I am a happy husband and father doing my best to leave the world in at least as good of condition as...
It’s Thursday!
Hope you are all doing well on this fine day!
We are just over 2 weeks to go in the campaign and things are looking promising. I haven’t slept much over the past 4 months, and I don’t anticipate I will until this campaign comes to a close.
It’s #tbt today and so I will once again share a sketch, by my friend Ryan Howitt, for your viewing pleasure. This picture depicts an event in an already uploaded chapter. It’s Victor and his son on a hunting trip. He teaches his boy how to hunt, but something seems to be afoot!
You guys have been great, I cannot wait for you all to read the book. I worked extremely hard writing it, creating the rules of the world in which it exists and sticking to those rules.
It is more than it seems. I promise you it is more than just a monster story. It has depth, and consequences to it. It is something I am very proud of.
When I first pitched the book on Inkshares I described it as "Jaws meets Close Encounters." Now I’d describe is as "Stranger Things meets Stand By Me."
I promise you this is a story worth backing!
Thank you all for your ongoing support, it keeps me sane!
Now, let’s finish strong!
https://www.inkshares.com/books/cape-s-side-bay
With all the anarchy in the campaign over the last two weeks (and unfortunately, it’s probably still not quite over, but we’re going to get through it) I’ve been neglecting what I feel is a real obligation: showcasing the works other funding authors have been trying to get off the ground. I know all too well how hard it is to work a campaign like this, especially without help from the community. There are just too many books around here that deserve to see success, but have trouble finding their audience. Hopefully I can play a part in matchmaking some of these.
This week I want to recommend a very special book for everyone. Why is it special? Well, let me lay it out for you:
Out of the 113 books that entered Geek and Sundry’s Hard Science-Fiction competition, only three won: After Man, The Pirates of Montana, and The Punch Escrow (and all three earned it).
Out of the 110 books that entered Geek and Sundry’s Hard Science Fiction competition and did not win, only three are still actively campaigning to get published the hard way: Tantalus Depths, Seven Days Dead, and First on Mars.
I believe I’ve made it pretty clear by now that I’d like you to support Tantalus Depths (I have something of a vested interest in the project), but I have to say, both Seven Days Dead and First on Mars absolutely deserve to get funded as well.
Everyone but the three of us ultimately either gave up as soon as the contest ended, or failed to get anywhere near a funding goal, but both Landon Trine and Christopher M. Johnson have been working their butts to the bone trying to find audiences for their books, fighting the exhaustion and discouragement that inevitably comes from losing a contest and striving to reach the goals they need to see publication. None of us gave up, even when others did in droves. Their tenacity, their determination, and their dedication deserve to be rewarded.
Here are their books: please, please consider supporting one or even both of them: They’re both well over a hundred pre-orders deep, and I think they both have seriously well-crafted stories to share. Pay special attention to First on Mars: it only has 14 days left in its campaign, unless Landon seeks an extension.
Seven Days Dead centers around a zombie outbreak in the Middle East. More than merely a bog-standard zombie story, however, this book explores the depths of human nature, showing how one of the most conflicted regions in all the world reacts when ancestral enemies are faced with a common foe: their own dead. This book promises to take what might otherwise be a tired premise and breathe new life into it by virtue of the greater message at its core.
As the name implies, First on Mars is a story about the first manned expedition to Mars. However, when unexplained sabotage and a suspicious suicide derail the mission, the crew is thrown into a series of paranoia-driven dilemmas as they struggle to keep the mission together and themselves alive against all odds. This book shares many themes and concepts in common with Tantalus Depths, so if you like what you’ve seen so far of my book, this will almost certainly be right down your alley!
Exciting news Masters and Apprentices! RUNE OF THE APPRENTICE will be made into an Audible Audiobook!
Also, as many of you know, I just got back from The DOTA2 International Convention and Championship. TI6 was awesome! (Congrats to team Wings on their epic victory!) As promised MONTHS ago, I ROCKED the Antimage Cosplay, mohawk and all! My brother and I had a great time and you can view the pictures directly on Instagram HERE to get captions and info about each shot! Or for those who don’t like Instagram, there is a full gallery uploaded at the end of this post.
