Dear 232 Stars of 2014,
I've been going back and forth about how to thank you all, knowing that no amount of words could ever do it justice. I wrote a seemingly funny dialogue scene based off of a Seinfeld joke, but then I deleted it because I thought it was shit and now I can't get it back.
What I have done is written an article -- somewhat of a hybrid thank you/culmination of the funding period type deal -- that I've attached below.
You have all changed my life, which is a cool thing to mean literally, and for that I am indebted to you for centuries to come. This will be the last update for a while, but not the end of updates altogether. Until I've signed each and every one of your copies (if it's an e-book I'll sign it with one of those electric Obama pens), my work isn't done. Thank you for believing in me, and allowing me to believe in myself.
https://medium.com/@slbfiction/fc746da8d599
Dear 224 backers,
With one week left, I've submitted my final manuscript (it took a shitty first novel, 2+years for, 7 drafts, and a lot of moral support and self-criticism). I can't give you a set-date for publication, but know that I'm fully thinking about the next steps -- marketing, editing with Inkshares, illustrations, etc. -- and will make sure to keep you update as we move forward together.
Also, know that I'll be writing a proper piece to thank you all once we pass June 2nd, and that I'm 103%-serious about designing a poster with all of your names to display on my wall.
A brief and exciting note:
The day we've been waiting for is here: 100%. We did it. I'll be sending a much more articulated message once the elation subsides. I haven't found the words to express my gratitude just yet; as for now, thank you all for changing my life.
Dear 183 Stars of the Weeks,
Here are two quotes that pretty much sum up what I want to say:
"Never doubt that a group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." -Margaret Mead
"Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now." Goethe
You have already changed my world, and for better or for worse my world is the only world I've ever lived in. If nothing else, then, you have changed the world. Anecdote: Pre-ordered copies will currently make it to five out of seven continents, and if anyone convinces someone in Antarctica to reserve a copy, I will personally honor you with a cameo appearance in my novel.
As for Goethe's dream, Slim and The Beast began 2.5 years while I was sitting in a train from Paris to La Rochelle and decided to write about a man named Slim who was specific about his ketchup and hot sauce, Texas Pete to be precise. I began this novel without the slightest idea of where it would end, but now I can see that it will end with you. So in a very real and tangible sense, if it weren't for you, Slim and The Beast would not happen. If -- scratch that, when this happens (87% there), it's because 183 of you (and counting) believed in my dream, too.
77% there, 28 days to go. All 156 of you have been heroic, and I'm going to ask you to be heroic one last time:
If you know of one single person whom you think would be interested in Slim and The Beast , their $10 pledge may very well make or break the novel. Every single person counts, especially as I approach next month's deadline.
The bottom line is I can't suddenly rely on new tactics: this started with my community and it's also where it will finish. And while Facebook/Twitter/etc. are good for those with an "established" product, as a no-name debut novelist it's understandable that strangers won't be interested, especially since it's quite the paradox to use social media -- purveyor of short-attention spans -- to try and promote a novel.
Dear 146 Stars,
73% sounds like a lucky number. With a little over one month left, I'm confident Slim and The Beast will become a real life novel.
I've been editing like a fiend and will keep on keeping on. In the adopted words of Oscar Wilde, “I was working on the proof [of Slim and The Beast] all the morning, and took out a comma. In the afternoon I put it back again.”
Your support is fueling my belief that I can "make it" as a novelist. Of course, when I say "make it" I mean publish; and if a single sentence inspires you like you've inspired me to publish this novel, then it's worth it, plain and simple -- you are the reason for this novel.
I know I've said it before but I mean it: when this is done there will be a poster with all of your names on my wall.
Dear Star of the Month(s),
With 50 days left, I'm 58% there. Your support has legitimately changed my life.
Dear Star of The Month (all 92 of you),
With a little less than 1 month in, I'm 39% towards my dream of becoming a published novelist. You have given me hope that this is possible.
Dear Backers,
It's 1:36 AM, but I feel like I have to tell you about some seriously exciting news that has come my way.
First and foremost, I have found an editor. He's from Farrar, Straus & Giroux, one of the most reputable publishing companies in the world, and will be working as a freelancer to make the novel as good as I think it can be. In addition to starting his own literary magazine, he has worked for Dave Eggers' McSweeney's and Chad Harbach's N+1, two of the best authors of this generation, and without going into too many specifics, this guy is an all star and I'm honored to be working with him.
Second and second most, just today I was interviewed by a woman from Writer's Digest who is interested in Inkshares and my experience throughout the process. People are starting to talk about the Inkshares model, and this is directly because 232 of you supported me.
Last but not least (and the news I'm most giddy about): thanks to Slim and The Beast's successful funding campaign and a friend named Peter Walsh, I will be interviewing Scottie Pippen and Carmelo Anthony this weekend at one of the world's biggest streetball tournaments. If you don't know who these guys are, they are NBA superstars, and Scottie Pippen is a living legend. I won't go into specifics about who I'm writing for -- what the hell, it's SLAM magazine -- and I'm incredibly excited, not the least because I may be able to spread the word about Slim and The Beast.
It's jarring how quickly life can change, which is why it is so important to remember where things started. Thanks to all of you things are starting to happen fast, which is why I wanted to send a quick message and slow down. The notion that I could say too much is also a new thing for me, but part of backing the novel means you deserve to know what is happening.
Anywho, that's all for now because I have to go to bed. It's both great and humbling to be excited about all this news because in the grand scheme of things these are very small advances. But you're all a part of Slim and The Beast and hence a part of my life, which is why I wanted to keep you in the loop as things progress.