Tony Valdez liked an update for To Live and Die in Avalon

Happy New Year everyone!

If you haven’t had a chance to read it, here is a really great post by Inkshares’ CEO that really resonated with me: 

http://blog.inkshares.com/post/155632230065/the-coal-car

When I started working on "To Live and Die in Avalon", it was a spur of the moment decision so I could get into the Nerdist space opera contest. I had one chapter, a rough outline and not much else. Although I managed to hover around 20th place in the contest out of about 100 submissions, I really had a hard time marketing a book that was not done, that was barely realized. When the campaign ended I stepped away from everything having to do with the novel so that I could refocus and come back with fresh eyes and a fresher mind toward finishing and refining a novel worth reading. It has been nearly a year since I entered the space opera contest and the book is miles away from where it was. First of all, it’s a more or less finished novel of nearly 100k words with a lot of big ideas, some personal themes that transcend the sci-fi setting, more fully defined protagonists and villains and the framework to create more stories in a world I’ve spent a lot of time building, breaking down and rebuilding. 

I want my story to be told and the chance to write more stories. I realize now, through this entire experience with Inkshares that this is what I most want to do. I have always believed that the story comes first and my name on the book or even my picture in the back a far distant second. I want people to read this crazy sci-fi story and get something out of it, some thrills, some laughs, maybe some tears and then be ready to see these characters and their world progress into new and exciting directions.  That’s why, no matter what happens, whether I relaunch a successful campaign on Inkshares or not, this story will be told and I will find the tools, the feedback and the support I need to make sure it is the best version of the story possible. Because I’m not in a rush to have a book out there just so I can brag about the fact that I wrote a book. Anybody can write a book, but I want to tell stories, and I’m happy to be among a plethora of authors who want the same.

Thank you,

J

P.S. The current draft has been sent to beta readers for feedback, I will let you know how that goes in a future update!

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    Tony Valdez liked an update for Fae Child

     

    It is a new year! I hope 2017 finds you happy and healthy. Fae Child is sitting at 152 copies sold, which blows my mind (in a good way), but there’s still a long way to go. 98 copies to pre-sell before the end of February, which, I don’t need to tell you, is only a month away, and the shortest month of the year.

    I am doing a Twitter takeover for Young Entertainment Magazine ( @youngentmag ) tomorrow about my experiences as a first time author, which should be entertaining at the very least. If you don’t follow me on Twitter, my handle is @hanejolly - I look forward to seeing you there!

    Progress on the first draft is continuing on pace. I’m very happy with how things are turning out, and I think you will be too.

    Lastly, I have a favor to ask of you. Can you send one friend an email about Fae Child? Here’s a sample email you can copy/customize for your own use:

    Hi (insert name)!

    I just pre-ordered a new YA fantasy book called Fae Child. It’s a sweet, exciting book about a girl who accidentally falls into the land of the Fae, and her father who will stop at nothing to find her. You can read some sample chapters, view a book trailer, and order a copy at https://www.inkshares.com/books/fae-child

    I really think you’ll like it!

    Cheers,
    (your name)

    Thank you again for all your support, and I will update again soon!
    Jane-Holly

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      Logan Primeau followed Tony Valdez
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      Tony Valdez liked an update for Human Resources

      Happy New Year!


      I hope this update finds you all well and relaxed after the holidays. Now the competition / campaign has finished, I’ll be sending out reader updates for Human Resources less frequently. The competition was intense, but the publication process should be a more measured journey. I’ll aim to update you all roughly every month. If you would like to chat, or get some questions answered, I’m happy for you to reach out. You can get hold of me on Inkshares, on Facebook, or Twitter.


      Before Inkshares can commence the publication process, there is some remaining work I need to do to tidy up the manuscript. To make sure I don’t hold this process up, I’ve taken the leap and will be writing full-time through January. I’m one week into this and it has been amazing — something I never thought I’d be able to do, and wouldn’t if it wasn’t for the support I’ve received from my wife.


      I’ve included a simple table below to give you an idea on progress. The first draft of the manuscript has been completed and I’m now working on a rewrite to produce the second draft (which is what I will submit to Inkshares). As you can see, I’m a long way through the second draft, and expect to have it ready for Inkshares by the end of the month.


      Once the manuscript is handed in, it will take about twelve months for the book to hit shelves. This includes approximately five months of editing, followed by the actual manufacture, distribution, and marketing efforts.

      Thank you all for your support. For now, I’m going to get back to finishing the manuscript :)

      Cheers,

      Robert
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        Tony Valdez liked an update for The Walls are Closing In

        The Walls are Closing In has reached 100 followers!  As promised, I have used a random generator to select a winner for a $50 Etsy Gift card.

        And the winner is .... Jaclyn Young



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          Tony Valdez followed Liz Kerin
          Liz Kerin
          Author, screenwriter, tiny blind dog guardian.
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          Tony Valdez followed Liz Kerin
          Liz Kerin
          Author, screenwriter, tiny blind dog guardian.
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          Tony Valdez followed Liz Kerin
          Liz Kerin
          Author, screenwriter, tiny blind dog guardian.
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          Liz Kerin followed Tony Valdez
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          Tony Valdez liked an update for The Seventh Age: Dawn

          Hello fellow undead friends...



          So, we enter winter finally. The time with the longest night of the year. It’s also the time that you’ve all finally gotten your books after all this time. So, before I start sacrificing small chickens to get reviews from people... let’s get you reading. Here is what you need to know!

          The Digital Ebook... Mobi, PDF, Kindle versions will be available for all you backers THIS FRIDAY! Early! When the time comes, you’ll be able to download them from your Inkshares bookshelf by clicking HERE and signing in with the same email or facebook login you used to order the book. Simply click on your picture to the right, and download your style. I’m sure that there will be an email sent out from inkshares about it. 

          The physical book should be shipping soon, or very soon. Check your email, check your spam folders and make sure that you got a confirmation email of shipping address. Hopefully, you all get them in time for this:



          Feel free to bring your books to the event and I’ll gladly sign them! 

          I’ll also be at Midwinter Gaming Convention in 7 days and Emerald City Comic Con in early March. 

          For now, I just want to issue a massive thank you from the bottom of my heart to all those who helped me out in the contest over a year ago to bring things to where they are now. Now it’s time for you guys to finally enjoy some apocalyptic fiction and me to keep writing!

          Thank you so much everyone!

          ~Rick Heinz


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