Brian and Michelle Guthrie liked an update for Murder at the Veterans’ Club

Dear friends and followers,

Two days ago, we celebrated Canada; tomorrow, we celebrate the U.S.; and yesterday, we hit 375 orders, the exact halfway mark to the full-funding goal. It is perhaps of somewhat less national significance than the other two, but it is certainly of great significance to me. So I thank each and every one of you who have contributed so far. Thank you for bringing me as far as you have.

And we have news. As hinted in the previous update, we have an Interactive Fiction game to go with our novel: "Mustard, Music, and Murder", in which you may step into the shoes of Eric Peterkin to solve the murder of an elderly investment broker....

It is also July, which, quite aside from holidays of national importance, means it’s time to hand in a cheque to our friends at Chez Doris. I was unable to do so on the 1st, as the offices were closed for Canada Day, but I will be handing this over tomorrow morning:

My ongoing introduction of the various characters in "Murder at the Veterans’ Club" seems almost like an afterthought, now. Nevertheless, here is Jacob Bradshaw, the club secretary.

And that’s enough news for the moment, I think! Until next week, have fun, and keep reading!

like · liked by Jason and 6 others

People who have liked this reader update

    Brian and Michelle Guthrie liked an update for Detective Diaries

      Hey readers,

      Welcome to our 9th Detective Sunday. I must say, we’ve come a long way with these Sunday updates, and the next will be the start of the pre-ordering stage. I have my mind set on starting off next Sunday, just after I release the next edited chapter. Speaking of edited chapters, Chapter Three: Theory (Edited Version) will be out later on today, and I will do a short update for that when I have everything finished for it. Now, I said I would do something particularly new for the book every Sunday, so this Sunday I will do small background touches on the main characters and potential side characters that I feel contributes tremendously to the plot.

      Main Characters:

      Amani Marshall: Daughter of Maxwell Marshall--The Owl, which is a nickname he gained from his clients such as the Detective Agency or Police Department when they wanted information on the latest underground developments in the city of Rochester. Amani is a talented 26-years-old bronze skinned young lady, who became an unranked officer at the age of 20. She moved up in the ranks over the years from stopping lethal criminals before they have even acted because she was always one step ahead of them. The year she was accused of being the Bone Breaker, she was a Chief Inspector--almost along the lines of being a Deputy Director over a deeper portion of officers than she already had. Now, Amani pursues the Bone Breaker in hopes of bringing him to justice after being imprisoned for three years. She has a year to clear her name as the Detective Agency watches over her activity closely.

      Carbine: Carbine is a 27-year-old detective who has been in his line of work for 6 years. In the past, Carbine was found as an orphan at the age of 15 and taken care of by his future partner, Flora Lamont at the age of 20. She became a mother figure to him and his education source for knowledge, for Carbine suffered from amnesia and needed proper training of basic things. At the time that Flora was 20, the Detective Agency had just been created and she was one of the first generation of detectives to lead against criminal activity. Carbine was inspired by her influence and the speeches she spoke in front of people in one of the many squares about the violence in Rochester. She became a symbol of justice, and a martyr at her death. Carbine now carries on her will to peace, no matter how silly it may seem. He wouldn’t allow himself to sit down and do nothing for the rest of his years.

      Lisa Elohim: Lisa is a 25-year-old woman who comes from a long line of nobles that had strong ties with Udon Heathcliff--king of Rochester 30 years back when it was a republic system, but now it is a democracy, and her family governs the system of trade in and out of the city. At a young age, Lisa was haunted by nightmares of death, but in reality, they were visions of those to die in the future. Even though she knew of the assassinations and unexpected illnesses against her family members, she couldn’t stop the inevitable. She spent her years in frantic slumbers or comas that lasted for weeks and even months as she witnessed deaths of those close to her. When of age, the only members of her family left was her younger brother and uncle. However, her uncle’s death came and her brother’s kidnapping shortly after by the hands of the Masked Monopoly--a group of aristocrats that specializes in assassinations against rival companies or bodies housing money. At that time, she vowed to find her brother and bring them to justice for murdering countless nobles. She employed by the Detective Agency at the age of 19 and has been searching since then. From the story perspective, she has stumbled upon a recent disappearance of Lucy Wright, a young noble girl who suddenly went missing a few days ago. She believes Masked Monopoly is behind it.

