Announcing the Mission 51 Raffle!

Artist Idan Carré has graciously donated an original sketch! This 11” x 12” sketch is a study of Mission 51’s spaceship, Janusia, as she will appear in the book. Isn’t she beautiful!? The winner of the raffle will receive this original sketch, signed by the artist, with a personal dedication to the winner of the raffle! How cool is that!?

To qualify for the raffle you must have placed one of the first 150 pre-orders.

The raffle will include the 96 pre-orders that have already been placed, and additional pre-orders up until the number of pre-orders reaches 150.

At that point, the names of every person placing those pre-orders will be officially randomized via Riffle Raffle to identify the raffle winner! Hooray!! :D

• Each Inkshares E-Reader pre-order (ebook only) will count as one entry.

• Each Inkshares Reader pre-order (book and ebook) will count as two entries.

• Each Inkshares Super Reader pre-order (multiple books) will merit as many entries as the number of books ordered.

So… I suggest you place your pre-order now to qualify for the raffle! Be among the first 150 pre-orders!

And… you can increase your chances of winning the raffle by placing more pre-orders! :-)

A heartfelt Thank You to Idan Carré for her most generous donation. This truly is a special, one-of-a-kind piece!!

I just love it when characters cross genres, especially when they "do it" to support their fellow characters. The imposing Sandor Clegane, aka The Hound, has graciously crossed over from his lofty high fantasy perch in support of his sci-fi brother Mat of Mission 51. The Hound would like you to place your pre-order ASAP!

Seriously, you should place your pre-order. We should not deny a man his dying wish!

Thank you, Sandor, for your support! :-)

https://www.inkshares.com/books/mission-51?referral_code=13a0d0cd

Artist Idan Carré has created another fascinating illustration for Mission 51! It goes along with the chapter called Final Approach. I get such a kick seeing these ideas come to life so vividly. She captured so many of the story’s details! Thank you, Idan! :-)

Upon the suggestion of Christopher Huang, the brilliant author of "Murder at the Veterans’ Club," I have edited the introductory text on Mission 51’s home page. It gives away a little bit more of the story, and hopefully piques your interest!

I have essentially completed the chapter previously titled "Mat." The name of the chapter has now changed to "Mat and Dirk," though who knows, it may change again on a fickle whim. ;-)

The first two parts of the book serve to establish Mat’s "humanity." (Picture me doing big air quotes with my fingers.) It has been fun doing that, and I really want you to be able to read it some day. But I don’t think I will upload this chapter. In fact, from now on I may be just uploading excerpts instead of entire chapters, you know, to build  suspense/anticipation and stuff.

The fun really builds after the crash at the end of the second part of the story. That you really don’t want to miss, and I really won’t be uploading any more chapters from the third part of the book!

So just help ease my anxiety and place your pre-order, so the book sees the light of day, and you get to read about the crazy shit that happens to Mat!

If you have already pre-ordered, again I thank you, and ask you to:

• point a friend this way, or

• write a review, or

• make an Inkshares recommendation, or

• all of the above.
  

I do believe that together we can reach the 250 pre-order mark to get Mission 51 published.

Thank you, everyone!

Peace and love!

Ferd. :-) 

This is a "BIG Welcome" sort of update!

First of all, welcome new readers and followers! I am humbled and truly grateful for your support and encouragement! I am glad you are with me on Mission 51!

And, I am SO excited to announce an artistic collaboration! A very warm welcome to Idan Carré, an awesome young artist who will certainly enhance Mission 51 with her unique vision. As pictures speak louder than words, I will let this one speak  for itself. This is a water color by Idan, an interpretation of the opening moments of the chapter titled "The Crash." Enjoy! :-)

I interrupt the regularly scheduled writing frenzy to share with you, dear readers, this precious little bit of my real life.

No secret to those who know us, Princess Gail and I love birding. We spent most of this last week with old friends and new at the New River Birding and Nature Festival in the New River Gorge area of West Virginia. We are in the midst of the spring migration, and we were all there to see as many of our feathered friends as possible, as they make their way to their northern breeding habitats. Despite a few days of cold and wet weather, Gail and I managed to see 80 species. Our group as a whole saw 135 species, and we had a whole lotta fun before, during and after!

For me, the highlight of the trip was a prolonged view of the Swainson’s Warbler, one of the most secretive and elusive birds in all of North America. It was a special treat to see him in beautiful breeding plumage and singing loudly. I’ll remember those moments always! Here is a picture I took of this lovely individual, for your viewing pleasure.

I return you now, to your regularly scheduled frenzy!

Peace!

Ferd. :-)