Hello, friends!

Just a quick update to let you know that if you ordered a paperback, those will be shipped to you within the next two weeks and for e-books, those will be made available as well in short time.

For our local Southern California peeps, we’ll be hosting our book release/signing party at the Barnes & Noble in Chino Hills, on Saturday, August 13, from 2 pm to 4 pm - we’d love to see you there!   (Matt might or might not actually wear a FULL plate of armor... ok, probably not, but maybe Adam?)

Thank you.

 Those two words carry so much weight, yet they can hardly express my gratitude. The initial support A Beast Requires has received has been incredible, and I’m flailing like the muppet I am every time a new order comes in. Yes, I am a muppet, which totally explains my hair.

 A year ago I joined Inkshares. It was a different contest, and while that campaign was ultimately unsuccessful, I came away from it as a better writer, and a better human being. I met other writers from all over the world, each hoping and working towards funding their campaigns. Our backgrounds were as varied as our manuscripts, but we all shared the same struggle. Writers are an odd fellowship. We’re all fighting the same battles, waging the same war against deadlines and doubt, and sometimes we feel as if we’re out there alone. But we aren’t. We all struggle together. Writers support other writers because we know how hard it is.

 I met a lot of amazing writers last year, including my soul siblings A.C. Weston and Rick Heinz. Their support last time around carried me through to the end, even when that ending resulted in an unsuccessful campaign. I am forever thankful that I’ve been fortunate enough to meet such amazing people like G. Derek Adams, Dave Barrett, and Thomas Arnold. Trust me, there’s more, and as this campaign goes on I’ll be giving them as many shout outs as I can.

 I know this is going to be a long campaign. I know how difficult it is to constantly work at promotion, and making your enthusiasm spread like wild fire. I’m ready for it. I’ve been chomping at the bit for a second chance to put my book out there in the world. A Beast Requires is a work of blood, sweat, and tears. Seriously, this book has tasted its author’s blood.

 I know it’s impossible to do this alone, and every one of you following me is signed up to ride the crowdfunding crazy train. I’m working on some campaign goals, things to unlock as more people sign on and pre-order a copy of A Beast Requires. I already have the first goal ready, so at 100 pre-orders I will unleash Chapters 6 – 10 upon the world. Exciting, right? Well, one of my favorite combat sequences occurs in Chapter 10, and it brings on a whole new perspective in battling an ogre.

 I hope everyone enjoys Chapters 1 -5. Comment, critique, or scream at me as much as you want. All of your input is appreciated and valued.

So thank you again for your support. I love you all. Yes, even you, Zachary Tyler Linville.

 Until the next update,

 Jay

It still hasn’t quite sunk in yet, but as of today I am a published author.

Almost a year after I first started pestering people with buymybookbuymybookifyou’rereallymyfriendyou’llbymybook harassment, it’s finally out.  If you’re reading this, you’ve already gotten your copy (I hope!), but now they’re available online at Amazon, B&N and others, and at dozens of independent bookstores all around the country.  

Thank you so much.

The amount of effort that goes into publishing a book is truly awe inspiring.  My editors Kiele Raymond and Michael Trudeau transformed some mediocre writing into the polished manuscript you received this past month.  I’m beyond over-the-moon about the cover Elyse Lyons produced for me, and Emily Zach and the rest of the production team at Girl Friday was professional 100%.

Meanwhile, at Inkshares, my marketing manager Avalon has been working overtime getting me interviews, reviews, and my books in stores, while newly appointed CEO Adam Gomolin has been in overdrive on the derivative properties side.

And then there are the Nerdist folks, who not only sponsored the contest in the first place, making this whole thing possible, but who also treated me like a real Author when I visited them at Comic Con in San Diego.

Thank you all for your tireless work to make this project as successful as possible.

Now, some news:

Monday night I was featured on The 207, a Portland and Bangor local features show on NBC.  The boys from Bull Moose were extremely kind in their promotion of my novel.

Today I woke up to a Bangor Daily News review, which was similarly positive.

I’m also looking at scheduling book signing events around the Bangor area over the next several weeks.  Check out my Facebook page to stay current!

Lastly, in case you missed it, I’ve got a Comic Con recap on my blog, which you can find here.

So that’s pretty much it.  

I can say thank you enough
Dave

PS: Leave reviews!!!!!!!!!!111