My dear Lucky Readers,

We have a big month coming up. Lucky has 28 days left to fund and is behind 420+ copies. Now is the time to buy an extra copy for your local library or for your niece. Now is the time to convince your neighbor that they want to jump on the wagon. Now is the time to make this dream a reality. Think of it this way: this is a campaign that your vote can actually influence! 

Also, trot over to my new project Children of the Teller (www.inkshares.com/books/children-of-the-teller) and give it a gander. I have entered it into the Inkshares/Geek & Sundry Fantasy contest that runs until November 1. Fun fact: Children of the Teller was to be my NaNoWriMo 2016 project and NaNoWriMo 2016 starts November 1. One simply can’t plan perfect timing like this.

To help support Teller, I have recently posted an update about the opportunity for readers to add their input to the novel. Check it out on my novel page.

As always, I welcome your feedback. I’m on Twitter, Facebook and Wordpress. Let me know what you’re thinking about!

- Webster

  Hello, rebels!

  As the 3rd day of the Geek & Sundry contest opens, I planned to give the full chapter of Chapter Zero: Lost Souls today, and as promised, it is here! I really hope you guys enjoy it, and the direction I plan to go with it. I plan to upload the next chapter tomorrow to get you guys even more invested, so please bear with me if you get too drawn in and want more haha. If you’re sold already from this full chapter, please make sure to pre-order today, or if you really liked it, give it a recommendation and share it. Thank you reading, and have a good morning/afternoon wherever you are!

  From yours truly, A.J.III.

With only 3 days to go in the funding campaign for Mission 51, it seems clear we will not reach the required 250 pre-orders for publication through Inkshares, at least not at this time.

BUT, this is just a bump in the road to publication. It is a one door closes, one door opens kind of thing. Let me fill you in on the plans.

In 3 days, the funding campaign ends, and shy of a miracle where we do reach 250 pre-orders, Mission 51 will automatically go into “draft” mode on Inkshares. All of the readers, who have my everlasting gratitude for your interest and generous support, will get their money back. The project will remain listed on Inkshares, and I will be able to communicate with followers through this forum, to keep you updated on the continuing progress of Mission 51.

I will continue to revise, enhance and beautify the book, including the art. I am convinced that this fun story has merit. I have been encouraged by the support from personal friends and family, by 188 followers of the project on Inkshares, by achieving 168 pre-orders, by 14 high-quality recommendations, by being chosen as a “Staff Pick,” and by the support of the GREAT SCI-FI for the 21st CENTURY and BEYOND SYNDICATE.

With that in mind, I have decided to enter Mission 51 in the 2016 Launch Pad Manuscript Competition. This opens several opportunities for publication. Please check out the link. I am very excited about it!

In any event, I can assure you that this book will be published sooner or later, hopefully sooner. I would love to have the backing and services of a formal publishing house like Inkshares, but I have self-published several books before, and I will self-publish Mission 51 if the need be.

So stay tuned for future developments in the Mission 51 saga! I will keep you informed.

Thank you all so very much for your words of encouragement and your generosity. I have truly felt the love here on Inkshares. It is a great platform, a wonderfully supportive community of readers and authors. I have enjoyed every minute and I am not going away!

Peace and love always!

Ferd   :-)

Every once in a while, something will happen that reassures me Tantalus Depths is really succeeding where it matters.

Getting picked by the Break the Bechdel Syndicate was one of those, as it reassured me that Tantalus Depths was doing an effective job of representing strong female characters, which was crucial for me. Getting picked by the Great Sci Fi Syndicate was another, as it reassured me that I was effectively creating a science fiction work that embodied the best aspects of this genre I love so much. There have been many little things along the way that provide similar assurances that I’m on the right track, either in the form of reviews, recommendations, or general feedback. Today I was honored in a totally new way.

 

KSU Trumbull, the university branch responsible for almost all of my college education, did me the great honor of coming to me and holding this interview to promote my book. This is the same college where I honed my writing skills, took advanced literature classes, learned character development from theatre classes...heck, Tantalus Depths was written for classes at this school. The fact that they’d honor me by highlighting my work is a tremendous honor that I’m still processing.
Please go ahead and check out this interview.
Also! Tantalus Depths is now only 87 pre-orders away from FULL PUBLISHING. We have a bit less than 13 days to get there. We are SO close, everyone. Keep pushing!

Thank you.

 Those two words carry so much weight, yet they can hardly express my gratitude. The initial support A Beast Requires has received has been incredible, and I’m flailing like the muppet I am every time a new order comes in. Yes, I am a muppet, which totally explains my hair.

 A year ago I joined Inkshares. It was a different contest, and while that campaign was ultimately unsuccessful, I came away from it as a better writer, and a better human being. I met other writers from all over the world, each hoping and working towards funding their campaigns. Our backgrounds were as varied as our manuscripts, but we all shared the same struggle. Writers are an odd fellowship. We’re all fighting the same battles, waging the same war against deadlines and doubt, and sometimes we feel as if we’re out there alone. But we aren’t. We all struggle together. Writers support other writers because we know how hard it is.

 I met a lot of amazing writers last year, including my soul siblings A.C. Weston and Rick Heinz. Their support last time around carried me through to the end, even when that ending resulted in an unsuccessful campaign. I am forever thankful that I’ve been fortunate enough to meet such amazing people like G. Derek Adams, Dave Barrett, and Thomas Arnold. Trust me, there’s more, and as this campaign goes on I’ll be giving them as many shout outs as I can.

 I know this is going to be a long campaign. I know how difficult it is to constantly work at promotion, and making your enthusiasm spread like wild fire. I’m ready for it. I’ve been chomping at the bit for a second chance to put my book out there in the world. A Beast Requires is a work of blood, sweat, and tears. Seriously, this book has tasted its author’s blood.

 I know it’s impossible to do this alone, and every one of you following me is signed up to ride the crowdfunding crazy train. I’m working on some campaign goals, things to unlock as more people sign on and pre-order a copy of A Beast Requires. I already have the first goal ready, so at 100 pre-orders I will unleash Chapters 6 – 10 upon the world. Exciting, right? Well, one of my favorite combat sequences occurs in Chapter 10, and it brings on a whole new perspective in battling an ogre.

 I hope everyone enjoys Chapters 1 -5. Comment, critique, or scream at me as much as you want. All of your input is appreciated and valued.

So thank you again for your support. I love you all. Yes, even you, Zachary Tyler Linville.

 Until the next update,

 Jay