So yeah. Long time no update. 

Stuff has happened. Probably a lot of stuff and I’ve been busy with grad school, but really I don’t feel like talking about any of that. Because right now sucks. A lot. 
 

Why I’m updating everyone at this time when so many of us just want to curl up into the fetal position and do nothing is because while I don’t have a lot of money to donate to causes that may need it in the next four years or the skills to help people (I write silly stories about monsters), what I do have are six codes for the audiobook version of An Unattractive Vampire. 

So here’s the deal: between now and December 15th, donate to an at-risk cause. Here’s a list from Jezebel to get you started. Once you’ve donated, tell me. Tweet at me @jimmcdoniel or leave a comment on this post telling me that you’ve donated or walk past me on the sidewalk and give me the Elder Sign. Just make sure I know and your name will be added to the list. On December 16th, I will draw six names and those lucky do-gooders will be able to experience my book as it was meant to be experienced: read to them by a British man.

So hey, let’s get out there and make this all suck slightly less.

Today has been a momentous day. Early this morning (Australian time) the latest round of finalists in The Launchpad Manuscript Competition were announced — The Judges’ Top 25.

I am ecstatic to confirm Human Resources has been included in this exclusive list! This competition started out with thousands of entries from twenty-four countries. To have HR selected by industry judges as being in the twenty-five best manuscripts from such an impressive cohort has me lost for words.

Moving forward, the judges will continue to whittle the finalists down. In a few short weeks they will announce the Top 10 and the judges’ winners! In parallel to that, the crowdfunding competition will continue until 16 December (PST). The three winners of the crowdfunding competition are guaranteed publication, regardless of the results of the main judging process, so if you are following the novel but haven’t pre-ordered yet, please consider putting in an order now.

The competition has been fierce, and even with the amazing support I have received, the pack is slowly reeling me in. If you are able to spread the word, to help me get HR in front of new eyes, it would be an enormous help.

Thank you, and fingers crossed,

Robert

Greetings Hexers and Machina Riders:

Editing is in process on the second draft of Deus Hex Machina (my spreadsheet of many colors is about 60% blue now to indicate finished scenes), and although I had to push into November, I am expecting to be done soon.

But that’s not what I’m here to talk to you about. Today I will be joining forces with Extra Life and starting the first of four gaming sessions where I will stream for charity -- specifically Children’s Hospital of Alabama. My goal is to raise $100 to help kids at the hospital get the treatment they need, and I will be streaming every Sunday evening throughout the month of November over on my Twitch channel. I’ll be starting at 8PM Central, and am thinking it might be fun to let the audience help make my choices as I start a new character in Stardew Valley. If you like watching gaming, stop by and say hi, and if you like what you see, please consider donating to a good cause.

TL;DR:

WHO: Well, me, actually.

WHAT: A Charity Gaming Stream for Extra Life

WHEN: 8PM Central every Sunday evening throughout November

WHERE: http://www.twitch.tv/mandifesto

WHY: To raise a minimum of $100 for Children’s of Alabama. Donate here if you want to jump the line and just give money to kids without having to watch me make a fool of myself online. Although, I think that’s half the fun.

See you tonight!

Greetings! 

 

Just a quick update today. I hope everyone had a fantastic Halloween and engaged in the acquisition of wine and treats! I couldn’t post it last week, so, even if it’s a bit late... here is an article I wrote for Geek & Sundry about Legends of Halloween. 

As for me, activities over the past week netted me this picture: (Painting by Eric Vernor)

 

As for Seventh Age news:

• Today we are hosting The Second City Shuffle, a one-night Live Action game set in the world of the Seventh Age. I’ll be posting pictures in the next update. 
  
• We’ve got all our early blurbs and endorsements in, and the cover is being finalized. Thank you so much to everyone who took the time to read this early! I’m saving the actual quotes until we get closer to launch date.
• NanoWrimo is underway, and I’m working on the creation of a cyberpunk world for a game. It’s pretty damn neat!
• My sequel, Seventh Age: Dystopia is fully outlined with scene by scene, chapter, and character guides. I’m applying new techniques that I learned over the course of writing the first book!

Alright. That’s it! I’m off to go be a massive geek and roleplay Patrick O’Neil for a night!