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.
What are you guys looking forward to in this new year? Apart from more robots that it.
JF
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!
Happy New Year's Eve! Just a quick update today.
So this, this is pretty cool to see...
We have officially joined the Quill Collection page! Even though Dax is still technically in progress, this little detail makes it just a tiny bit more real and gives me the warm-and-fuzzies. Woo hoo!
Also, fantasy author Jamison Stone (Rune of the Apprentice) invited me to write a guest blog post at his site, Apotheosis Studios! I discuss a bit of my creative background, along with some of the inspiration for Dax, as seen in the dashing rogues gallery below.
Check out the article HERE.
New Year's resolutions, anyone? I have a couple.
1) Finish Dax, of course
2) Enjoy a nice break after publishing. Get through at least some of the stacks of books and video games I've amassed.
3) Maybe finally take up violin
4) Back to the gym. My back is killing me with all this sitting at the computer. (Yes, despite popular belief, it is totally possible to be a super nerd AND fit!)
OK gang! Back to writing, writing, writing...
-Tony
The Trekonomics New Year's Update
Dear readers, followers and friends of Trekonomics,
I am very happy to report that after two months of furious rewriting and editing, the final manuscript has been sent for copy-editing. We are on track for our late-spring 2016 release.
A lot of coordination is involved in producing a book. I am discovering the age-old process of designing a cover and gathering all the elements for the book's jacket as well the so-called "front matter" (that is, all the text and pages that are not part of the manuscript itself).
Speaking of the book's front matter, we are planning a neat little surprise. It will be revealed in time (and I will not say anything more lest I jinx it).
The cover is being designed by the incredibly talented Jennifer Bostic (http://www.paperplanestudio.com/) and John Powers (http://johnpowers.us/, as well his essential blog http://starwarsmodern.blogspot.com/). It is an awesome privilege to work with artists of their caliber. We will share the cover design and artwork with all of you as soon as it is blocked and finalized, within the next few weeks.
2016 will mark the 50th anniversary of Star Trek's first airing on NBC. The exact date is September 8 at 8:30PM Eastern Time. For that occasion, the US Postal Service will release a series of four commemorative stamps. Here they are in all their glory:
"Forever" means that they will be forever good for first-class letters, regardless of future price increases. Hopefully, we will be able to ship some of your pre-orders with these stamps on the envelopes.
As a final note, I am happy to announce that I am contributing to Fusion.net's Real Future on a regular basis. You can set your RSS readers to: http://fusion.net/author/manu-saadia/ or follow me on twitter (@trekonomics). My latest piece was on Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
We will be in touch very soon. In the meantime, a happy and felicitous New Year.
Live Long, and Prosper
Manu
