(Long post, Wall-o’-text incoming)

[It’s important to note that this takes a bit of time to write and all numbers and placements are based on where everyone is when I write this. It may be different now but it should be close.]

You can view last weeks here: The Story So Far Part 3

You should also check out the Inkshares blog from this week that features the Top 10 authors in the contest, I’ll be referencing that: Inkshares Blog

Welcome back to The Story So Far, my name is @Joey Angotti  and I’ll be your guide for this evening. A new challenger breaks into the top 10 ranks, some new rad(yeah, I said rad!) cover art decorates the story of Leaf and a whole bunch of flip flopping in the top ranks highlight this fourth week of the Geek and Sundry fantasy contest right here on Inkshares! Let’s take a closer look!

10. The Last Faoii by @Tahani Nelson  (56 Readers / Last Week’s Rank: N/A)

The new challenger I was just talking about? Tahani Nelson and her book, The Last Faoii! First, I think we should still give a shout out to Her Latent Charm by @Dana Brentson  - she was doing a great job holding onto the 10 spot. But alas, this is a competition and this Top 10 still has another 2 months or so ahead of it and there may be more changes on the way! Enough about the actual competition itself, let’s talk about Faoii-things!

If you have yet to check out the page for this book, it’s fantastically entertaining. The pure excitement from Ms. Nelson about being at the bottom of the ranks and shooting up to the Top 10 in just 5 days is worth the read alone. I can totally relate, as I broke into the top 10 and finished 7th in the Nerdist contest in the final 10 days of the competition. Ms. Nelson is doing it the right way though and starting way earlier than I did. That means that despite this late surge, if her networking skills are up to it she can be a force to be reckoned with in this one. She has quickly become the one to watch in this competition and it’s applying some nerves and sweaty situations to a Top 10 that was fairly uncontested for the first few weeks. A quick blurb at the top describes the book in Ms. Nelson’s own words:

“After her monastery is attacked and her sisters slaughtered, Kaiya-faoii is left alone to fight a war at the heart of a broken empire-- or watch everything left of her nation and heritage fall to darkness.”

There are also a few excerpts(the first one is an awesome fight scene - if you know anything about my own personal writing, fight scenes are kinda my thing so I was super excited about this), a glossary and some complete chapters posted as well. Definitely worth checking out!

9. Leaf Falling by @Michael Slusser  (71 Readers / Last Week’s Rank: 9th)

Leaf Falling by Michael Slusser is hanging onto the 9th spot this week. Fantasy Artist Devin Parker has provided some really unique and awesome cover art for the book that is definitely helping bring this story to life. While Ms. Nelson’s rise to the 10th spot is impressive, we need to continue to acknowledge how quickly Mr. Slusser has amounted his preorders. He’s only 4 away from 8th place but still in striking distance of 7th and even 6th with plenty of time left. You might be asking yourself: “Well, why does Michael Slusser write?” Luckily there was an Inkshares blog this week that helps us answer that question. I absolutely loved Mr. Slusser’s response:

“I wanted to write about complex, flawed people that I could love: characters who grow and live and breathe on the page. And then I was sort of shocked when they showed up. For this novel, the main character, Leaf, just kept stealing into my mind, demanding that her story be finished. I’ve always disliked when authors speak of how their characters take over the narrative—until it happened to me. I’m infatuated by the alchemy of phraseology; I wanted the language in the novel to sing, so that the words themselves would be as much a delight as the story.”

The language is singing, Mr. Slusser, the sweet, sweet song of preorders!  

8. Flames in the Dark by @Tara Roquemore (75 Readers / Last Week’s Rank: 5th)

The weird thing about Flames in the Dark is that it’s probably one of the most read books in the Top 10. I know it’s weird to say that because all of these books should be read by the people preordering them, but as “players of the game,” we all know that may not be the case. Flames in the Dark has a bunch of quotes picked out by readers that love the story so far. It’s most likely because of that amazing prologue(I promised myself I wouldn’t mention the prologue again but I just can’t help it - go read that thing!) but now that the 1st chapter is up and more people are getting into the story, it’s just not translating to more preorders… Yet. Yet being the key word, I have a feeling it will turn around soon and even if it doesn’t this book deserves to hit quill at least. Let’s make it happen, people!

