Milestone Update: Okay, so no more hiding behind the cat as my spokesanimal. My soft launch is over and the "writer/artiste" as the kitty likes to call me is taking charge. So... despite a late start due to life events, and the-not-to-be-relived Great Campaign Reset Fiasco-whoa, what a flurry of orders! For the first time in our campaign, we’re ahead of the recommended arc that shows us on the right track to reach full publication! All thanks to you wonderful people. 70 orders (and climbing!) have come in all the way from California to the Great Lakes (did that person order from their houseboat?), with my home state of Virginia leading the way. Very humbling stuff indeed. Please keep up the momentum, we’re progressing well! 

Then there’s the contest. In a normal contest, we’d be right up there with the leaders. But Geek & Sundry is no ordinary contest. Oh no. This is the Super Bowl for nerds like me and my fellow fantasy writers to win. That Geek & Sundry logo on the spine of our book is as good as gold. It’s like having Griffendoor on your sweater. So my prediction is that the winner will end up with something like 1,000 orders, no kidding. I’m pretty sure my competition is employing call centers to help them get so many backers. Anyone know that QVC lady on Shark Tank? 

Well, in my quest for us to catch up to Lockwood & Company (there’s a double inside joke there for readers of Jonathan Stroud, and a guy named Lockwood is one of the leaders), I’ll be giving away a signed limited edition print of some of my artwork when we hit 60 backers. This little puppy:
Wouldn’t this look schwanky on your wall of nerdom? 

And mentioning Mr. Lockwood, the guy actually has a book I’ve been following for a while and will now stupidly purchase (even though he’s the enemy through November 1st), A Beast Requires. 
It looks hysterical, right up my alley. And what does the beast require? Let’s read and find out.   

• Lastly-yes, I’m pretty pumped up today-everyone will get their schwag at the end of the contest. We’re working on adding some exciting new items as well. (Hopefully exciting to you as well.)
• The trailer should come out sometime in early September or sooner if life behaves itself. Until then, thanks again-we’re moving on up!

Best Wishes,

@kevin

Exciting news Masters and Apprentices! RUNE OF THE APPRENTICE will be made into an Audible Audiobook! 

I can’t begin to describe how happy this makes me. I have heard so many times, "I just don’t have time to read and really wish RUNE was an audiobook!" Well, folks, your wish is my command! Inkshares has done a wonderful job of making it all happen and I am so excited hear, Aleksi, Nataraja, Domadred, Beck, and all the other exciting characters of RUNE OF THE APPRENTICE come to life! HUGE shout out to Adam Gomolin for locking the deal down. Thank you!Also, as many of you know, I just got back from The DOTA2 International Convention and Championship. TI6 was awesome!  (Congrats to team Wings on their epic victory!) As promised MONTHS ago, I ROCKED the Antimage Cosplay, mohawk and all! My brother and I had a great time and you can view the pictures directly on Instagram HERE to get captions and info about each shot! Or for those who don’t like Instagram, there is a full gallery uploaded at the end of this post.

To view all of the pictures on my website click HERE:  goo.gl/Y1yowU

SEDS & The Oldest Space Science Student Member in the US

Students for Exploration & Development of Space (SEDS) is the largest space science student organization in the US. Most members are under 25. Some are under 30. You might be able to count any over 40 on one hand.

As of this year, SEDS had one single member over 50. And that member is me.

I have been an enormous fan and supporter of SEDS since attending the organization’s annual SpaceVision conference in 2013. Seeing as SEDS was not an opportunity when I first went to university–hello, 1983–and seeing as the only way to belong to SEDS is to be a student, I made a bold move this past year: I went back to school.

Like the saying goes, it’s never too late to be a kid. Considering the high regard I have for SEDS, being able to forever more own being an actual bona fide member of SEDS really meant the world to me.

Believe it or not, it just got better.

SEDS’ At-Large Board Members (there are two) support the SEDS Board and the SEDS organization by spearheading new projects and new initiatives. For one reason or another, of the two At-Large Board Members one had to resign midterm. A call went out to members for a fill-in At-Large. And I put my name in the hat.  Interviews of the candidates, including me, took place last week. Results were posted last night.

Needless to say, I was absolutely blown away to learn I am the newly elected At-Large Board Member for SEDS!

When I was a kid, I imagined the world to be a certain way. I imagined it is awesome and filled with infinite possibilities and life gets better and better everyday. 

Now I am a grown-up who has lived and put those ideas to the test. Through fire. And they are true!

So, this year’s SEDS Spacevision conference is in November at Purdue University.* While I may not be on the moon (yet), when you see me at SpaceVision this year I’ll be easy to spot.

I’m the guy walking on air.

Keep up the good work, what a ride,
Mike Mongo

* BTW Purdue University is where astronaut & first human being on the moon Neil Armstrong studied engineering. 

OH BAAAYBEEEEEE! Storm Chaser’s fully Textured and ready to go!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6OEDfDOjDg&feature=youtu.be