Updates, Faoii! Listen up!
I want to show you a picture. Look at it very carefully, Faoii. Something has changed in the last 24 hours. Take a look:
Do you see it? Here. Let me make it a bit more obvious:
That’s right, Faoii. We’ve surpassed our previous goal of 350 pre-orders and shot right up to 365! That’s amazing! You should be proud of yourselves and the army you’ve helped build.
However, we still only have 15 reviews on Amazon. That means that 4% of people that have purchased this book have rated it. 4%. We can do better than that, Faoii. Kicking over on Amazon’s algorithm is our next major goal in this campaign. It is the only way we can move forward from here. You’ve stood behind me this long-- don’t put down that blade yet.
Shields up.
Faoii-Tahani
Greetings, Faoii!
It’s been one week since publication day and I’m still so pleased with how everything is going with The Last Faoii. Our launch party was an incredible success and I still can’t believe how many people came out to support our efforts. But then I remembered that I raised an army to make this book happen and I couldn’t very well be surprised, could I?
One week after publication and The Last Faoii’s Amazon page has nine reviews. This is the next hill we have to take on this battlefield, Faoii, and I’m telling you now-- we will take it. I know how nearly-impossible it is to get reviews on Amazon. There are amazingly talented authors here on Inkshares that have sold thousands of books and haven’t bee able to garner enough ratings to trip the algorithm. So what chance could our campaign have?
Well, those books don’t have an army full of Faoii, do they?
We’re going to make this happen, Faoii. I know we will. But I need your blade again. After you read the story, head over to Amazon and tell me (and eventually the world) what you thought. That’s the only way we can ever fight our way out of obscurity.
And I refuse to remain in obscurity. We are Faoii, after all.
Keep those shields up.
Faoii-Tahani
Greetings, Faoii!
I cannot even begin to describe what today has been like, my warriors. To know that The Last Faoii is finally a real book available to everyone. After so many years of hard work and uncertainty... it’s indescribable.
People are already answering the call to fight the next wave. We currently have two reviews on Amazon and seven ratings on Goodreads. In addition to that, the amazingly-talented and incredibly supportive Evan Graham (Author of Tantalus Depths) wrote this wonderful and humbling update to honor our success.
I’ve been posting reviews in an album on my Faoii Facebook Page (Like us if you haven’t already) but the newest one is a bit long for that. However, it’s too good not to share. So I’ll leave you with another Faoii’s battlecry and once again thank you for all of your continual and greatly appreciated support. This could not have happened without your help and will not go any further without you, either.
Thank you, my warriors. Keep those shields up.
Review via Goodreads:
"An amazing first novel from a young voice. It’s apparent that Ms Nelson comes from a world that I have only glimpsed. Her characters are strong with personality; you will care about them and remember them. Her world is unique and it’s apparent that we’ve glimpsed only a bit of the whole.
Initially, one might assume this to be a period in the world we know. It’s not. There are so many small signs, indicators, beliefs that simply aren’t part of what we see every day. This is a well conceived world of it’s own.
I enjoy varied books and movies. I read SF heavily and Fantasy occasionally. I have no direct comparison for this; it’s unique and fulfilling. In some instances, it reminded me of Asimov’s Foundation series, but mostly as you learn more of the running of the world.
Marketed as a YA book, I (a mid-50s male,) thoroughly enjoyed it. The characters are vivid, the world interesting, the story fast and engrossing. As the main character is a woman of color, this is a bit unusual in today’s books and is inclusive, though natural within the world of the Faoii.
Nothing here is quite what one expects; everything here is quite what it should be."
Updates, Faoii! Listen up! You’re going to like these!
The Last Faoii becomes an officially launched book in just a few hours. In that moment, it will be widely available to anyone who wants to hear our tale, and you will have the opportunity to rate/review it on Amazon. Take the opportunity. We’ve already fought tooth and nail to take this hill, and I promised you a year ago that the world will know us. This is how that happens. We’ve fought too hard and come too far for The Last Faoii to be completely lost in the sea of novels already out there. Hitting those little stars is the only way to build our island in that sea. And we won’t just build an island. We will raise a mountain, Faoii, and our banner will stand at its peak. We have conquered every obstacle that’s come before. We will not stop now.
Other things are happening as well, of course. In an attempt to spread the word, I did an interview with Jessie’s Coffee Shop this evening. I will admit, my warriors, that I was nervous at first, and it shows at the very beginning of the set. Get through those first four minutes, however, and things go smoother. There’s a lot of interesting information packed away in there and I hope you find it of at least some interest.