7. A Beast Requires by @Jay Lockwood (80 Readers / Last Week’s Rank: 7th)

Despite still being in 7th place, Mr. Lockwood has been busy. Last week he had only 66 readers and this week he finds himself 20 shy of 100! That’s a pretty big jump in just a week and he has closed some gaps with the other writers in the Top 10. I once again encourage you to check out his author page. It is full of funny gifs, amazing comments and great content. Mr. Lockwood has put up another video, this time exploring the origins and inspirations of A Beast Requires. Plus, he’s got a lot of things already planned for next week, so now is the time to follow him and patiently await those emails. I have a feeling the people who were on the fence up until now are going to teeter into preorder land this week after those updates!

6. The Living God by @Kaytalin Platt (83 Readers / Last Week’s Rank: 4th)
Kaytalin Platt has been busy promoting The Living God! Despite falling two ranks from last week, she is still extremely close to the Top 3 as she’s only 4 preorders out from tying third place. Down in her comments section, you can read one of her older works called “The Seven Kings” and up in the “about” section there are… Well, a whole bunch of things going on! Ms. Platt has a video up talking about herself and The Living God. There are some new title images placed throughout the page too. She’s also running all of these awesome little incentives based on preorders. Yeah, incentives! Bookmarks, signed posters, a “The Rauke Made Me Do It” mug!? Sign me up! The font and the artwork on the mug alone are pretty awesome! You need to do yourself a favor and go check that stuff out! And the story too… Definitely go check out the story too. #Incentives  

5. The Fairy Stepmother, Inc. by @Maggie Hoyt  (85 Readers / Last Week’s Rank: 8th)

Ms. Hoyt continues to make waves in the Top 10, now making her way all the way up to 5th! You know what definitely is helping her cause? That absolutely (adorable) amazing video up on her page! It’s musical, it’s funny and she’s in costume! What more does she have to do to win your heart and get a preorder out of you? You seriously need to go check it out. Like, I’m not one to tell you to stop reading The Story So Far to go check something out *right this minute* but uh… Go check that out, come back and finish reading this. Seriously.

4.The Delicate Art of Soulripping by @Sara  (86 Readers / Last Week’s Rank: 5th)
Sara Polk was out of town and one would wonder what the state of The Delicate Art of Soulripping and its campaign would be in when she got back. While no longer in 2nd place(like I believe she was when she left on her trip) her Rippers have been hard at work keeping her afloat in the Top 5. We’re all still patiently waiting for her video update, but until then the recent Inkshares blog gave us a look into the reason why Ms. Polk writes. I was really looking forward to her responses because this story that she has conjured up for our viewing pleasure is literally one of the most intriguing in the contest. Plus her answer is awesome and kinda gives me the chills at the same time:

“I woke one night feeling like I had just been talking to an old friend for hours, filled with the warmth in your heart you get from that kind of thing. As I thought about my dream, it was Oz. He told me all about what he had been through and I just kind of jotted down the outline and ran with it during NaNoWriMo. The Delicate Art of Soulripping is less my novel and more his memoir.”

Sick. Nice going, Oz!

3. Chronicles of An Domhan by @Conri  (87 Readers / Last Week’s Rank: 3rd)

In one of the most shocking twists in this contest so far, Mr. Conri has slowed down a bit in his push. But I have a feeling he isn’t quite done with videos, new chapters and amazing new artwork from Kassandra Leigh. I say slowed down like he’s dropped many ranks but despite slowing down a bit he’s still clinging on to the 3rd place spot. He’ll need to kick his campaign into overdrive though as the writers in the ranks below him have gained a lot of ground recently and the only two writers ahead are both over 100 unique preorders. It should be interesting to see where Mr. Conri is on the next The Story So Far. Judging by his unique style, excellent storytelling and overall passion for his project - it’s safe to say he’ll still be in the running for the top 3 spots.

