BIG NEWS!  

I've taken a brief leave from my day job to finish the manuscript of the second book in the Maren Kane Mystery Series. The working title is A Timely Murder! Without revealing too much, I can share that one of the main characters from One Murder More (Book 1) runs for office, one is shot (no!) and Maren finds herself in deep trouble  on the strip in Las Vegas.

I also want to share that although I’ve been fortunate to have several agents wooing me, I am staying with Inkshares!  I could not imagine a more reader and author-friendly environment in which to write. But it does mean I need to have sufficient pre-orders to meet the threshold for Inkshares to publish me again—there is no “free pass” for sequels; each work must (appropriately) stand on it’s own. So I will be asking you soon to consider preordering the 2nd book in the Maren Kane mystery series, and to encourage others you know to do so. In particular, the system has changed—for  One Murder More, money could be contributed without being linked to additional books to the backer. Under the new system only money  to purchase books will be accepted, and 750 books total must be preordered to qualify for  full publishing via Inkshares.  This is  true democratic publishing in action—you "vote"  to secure the future of the book by purchasing copies  in advance.  

While all backers in the new system will receive special insider updates from me, I want to ask your input now on recommendations for a special incentive for individuals  who order 10 books or more.  (Upon request, I’ll arrange to have any books  that a backer  does not personally wish to receive  donated to reputable charitable organizations. One I have in mind is the Downtown Women’s Center for homeless women in LA http://www.downtownwomenscenter.org.  I welcome your suggestions for organizations that would similarly benefit from books for adult literacy efforts and for resale for their  fundraising.) 

Your Ideas for Incentives?  In particular, what fits the “Maren Kane Mystery” gestalt?  Also, I will need to be mindful that any incentive will be at my cost for production and shipping. In a general post Inkshares suggests " a t-shirt, mug or coloring book".  Not sure any of those fit though...One idea I had is writing a special short story that would go only to  “super-backers”, prior to being submitted to mystery magazines for publication.

 Finally, I would appreciate your assistance in coming up with a better name than “super-backers” for those who are able to offer more support.  

Thanks again for everything! It’s been quite a journey so far.

Kris   

www.kriscalvin.com

ps Thanks for the  great audiobook  development suggestions! Will keep you posted...