"The novel will make great holiday gifts for baseball fans!" a reader emailed me. Yes, that’s the idea!Â
A higher-up at Inkshares emailed last week and told me that they are impressed by what YOU HAVE BEEN DOING--the pre-orders and support. He also came up with the catchphrase, "Field of Dreams" meets "The Time Traveler’s Wife." That’s the way to talk to Hollywood!
If you’re exhausted by me cajoling you to click on the GOING, GOING, GONE! page and pre-ordering more books (I sure am), then please click on the GOING, GOING, GONE! page and pre-order more holiday gifts for baseball fans! We are at 634, see below. 763 is in sight!
And.........THANKS SO MUCH!!!!
GOING, GOING, GONE! CLIMBS THE ALL-TIME HOME RUN LEADER BOARD WITH YOUR HOMERS!!!!!!!
Barry Bonds 762
Hank Aaron 755
Babe Ruth 714
Alex Rodriguez 696
Willie Mays 660
G O I N G , G O I N G , G O N E ! 6 3 4
Albert Pujols 633
Ken Griffey, Jr 630
Bill Forr., Abuquerque Isotopes, P
Tracy Dutt., Virginia Satellites, P
Ben Kn., New Orleans Shrimp Haulers, SS
Jacob Kn., New York Chessmasters, CF
Tom Skuda, Sausalito Velvet Voicers, 1B
Sundude, Kitty Hawk Flyers, C
Ted H., Albany Bookflippers, CF
Leo V., Bane Of All Things Writermen, C
Charlie Denb., Mill Valley Educators, P
John S., California Helmar Collectors, 1B
Kris & C. Gas., Del Ray Rays, Owners
Scott Jamp., Sausalito Oyster Shuckers, P
Stefano Scali, Sausalito Floating Homers, C
Joe Burns, Sausalito Oyster Shuckers, Mayor
Linzy Coll., Iowa Soul Redeemers, SS
Paul Winst., New York Cosmos, Goalie
Jennifer F., New York Stockflippers, Mgr.
Joanna P., New York Stockflippers, Owner
Miles R., New York Stockflippers, P
Jeff Holl., Sausalito Lumber Reclaimers, P
Doug Simon, New York Frisbee Flippers, 3B
Dan Fost, Mill Valley Millers, Coach
Gerry R., Sausalito Boatriders, Cpt.
Mike Hood, Greenbrae Houseflippers, P
Bradford P., New York Dealmakers, SS
Arthur O., New York Lookouts, P
Ronald Grels., New York Kneecappers, P
Ariana C., Da Vino Coffeeslingers, P
Yovani Cast., Da Vino Coffeeslingers, Chef
Elizabeth C., Da Vino Coffeeslingers, Manager
Gordon H., Sausalito Picture Framers, SS
Lia M. & Carter J., Night Cafe Hall of FameÂ
Chris Ryan, New York Cineastes, Film CrewÂ
Peter Gelf., New York Prop Dusters, SS
Kerry B., Mill Valley Millers, SS
Alistair G., Brooklyn Trolley Dodgers, RF
Charles Mandel, Helmar Antiquifyers, Owner
Laura M., Brattleboro Yankees, Mgr.
David B., East River Fishsnaggers, P/Captain
Charlie Craw., Toll Bros. Demolition, SS
Ed B., SF Team Brothers ’N Sisters, CFÂ
Beth B., SF Team Brothers ’N Sisters, LF
Brian Stadt., San Francisco Tech Reclaimers, SS
D. Krasnoff, Team Navy, Coach
E. Krasnoff, Team Navy, G.M.
Elizabeth C., Team DiVino, Nutritionist
Brian S., Prudential All-Stars, CF
Barnaby C., Washington Absinthe Sippers, P/2B
Miles R., New York Value Seekers, 3B
Charles G., New York Limo Hailers, CF
Jacqui L., Mill Valley Visionaries, SS-2B
James R., Marin County Muckrakers, P
Stefan Smith, Sports Massage Marin (his real team), 3rd base coach
Devin C., Amsterdam Guffawmen, P
Robert H., New York Skiiers, CF
Susan H., New York Museum Researchers, Mgr.
T. Wexler, L.A. Dealmakers, SS
Adam K., Ithaca Royal Palmists, CF
Bennett, J., Mill Valley Millers, 3B
Jonathan W., Mitzi Potted Parrot Fan Club, P
Jon R., Mill Valley Troubadors, P
David B., East Hampton Fly Casters, 1BÂ
Joe P., Sausalito Voiceovers, P
Jason A., Dalton Tigers, 2B
Stephanie A., Dalton Tigers, 1B
Jim C., San Francisco Dealmakers, P
Helen Y., Marin County Architects, P
Karin T., Sausalito Winemakers, Mgr.
Adam Tatt., Dalton Tigers, 2B
Duncan Plex., L.A. Guitar Riffers, P/OF
Ellen H., Sibling Hall of Fame, CF
Robert & Susan H., New York Giants, Owners
Kirk D., Arizona Tar Melters, LF
Adam K., Ontario Seal Pups, CF
Beth B., San Francisco Elites, RF
Kenneth Palmer, Houston Stan Keys, Team Doctor
Douglas Z., Albuquerque Isotopes, CÂ
John Bad., San Juan All-Stars, P
Leila S., Sausalito Sartajians, Mental Health Coach
Happy Friday, everyone. As promised, today I announce the winners of our various draws.
