Tony Valdez liked an update for The Battle for Oz

Making a Comeback!

‘To achieve a success after a retirement or failure.’ – a reliable dictionary I found online.

I am making a comeback. The Slave Prince is making a comeback.

My last success on Inkshares was in January 2015. My last failure on Inkshares was in January 2016. (What a coincidence!) But what is failure, really? Giving up. So that’s why I’m back.

When The Slave Prince didn’t make it to the top 3 in the Sword & Laser Collection Contest, I was disappointed. But I knew, from the get-go, that I wasn’t going to give up on this book. And when the opportunity arose, I would put it out there again.

The opportunity has arrived… in the form of the Geek & Sundry fantasy contest.

The Geek & Sundry contest opens now till November 1st. The top 3 books with the most unique pre-orders will receive a full publishing deal with Inkshares.

Obviously, The Slave Prince is at risk of ‘failing’ again. But I’m not going to fail, because whatever obstacle stands before me, I will dig under, I will climb over, and if I have to, I will break my way through. (Sounds like I’m giving myself a pep talk, eh?)

I don’t think I’ve said this before, but The Slave Prince is an important book to me… far more important than The Battle for Oz. If I could turn back time, I would’ve funded The Slave Prince first. But alas, I’m no time traveller.

The Slave Prince wasn’t just written for fun, but for me. The Slave Prince, Thom himself, reminds me I can do anything if I believe in myself. The adventure reminds me that perseverance can make the impossible possible. And the premise… the premise reminds me of the power of child-like make-believe. (Why am I tearing up? This is weird.)   

Every time I revisit The Slave Prince in my editing rounds, I am reminded to believe in myself and keep contending for the impossible. If it were another book, I’m not too sure if I’d feel the same way. So here I am, hoping you’ll stand with me and this book.

I know my book isn’t the best book out there, but I hope the story speaks to you. I also hope… you’ll give me a chance to make this comeback real. Thank you so very much for reading all the way to the end! And please grab a copy on your way out. I would be eternally grateful.


About The Slave Prince

The Slave Prince follows the tale of Thom, a mischievous teenage prince who discovers his lineage in the slave race. When the calling to be the chosen one arises, he relies on the power of a magical dagger to save his people.

Book page: https://www.inkshares.com/books/the-slave-prince

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    Tony Valdez liked an update for The Slave Prince

    Making a Comeback!

    ‘To achieve a success after a retirement or failure.’ – a reliable dictionary I found online.

    I am making a comeback. The Slave Prince is making a comeback.

    My last success on Inkshares was in January 2015. My last failure on Inkshares was in January 2016. (What a coincidence!) But what is failure, really? Giving up. So that’s why I’m back.

    When The Slave Prince didn’t make it to the top 3 in the Sword & Laser Collection Contest, I was disappointed. But I knew, from the get-go, that I wasn’t going to give up on this book. And when the opportunity arose, I would put it out there again.

    The opportunity has arrived… in the form of the Geek & Sundry fantasy contest.

    The Geek & Sundry contest opens now till November 1st. The top 3 books with the most unique pre-orders will receive a full publishing deal with Inkshares.

    Obviously, The Slave Prince is at risk of ‘failing’ again. But I’m not going to fail, because whatever obstacle stands before me, I will dig under, I will climb over, and if I have to, I will break my way through. (Sounds like I’m giving myself a pep talk, eh?)

    I don’t think I’ve said this before, but The Slave Prince is an important book to me… far more important than The Battle for Oz. If I could turn back time, I would’ve funded The Slave Prince first. But alas, I’m no time traveller.

    The Slave Prince wasn’t just written for fun, but for me. The Slave Prince, Thom himself, reminds me I can do anything if I believe in myself. The adventure reminds me that perseverance can make the impossible possible. And the premise… the premise reminds me of the power of child-like make-believe. (Why am I tearing up? This is weird.)   

    Every time I revisit The Slave Prince in my editing rounds, I am reminded to believe in myself and keep contending for the impossible. If it were another book, I’m not too sure if I’d feel the same. So here I am, hoping you’ll stand with me and this book.

    I know my book isn’t the best book out there, but I hope the story speaks to you. I also hope… you’ll give me a chance to make this comeback real. Thank you so very much for reading all the way to the end! And please grab a copy on your way out. I would be eternally grateful.

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      Tony Valdez liked an update for The Amaranth Chronicles: Deviant Rising

      Wanna see something really REALLY cool? Was going through an old file-cabinet over the weekend and found a bunch of materials from the early days of The Amaranth Chronicles. 


      We originally started mapping out the story using flashcards and pinned them up to a wall in my college bedroom. This was all back in 2008. Take a look at those first 3 cards. Its really amazing to reflect on my life and all that’s happened since then but I am amazed at what didn’t change in all these years.