      Jerry Walker: Jerry is a 27-year-old man who originally lived on the country-side. His parents was promised a life-long dream job to cover the expensive housing in Rochester, and by agreeing to the contract given to them by suited men, they were pulled into the Medallion--a mafia group that works to maintain the drug market and the power balance in the city. Jerry’s family needed the money in order to pay for medicine for their sick members, and in order to move to a more safer and reserved location. Jerry and his father, Jonah Walker, worked day in and day out by smuggling drugs in and out the city and doing roundabout aggressive "visits" to non-paying customers. Jerry’s family merely wanted enough money to cover everything, so when they had enough when he was 15, they decided to escape the city and leave behind Medallion for good. However, they couldn’t escape their contract, and their plan was found out immediately. The charge for trying to leave Medallion while under a contract was death, and ultimately, his father, mother, and plagued little sister were murdered gruesomely as he watched. They decided to murder him last in order to witness the terror in his eyes, but he was saved by Fidel Brix and Zoe--two first generation detectives that have been following Medallion’s activity. He managed to survive that night and swore to find a way to gain revenge against his foes, but Fidel and Zoe locked him away from the world in order to have him reflect on the evil he committed while being with them. As a result, years past and he promised to become a detective like Fidel and Zoe to bring justice to those who wronged him and his family, but also help those whom fell into the same trap.

      That’s all for this Sunday. Look forward to the next one!

      Until next time, A.J.III.              
    like · liked by James and 1 other

    People who have liked this reader update

      Brian and Michelle Guthrie liked an update for The Game

      So, another quick update as there’s not a lot to say. I’m continuing to work on Chapter Three and can confirm that it’s the first of the chapters written from Ellie’s perspective. It starts to give some impression of what life is like for people who don’t participate in The Game. 

      I also think it’s fair to say that, with two weeks to go and 124 readers between The Game and third place in the Nerdist competition, it is unlikely to be published through that route. It was always a long shot and I still hold hope and will be working hard to reach the Quill target. 

      That’s it really. Thanks again for the support in whatever form, I hope you all (but particularly any Americans this reaches) have a wonderful 4th July!

      like · liked by Brian and 1 other

      People who have liked this reader update

        Brian and Michelle Guthrie liked an update for The Sleeping Man

        I totally thought I sent this out last night, but it didn’t go through, I think. 

        We have reached Quill! 

        There is a video update here. 

        As I promised, there is a drawing in the video from a certain rambunctious assistant. I’m currently in Oklahoma on my trek across the country, but I wanted to quickly let everyone know that every order is getting a copy, we will be donating to charity, and I will sign all my emails as, author. 

        We’re still relatively on track to hit the 750 mark, so keep ordering, recommending, and sharing online. Half the orders came from referrals, so thank you. 

        Sweet Dreams,

        Stephen
        like · liked by Sharyl and 10 others

        People who have liked this reader update

          Brian and Michelle Guthrie liked an update for The Seventh Age: Dawn

          Greetings! Continuing in the theme of my vampire post a few weeks back, I’m going to bring you some Western Esotericism today.

          Magical occultism that was highly popular during the early nineteenth century and the driving force behind the magical rules system in the world of The Seventh Age. 

          Don’t worry. I’m only going to give you 3 fun facts about it. 

          1. L.W. Delaurence (1868-1938) was one of the great tricksters who preyed on the rich. Conning publishing houses into printing books with his name listed as the author and selling door to door pamphlets on hypnotism. Curiously, he founded a Chicago occult society called "The Order of the Black Rose" which worshiped a cigar store Indian.  This allowed him to smuggle in occult supplies for US shipping from Jamaica. Without tax evasion, many hoodoo and other poor occult sects would of died off. 
          2. If you want a masters degree in Hermetisicm, regarded as one of the highest arcane spell casting and sorceries in the world, you need only go to the University of Amsterdamn. As of 2008 they offer official programs.
          3. Occultism and the rich have always had a love affair. Their parties and association with Freemasons, The Order of the Golden Dawn, and other bodies continue to this day. But one of the most infamous is the 1972 Rothschild Party. I’ve attached some pictures for you. 

          Illuminati Ball 1

          Illuminati Ball 2

          Illuminati Ball 3.... this is the table setting!?

