*Crawls out of editing cave, hissing at the light*

I LIVVVVEEEEE!!!!!

Yes, I’m still technically alive. Haven’t fallen in a deep, dark hole or anything like that. I’ve just been a slave to the editing process and, of course, my day job. 

But I’ve decided to peek my head up from the abyss to send you all an update. 

First and foremost, Beyond the Code news. Editing has been going slower then I’d like but very well. Results from my wonderful beta readers have given me some ideas for rewrites of the story. These changes will give some of the characters actions more of a dramatic punch that I really think you’ll all enjoy. 

In other news, I will be taking my first try at pushing my book at a convention. I will be at the Edmonton Expo on Saturday. I will be handing out bookmarks to anyone who will take them to try and get the word of Beyond the Code out. I hope to see any of you there. 

I also want to take this opportunity to talk about Evan Graham’s book Tantalus Depths. It’s a really well thought out world that deserves full funding and it is very close. Please, if you have not already, take the time to check it out and consider backing this great project. 

https://www.inkshares.com/books/tantalus-depths

Thank you all for continuing to support this my dream and I hope I can give you a fully realised product sooner, rather then later. 

Kelsey Rae Barthel

DEAR DAX HARRISON READERS, FANS, PASSIVE FOLLOWERS, ETC...

https://www.inkshares.com/books/bad-medicine-slay-it-queen-Hello queens, friends, supporters, stalkers and curious people.

Today is one of those rare Friday nights when I actually have plans, so I’m announcing the winner early!

The next queen joining the cast of Bad Medicine: Slay it Queen! is Miss Peaches Putnam (AKA Holly Masi)

Peaches Putnam is a shoe obsessed queen, known in the drag community for her Cirque Soleil-style performances.

Congratulations Holly!

Remember you can win too. Pre-order, send me your drag name and you can be a character in the book.

Also, I have new concept art. This time from French comic artist, Pier Caltafer. The way he imagined Bad Medicine is very Jinx Monsoon look alike. I’m also loving the post-apocalyptic New York City.

Seen my book through the eyes of so many diverse artists gives me life!

Finally, I will be posting the second chapter this weekend. It is a meaty one and full of surprises. I hope you like it.

Have a fierce weekend!

I’ve never been so thankful for a Wednesday.

First of all, A Beast Requires is closing in on a 100 backers! So far 93 people have pre-ordered 115 copies of the book, pushing it towards that first hurdle of 250 pre-orders. Yea, it’s pretty damn awesome. What isn’t awesome is that this entire month has gotten away from me. There was a carefully orchestrated schedule of events and a timeline set in place, that went out the window to find a shallow grave in the backyard. Granted my entire backyard is a shallow grave, see as it’s the place where good grass comes to die. 

See, I have this job, right? It’s at night, doesn’t pay great, and ever so slightly eats away at your soul. It’s difficult to describe, mostly because of the sort of work they do. Say you’re out at the zoo, and you’re walking through the primate house, unless your zoo doesn’t have a primate house, which would make me sad. But let’s say hypothetical zoo has a hypothetical primate house, full of hypothetical primates. Now there is a spot in this hypothetical primate house, where hypothetical primates fling hypothetical poo. There’s no avoiding the spot, no matter how much you try, and before everyone leaves, they are always pelted with hypothetical poo. My job is to block the exit and ask you which hypothetical poo smells the hypothetical best.

On Monday I gave them my two week notice. On Monday I was offered a much better job. It will take me a few days to adjust to a new work schedule, but it will be much more conducive to updates. With 70 days left in the campaign, there’s a lot to get done, and expect the videos to start returning next week. Thank you all for supporting A Beast Requires. Without knowing it, you’ve all helped keep me sane and helped me to survive the hypothetical house of poo.

- Jay

Dear Friends

There are many exciting news in the world of The Catcher’s Trap. As the official publication day approaches, media interest is ramping up, and the details for the release party are getting sorted out.

So first mark your calendar. The Catcher’s Trap is out in bookstores on November 8th, the release party is on Thursday, November 10th at 6 PM at North Haven Barnes and Noble, 470 Universal Drive N, North Haven, Connecticut. You can RSVP by sending me a message or in the Facebook event.

RSVP here

Yesterday I had an interview with Connecticut NPR as part of a special series on immigrants living in Connecticut. It was a great opportunity to talk about my story, my struggles and the path to my dream of becoming a published author. I will share the link to the interview when it airs in mid-October. I have a couple of more radio engagements lined up and several interviews with blogs and a newspaper. All very exciting stuff.

It is going to be a busy fall for your friendly neighborhood nerd-author. I’m so looking forward to that!

Finally, please remember you can help make another dream come true (I know, I have no shame) let’s help this high heel lover, machete wielding, fabulous drag queen get into bookstores. Get a copy of Bad Medicine and support my efforts to win the current Crypt TV horror contest at Inkshares.

Order here:

THANK YOU!!

I’m not dead yet.

Dear friends and followers, I have been getting back into the groove of active campaigning. I try to keep accurate records, in case things should happen to go wrong ... it also helps to alert me to friends who have promised an order but who may have forgotten. Do not worry: I shall hunt you down.... Er. I mean, I shall send you a gentle reminder. Yes.

(Seriously though. I really appreciate everything I’ve gotten from you guys so far. Some of you have been hugely encouraging and enormously helpful. In many ways, this will be as much your victory as mine.)

Meanwhile! I’ve finally managed (after many, many takes) to record a video for the project page. Go take a look!

What to expect from me in the near future:

1. A third Peterkin Investigates IF game.
2. A floor plan for the Veterans’ Club.
3. A gentle reminder.

Now, let’s talk about a couple of works around here that I would really like to see getting further on their campaigns.

1) "Upload", Mark Meredith. I’ve spoken about this before, but it bears repeating: this is some quality noir happening here, for all it’s classed "science fiction". The Thriller Night Syndicate seems to agree, since they’ve named it this month’s pick. It tells the story of Detective Qin (look, an Asian hero! Not that I’m biased or anything!) in a world where people habitually clone themselves to guard against unexpected death. Well, here’s Qin in a newly cloned body, and the story opens in gritty, noir fashion on a crime scene where it’s discovered that the vic is ... Qin’s previous body. Seriously, if you love mysteries (and if you’re following "Murder at the Veterans’ Club", then chances are that you do) you’re going to love this one.

2) "The Fairy Stepmother, Inc.", Maggie Hoyt. This is a very different flavour, but delicious all the same. It’s Cinderella told from the stepmother’s point of view ... though I suspect there will be a number of twists thrown in. Evelyn, the stepmother in question, is introduced as an intelligent, independent woman, who has to deal with some rather rigid societal expectations; and it’s all told with some delightfully wry humour. Check it out: I promise you the prose will just race along like a drive through the countryside.

Until next week, friends! In the meantime ... don’t forget!

Update time! So I’ve got some more news and some more artwork for everyone!

It’s been brought to my attention recently that my book is pretty damn Metal and brutal.

I’m okay with this. :) To celebrate this, I’ve got some new artwork from Phil Rood and his favorite character in the book Gabriel DeAngelo. 

I present you with some unnecessary violence!