Happy Halloween!

Another month has come and gone, and it’s time for another reader update. The Walls are Closing In is still voyaging through the production process. The entire first round of rewrites is wrapped up and has been submitted to my editor.

Portions of my precious story were difficult to part with, and some rewrites flowed easier than others. But, out of the ashes of my murdered darling came a stronger, more piercing novel that I am incredibly happy with and eager to share with all of you.

Matt has already marked up Act 1 (of 3) for round 2 of the developmental edit, and I have completed those changes as well. I am now waiting for him to return Acts 2 and 3 with notes. It will likely be about two weeks before he gets those back to me. So, in the meantime, I am going to dive into National Novel Writing Month.

Every November, authors around the globe strive to write 50,000 words of the first draft of a novel within the month of November, and I have jumped on board.

Someone stop me, please.

The rewrites of The Walls are Closing In will take priority whenever it is in my hands, but when the manuscript is with Matt, I am going to strive to meet the quota (1,667 words per day).

During this time, I’ll likely resemble the undead roaming the streets this all hallows’ eve, and will accept all offers of free caffeine and chocolate.

Until next time,

Jacqui

Dear Readers,

Sorry it’s been awhile since my last update! To be honest, I haven’t been able to write for the past week.  Up until that point, however, I was able to rework about 22,000 words, I interviewed eleven kind volunteers about their reading habits and engagement with social media, and I got my web designer (Mary Ann Aschenbrenner of WaterlinkWeb.com) started on my author page. So, progress is being made!

I expect my website, Instagram, Twitter, blog, and Facebook pages will all launch in a couple to three weeks. I also intend to compile my research on how to build an effective social media presence into an interesting and informative article so that other authors can use it to increase exposure for their creative work. Many, many thanks to my volunteers! I gathered so many valuable insights into effective marketing from you, both what works and what doesn’t. I’m now motivated to implement my ideas and see how it goes.

This week, I’m traveling for work, but my evenings are free, so I hope to get back into writing and prepare some content for my social media presence, write my research article, and finish up APEX. Next month is NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month for those unfamiliar), and I’d like to use it for launching a new piece of writing, but if I need to use it to finish up APEX, so be it. It’s all good.

Cheers and stay tuned! Big things are underway!

Debbie

Friends, Readers, and Sorcerers All,

 

You decide to go outside to enjoy the evening air. You pass by a mailbox in front of an empty lot that looks like it once hosted a building, but it has long ago been demolished. The mailbox isn’t in much better shape; someone obviously took a bat to it for fun. Yet, it stands.

Suddenly, the door on the front begins opening and closing on its own, making a squeaking and clacking noise. You also hear a voice with a thick Boston accent say, "got a message for ya."

A rolled-up piece of paper covered with a dark liquid squirts halfway out of the mailbox. The liquid covers the inside and drips down out of its mouth.

"Oh, fine," the mailbox says, spitting the liquid onto your clothes. "I’ll read it for ya."

The mailbox clears what would be its throat, if it had one. You sincerely hope it does not have one.

"Yesterday, The Wolf in the Woods pulled into fifth place in the Inkshares Horror Contest! I am very grateful for everyone’s support, and as thanks I have uploaded a new story, "Monitors". If I’m being honest, Monitors is a smidge rough compared to other stories I’ve uploaded because it’s very new and I haven’t edited and rewritten it like I have stories like "Because It’s Beautiful" and "This and Every Year." But, I wanted to upload this one because there is a surprising amount of video game fiction on Inkshares, and I wanted to join the club.

If I keep up my momentum, I have a real shot at third place. I know it’s a crummy thing to ask, but I need you to help me get pre-orders, or the book won’t be published and you’ll just get a refund instead of a rad book of scary stories. Be annoying. Use peer pressure on your family. Sacrifice your friendships for me.

--Benjamin Gray"

A particularly large wad of dark liquid leaps off the mailbox’s door and hits you in your eye, and you blink. When your eyes open again, the mailbox is gone.

10/21/17

Murder Happens scored the Staff Syndicate for October on Inkshares which propelled the project into 1st place and gave it some cushion. Many thanks for your support! Mike’s Vampire and the Dragon is likely going to catch us, but either way, right now we own the top 2 spots. Let’s keep up the momentum. If you have any inkling to support Murder Happens, don’t be shy and pre-order today.

https://www.inkshares.com/books/murder-happens

If we hit 110 preorders, I will raffle off a copy of Emil Ferris’ graphic novel: MY FAVORITE THING IS MONSTERS ($39.99 value). Sometimes you just have to throw money at a challenge.

And don’t forget to get your FREE copy of GLAMS vs RED PLAIDS. Free until Sunday midnight.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075H5BWTF

Hello everyone!!

 I apologize for the disappearing act- I was waiting to be able to announce two pieces of good news! Still waiting on one, but in the meantime I am so happy to announce that The Talkers are Talking received an Honorable Mention in the Launch Pad Competition! I had submitted the first 50 pages of my original  (very rough) draft for the feedback option of the contest- I have heard so many opposing ideas about that chunk that I wanted to see what the professionals would say as I come to final edits....and somehow that rough first draft made its way to the final list!  So- will be in touch if anything comes of it. In the meantime, you can check it out and all of the other amazing projects here:

Https://tblaunchpad.com/script/contests/9

As for the project itself - we are getting there I promise! Waiting on a few more developmental edits and then I will be moving to what I hope to be the final draft! I apologize for how long it’s taking, but I really do want to make sure the final version is the best it can be. Thank you as always for your support and keep an eye out for some more exciting news in the next few weeks!

Thanks so much and Happy Halloween! 

~Janna

So a few of you got your books this week...