During the day I’m an elementary school educator. At night I’m a writer. Kind of like Batman, except...
Exciting news!
Showtime has been chosen by Inkshares staff as their Syndicate’s pick for March!
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, everyone. And welcome to those of you who just joined in the past few days.
Like I said on Friday, the campaign for Bane of All Things is now in bonus overtime. We have less than five days left. It’s a whole new spin on March Madness. I am asking you to dig deep and consider how you might bring in one or two additional pre-orders (or more if you can) for me over the next couple of days.
One way is to enlist a friend or family member. Another is to simply order an additional copy or two yourself. All it takes is an ebook purchase for US$10. Several existing supporters last week did just that -- Andrew. C., Andrew S., the team at HostedBizz.
"But, Leo," you might ask. "What am I going to do with another ebook copy?"
Fair question. Give it as a gift, share with friends and family. When BoAT publishes, you will be able to download your ebook copies in whatever file format you prefer, making it easy to email them on. And additional print copies of course make great gifts, especially when signed by the author :).
There will be prizes
Any existing supporters who this week order additional copies will have their names entered into a draw for a $50 Amazon gift card (or gift card of your choice). Those who already ordered additional copies last week will be entered into this draw as well.
And anyone who brings in/refers a new supporter this week will also have their names entered into a second draw for another gift card prize. But I am putting a caveat on this one -- at least five you must have brought me a new supporter before that draw will take place.
And there is still the draw for original signed artwork that I promised would happen once we passed 300 pre-orders. EVERYONE who has pre-ordered by the final deadline for this campaign will be in that draw.
Together, we can make this happen!
Cheers
Leo
Dear All,
After four years, it is time to say goodbye to a member of the Inkshares family. At the end of this week, Angela Melamud will be departing as our Assistant Director of Marketing. Angela has been a valuable member of this team for more than four years and was actually our first hire outside of the founders. She has secured reviews not only in publishing trades like Publishers Weekly but also major media outlets like The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Good Morning America. She has represented your novels with diligence and grace, so please join me in wishing her the best as she transitions toward freelance publicity work.
I would also like to introduce Sarah Nivala, who will be joining our team. I first met Sarah eighteen months ago, introduced to her by the CEO of Vroman’s, the largest bookselling chain west of the Mississippi and owner of Book Soup, where Sarah has worked. For those of you who don’t know Book Soup, it’s one of the most iconic independent bookstores in North America. Sarah is possessed by an infectious love for books, a keen understanding of the marketplace, and advocacy skills honed doing the hardest thing in the business—hand-selling books. Sarah will be supporting Avalon, who will retain overall responsibility on marketing. Over the next two weeks, please address the correspondence that would normally go to Angela to Avalon or myself.
Importantly, Sarah is the first of a few new faces who will be joining Inkshares and I look forward to introducing you to them over the next few months.
Adam.