2. The Slave Prince by @Jeyna Grace  (101 Readers / Last Week’s Rank: 2nd)

It was in question if Jeyna Grace and her book, The Slave Prince, would be able to hold on to the 2nd place spot last week. This week, there are no questions. Being the second person to hit over 100 unique readers in this contest, Ms. Grace is slowly but surely solidifying her place in the Top 3. I had mentioned her comments and the google definitions that accompany them in a previous The Story So Far and they’re still worth checking out(this time with actual dictionary definitions!). She also spiced up the book page a bit. In the aforementioned, dictionary sponsored, comment from this week, Ms. Grace goes on to explain the importance of Faith and it’s factoring into our drive to keep writing.

“Faith was my personal inspiration for The Slave Prince. And faith defines this book’s journey over the years.

Many times, people associate faith with God or humanity. I’ve associated with both while writing this book. Adapting from a biblical story represented my faith in God, while incorporating magic and retelling an adventure of self-discovery was my faith in humanity... or should I say, faith in myself.

It was through the years that I learned to be confident, to be brave, and to trust in the little skill that I have. I may not be the next J.K Rowling, but faith has kept me going. The Slave Prince may not make it to bookshelves, but faith keeps me believing. Faith exists beyond the realm of fiction. Faith exists in us. And as much as this book was inspired by faith, I hope it inspires faith too.”

This was a great and inspiring update that is definitely worth a full read. If you didn’t read the Inkshares blog from this week, she’s also a huge Harry Potter fan! Just needed to throw that in there.

1. Storm Song by @Allison Griner  (110 Readers / Last Week’s Rank: 1st)

Allison Griner and her book, Storm Song, were uncontested at the time of last week’s The Story So Far but with the surge of The Slave Prince she may have to fight for that top spot in the next few weeks. (Not that either author minds as long as they’re in the Top 3 I’m sure, but as a writer of a forum post that is supposed to track and hype up this contest I need to add some dramatics to keep things interesting!)

Last week in the comments section of The Story So Far, Ms. Griner shared with us that her main character, Thoster Chatwyn, was a Dungeons and Dragons NPC she created while in college for a campaign with her friends. She elaborated in the Inkshares blog. A longing to write the origin story for this NPC is why we can be thankful for the masterpiece in the making that is Storm Song. Also contributing? Influences from Terry Goodkind, Irene Radford, Patrick Rothfuss(Huge Patrick Rothfuss fan btw!) and Melanie Rawn which all explain a lot about the writing and success that Storm Song has so far. I’m eager to see more content from this title and you should check it out and discover for yourself why this book is currently at the top.  

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I’m open to any and all feedback, let me know if I should keep doing these. If you like the idea/concept/posts then don’t be shy and inform your friends and other Inksharians. Let’s try to get more people involved in the forums in general and liven up the place!

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I’m not sure people who aren’t tagged are even reading this or slightly interested. Also, people not using the forums enough could not be seeing this as well. Any and all extra exposure of this forum post would be appreciated!(It’s a lot of work to not be seen by more people on the site!) - A mention on your books page or more comments could keep this afloat and make sure more people see this post - therefore more exposure and good things for your entry! Plus it might get more people involved on the forums which is good for Inkshares as a whole, imo.

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Shameless Plug: Want to help me achieve my dreams? Want to see my awkwardness when I have to include myself in the Top 10? Please take a look at A Soldier’s Crest: Heroes of Khroma(my very own entry into this contest)!

Want to help me out in another way that literally costs you nothing? The first book in the Soldier’s Crest Series/Universe has been self-published and is already available on Amazon. Once you all get there one day you will understand the importance of Amazon reviews - please head over, check out the book(there is a “Look Inside” feature), and leave a positive review! I know it’s a cheap and maybe not completely honest review of the book, but much like Inkshare Contests, quantity/numbers go far in that regard. It could really increase sales of my first book, help me achieve my dreams and hopefully do things like this for a living(the whole point of us all being here, right?)!  

A Soldier’s Crest

Review Update: My current goal for reviews on Amazon is 30. I heard 30 positive reviews makes a huge difference in being noticed. As of this post I’m sitting at 21! Which means just 9 more and I’ll hit my goal already and I just started pushing for it. I’m super grateful for those who have already helped out from Inkshares, even if it’s just to get an easy preorder, it still means alot to me. Thank you!

Lastly I want to thank Inkshares for making this site and giving aspiring authors like us a chance to share our stories. I also want to thank all the Inksharians, especially those in the Top 10, for giving me some interesting stories to read and write about.

Cheers!