to describe 2015 other than ‘eventful’. I’m still reeling from the chain of events that have brought me to this point. From entering the first Sword & Laser Collection contest, becoming a runner up and being chosen for the collection, it’s all been an insane ride. I’ve discovered the near-euphoric joy of working with a good editor, had my book read and reviewed by a plethora of people, got an awesome cover blurb and will soon be seeing my book in the hands of readers. Started Paul Inman and I’s podcast, WriteBrain. Most of all though, I’ve been able to forge relationships with people I admire as well as meet so many new and awesome people that it’s hard to keep track of everyone.

None of this would have happened without your support. The silver lining of 2015 is completely your doing, and I'm forever grateful for that.

But, it wouldn’t be January 1st without resolutions. Like everyone I have the standard weight loss, increase in physical activity and maybe yelling a little less about robots in public places, but I have some creatively driven goals that I think might be interesting.

• Finish my first book for The Ed Greenwood Group (as per contractually demanded) 
• Get A God in the Shed to 750 copies by April 1st and get it published
• Finish the sequel to The Life Engineered and start the funding campaign for it 
• Write another book (I have ideas) and start giving it out to beta readers
• Write four short stories (I’m not good at short stories. I need the practice)

What are you guys looking forward to in this new year? Apart from more robots that it.

JF

Happy New Year humans!

I'm feeling compelled to say something poignant or inspiring, but having been working on character sheets for most of my free time during this break has somehow dampened my abilities.

So, I shall just say this... make it a good one.

LLAP \V/,

Happy New Year!

*Artwork courtesy of Ryan Yee, based on a pivotal scene in The Slave Prince.

Happy New Year!

*Artwork courtesy of Ryan Yee, based on a pivotal scene in The Slave Prince.

Happy New Year Machiners! 

Based on my map of where pre-orders come from, some of my wonderful supporters are definitely celebrating already. To those all over, have fun tonight, and be safe.

A couple of real quick hits on this 2016 New Year's Eve:

The support the last few days has been tremendous. I cannot thank all of the new followers enough for getting onboard. Monday we hit 100 readers and tonight we may hit 140. That's incredible! 

I had a funny thought after thinking about this today. I hope you all know this book basically has only one character! Well, our protagonist talks about one other important character. For those who haven't read, I won't give it away...

There was a new Inkshares blog post today. Some of the folks in the Sword & Laser contest provided their "best reads" of 2015. Definitely cool to see what everyone is reading. The novels I touched on weren't actually written this year, but to me, they are books worth visiting time and again.

I know I'm behind on the raffle game. At some point in the New Year, I will remedy that. Guaranteed.

Lastly, there is a fun new page on Facebook for The Last Machine. Check it out and Like when you have a moment: https://www.facebook.com/3BillionYears/

And I'll leave you with this brand new, hot off the presses, super rad artwork from Jack Katz of The Last Machine and that "other character." Enjoy, Happy New Year!