Hello, everyone! I know, I know... it’s been almost two years since we funded HOW TO REMEMBER. It’s all good! The book is still on its way. I turned in my third draft and am looking forward to my next round of feedback. I’m convinced it will be ten times better than the last.

In the meantime, lots of stuff has happened! I completed another novel and entered it in Pitch Wars, which is a mentorship competition (find more info at PitchWars.org). While the odds of being matched with a mentor are slim, getting the book together and submitting it has been a great experience. I also edited a full-length novel and a short story anthology through the indie co-op Writing Bloc. The Deception anthology is out today on Kindle - you can find it here.

Are you doing NaNoWriMo? My participation will depend on whether I’m picked for Pitch Wars. If I’m able, I’ll be working on yet another manuscript, hoping to add another 50,000 words to the draft. I’ve never completed NaNo in November, but I’ve written a book in a month... a few times ;-)

Bouchercon, the annual celebration of crime fiction, is happening now, and I have major FOMO. But I’m planning to attend the Public Library Association conference in Nashville in 2020, so there will be some shenanigans there! For those who are attending BCon - I miss you, and have fun!!

Thanks, readers!! Happy Halloween!

Imagine you are a coyote trotting through the woods. You come across a freshly plucked chicken lying on the forest floor. You sniff the chicken, mistrustful. But, being a coyote, you decide to take a bite. Immediately, steel jaws clamp around your leg. You are trapped. If you ever want to see your wife and pups again, you must first gnaw through your paw. So you set to work.

It takes you years. Every time you think you are free, the jaws clamp tighter. But one day, finally, you finish. You emerge bloody, dirty, missing a leg. But free! FINALLY FREE!!

That’s pretty much been my experience writing IN BETA. Thanks everyone for sticking with me. Today I handed over my final manuscript and I am now a FREE MAN. Amazingly, I’ve still held onto that chicken and somehow managed to tenderize it, roast it, and season it irresistibly.

So, more details to come, including final release date, which will be Spring of next year, cover design, etc. But at this moment, ima limp off and introduce myself to the kids I’m supposed to be fathering. 

Happy Halloween and beware the chicken!

Friends, Readers, and Sorcerers All --

ONE WEEK until CRYPTOZOOLOGY FOR BEGINNERS is released! Since you all pre-ordered the book, you will be getting a signed bookplate along with your physical copies. I am told your books will be shipping this week. If your shipping address has changed since you purchased, please contact Inkshares at avalon@inkshares.com to let them know. 

Once you get your books, we would love to see pictures and reviews on social media! We’re an indie outfit so every little bit of publicity helps. Be sure to tag your posts with #cryptozoologyforbeginners and leave reviews on Amazon and Goodreads. We appreciate all your support, and hope you enjoy the book!

Matt & Juliane

What’s up everyone! Just a reminder that tomorrow, Under The Rug officially releases. After cataloging to sites like Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and GoodReads, ya’ll should be getting your copies by sometime toward the end of next week, depending on what zip code you’re in. Once again thanks for your support and I hope you enjoy Under The Rug as much as I enjoyed writing it. One other reminder—please make sure to update your address through your inkshares account so your copies don’t got to the wrong place. In case some of you have moved. 

Hey, everyone!

I’m happy to be able to share that I recently received editorial notes on the manuscript for Showtime so we can officially check off that box on the Long List of Things to Do Before Publication. Now it’s a matter of deciding what changes, additions, deletions, and edits to make before it goes back to the editor. I’m currently in the home-stretch of writing Book #3, so I may end up finishing it to keep the momentum going, then start working on Showtime re-writes. Publication is a long process no matter the publisher, so thanks again for your patience. Showtime is officially one step closer to being in your hands, and I’m looking forward to finally being able to share the full, finished product with everyone!

Ricky