      Check out the early sketches of the Stormchaser at the bottom. I did those nearly 11 years ago... Puts a tear in my eye...

      ...


      ...


      ...


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        Tony Valdez liked a review for A Beast Requires
        Inkshares won't let me recommend this more than once, which is a sad limitation when I like it at least ten times over. A Beast Requires mixes the wit of Douglas Adams and the whimsy of Jasper Fforde in a fairy tale land of forest slums, skeevy elf landlords, and murder. Every moment is layered in world building gold. If this book were food, it would be chocolate and I would eat it. (I may eat it anyway.)
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        People who have liked this review of It Fits

          Tony Valdez liked a review for A Beast Requires
          Inkshares won't let me recommend this more than once, which is a sad limitation when I like it at least ten times over. A Beast Requires mixes the wit of Douglas Adams and the whimsy of Jasper Fforde in a fairy tale land of forest slums, skeevy elf landlords, and murder. Every moment is layered in world building gold. If this book were food, it would be chocolate and I would eat it. (I may eat it anyway.)
          like · liked by Craig and 2 others

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            Tony Valdez liked an update for The Catcher’s Trap


            (Picture: Halloween night 2001)

            Hello friends, family, and fellow authors

            We are three months away from the release of The Catcher’s Trap and this humbling journey continues to fill me with joy.

            Last week Out Traveler’s editor, Brian Van Gorder, had this to say about my book: “In his fast-paced and tense first novel, The Catcher’s Trap, Ricardo Henriquez introduces us to an entirely original, richly detailed universe filled with strong, well-developed characters trying to survive their nightmarish new world. Sure, there are plenty of horrible monsters lurking on every page, but it’s the glimmers of joy found in the despair, the humor poking through the inhumane, that may just be the book’s cruelest beasts.”

            As I read his words, I couldn’t help to feel emotional and reflect on the past 15 years of my life. On October 2nd, 2001 I arrived in the U.S. like many other immigrants: full of dreams and hopes for a life of unlimited possibilities. During my first 2 years, I rented a small bedroom where everything that I owned fitted with room to spare. I worked as a waiter from noon until 1 A.M. 6 days a week while learning English by attending free adult education classes, reading children books and watching Will and Grace.

            Those days were hard. Money was not enough to live comfortably and, as time passed, I started questioning the decision of leaving my country.

            Fast-forward to August 2016. Thanks to the love and support of many, many people, today I’m writing to you, my readers; friends who either cared enough about me to pre-order a book that didn’t exist yet, or strangers who read a couple of chapters and thought they would take a chance on this weird fantasy/horror idea.

            Mister Van Gorder’s words not only made me reflect on this journey and feel thankful for all of you. They also gave me much-needed fuel to continue working on The Catcher’s Trap sequel, Worlds Walker and continue pushing to make sure my book is a success.

            So there are two things I will do in the coming months:


            1. I will start a campaign to get The Catcher’s Trap to sell 1000 copies before its release day (November 8th)
            2. I will finish writing Worlds Walker before the end of the year.


            Both goals are bold. But I feel energized and ready for them.

            If you are on this list and haven’t pre-order a copy of The Catcher’s Trap, please consider doing it.

            If you are on this list and have not check yet Worlds Walker, check it out here and consider following the project.

             

            Have a fantastic week.


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              Tony Valdez liked an update for To Live and Die in Avalon

              THIS IS IT EVERYONE!

              The last 7 DAYS OF MY CAMPAIGN!

              No more extensions left, it’s all or nothing!

              I would love to make Quill within the next seven days and I NEED your help! If you haven’t pre-ordered yet, please do so before time runs out! If you have already pre-ordered (THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU), spread the word to everyone you know and maybe consider picking up another copy (if you can). 

              I have to tell you guys, throughout the revision process this book has blossomed far beyond my expectations into something I can really be proud to have my name on. Beyond the action, adventure and intrigue there are some themes about family, loss, friendship and defying expectations placed upon you because of your race, gender or background. I’ve seen my villain evolve beyond a two-dimensional, hand-wringing bad guy and my heroes struggle to find common ground with each other while they try and save humanity’s new home among the stars. 

              I’ve also learned a hell of a lot about being not just a competent writer, but also an adventurous storyteller and the support from my Inkshares comrades has been a constant inspiration. 

              PLEASE help me cross the finish line before the week is up! I promise you a book worth investing your time and money in and the eternal gratitude of this little, hopeful author. If anything, this entire experience has only further validated that this is what I was meant to do...tell stories. Regardless of the outcome, I will keep pressing forward and keep chasing the next story and the next and learn from every success and near-success (I prefer that term over "failure" don’t you?)

              THANK YOU everyone, truly from the bottom of my heart!

              Jason
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