Hey readers,

I hope by now you have read (and enjoyed) IN BETA. The buzz on Amazon and Goodreads has been strong (4.7 and 4.2 stars, respectively). 

Inkshares is running a $0.99 Kindle promotion through end of the weekend in an effort to get the book on Amazon’s #1 bestseller list. We’re close to summiting the "Humorous Sci-Fi" category (#8 and climbing), so if you know anyone who would enjoy the book feel free to post something like the below to your social:

Check out my buddy Prescott’s first novel, he got crazy endorsements from JJ Abrams and Felicia Day and its $.99 through the end of the day: https://tinyurl.com/h4dtjfzp. 

And here’s a nice photo:

Thanks everyone!

“Visceral and vivid, Bane of All Things is a gorgeously imagined ride. I enjoyed getting to know these characters and the world of monsters and magic they inhabit. A terrific read.”

These heartwarming words came just this morning from fellow Ottawa-area scribe Kate Heartfield. She is the author of Armed in Her Fashion, Alice Payne Rides, and, coming early next year from HarperVoyager UK, The Embroidered Book. 

It’s hard to believe we are just two months from Bane of All Things’ release day on Nov. 16. Even more unbelievable (and affirming) is that I have fellow authors like Kate, whom I have admired for years, sharing their enthusiasm for my work.

My publisher continues to make the rounds with the bloggers and the magazines and e-zines that might post a book review or agree to interview yours truly. In a few weeks I will be launching a giveaway on Goodreads to also drive attention to BoAT. 

World Fantasy Con

Coming up on Nov. 4 to 7 is the 2021 World Fantasy Convention. As the “World” in the name suggests, this is a big deal. The Con is hosted by a different city in Canada, the U.S. or the U.K. each year. This time, it’s in Montreal – only a few hours down the road from my house. I bought my ticket way back in 2019. It will be my first time at this event and, as a debut author to boot, it should be memorable. There will be mandatory vaccinations and masks for all.

Would you like to join my Street Team?

The call is now open for volunteers to join my “Street Team” and help spread the word about BoAT. As a Street Team member, you are agreeing to be a positive and supportive cheerleader, because any debut needs all the positive press it can get!

Your participation could take any of several forms:

• Read and post a positive review before Nov. 16: I can hook you up (today) with a digital advance reader copy (ARC). Your mission, once accepted, is to read and post a 4- or 5-star review on Amazon, Goodreads and wherever else you might normally review books.

• (If after reading the ARC you honestly don’t feel that BoAT warrants 4 or 5 stars, that’s OK. An author can only expect to please some of the people, some of the time. I would only ask in that case that you let me know privately and hold off on posting your honest review/rating until after release date.)

• Take to social media: I can help set you up with social media posts/links you can publish to your social media channels of choice come November, to promote the release of the book.

• Hit up your local library, bookstore or book club: For any author, getting your book in the library is a big deal, too. In Canada, there is even a program that gets authors paid when their books are in public libraries. And as you heard me say many times way back during the pre-order campaign for BoAT, word of mouth to friends and family is gold!

If you are interested in taking part in any way with the Street Team, or if you have other ideas for how you might like to help, don’t hesitate to email me: leo@leovaliquette.com

That’s all for now. Stay safe and keep reading! 

Hey friendly readers,

I hope you’re all basking in the warm afterglow of IN BETA’s mysterious ending. I’ve been pleasantly surprised at the reception the book is getting, both from you all and the randos picking up the book cold.

We’re about to enter phase 2 of the launch and I some more of your help. If you haven’t already done so, please leave a review on Amazon and Goodreads (links below).

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37493589-in-beta

https://www.amazon.com/review/create-review/edit?ie=UTF8&channel=glance-detail&asin=194784850X

IN BETA has 9 Amazon reviews and my goal is to get to 30 before we go to PR outlets. Gotta build that buzz. You’ve been instrumental in your support so far—this extra boost can help push this campaign to another level.

Thanks in advance,

Prescott

Hi everyone. Just wanted to give a quick update on THE GHOST TRACKS. We are still on schedule for an October 19th release date. The first copies of the book are currently at the printer now.

I’m also happy to reveal the final cover. Tim Barber at Dissect Designs did a fantastic job creating it, using an idea from Inkshares CEO Adam Gomolin. Couldn’t be happier with the way it turned out. Hope you like it as much as I do!