But first, allow me to re-emphasize that this campaign is not yet over. We do need to keep driving that pre-order total up! It’s been quiet since Monday ... too quiet.
Inkshares editors want to see that pre-order total continue to rise as they review the manuscript. Should Bane of All Things be chosen for publication, that pre-order revenue is used to offset the production/marketing/distribution costs, which allows Inkshares to pay me, the author, higher royalties than the industry norm once the book is out there.Â
This campaign could not be where it is without each and every one of you. Many of you have exceeded my expectations by ordering five, six even 10 copies of BoAT. That might leave the rest of you wondering what on earth can one person do with more than copy of a book. The answer is easy – gift them.
Books make excellent gifts, especially signed by the author. Inkshares e-books make convenient gifts, too. When a title on Inkshares publishes, anyone whose pre-order includes ebooks will receive an email giving them the option to download the digital file in whatever format they prefer. This makes it easy to pass ebook copies on to friends and family.
Remember, if BoAT is chosen for publication, everyone who ordered two or more copies will get a signed souvenir poster. And I am thinking there will be something extra for everyone who has ordered five or more copies, too.
Now for the prize draws
DRAW #1 – $50 gift card: On Feb. 18, we were still looking to cross the 300 pre-order mark. I announced at the time that anyone who referred a new supporter between then and when we hit 301 (which happened on March 4) would be entered in the draw. And the winner is … Iris Cox!
Draw #2 – $50 gift card: I then announced another draw for existing supporters who pre-ordered additional copies between March 4 and March 17. And the winner is … Yves Beauchamp!  Â
Draw #3 – $50 gift card: Then came last weekend, with the clock ticking on what I expected to have been the final deadline for this campaign. I called on you all to help me drive past 400. Anyone who brought in a new supporter or ordered additional copies on or between May 30 and April 1 qualified for this draw. The response blew my expectations. And the winner is … Megan Alink!  Â
Draw #4 – Crossing 300 Pre-Orders: Back in February, I promised a draw for The Sword & The Skull artwork on canvas, signed by me and the artist, Dominic Bercier, should we cross 300 pre-orders. Anyone who had pre-ordered as of March 4 was entered into this draw. And the winner is … Sandra Markus!  Â
Draw #5 – Crossing 400 Pre-Orders: And I promised another draw should we pass 400, though I didn’t specify what the prize would be. Let’s go for another piece of artwork because you can’t keep a dead demigod or a sentient sword down. And the winner is … Debra Ford!  Â
Congratulations, all! I will be reaching out to our five winners to sort the details.Â
Onward and upward!Â
Cheers
Leo
 
Hey, folks. I have news!
It’s NOT bad news. On the other hand, it’s not quite the “Grace Above, that’s awesome!” news we have been hoping for.
But you could say I have unlocked the next level. Getting past 400 pre-orders has earned Bane of All Things a full read by Inkshares editors. The manuscript is now in their hands. I expect a decision before the end of the month.
As I have said before, earning publication with Inkshares is dependent now on the “combined score” of three different things:
·     Pre-orders to date
·     The state of the manuscript
·     Those other non-pre-order metrics Inkshares is tracking behind the scenes
Of these three, pre-orders is the only one we can obviously influence. I said over the weekend that I wouldn’t extend this campaign unless some new development justified it. Well, I’d say we got justified this afternoon.Â
Inkshares editors are still watching that pre-order total. They do want to see it continue to rise. So long as the jury is out on the manuscript itself, it only makes sense to keep the campaign active with an extension.
You will see a 30-day extension appear on the campaign clock this evening. It’s not time to take the foot of the gas quite yet – helping push up that pre-order total still matters. Maybe now more than ever.
I thank you all for your patience and your support and humbly ask that you stick with me just a little while longer.
As promised, I will send the note out this coming Friday about the prize draws and winners.
Cheers
Leo
Dear All,
After four years, it is time to say goodbye to a member of the Inkshares family. Â At the end of this week, Angela Melamud will be departing as our Assistant Director of Marketing. Â Angela has been a valuable member of this team for more than four years and was actually our first hire outside of the founders. Â She has secured reviews not only in publishing trades like Publishers Weekly but also major media outlets like The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Good Morning America. Â She has represented your novels with diligence and grace, so please join me in wishing her the best as she transitions toward freelance publicity work. Â
I would also like to introduce Sarah Nivala, who will be joining our team.  I first met Sarah eighteen months ago, introduced to her by the CEO of Vroman’s, the largest bookselling chain west of the Mississippi and owner of Book Soup, where Sarah has worked.  For those of you who don’t know Book Soup, it’s one of the most iconic independent bookstores in North America. Sarah is possessed by an infectious love for books, a keen understanding of the marketplace, and advocacy skills honed doing the hardest thing in the business—hand-selling books.  Sarah will be supporting Avalon, who will retain overall responsibility on marketing. Over the next two weeks, please address the correspondence that would normally go to Angela to Avalon or myself.
Importantly, Sarah is the first of a few new faces who will be joining Inkshares and I look forward to introducing you to them over the next few months.
Adam.