"The novel will make great holiday gifts for baseball fans!" a reader emailed me. Yes, that’s the idea! 

A higher-up at Inkshares emailed last week and told me that they are impressed by what YOU HAVE BEEN DOING--the pre-orders and support. He also came up with the catchphrase, "Field of Dreams" meets "The Time Traveler’s Wife." That’s the way to talk to Hollywood!

If you’re exhausted by me cajoling you to click on the GOING, GOING, GONE! page and pre-ordering more books (I sure am), then please click on the GOING, GOING, GONE! page and pre-order more holiday gifts for baseball fans! We are at 634, see below. 763 is in sight!

And.........THANKS SO MUCH!!!!

GOING, GOING, GONE! CLIMBS THE ALL-TIME HOME RUN LEADER BOARD WITH YOUR HOMERS!!!!!!!

Barry Bonds 762

Hank Aaron 755

Babe Ruth 714

Alex Rodriguez 696

Willie Mays 660

G O I N G , G O I N G , G O N E ! 6 3 4

Albert Pujols 633

Ken Griffey, Jr 630

Bill Forr., Abuquerque Isotopes, P

Tracy Dutt., Virginia Satellites, P

Ben Kn., New Orleans Shrimp Haulers, SS

Jacob Kn., New York Chessmasters, CF

Tom Skuda, Sausalito Velvet Voicers, 1B

Sundude, Kitty Hawk Flyers, C
Ted H., Albany Bookflippers, CF
Leo V., Bane Of All Things Writermen, C
Charlie Denb., Mill Valley Educators, P
John S., California Helmar Collectors, 1B
Kris & C. Gas., Del Ray Rays, Owners
Scott Jamp., Sausalito Oyster Shuckers, P
Stefano Scali, Sausalito Floating Homers, C
Joe Burns, Sausalito Oyster Shuckers, Mayor
Linzy Coll., Iowa Soul Redeemers, SS
Paul Winst., New York Cosmos, Goalie
Jennifer F., New York Stockflippers, Mgr.
Joanna P., New York Stockflippers, Owner
Miles R., New York Stockflippers, P
Jeff Holl., Sausalito Lumber Reclaimers, P
Doug Simon, New York Frisbee Flippers, 3B
Dan Fost, Mill Valley Millers, Coach
Gerry R., Sausalito Boatriders, Cpt.
Mike Hood, Greenbrae Houseflippers, P
Bradford P., New York Dealmakers, SS
Arthur O., New York Lookouts, P
Ronald Grels., New York Kneecappers, P
Ariana C., Da Vino Coffeeslingers, P
Yovani Cast., Da Vino Coffeeslingers, Chef
Elizabeth C., Da Vino Coffeeslingers, Manager
Gordon H., Sausalito Picture Framers, SS
Lia M. & Carter J., Night Cafe Hall of Fame 
Chris Ryan, New York Cineastes, Film Crew 
Peter Gelf., New York Prop Dusters, SS
Kerry B., Mill Valley Millers, SS
Alistair G., Brooklyn Trolley Dodgers, RF
Charles Mandel, Helmar Antiquifyers, Owner
Laura M., Brattleboro Yankees, Mgr.
David B., East River Fishsnaggers, P/Captain
Charlie Craw., Toll Bros. Demolition, SS
Ed B., SF Team Brothers ’N Sisters, CF 
Beth B., SF Team Brothers ’N Sisters, LF

Brian Stadt., San Francisco Tech Reclaimers, SS

D. Krasnoff, Team Navy, Coach
E. Krasnoff, Team Navy, G.M.
Elizabeth C., Team DiVino, Nutritionist
Brian S., Prudential All-Stars, CF
Barnaby C., Washington Absinthe Sippers, P/2B
Miles R., New York Value Seekers, 3B
Charles G., New York Limo Hailers, CF
Jacqui L., Mill Valley Visionaries, SS-2B
James R., Marin County Muckrakers, P
Stefan Smith, Sports Massage Marin (his real team), 3rd base coach
Devin C., Amsterdam Guffawmen, P
Robert H., New York Skiiers, CF
Susan H., New York Museum Researchers, Mgr.
T. Wexler, L.A. Dealmakers, SS
Adam K., Ithaca Royal Palmists, CF
Bennett, J., Mill Valley Millers, 3B
Jonathan W., Mitzi Potted Parrot Fan Club, P
Jon R., Mill Valley Troubadors, P
David B., East Hampton Fly Casters, 1B 
Joe P., Sausalito Voiceovers, P
Jason A., Dalton Tigers, 2B
Stephanie A., Dalton Tigers, 1B
Jim C., San Francisco Dealmakers, P
Helen Y., Marin County Architects, P
Karin T., Sausalito Winemakers, Mgr.
Adam Tatt., Dalton Tigers, 2B
Duncan Plex., L.A. Guitar Riffers, P/OF
Ellen H., Sibling Hall of Fame, CF
Robert & Susan H., New York Giants, Owners
Kirk D., Arizona Tar Melters, LF
Adam K., Ontario Seal Pups, CF
Beth B., San Francisco Elites, RF
Kenneth Palmer, Houston Stan Keys, Team Doctor
Douglas Z., Albuquerque Isotopes, C 
John Bad., San Juan All-Stars, P
Leila S., Sausalito Sartajians, Mental Health Coach

Hey, folks. I have news!

It’s NOT bad news. On the other hand, it’s not quite the “Grace Above, that’s awesome!” news we have been hoping for.