          Inspiration for The Seventh Age is taken heavily from these occult societies and their oddities in the shadows. A future update will focus on the other side of the fence: The anarchists. 


          like · liked by Michael and 9 others

          People who have liked this reader update

            Brian and Michelle Guthrie followed Tell No Tales
            Tell No Tales
            Tell No Tales
            Devin Masters is dead, and a ghost. His new friend Tuck tells him that he will just have to get used to it. Realizing that he and his parent’s deaths may not have been an accident, the two start an epic journey to save Devin’s still living sister.
            Brian and Michelle Guthrie liked an update for Deus Hex Machina

            First Draft is Complete!

            Thursday night at about 10:30 I wrote the final words of the Deus Hex Machina first draft. I had been pressing to get it done by the end of June, and through some help from motivational guru and all around fabulous person Elayna May Darcy (seriously go order  They Are the Last, it’s funding now and it’s awesome), I was able to get all twelve chapters finished on time.

            So what happens now? Well, first off I’m going to celebrate with some gaming. Then probably Tuesday I will start working on my short story for Too Many Controllers. After that is complete it’s time to start planning for the Shadow of the Owl sequel, Shadow of the Panther. I know many of your have been waiting to find out what happens to Mylena in [spoilers], and I promise you I haven’t forgotten her.

            That’s not to say things aren’t progressing on DHM. My cover designer is already working on comps and I have a developmental editor lined up and waiting. But first, I want to get the first draft in its raw, unfiltered state into the hands of a few select readers to get initial impressions. If you are someone who likes to help make a good book better, I am trying to build a beta reader group. Please email me amanda [at] goldleafbooks [dot] com and let me know that you’re interested. Warning: must love cyberpunk and have an eye for spotting egregious errors in the plot.

            Once I have the round done, I’ll head into the second draft and fix anything that stood out to me and my readers (I have a mental list of weak areas I want to shore up). After the second draft is complete it will be off to dev edit land, and hopefully, plot perfection. 

            Thanks for following along on this journey. The book is done! Let’s celebrate!  

            like · liked by C. and 18 others

            People who have liked this reader update

              Brian and Michelle Guthrie liked an update for Sync City

              Greetings Jackolytes,

              No Sync! Surely not! I turned on the TV at an Airbnb place in Toronto and was greeted with this screen. 

               

              But fear not! Sync City and Jack are deep in production and will be coming to you in the not too distant future. Sync City is more than set to ride (and still available for pre-order!).

              In the meantime Destiny Imperfect continues to battle for a top three position (now sitting fifth) in the Inkshares/Nerdist contest. Some of you have already branched out and pre-ordered this project. Thank you so much! It would be absolutely awesome if more of you could go and check out chapter one of Destiny Imperfect and pre-order. If the project doesn’t finish in the top three, it’ll be pulled and you get your money back.

              I’d love this project to succeed but, to put it simply, without your help, it won’t. Be wild. If you want to take Destiny into your own hands, pre-order here.

              Cheers,

              Peter

              like · liked by Erin and 7 others

              People who have liked this reader update

                Brian and Michelle Guthrie followed Timeless
                Timeless - The Life and Times of Eugene Trickens
                Follow the life of Eugene Trickens, a survivor of WWII genetic experimentation with the ability to time travel, in this indirect sequel to AGELESS. #giftorcurse
                Brian and Michelle Guthrie liked an update for Ageless

                As you see, I need your help. I’m told when you hit 100 reviews on Amazon, your life changes drastically. I’m assuming ending world hunger will be involved...but what do I know?

                I need your help getting to the pot of gold at the end of this rainbow. We are already more than a quarter of the way there. So, if you haven’t reviewed let me help: 

                1. CLICK HERE for Ageless on Amazon. 
                2. Choose a number of stars from 1-5 (... ... let’s shoot for closer to 5 than 1)
                3. Copy and paste either "I loved it!" or "I didn’t love it. Here’s why____________" 
                4. Click submit and rejoice in knowing you changed my life for FREE! 
                5. If you’d like, do it all again on GOODREADS.

                Here are a few great new reviews to read to help you if you get stuck. FYI - They contain SPOILERS. Click at your own risk! 

                Ageless reviews from TheWarblerBooks.com and CulturedVultures.com


                like · liked by Tony and 8 others

                People who have liked this reader update

                  More items