To view all of the pictures on my website click HERE: goo.gl/Y1yowU
What?? What?? What?? One Murder More = Finalist for 2016 Silver Falchion award in THREE categories: Best First Novel, Mystery/Crime Novel and The Judges’ Choice Award! Past finalists for the Silver Falchion include Stephen King, John Sanborn, John Lescroart and Robert Dugoni. I’m headed to Nashville this weekend for the awards banquet at the incomparable #KillerNashville conference! Will I see you there? (C’mon, use those miles, it’s Nashville!) "Killer Nashville is one of the most popular conferences in the country for writers and readers... Established by writer and filmmaker Clay Stafford in 2006, the conference assists authors in the craft of mystery, thriller, suspense and crime fiction writing. Stafford and American Blackguard, Inc. also work to further various literacy programs throughout the year. As a part of both encouraging and rewarding writers in their varied fields, the Silver Falchion Award is given to outstanding books published in the previous year." Thanks for taking this journey with me, and thanks to Inkshares for an incredible partnership! Kris www.kriscalvin.com
Well, we’ve reached another Monday.
Just a few, brief, early week tidbits before my day starts in earnest.
First off, holy shit! The WHY SO SERIOUS? Syndicate has selected A Beast Requires as their 1st selection!
I’m blown away, and incredibly honored that two amazing humor writers think A Beast Requires is not only funny, but a great book as well. Writing humor is a game of rough shot, and going in, you know that not every joke is going to land. The greatest joy I get from my readers is when they tell me about all the inopportune times they burst out laughing.
Secondly, I will be doing another awkward author video this week, talking about the world building that went into A Beast Requires. I mentioned it briefly forever and a day ago, but I feel it deserves a bit more of an in depth conversation. So stay tuned for that, and hit me up with any questions you have about A Beast Requires, or me, on Twitter @EremiticFool
And the last tidbit, my newest article is up on Killer Moose. This month I’m talking about Guardians of Order’s Game of Thrones RPG, GURPS Discworld, and the Dresden Files RPG. Yea, I go deep into settings, discussing if a game can stay true to its fandom while bringing in new players. So if you’re into tabletop RPGs, definitely check it out.
Also, can I mention how awesome the word tidbit is? So freaking glorious.
- Jay
SEDS & The Oldest Space Science Student Member in the US
Students for Exploration & Development of Space (SEDS) is the largest space science student organization in the US. Most members are under 25. Some are under 30. You might be able to count any over 40 on one hand.
As of this year, SEDS had one single member over 50. And that member is me.
I have been an enormous fan and supporter of SEDS since attending the organization’s annual SpaceVision conference in 2013. Seeing as SEDS was not an opportunity when I first went to university–hello, 1983–and seeing as the only way to belong to SEDS is to be a student, I made a bold move this past year: I went back to school.
Like the saying goes, it’s never too late to be a kid. Considering the high regard I have for SEDS, being able to forever more own being an actual bona fide member of SEDS really meant the world to me.
Believe it or not, it just got better.
SEDS’ At-Large Board Members (there are two) support the SEDS Board and the SEDS organization by spearheading new projects and new initiatives. For one reason or another, of the two At-Large Board Members one had to resign midterm. A call went out to members for a fill-in At-Large. And I put my name in the hat. Interviews of the candidates, including me, took place last week. Results were posted last night.
Needless to say, I was absolutely blown away to learn I am the newly elected At-Large Board Member for SEDS!
When I was a kid, I imagined the world to be a certain way. I imagined it is awesome and filled with infinite possibilities and life gets better and better everyday.
Now I am a grown-up who has lived and put those ideas to the test. Through fire. And they are true!
So, this year’s SEDS Spacevision conference is in November at Purdue University.* While I may not be on the moon (yet), when you see me at SpaceVision this year I’ll be easy to spot.
I’m the guy walking on air.
Keep up the good work, what a ride,
Mike Mongo
* BTW Purdue University is where astronaut & first human being on the moon Neil Armstrong studied engineering.
I’m sending you a small excerpt from the chapter called "Full Moon." I hope you enjoy it!
