Wow, only 12 days since Showtime’s campaign ended? It seems like longer. Maybe that’s just because I’m enjoying the lack of nail-biting stress from trying to think of new people to get to buy. Or maybe because it’s summer and I’ve lost all concept of time.

Anyway, I just wanted to share a couple updates.

NEXT STEPS

Inkshares now has my full manuscript and their aim is to have their editorial notes back to me by mid-August. Books typically go through two (if not more) rounds of professional editing—developmental (story, character, pacing) and line (sentence structure, spelling, etc.)—so how many rounds Showtime will go through depends on their initial impression of the manuscript. Either way, that’ll be the next step in the production process. Exciting, right? And scary. That too.

BOOK AVAILABILITY

Now that the pre-order phase of things is over (whew!), the official order page is now up and running. It’s the same link I’ve bugged you all with for the past six months, so if you missed out on buying another or if you wanted to still share with someone else, feel free.

A note about pricing: you’ll notice that the pricing is a bit different than during the pre-order phase, with eBooks now selling at $8.99 and print copies at $14.99. You might be thinking, “What in tarnation?! Didn’t I pay $10.00 for my eBook and $20.00 for my print copy?” Do not adjust your TV sets. Yes, you did. And no, it’s not a trick. The reasoning for the adjustment is that Inkshares bumps up the pre-order pricing to account for production overhead costs (the monies from pre-orders go straight to production). Now that pre-orders are over, the book is available, and Inkshares knows from the submitted manuscript roughly how many pages it will be to print, the retail prices have been set. There we go. Angry mob defused.  

PROPERTIES

I’m working on Showtime’s "Properties" page for Inkshares (which gives agents and people in the entertainment business access to buy film, TV, and audiobook rights), and need a couple books and movies to compare it to. Kind of like “If you liked ________ and ________, you’ll enjoy Showtime.” It doesn’t have to be exactly the same plot. It could be similarities in terms of story, character, tone, voice, whatever. I’ve got a couple, but need 1 more book and 2 more movies. If you’re one of my beta readers who has read the whole thing (or anyone who has read my sample chapters), feel free to let me know if anything comes to mind.

NOTE OF APPRECIATION

Thanks again to everyone who helped this happen. I feel like it’s going to go well (knock on wood) and it’s no hyperbole to say that it couldn’t have happened without your enthusiasm, kindness, and support. Everyone receiving this update played some part in helping get Showtime to publication. So no matter if you bought copies, read and reviewed my chapters, asked friends and family to order, or simply clicked the FOLLOW button, thank you. Money’s not everything (especially since someone who bought 1 book might mean for them what it means for someone else to buy 10), so thank you for doing what YOU were able to do.

That’s all for now. I’ll send out another update when I have more news to share.

Thanks again,

Ricky

5 months. 392 books ordered. Syndicate Pick. #1 reviewed Funding project. All characteristics that I’m sure had a part in me receiving this e-mail at 4:23pm today from the CEO of Inkshares:

“Ricky,

Great campaign.  We will push your book into production.  Tell your backers.  

Adam.”

Translation, Showtime is going to be published! More thank yous, screams (and tears) of joy, and info. when I have it—and when I’ve fully comprehended what this means on so many different levels.

Thanks everyone for being part of making this happen. You all rock.

Ricky

This is it, everyone!

The last time I’ll ask you to order this book.

The last time I’ll post humorous memes in an attempt to win you over.

The last time I reference donuts and Doritos to send the subliminal message, “Hey! That Ricky sure is a swell fellow! Maybe I should order his book!”

This is officially the last full day for pre-orders. After that, things are out of my hands. It’s been a long, long winter (literally—I started this on January 16th!), and now as we finish up spring, it feels appropriate that the official end date for Showtime’s pre-orders is the first day of summer.

So, with that said, please, please consider ordering just one more copy for yourself or a friend. eBooks are only $10 and able to be sent as a gift as well. If just 21 of the 290+ individual readers do this, it will be enough to get us to finish at a mind-boggling 400 copies.

Some people will toss $20 or $50 at a charity as a donation and not bat an eye but feel differently when ordering multiple copies of the same book, thinking, “Why do I need another copy?” If it helps, consider it as a donation. A donation where you’re both getting a product in return as well as helping someone you know fulfill a dream that has been years—and literally thousands of work hours—in the making.

But if we end at 380, I’m cool with that, too. It’s much, much farther than I thought I would get. And, again, if couldn’t have happened without all of your help. Literally. 100%. I can write all I want, but the words stay on my computer screen unless there are people willing to read them. So thanks again to everyone who has come along (and stayed!) for the ride, for your selflessness and generosity, for your enthusiasm, support, and a dozen other things I’m sure I’m forgetting.

Whatever decision comes from Inkshares on Friday, I’m content knowing that I absolutely did the best I could with my efforts at crowdfunded publishing—something which was entirely new to me just five months ago.

So thanks again, and keep your fingers crossed for some good news,

Ricky

2 days left remain in Showtime’s pre-order campaign! TWO! After that, I will thank you for your support once more, retreat back to the shadows with a slab of coconut cake (either for celebration or sadness--but either way I get cake), and never bother you again to buy another copy of this book for as long as you live. (Actually, I can’t promise that at all...but I have good intentions!)

So, for the almost, almost final time: if you’re feeling generous, have some extra change you found in the couch while you were eating Doritos, or in the mood to support books and writing, please consider ordering another copy--either for yourself or someone else. Unlike coconut cake, they won’t go bad. In fact, I’ve heard book’s age like a fine wine the longer they sit on your shelf. (Actually, I’ve never heard that. But it sounds good, right?)

As always, reviewing, following, or reading my sample pages is always a help.

Since I’m not asking for another extension, we’re so close to the end. We’ve been a Syndicate Pick, crossed multiple 100s thresholds, met and surpassed the halfway point, been the #1 reviewed Funding project, and have bounced around the Top 3 for trending books...all of these cool achievements since January when getting to this point seemed so far off and nearly impossible.

Thanks for sticking with me this long and reading my updates. And even if you see them in your inbox, roll your eyes while exasperatedly grunting, "Ugh. Another one?" well, at least you haven’t done it to my face! :)

Ricky

Pretty please?