Tuesday, July 27, 2021

 Hi Readers, Supporters and Followers of WILD CONVICTION!

Good news! This morning I submitted the completed manuscript of my novel, WILD CONVICTION, to Inkshares!

(I had hoped to do this a month or two earlier, but several difficult life changes and tragic events slowed my process and progress.)

Thanks for your great suggestions and support to my beta readers and to all who have read chapters and commented or reviewed on my WILD CONVICTION Inkshares page.

I have completed my own series of rigorous editing and made some changes I am happy with, so now it’s in the reading queue for the editors at Inkshares.

The process to publication will take some time, and I am grateful for your continued support and patience. 

I’ll keep you updated with information as I receive it from Inkshares. We are moving toward the day when you can read the entire novel!

Until then, don’t hesitate to contact me and to read the chapter postings on my WILD CONVICTION Inkshares page. 

I just added two more chapters today—Chapter Six and Chapter Seven:  

• Chapter Six mentions more about the famous historical literary figure first mentioned in Chapter Four.

• Chapter Seven introduces a surprise fictional character who adds intrigue and more conflict to Twilight’s life...

To read, go to https://www.inkshares.com/books/wild-conviction.  Click on READ.

And, as I have been promising, I’ll be sending GrandMama’s “actual” letter--with secrets, magic and mystery inside it--to those who pre-ordered and want it but haven’t yet received it. 

This letter is the important Chapter 3, which is not available to read on my Inkshares page. 

I have sent out GrandMama’s "actual" letter to many who have pre-ordered, but then life became very difficult, slowing that process also. But now I plan get back to sending those out to those of you who have been patiently waiting.

Please tell your friends and family about pre-ordering the novel, for GrandMama’s letter filled with secrets, magic and mystery is a "pre-order perk"--sent just to those who pre-order and want the letter. (After receiving each pre-order, I write a thank you email and ask if that person would like the letter mailed to them.)

Remember—for anyone who’d like to add Wild Conviction to their life, they can! By pre-ordering!

Thanks to you all!
Best wishes,
Mary 

Happy to have had the opportunity to be featured on fellow writer Sean Taylor’s blog! If you want to read my rambling thoughts, the link is below. Guaranteed to feature wurds, sentincez, and all kinds of gud grammer.

https://seanhtaylor.blogspot.com/2021/07/ricky-ruszin-people-are-real-monsters.html

As always, more Showtime updates when I have them. 

Ricky

Hey all,

Today you should have received your In Beta ebook. Don’t strain those precious eyes, though, because a paperback is on its way. And be glad you preordered you preordered this thing 10 years ago because if you hadn’t, you would probably die of sticker shock at the $18.99 the paperback retailers for. I’m told the paper stock is to die for.

I hope you read it and thoroughly enjoy it. But even MORE than that, I hope write me a great review. If you want to leave a review without reading the book (like I would probably do), here’s what to praise:

—The plot twists (but you don’t want to give anything away!)

—The authentic small town setting.

—The 90s details that make you long for childhood.

—The banter.

—The author photo.

And here are two great places to leave those reviews:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37493589-in-beta?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=AS66nnBzUC&rank=5

https://www.amazon.com/Beta-Prescott-Harvey/dp/194784850X/ref=sr_1_3?crid=9CR58WMS2GJU&dchild=1&keywords=in+beta+prescott+harvey&qid=1625881015&sprefix=in+beta%2Caps%2C226&sr=8-3

Remember to make them five stars. See you in the local lending library!

I wanted to send an update on the status of Infodemic, one of three finalists in the 2020 Inkshares contest. I have now finished working on the manuscript with an outside editor, the talented and lovely Michele Abramowitz. 

As of Friday, I have passed the manuscript onto the Inkshares team and am awaiting the next steps. Thanks again to everyone who has preordered a copy of the novel or otherwise supported this book throughout 2020/2021.

In the meantime, do check out my email newsletter, where I will soon be sharing a non-fiction investigative story that I’m currently writing for Slate.

https://stephenharrison.substack.com/

All the best,
Stephen

Dear Readers and Supporters of WILD CONVICTION,

Happy Juneteenth! Finally a federal holiday!

Thank you to every champion of freedom--past, present and future.

Mary

Hey folks,

Exciting times, IN BETA is finally coming your way. Please make sure your Inkshares profile has your correct, current address, as they will be sending them out to whatever’s on their site.

Excited to hear what you think, stay tuned!