“Most people are scared of those things that don’t sit still and pose for our official portrait of reality.”                                         -Tom Robbins, Half Asleep in Frog Pajamas

Aloha All,

Some great news to share that is tempered with a dose of reality and sprinkled with the dust of a hard drinking pixie.  After more than six months of working to improve the characters, story, and structure of Lost in the Fog, I finally finished the development edit.  Caroline Tolley, my editor, has helped make the book the best it can be.

The manuscript is now in the queue for publication with Inkshares!

The reality is the publisher is small and can only work on one to two books at a time, so I need to wait my turn.  Completely understandable (I took longer to finish the development edit so I’m to blame for being pushed back in the queue), but still a bit of a bummer.  I feel the book is ready to go (it’s been heavily edited), but the process is the process.  They are estimating it to start in September. 

The pixie dust is the sheer fact that Lost in the Fog is being published.  For something I started in 2004, finished the first draft in 2008, and then mostly abandoned until last year, I’m just happy to be at this point.  Making me smile even more, is that I’m not publishing my book on my own, I’m getting it in print because of all of you.  I needed at least 250 pre-orders for Inkshares to help me realize my dream, and I accomplished that with your awesome help.

If the publication process starts in September, there’s still a chance Lost in the Fog reaches your hands by the end of the year.  Though that might be too optimistic, and it’s never good to over promise and under deliver.   You’ve all been so amazingly patient, and we’re almost at the finish line.  Once I have more information on the publication date (or even a better estimate), I will share it with you immediately. 

But I hope you’ll raise a glass and toast with me that we’re one step closer.  Thank you and mahalo!

-Michael

Friday, October 5th, 7-9 PM at The Book Cellar in Chicago for THE ANIMAL IN MAN LAUNCH EVENT!!!

What better way to celebrate this announcement than with some new character concept art? Fresh from the digital canvas of the super-talented Nic Morales, may I introduce you to Zariel, also called “Old Four Swords,” and I think you can easily see why. 

Zariel is a genetically engineered octopus, hailing from Peskora, the tropical archipelagian nation far to the west where vast numbers of aquatic species dwell. Each of the four swords he wields are a technological marvel, capable of cutting any material clean in half, no matter its molecular composition. There is, in fact, a moment or two in The Animal in Man Part Two: Ferocious Heart when the lone octopus literally brings about the collapse of a tower.

Do you like this art? Did you like Nic’s previous concept for Saghan? Would you like a chance to have a signed poster of this thing hanging up in your office? From now until October 5th, all you have to do is make an order of The Animal in Man: Violent Mind or show up for the launch event at The Book Cellar to enter in person for a chance to win these!

Find me (and the event) on facebook, Follow me on Twitter, Follow both The Animal in Man Part One and Two on Inkshares!