Just a quick update to let everyone know that the beginning stages of the developmental editing process are proceeding nicely. I promised a behind-the-scenes look, so read on if you’re interested in hearing more....

My developmental editor, Matt Harry, and I have spent the past month passing an 11-page outline back and forth. At this point, we have settled on the arc for the story as a whole, and the arcs of the main characters.

I am thrilled with the tweaks to the original storyboard and feel that the alterations and additions to the initial plot will serve to reinforce the themes. I am eager to see where it leads.

Now that the outline is complete, we are moving on. I am currently spending a few hours a day working on rewriting and editing the first 100 pages to turn over to Matt so that he can provide page-specific notes. As of now, I have worked through about 60% of the first section, and hope to complete it within a week.

Matt will then work through the first 100 pages as I edit and rewrite the next 100 pages. We will then do this with a final section (the book will likely end up between 250 and 300 pages). Because we are adding new scenes and drastically altering others, the second and third segments will take a bit longer to work through.

After the first round is complete, we will rinse and repeat a couple of times until we are both happy with the story.

So, there you have it. As always, thank you for the support. Every day that I sit down and write, I think of all of you. I am forever grateful for this opportunity.

Until next time,

-Jacqui

Quick update!

Thank you for hanging in there, everyone!

I’m nearing the end of the first phase of developmental editing, which means that the story itself is getting a polished shine so bright you’ll be able to see your face in the cover when you get the book (subject to glossiness of the actual cover). This means in the coming weeks I will be moving on to rewrites. The developmental editing process has been incredible. Mr. Butler and friends have truly come out on top through this process. Endless thanks to Matt Harry, my editor, for his patience with me during a difficult summer, his ability to see the story the same way I see it, and his willingness to challenge me along the way. 

"Cool. So when do I get my book?"

I’m working hard to try and get it into your hands during the first half of next year. I can’t thank you all enough for your investment in my dream to become a published author. I realize it’s unconventional to buy a book two years before getting it, but the end will pay off, I promise. Inkshares books are still getting published faster than traditional publishers’s books, and all the while they are gaining international attention, securing TV, movie, and audiobook deals, and winning awards. This momentum is no doubt part of the careful attention they are giving to books like mine. This is a dream, and I thank you all for your investment. 

If you wish to see my other writing, poetry, and music while you wait, please take a look at talltalestold.com. It’s my personal blog and home for all things writing. You can watch me become a Viking and play guitar...but not in the same entry...yet. 

If you’re on Facebook, stop by and give Tall Tales Told a "like." There’s also a group on that page where I post the Mr. Butler news and updates, in case you’d prefer seeing them on there rather than through an email. 

That’s all I’ve got for now. I’d better get back to work.

Thank you for your support, as always. 

Love, 

Michael

Hi everyone,

This weekend I had an amazing event at Austin’s Book People. Each book store I’ve visited thus far has exemplified the unique literary flare of its city, and Book People did not disappoint. The highlight, for me, was receiving a watermelon carving of The Punch Escrow’s cover. I sent it to M.S. Corley, the cover designer, and he and I agreed that we should have shipped all the books with watermelon rind covers in lieu of foil. Unfortunately, this was not a stock option offered by our printer.

Many of you have been asking me about the "secret" chapter. I am very close to releasing it to you. I have every intention of keeping my word that, as soon as we hit  101 reviews on Amazon, I will send a special out-of-band reader update containing the "secret" chapter. In the mean time, with the help of my friend and 22nd century legal expert Jay Wolman, I’m taking this opportunity to "clean up" some of the future legalese. There are 727 of you on this distribution, only 26 of you who haven’t yet need to post a review on Amazon, and the "secret" chapter is yours!Also! More exciting movie news is forthcoming this week. I am sworn to secrecy (sorry for being so clandestine lately), but the news should be public on the early side of the week (I hope!).  

Peas,

Tal

Good evening everyone,

Just wanted to check in with a quick service announcement as I’ve recently heard of some people who haven’t yet received their paperback pre-orders of The Battle Within. To confirm, if you pre-ordered a copy of The Battle Within, you should have received your copy by now. If for some reason you haven’t received your paperback copy, please contact Inkshares at hello@Inkshares.com, and they will be able to help figure out the status of your order.

For those that have received their orders, I hope you enjoyed the story. Or, as the case may be since it’s summertime, I hope you enjoy the story when you eventually read it. In either event, I’d love to hear what you think and I’d like to thank those who’ve shared their thoughts already – the feedback is enormously helpful. If you’re willing (and I apologize since I know it’s kind of a hassle), please consider sharing your thoughts about the novel at Goodreads and Amazon.com – every bit of reader feedback helps not just me, but other potential readers who might be considering the novel.

Thanks again and all the best,

Alastair Luft

Hey everyone, 

This is just a quick little pre-update of sorts. You see, Ghosts of War is right on the tippy top precipice of being ready for submission to Inkshares. You’ve no doubt noticed that in the past I’ve been at this point before, or close to it in some capacity, and that I also tend to only put general, wishy-washy type of deadlines on things. And that hasn’t worked so well. Y’know, this sort of thing: 

Well. This is different (no, really). Because on Monday the 28th of August 2017, I, Paul Robinson, will be handing Ghosts of War over to Inkshares. 

No if’s, and’s or but’s (heh…butts). 

It’s happening. 

I’m telling everyone. 

So it has to happen. 

I’d look like a right wally if I missed the big red deadline wouldn’t I? 

MONDAY 28TH OF AUGUST 2017 

(Okay, so I couldn’t make it red. Or overly big...use your imagination)

Anywho, I’ll see you then with the good news.  

Happy Friday!