Aphrodite doesn’t know she cannot die until she’s murdered and wakes up in her own tomb surrounded by Gods who aren’t what they seem.
Good morning, everyone. Happy Ides of March.
Today is supposed to be the day. The campaign for Bane of All Things is currently slated to end around 8 pm EDT tonight.
I could let it end. Or we could push on with the goal of passing 400 pre-orders.
Last Friday was supposed to be the end, too, but adding another week to the campaign paid off. Since Monday morning alone, 26 additional pre-orders! We currently stand at 359.
Is this total enough, when added to those other metrics besides pre-orders that Inkshares is also tracking against BoAT? I don’t know yet, nor can I say at this moment when I might. I had hoped to have something more substantial to tell you at this point, but patience is a virtue, in this world, and the world of BoAT, too.
On the firm belief that no news is good news, I am inclined to keep BoAT in the race. Today, I will have the campaign extended until April 1 (yes, I know what day that is). Fingers crossed that in that time, there will be a definitive determination made about BoAT’s fate.
I humbly ask for your continued patience and support.
As I have stressed in recent updates, keeping that pre-order total ticking up is the important thing we can all focus on to increase the odds of success. Please continue to spread the word to friends and family and consider ordering additional copies. If we cross 400, there will be a new prize added to that list of draws!
If you haven’t had a chance to read the four sample chapters up on the site, please do, and leave a Review/Recommendation – this activity also boosts BoAT’s standings.
It’s been a long ride and I thank you all for jumping onboard with me. When I have news to share, you will all be first to know. Regardless of what that news might be, it will then be time for those prize draws!
Happy reading.
Leo
Good morning, everyone! In the past 10 hours, we have shot past the 350 pre-order mark thanks to the support of old and new. A shout out to our new supporters: The TIE Ottawa crew (Bharat R., Sanjeev S., Kevin F. and Bernie F.), as well as Julian M., Greg M., Janet F., Jantine V., Cindy P., Ricky R., Samantha G. and Rosemary S.
This already-extended campaign is due to end this Friday evening -- the Ides of March, no less. Hopefully this date proves more auspicious for me than it did for Julius Caesar!
Achieving 356 pre-orders is an amazing milestone, but still not a guarantee that I will earn a contract offer from Inkshares. As I announced last week, Bane of All Things was Inkshares Staff Syndicate pick for February. I have also been asked about the state of my manuscript. These are both very good signs that have my fingers crossed.
Now more than ever I need your help to finish strong. Any and all last-minute support matters. I also want to give a shout out to existing supporters who have stepped up in recent days to pre-order additional copies or enlist others to the cause: Francis M., Ian G., Bryan Y., Howard C., Megan A., Yves B., Elle P. and Jacqui C.
If you haven’t already, please lend me your support with a pre-order. If you have a few dollars more to pre-order another ebook copy, please do. And if you have anyone in mind you could also recruit to the cause, now is the time. Those prize draws I promised last time are still pending!
This whole endeavour wouldn’t be anywhere without you. I am truly humbled by the support and encouragement you have all so graciously given.
Cheers
Leo Valiquette
Good morning, folks. Notice how more frequent these updates have become as we get down to the wire? (I can practically taste that wire, how about you?).
No word yet on whether or not Bane of All Things has made the cut. The good news today is that the deadline has been extended a few more days. We are in bonus over-time now. If you or anyone on your contact list is still on the fence about pre-ordering, it’s time to commit.
And again, a sincere and humble thanks to all of you who have undertaken this journey with me and supported as best you can.
Cheers
Leo
Hey, folks, some fantastic news to share! The clue is in the screen capture above from my campaign page -- that sticker that reads "Syndicate Pick."
What does this mean? BoAT has been selected as the Staff Syndicate pick for February. It is a huge endorsement for which I am immensely grateful. A sincere thanks to fellow author Chip Colquhoun for putting BoAT forward for consideration. Check out his novel, Ripe for Execution.
For those of you who don’t know what an Inkshares Syndicate is, this is a group of people who contribute $10 or $20 a month to a pool and then use that to back a title in funding each month with a gift basket of pre-orders. There are and have been many syndicates over the years, for fantasy, science fiction, stories with strong female characters and other themes. The Syndicate that has chosen BoAT as its February pick is the Staff Syndicate. This is, as the name suggests, led by Inkshares staff. Anyone can opt in, including other Inkshares authors. (I am part of this Syndicate myself and cast the deciding vote on the January Syndicate pick.)
What does earning this distinction mean for BoAT and this campaign? Frankly, I don’t know yet, but with only two days left, the answer to that question is going to come soon. So, as I said on Monday, help me finish strong -- keep those pre-orders coming by ordering another copy for a friend or family member, or even better, by prodding those friends or family members to pre-order their own.
And if you have followed BoAT but haven’t pre-ordered yet, please, take the plunge!
Cheers
Leo