Today I thought I would share some of the nice things various people have said about SQUIDS IN during its campaign, not just to give myself a much needed ego boost going into the final week of the contest but also to show the level of support that other people have shown for this project over the past few weeks. Thanks guys!

A hilariously unique concept, engagingly written and adorably illustrated. Also gaming, profanity, and a naughty monkey. Sign me up! Jaye Milius

Yes, please.  J. Danielle Dorn

An octopus gamer?! Yes please.  Brian Guthrie

I’ve certainly not seen a concept like this before, and it’s absolutely great! Give it a look, and consider a pre order!  H. Wardrope

Okay, this exactly what I needed. What a riot! You need a fun read at the end of the day, and this fits the bill.  Lauren Drube

Very fun read! Check it out  Dann Matias

THIS  Thad Woodman

Somewhere, OCTODAD IS SMILING!  Dom L

Love it  Claireg24

A slacker surprised by an octopus in the pool, I’m curious if they will eat snacks and play games. can’t wait to find out! come check it out!  Joshua Griffith

A great book from a great Author. One not to miss.  Jamie

A great Read!  Nell Walton

This is my daddy’s book. He tells me it is very good but that I’m not allowed to read it yet because it’s not a children’s book.  William Poat

I’ve competed in E-sports and the twitch-factor required for top tier fame is insane. Squids In hits on a funny and sarcastic note of gaming. Who is really behind that keyboard typing in ’gg.’? I’m rooting for the cephalopod myself and you should as well. For too long E-Sport dominance has been held by specific regions! It’s time for a new champion to rise and crush the competition in the name eight-legged critters everywhere.  Rick Heinz

A squid named Hendrix turns out to be a heck of a competitive gamer. This is my kind of book!  Tony Valdez

Although I highly doubt an Octopus could beat me in Dota2, Starcraft, or even Hearthstone, I look forward to seeing Poat pull it off!  Jamison Stone

Loving this hilarious concept! Check it out! Chelsea C. Moye

Are you there Inkshares? It’s me, Tony.

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!