Faoii-Kaiya, too, has been busy. She did her own interview for The Protagonist Speaks earlier tonight. Look through that as well and see what our young leader has to say about her world, her journey, and our army. Get to know the woman that started all of this.
It’s all finally happening, Faoii. I could not have done this without you. And I still can’t. More is coming. Be ready.
Shields Up.
Faoii-Tahani
My friends, today is a very special day for a very special book.
But not one of mine this time.
Today is the official publication day for The Last Faoii. Some of you may recall I’ve been championing this book from the very beginning, and today, at long last, it is out and available for purchase.
I’d like to ask you all to consider supporting this new book, for a couple of reasons. For one, I helped design that kick-butt cover, so I have to brag about that at least a little. It’s also a really fine fantasy novel, so it deserves to be read for its own merits.
But beyond any of that, I’d like you to support the author. Tahani Nelson has been as big of a supporter for both Tantalus Depths and Proteus as I’ve been for her book, also from the very beginning. She’s been through some of the worst struggles imaginable during the process of campaigning her book and getting it through the production process, and the absolute tenacity with which she has tackled those obstacles deserves every reward. She’s inspired me tremendously on a personal level and has helped keep my spirits up during the various obstacles I’ve faced during my own campaigns and production processes. Heck, she inspired me enough to name a planet after her, so that should tell you all you need to know about how much I respect her.
It’d also just be nice for me to plug a book you can actually hold in your hands shortly after buying it, for a change. Tantalus Depths is coming, but still not any time especially soon. The Last Faoii is out right now (I have a copy on the desk in front of me). So yay for semi-instant gratification!
Anyway, I’d just like to make this the best Publication Day possible for The Last Faoii. The book is great, the author is even better, and they both deserve as much support as we can send their way.
Quick update, Faoii! Listen up!
Those of you that pre-ordered e-books should have them in your inboxes. Today I saw a screenshot of my name on a Kindle and it was one of the most surreal feelings I’ve ever had. I have YOU to thank for that. Thank you, Faoii.
I also really REALLY need some help before next Wednesday. I’m doing my first-ever reading and would LOVE to know what passages or scenes stuck with you. What would YOU like to hear out loud (I’ll even try to record the readings for those of you who can’t be at the launch party).
That’s it for now! But don’t worry-- I’ll be contacting you next week when Amazon opens up for reviews. The next wave is coming, Faoii. We will be ready for it. A year from now everyone will know of us. ;)
Shields up
Faoii-Tahani
Greetings, Faoii!
Our warriors have started sending in reports that they’ve received their books! After six long years, The Last Faoii is real, and I almost can’t contain my joy at its existence. As always, I have you to thank for this. Thank you so much for your continued support. I can’t believe we made this possible.
Don’t forget-- the absolute BEST thing you can do for The Last Faoii now is to leave reviews on Amazon and Good Reads. Good reviews are the best way to make sure that word about our army spreads, and not-as-good reviews are the best way for me to learn to be a better writer in the future. Everyone has an opinion. I truly want to hear yours.
I couldn’t have gotten this far without you, Faoii, but I know that I still have a long journey ahead of me. Please be a part of it. There are still more battles on the horizon.
Shields up. I can’t believe we did it!
Faoii-Tahani
Greetings! Faoii!
My inbox has been FULL the last two days with people telling me that they got their books and are ready to finally read our tale. How exciting!
If you live in or near MT, come celebrate with me at our launch party! If not, make sure to follow me on facebook so you can see pictures and be part of the fun!
As always, Faoii, thank you. This is all because of your support.
Greetings, Faoii!
Some advanced copies of The Last Faoii came in today, and I’ve given myself a few minutes to adjust. The immediate pictures are taken and the squeals of delight are done. And now I’m just sitting here, holding a box of books in my lap while... bawling. Hysterically. I’m not even ashamed. This has been almost 6 years in the making. The publication process was the last and hardest step, and many MANY times I didn’t think I’d ever get through it. And now there’s a book in my hands that looks more beautiful than I ever expected. 390 pages that I didn’t think would ever exist. But you did. Hundreds of you thought it was worthy of support. For whatever reason, you chose to stand up and back me on a project I wasn’t sure could succeed, but was willing to give everything for.
I am... in awe. Humbled. Blessed.
And mostly grateful.
Thank you all.
Faoii-Tahani