But you could say I have unlocked the next level. Getting past 400 pre-orders has earned Bane of All Things a full read by Inkshares editors. The manuscript is now in their hands. I expect a decision before the end of the month.

As I have said before, earning publication with Inkshares is dependent now on the “combined score” of three different things:

·     Pre-orders to date

·     The state of the manuscript

·     Those other non-pre-order metrics Inkshares is tracking behind the scenes

Of these three, pre-orders is the only one we can obviously influence. I said over the weekend that I wouldn’t extend this campaign unless some new development justified it. Well, I’d say we got justified this afternoon. 

Inkshares editors are still watching that pre-order total. They do want to see it continue to rise. So long as the jury is out on the manuscript itself, it only makes sense to keep the campaign active with an extension.

You will see a 30-day extension appear on the campaign clock this evening. It’s not time to take the foot of the gas quite yet – helping push up that pre-order total still matters. Maybe now more than ever.

I thank you all for your patience and your support and humbly ask that you stick with me just a little while longer.

As promised, I will send the note out this coming Friday about the prize draws and winners.

Cheers

Leo

Good morning! No, this is not an April Fool’s joke. Thanks to Linda S., Ian G. and Peter B., we reached 401 pre-orders last night.

And here we are, the last day of the campaign. What will happen next? I don’t know. Nothing is certain. If you still intended to place another pre-order or nudge a friend or family member to do so, please do. The campaign ends this evening, so don’t wait!

As I said in my updates over the weekend, there will be an additional prize draw now that we have reached 400. And there will be an additional thank you souvenir for each and every one of you who pre-ordered two or more copies and/or referred someone else, if  Inkshares agrees to publish Bane of All Things.

That’s all for now. Fingers crossed!

Cheers

Leo

Howdy, folks. A quick addendum to my update from yesterday. The 400+ pre-order mark is a lot closer than it was 24 hours ago. Thank you very much for the new and additional orders from Colin G. (and Tara C.), Megan A., Dr. Andrew N., Debra F. (and Kevin F.), Howard C., Brian and Eve-Ann R., and Ashley N.

Now, for everyone – an added bonus. If this campaign succeeds (meaning Inkshares agrees to take Bane of All Things into production for publication) there will be an extra thank you for everyone who a) pre-ordered two or more copies, and/or b) enlisted a friend or family member to join the cause.

That bonus will be a 12x18 poster, featuring that custom Sword and Skull artwork that I commissioned for this crowdfund from award-winning Ottawa graphic artist Dominic Bercier. Each poster will be personalized and signed by yours truly – it might actually be worth something, someday (my signature, I mean, Dominic’s work already is :).

Once again, my sincerest thanks to each and every one of you for all that you have done to help me get this far. 

Cheers

Leo

Have you ever been so close to achieving a goal or dream you could almost taste it? Straining and stretching to reach something that you can almost touch … with your fingertips … just a little more …

When I launched this campaign over five months ago, I had no idea how it might turn out or where it would lead. All I knew is my gut told me to give this a try. Inkshares is not the only way to get a novel published, but it seemed like the right way for me. Seeing my name on the cover of a published novel has been my dream since high school.

At several points since the new year, it seemed this campaign had run out of steam. I was ready to pull the plug. But each time came a reason that gave me the motivation to catch a breath, dig in my heels and keep pushing.

And here we are, with just a couple of days left and the 400 pre-order mark in sight. We are close – I can tell you that for a fact. But the jury is still out on whether Bane of All Things has made the grade. That’s why it is so important to drive that pre-order total as high as possible in the time that remains.

The end of the road: I can tell you with all honesty that at this moment in time, I don’t see a reason to again extend the campaign. Unless something unexpected happens between now and Tuesday morning, the crowdfund for BoAT will end as scheduled. Monday is the last full day.

Allow me to ask one more time: I have asked you several times before I and will humbly ask again. Please consider pre-ordering an additional copy for a friend or family member. Get it as a gift. What have you got to lose? If Inkshares agrees to publish BoAT, you will get your copies. If it doesn’t, you will get a full and unconditional refund. if you have followed but not yet pre-ordered BoAT, you know what to do.

New prize draw ... with a catch: Anyone who does order an additional copy of BoAT (or bring on board a new supporter) between now and the deadline will be entered into a draw for another $50 gift card (Amazon or your choice). BUT … there is a catch. This draw will only take place if we hit 400 by the deadline. And if we shoot past 400 … well, let’s see how it goes.

Again, my sincerest thanks to those of you who have already pre-ordered additional copies or recruited a friend or family member. Those prize draws previously announced will take place and the winners announced on Friday, April 5.

Let’s make this happen!

Cheers

Leo

Good morning! Thanks to a Super-Reader pre-order by Hala H yesterday afternoon, we reached 375 pre-orders.

Why is that number significant? It is 50 per cent of the default pre-order goal of 750.

But as I have said, 750 is not our goal. Some titles published by Inkshares have reached it. Others have achieved success through a combination of other factors. Bane of All Things’ fate now rests on total pre-orders to date plus the overall support and interest it has also garnered on Inkshares.

Remember, this campaign ends on April 1 -- hopefully the joke won’t be on me :). Any and all last-minute support does matter as I wait to hear what BoAT’s fate will be. If you haven’t already, please pre-order another copy as a gift, or recruit that friend or family member. Let’s get to 400!

Cheers
Leo