Quite fond of writing and even fonder of making a happy reader out of someone like you.
The creep to 300 continues!
Just this past weekend, Alicia Smock, a very talented writer for The Examiner, interviewed me about my book. About the stresses of its Inkshares campaign, about some of the secrets I'm still hiding within its world, and about how all the support you, my dear readers, have given me. Thank you so much. Please click here to read Ms. Smock's amazing article.
I wanted to work in how if it had not been for Mr. Zachary Tyler Linville putting me in contact with Ms. Smock, the whole thing wouldn't have happened. Zac is the author of Welcome to Deadland, winner of the Nerdist Collection Contest. There's a damn good reason he won, too. His book is first in a series, and if you're as big a Walking Dead fan as I am, you should make it a point to check out and pre-order his work. (That's right: ZOMBIES!)
There was one detail which Alicia and I tried to work in to the article, but was left clipped on the editing room floor. See near the end how she mentions only 'three human beings on the planet' know the secrets I'm hiding in "The Animal in Man"? Well, author Andy Ainsworth is one. His fantastic novel "These Old Bones" (buy it!) was one of the very first that ever sold me on how amazing the Inkshares platform could be for us authors, and he's since become the friend of mine who helped me find my own novel's great cover art.
Rick Heinz, who I pretty much consider my Mr. Miagi at this point (though he strives for Yoda), is mentioned. I want to thank Rick once more - because I can never do so enough - for pushing my hesitant *** into the Sword & Laser contest. He believed in me. Rick's next book - the sequel to his "Seventh Age: Dawn" - is already underway. Pre-order Dawn now so you can be prepared when Jack II (the cybernetic assassin I played in his game) makes his appearance in "Rise of Dystopia." (He better, Rick, or else!)
Thank you so much for following "The Animal in Man." We're going to win this thing. I know there are still plenty of followers out there reading this who have not committed to a full-on pre-order yet. There may be an attitude of 'Ah, Joe's already won this thing.' There may be a belief that I'm some arrogant king on a hundred-reader mountain. But neither is the case. I am still in need of your help, and I am simply humbled by all the support I've received thus far for "The Animal in Man." Once the story is done and the book's in your hands, you'll see why I believe in this project so passionately. I hope you'll join me, see the heart I pour into it, and help me get the book to you where it belongs.
Mugs Raffle!! Want to see who won the cool Osoporto mugs? Click the video! But I will be contacting this person via email as well so I can get an address for shipping purposes. Thanks all for participating. There's still a Beagle Freedom Swag raffle so why not pre-order to get in on that, or order another copy if you already have. Nothing wrong with that!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDmsOcvBKE0
Hey! Happy Monday!! Back to work, eh? Well, just wanted to let you know all slots filled in the Mugs raffle, so as soon as I can get it together to do it I will. Hopefully I'll get it on video for ya! But if you're still interested in some swag and you haven't pre-ordered -- or you just want to again, I have few slots left in the Beagle Freedom Project Raffle. Here's what you could win:
Yep, it's a scarf and cap to keep you warm in this chilly wet weather we're having. Or maybe where you are you're even having snow. You want to keep warm, don't ya? Remember as well I am going to donate 10% of all sales to the Beagle Freedom Project if publish goal met.
Anyway, stay tuned for the raffle...
Happy Monday everyone!
I wanted to take a moment to give you a bit of a status report on DHM.
1. Chapter One is finished, unexpectedly. I had started writing scenes and realized, once I finished them, that they naturally ended our chapter on a great intriguing note. It's available in its entirety on the Inkshares page, and I would love it if you read it and let me know what you think.
2. To date, no one has figured out the DHM ARG. We have a couple of people playing, but no one has crossed the finish line. The clues start with the book trailer I posted a while back. Will you be the first to finish the game and save Timble Ada?
3. Here's some general math on how the campaign is going: We are 2 orders away from our next raffle, 45 orders from fifth place, 92 orders from 2nd, and 182 orders from 250 -- which is my goal. The road is long, and the chances for winning dim, I have to be honest. I felt really good seeing all the people who came on board this weekend - 10 orders in just two days! - until I saw that the other guys are getting dozens of orders per day. That knocks the winds out of my sails a bit, I must admit.
HOWEVER, there are 11 days, and I plan on working on this until January 16th. I also have a contingency in case this doesn't pan out, the Sword & Laser contest I mean. I believe in Deus Hex Machina, I see it being a successful book read by thousands of people. I would like those thousands of people to read it with an Inkshares label on the back, but even if that does not happen, I will be working to make sure it is published properly.
You can help!
If you believe in this book as much as I do, there are things you can do to help. You can share DHM on your own Inkshares updates, should you be an Inkshares author. If anyone out there wants to work on a cross promotion with me, I would be more than happy to help.
Anyone who is on the fence, intending on ordering but hasn't yet, please make the plunge and order today. Isidore and Dax need your help.
Even if you are not an Inkshares author (or heck, even if you are), you can still help push DHM into the top three. All you have to do is reach out to three of your friends and ask them to order. Send them to this Facebook post on instructions how to order the book for free.
What I am doing:
I am continuing to write Chapter 2. This 366 days of writing is exhilerating. I should be getting to Dax soon.
I am reaching out to everyone I know, something I did not do with Shadow of the Owl. That's how much I believe in this book -- I'm facing my social anxiety to ensure that DHM wins this contest.
Phew, that was longer than I expected. Guess it's not such a quick update after all!
Have a great Monday!
