I won.

When you read that, how do you hear it? If it’s something in your mind like a soft, shocked whisper, the kind of sound you hear when someone speaks in the stillness of a slow snowfall, then you’re pretty close to how I’m hearing myself say it. I won. I won… I won? ...I WON!?! 

Whether it’s the Sword and Laser’s Tom and Veronica, journalist Alicia Smock, or other authors mentioning my name in their own reader updates or raffle videos, the experience of being exposed and showered with praise for my story has really validated all this hard work I’ve done.

And, …. wow… this campaign has been some hard work.

Somewhere in an article or something I said to somebody that I was back on what I call “The Skyrim Sleeping Schedule.” (I’m sure some former students of mine will recall EXACTLY how loopy I got soon after 11/11/11.) Basically 4 to 5 hours of fitful sleep every night for the past month has really racked my body. Even as I type this, my mind’s eye glances over its shoulder and sees my body tapping its watch, shaking its head. I hear it say “Joe, it’s time, man.” And I’m like, “Hey, wait! I got a raffle video to do! Six new winners, six more $20 giftcard giveaways, six titles gone from my priceless video game collection!” But in this vision, my body wraps its arm warmly around me and escorts me from the premises of health, and it says, “Maybe this weekend, pal.” So I’m about to give in and just get sick…

I am utterly exhausted. ...and I’m kind of numb. Maybe it’s the fact that I’m typing this all right now secretly from my work cubicle, clicking back to the work window whene….. …. …. …. ver someone walks by. But right at this moment, I can’t celebrate. I’m happy. I’m BEYOND EUPHORIA, in fact, but I can’t jump for joy just yet.

I haven’t yet mastered the art of embedding gifs or whatever the cool kids are doing these days - so this little graphic here will have to do to express my current state of existence:

(!!!!)

(What? I’m a man of letters, I tell ya!)

“Thank you all so much.” I know that track’s been on repeat for quite some time, but there’s no other phrase that can contain all of my feelings and gratitude toward your support. Thank you.

Hello Everyone!

Wow, the holidays sure did fly by this year didn't they? One minute I was eating five meals a day to train my stomach for the onslaught of Thanksgiving (It takes dedication), the next  I am trying to find space in my house for the sweaters my grandma gave me for Christmas.

I wanted to share some exciting news with my "Not Afraid of the Fall" family! We have reached the 250 preorder mark and are 1/3 of the way to 750!! I cannot thank you enough for your support. By preordering this book, you are helping me reach a dream of mine and I cannot wait for you to read about the many successes and mishaps of our journey. From moped crashes in multiple continents, to Buddhist rituals performed on us from 90 year old Shamans, you are in for quite a journey.

I am getting a bit ahead of myself here...we still have a long  way to go to reach 750 preorders. I still need your help spreading the word and sharing the book with friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, mailmen and pets (Animals use wifi by now right? I saw both a dog surfing and an elephant painting on Facebook yesterday. If they aren't preordering books yet I would be amazed...)

Just think, if everyone reading this shared the book with just TWO people, we would reach our goal of 750! (I know I know... but this type of math helps me sleep at night).

LASTLY, (I am sure only 32% of you have made is this far) remember to let people know that when creating an account on Inkshares, they receive a $5 credit towards any book. This makes the price of an E-book only $5!! 

You guys really are amazing people for supporting an aspiring writer. Not to mention, what better way to start off a new year than to build your 401-Karma account. 

Cheers my friends,

Kyle James

The creep to 300 continues!

Just this past weekend, Alicia Smock, a very talented writer for The Examiner, interviewed me about my book. About the stresses of its Inkshares campaign, about some of the secrets I'm still hiding within its world, and about how all the support you, my dear readers, have given me. Thank you so much. Please click here to read Ms. Smock's amazing article.

I wanted to work in how if it had not been for Mr. Zachary Tyler Linville putting me in contact with Ms. Smock, the whole thing wouldn't have happened. Zac is the author of Welcome to Deadland, winner of the Nerdist Collection Contest. There's a damn good reason he won, too. His book is first in a series, and if you're as big a Walking Dead fan as I am, you should make it a point to check out and pre-order his work. (That's right: ZOMBIES!)

There was one detail which Alicia and I tried to work in to the article, but was left clipped on the editing room floor. See near the end how she mentions only 'three human beings on the planet' know the secrets I'm hiding in "The Animal in Man"? Well, author Andy Ainsworth is one. His fantastic novel "These Old Bones" (buy it!) was one of the very first that ever sold me on how amazing the Inkshares platform could be for us authors, and he's since become the friend of mine who helped me find my own novel's great cover art.

Rick Heinz, who I pretty much consider my Mr. Miagi at this point (though he strives for Yoda), is mentioned. I want to thank Rick once more - because I can never do so enough - for pushing my hesitant *** into the Sword & Laser contest. He believed in me. Rick's next book - the sequel to his "Seventh Age: Dawn" - is already underway. Pre-order Dawn now so you can be prepared when Jack II (the cybernetic assassin I played in his game) makes his appearance in "Rise of Dystopia." (He better, Rick, or else!)

Thank you so much for following "The Animal in Man." We're going to win this thing. I know there are still plenty of followers out there reading this who have not committed to a full-on pre-order yet. There may be an attitude of 'Ah, Joe's already won this thing.' There may be a belief that I'm some arrogant king on a hundred-reader mountain. But neither is the case. I am still in need of your help, and I am simply humbled by all the support I've received thus far for "The Animal in Man." Once the story is done and the book's in your hands, you'll see why I believe in this project so passionately. I hope you'll join me, see the heart I pour into it, and help me get the book to you where it belongs.