Meet Saghan. A venomous viper, hailing from the distant swamps of Drakora. A slithering, green-scaled assassin with little care for life - whether those of his victims, or his own. A slave. A self-aware puppet who knows he can never break the invisible strings of the all-powerful puppeteer.

I commissioned this concept of Saghan about a month ago, and while I received a couple other pieces in the meantime (including this amazing one of Maxan, if you haven’t already seen it), I am so utterly impressed by artist Nic Morales’ interpretation of my character that I’ve sent him to the front of the line. Saghan serves as a foil to Maxan. Whereas Maxan makes choices informed by his sense of right, Saghan has no choice, and has given up on the idea of deciding his own destiny. And yet, we have a fox, and we have a snake... Both creatures known for their cunning, their guile, their deceptive natures. Maxan and Saghan are more alike than they know.

This right here… This portrait… THIS is EXACTLY what I saw in The Animal in Man. Make no mistake, this world is brutal, full of beasts, full of killers.

I truly wish I had more news in terms of the book’s publication date, but no movement has been spied on that horizon just yet. Please continue to be patient, as I am. And in the  meantime, I will continue to post new pieces of concept art as they come in. Thanks as always for your continued support, my dear Animals.

Hello, faithful readers and followers!

A year ago today I launched my Inkshares campaign and while it wasn’t successful, I did not give up working on the book. At the time I had barely two chapters. Today the current (and nearly final) draft is sitting at 99,000 words and twenty-three chapters.

I have revamped the Inkshares page, took down the old, outdated sample chapters and replaced them with the current prologue and first chapter. I’m really proud of this book and whether I decide to start another campaign or shop it elsewhere, I promise you it will see the light of day in some shape or form...sooner rather than later.

I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for the constant, unwavering support. I feel 200% more confident in the current, almost finished version of the book compared to the rough idea and collection of words I had a year ago and if not for the Nerdist Space Opera contest and Inkshares itself, I’m not sure I would have taken the leap did and finally put myself out there. It has changed my life (no seriously, I’m not even exaggerating). 

Love and all that stuff,

J

TREKONOMICS nominated for best audiobook of the year!

Dear all, friends and readers,

I just learned that Trekonomics was nominated for an Audie Award (the Oscars of audioboooks) in the business and personal development category. It is quite an honor to have a book on a list next to works by Stephen King, John Scalzi, Colson Whitehead, Siddhartha Mukherjee etc.

The audiobook, read by the amazing Oliver Wyman, can be sampled here: http://amzn.to/2avFi4F

Thank you all for your support and friendship,

As usual, Live Long, and Prosper!

Manu

ps: here’s the (image) announcement for the business/personal development category.

Another thrilling week has passed and it is time for an update! The Walls are Closing In is sitting at 229 orders, a mere 21 orders from the first milestone of Quill light-publication (250 orders), and above the ideal rate of funding for the full Inkshares contract (750 orders). Chug chug chug.

The book received a bit of spotlight on the Inkshares blog in a post by Elena Stofle, Operations Manager at Inkshares. Thank you, Elena!

"Castle’s tale about a walled United States is exciting, maddening, and full of hope. Two walls have been constructed at the northern and southern borders of the United States—with no way in or out. Patricia is a brave and intelligent heroine living between the border walls with a thirst for the truth about life before the Seclusion, and the future that could be had if the walls were to come down.

I have only read the chapters posted on Inkshares, but I am so excited to read more about this epic, futuristic tale that is so different and fresh in the sea of modern dystopian stories that are out there. "

The full post can be read here

Next weekend, February 16th through 20th, I will be attending the San Francisco Writer’s Conference. I am eager to dive into classes for both journalism and fiction writing, and network with other authors. There is one session that I am particularly looking forward to - Writing the Resistance: Authors as Activists and Agents of Change.

The Walls are Closing In has been nominated for three syndicates this month!

If you happen to be a member of Staff Syndicate, Break the Bechdel with Strong Female Characters Syndicate, or Rite of Passage Syndicate, and deem that The Walls are Closing In fits the bill, I would be eternally grateful for your vote. 

That is it for now. Thank you again for your support. Until next week!

Book stuff ~