Greeting Jackolytes,

Sync City’s final manuscript and cover have landed with the printers, and events are proceeding nicely. The official publication date for Sync City is February 28th, and, for those of you that pre-ordered the paperback version, they should ship on or around that date (or maybe even earlier – stranger things have happened). With this in mind, it’d be a mighty fine idea to make sure you have your correct earth-based address with Inkshares (especially if you have moved), so this compelling novel of man and machine can cruise unimpeded through the labyrinth of the international postal system.

If you are now thinking, yes, a paperback of time-fractured death and destruction is exactly what I need to see off the dregs of winter, then you can pre-order at Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Book Depository, as well as many other fine online bookstores. It would also make a lovely, belated Valentine’s Day gift …

The ebook, which obviously has no postal issues to deal with, is still available for the limbo low price of $5.99 at Inkshares.

Stay tuned!

Cheers,

 Peter

It’s been a while since I sent an update. Partly because I’m still getting used to navigating the new Inkshares layout. Aside from that, I’ve been working hard on Thanatos and it will be up for pre-order soon. The first draft is finally complete and I’m on my way to having a finished novel!

Hello, faithful readers and followers!

A year ago today I launched my Inkshares campaign and while it wasn’t successful, I did not give up working on the book. At the time I had barely two chapters. Today the current (and nearly final) draft is sitting at 99,000 words and twenty-three chapters.

I have revamped the Inkshares page, took down the old, outdated sample chapters and replaced them with the current prologue and first chapter. I’m really proud of this book and whether I decide to start another campaign or shop it elsewhere, I promise you it will see the light of day in some shape or form...sooner rather than later.

I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for the constant, unwavering support. I feel 200% more confident in the current, almost finished version of the book compared to the rough idea and collection of words I had a year ago and if not for the Nerdist Space Opera contest and Inkshares itself, I’m not sure I would have taken the leap did and finally put myself out there. It has changed my life (no seriously, I’m not even exaggerating). 

Love and all that stuff,

J

Another thrilling week has passed and it is time for an update! The Walls are Closing In is sitting at 229 orders, a mere 21 orders from the first milestone of Quill light-publication (250 orders), and above the ideal rate of funding for the full Inkshares contract (750 orders). Chug chug chug.

The book received a bit of spotlight on the Inkshares blog in a post by Elena Stofle, Operations Manager at Inkshares. Thank you, Elena!

"Castle’s tale about a walled United States is exciting, maddening, and full of hope. Two walls have been constructed at the northern and southern borders of the United States—with no way in or out. Patricia is a brave and intelligent heroine living between the border walls with a thirst for the truth about life before the Seclusion, and the future that could be had if the walls were to come down.

I have only read the chapters posted on Inkshares, but I am so excited to read more about this epic, futuristic tale that is so different and fresh in the sea of modern dystopian stories that are out there. "

The full post can be read here

Next weekend, February 16th through 20th, I will be attending the San Francisco Writer’s Conference. I am eager to dive into classes for both journalism and fiction writing, and network with other authors. There is one session that I am particularly looking forward to - Writing the Resistance: Authors as Activists and Agents of Change.

The Walls are Closing In has been nominated for three syndicates this month!

If you happen to be a member of Staff Syndicate, Break the Bechdel with Strong Female Characters Syndicate, or Rite of Passage Syndicate, and deem that The Walls are Closing In fits the bill, I would be eternally grateful for your vote. 

That is it for now. Thank you again for your support. Until next week!

Just a quick update on where things stand. In the next 24 hours we should be done with developmental editing and sending the manuscript over to copy editing. The manuscript is in really good shape. There are still some typos to fix and a few scenes that we’re working on, but I’m anticipating we’ll knock those out tonight/tomorrow morning.

Copy editing should take about a couple of weeks, meaning we should have a final version of the manuscript going into formatting on the last week of the month. This will enable Inkshares to print "galleys" (promotional versions of the book) by the end of the month, which is very exciting.

In the mean time, I need to do my "author picture" for the inside sleeve of the book. I have something cool in mind, but as I’m not very photogenic, it may not work out. Still, I’ve enlisted the services of my friend and photographer Lai Long whom I believe will endeavor to make photographic miracles happen.

I’m told everything is all set for the book launch at San Diego Comic Con in July. I’m not really sure exactly what it is that we’ll be doing there to promote the book. Maybe I’ll just do a little interpretive teleportation dance while wearing a futuristic LED suit. Probably not that.

So excited you guys. Jazz hands!

Tal

 I am delighted to report that I completed my manuscript and sent it off to the Inkshare editors today! It feels amazing to have the novel done and on its way to being published! I couldn’t be happier with how the story turned out and believe you’ll find it to be a compelling page turner. If you haven’t purchased a copy for yourself or loved ones yet, now is the time. You can still pre-order and reserve your ebook or paperback copy, so that it arrives immediately. Go to https://www.inkshares.com/books/apex.  

Cheers, Debbie