HI gang - sorry I’ve been out of pocket but the day job... need I say more. I reloaded the Prologue and Chapter 1 - this is after receiving my development editor’s feedback. I am loving these characters and this story so much - hope that all are of you are well!

Lack of Updates

Just wanted to say hello to Sparked followers. We haven’t forgotten about you (or our book, which really is happening very soon!) We’re getting our proverbial ducks in a row before launching our book campaign in early September. That means sharing the finished manuscript with teen beta-readers, making a promotional video (fun!) featuring some of those readers talking about it, and launching our advice column for aspiring writers in which we share our wisdom and wit (the latter being up for debate, of course).

The first two columns are now up, so check them out here: http://www.bay-ata.com/sparked/dear_lena.php

Find out the answers to the questions, "Do I need to write every day?" and, "Should I toss my embarrassing old journals?"

We would LOVE to answer a question of yours, fellow Inkshares scribe, so if you want to join in the conversation and fun, send us your questions and we’ll answer away! 

*Helena and Malena teach creative writing at Stanford, where novels about mean girls manifesting powers to save small towns from evil with a capital E are not the norm, though they’re working hard to change that...

So, I’ve decided to buy one book a month on inkshares. I figure that even if my work never sees the light of day, there’s some great reading on here. And while it’s nice to support someone, this is not simple charity, because from what I’ve read so far, I’m getting a damned good book. I also get a  nice feeling knowing that in a very small  way, I’ve helped someone’s dream come true. 

Hello my Knightmares!

Thank you to everyone who pre-ordered a copy in the last week! And again, a continued thanks to everyone who has pitched in along the way.

This is officially CRUNCH TIME. We need 60 pre-orders to hit our publishing goal, and we have to do it in a little over 60 days. 

I know in my heart this novel deserves to get published. It’s a fun read that I have been dying to show to the world. Are you a fan of Ghostbusters (original)? Monster Squad? Big Trouble in Little China? Phantasm? Army of Darkness? Buffy the Vampire Slayer? Supernatural? Sleepy Hollow? Frighteners? Stranger Things?  If any of these ring a bell, this book is right up your alley of weirdness.

If Leelu can’t get you motivated, I am not sure what will.

If you’ve already bought a copy and you want to help out in another way, get two friends to buy a book and receive this t-shirt, FREE!

In two weeks I will be attending a local horror convention called Monster Mania, and I will be handing out postcards to promote The Knightmares, so if you’re in the area and see me walking around the convention, say hello!

Terminus - by Jaye Milius - In a future where technology lets the living speak with the dead, the afterlife is big business. Families can be reunited, lost loves can be together again, aging rock stars can even play reunion shows with long dead bandmates... all for a price.

This book deserves to get published. I have been a fan since I first signed up on Inkshares. If you’re looking to back another book, go for it and do not waste time. Time is ticking away. 

Blue Water - by Joseph Parcell -  A little girl with a stuffed rabbit.  The inescapable nightmares, whether awake or asleep.  The words she keeps hearing like a song stuck in her head.  For Emily Hunter, the time to discover the key to her madness has finally come.

I came across this book the other night, and it looks like another really solid book that deserved to be published. Time is also ticking away here, so please, take a look and give it the publication it deserves.

Please help these authors out!

Dear friends

I come to you as the bearer of good news. Very good news!

Blurbs and reviews for The Catcher’s Trap are trickling in, and I can’t be more thankful and proud. I share with you three blurbs that put a smile on my face:

"Ricardo Henriquez’s impressive use of description and storytelling weaves a most captivating introduction of macabre and beauty in his new series. Readers should clear their schedules the day they open The Catcher’s Trap. As soon as they finish chapter one... there is no stopping until the final page has been reached." Alicia Smock, Chicago Books Examiner

“With his debut novel, “The Catchers Trap,” Ricardo Henriquez sucks the reader into a vortex of suspense, sarcasm and stunning detail that is both captivating and thrilling. The novel is engaging to both horror and non-horror fans, with a read that is more than meets the eye.” Christine Bucci-Caprilozzi, Senior Editor for Horror News Network

“The Catcher’s Trap is a riveting story that kept me up reading far too late more than once.  Equal parts terrifying and heroic, Andres’ descent into a nightmare existence and back is going stay with me for a long time.  I hope Mr. Henriquez has a sequel in the works, because I need to know what happens next, and there’s so much more about the Catcher’s world to explore.” Dave Barret, Author of It’s All Fun and Games, and Nerdist contest winner.

As an author I want nothing more than people to enjoy my work. The fact that those who have read The Catcher’s Trap like it, encourages me to continue writing and sharing the stories I carry inside of me.

In other great news, Nerdist and Inkshares announced yesterday at Comic-Con that our anthology Too Many Controllers was picked to be part of the Nerdist collection. What does this mean? It means that Nerdist will put their marketing power behind our project to make sure it is a successful one. This is a great honor that I share with other 14 talented writers.

Finally, just a reminder that in about a month, on August 27th, I’ll be at the Connecticut Horror Fest, at The Matrix Conference Center in Danbury. If you are in the area, come and say hello. I’ll have free advance readers copies of The Catcher’s Trap and other chachkies to share.

Have a Fantastic Week.

Ricardo

Thank you to everyone who has placed a repeat order for SQUIDS IN following my last update. As a result the book is that little bit closer to publication. 

Hendrix the Octopus is continuing in his promotion of the book, though personally I suspect he’s just playing Pokemon Go!

Special thanks to Nick Holden who ordered 10 BOOKS!!! Nick races in the Britcar series over here in the UK in a Renaultsport RS-01 and uses one of my Race-Keeper HDX2 onboard video-data logging systems. Now tell me that this isn’t a gorgeous looking race car...

110 orders in 46 days. LET’S DO THIS!!!

Matthew

Yo, readers!

As I said earlier, there would be a late update today. So, officially, I welcome you to our 12th Detective Sunday by yours truly. Technology can be a hassle to deal with when you got plans set out for you, so I apologize for the hold up. Now, I hope everyone’s doing alright these days, and I also hope you’re enjoying your summer because it’s slowly coming to an end. I’ve been staying in the most of my summer, and that’s mostly because I’m writing or chatting up with friends I’ve known for years but are way too distant for me to spend time with them. Anyways, I’m shying away from the purpose of this update. Let’s jump into it.

First, I want to mention that there will be a spike in orders this upcoming week. The majority of these orders are coming from family members or friends, and the desired goal I have is somewhere around 30-40 orders. It’s a nice jump from where we are now, and it can be very well possible if you guys assist me as well. Help make the load easier by contributing, and those of you who are writers are open to PM about anything as far as trades go.

Next up, the 2016 LaunchPad Manuscript Competition. Now, this all really just came out of the blue and I was rather intrigued by it because it’s different from the other competitions. I couldn’t join the others because I either wasn’t here at the time or my books didn’t fit the category. This competition doesn’t seem to have specific genres, and I’m a competitive guy, so I see no problem with going through with it. I was debating on using an old project of mine called Rewind, or possibly the new idea I’ve been dreaming about called Changing Seasons. Rewind is about a highschool boy in his senior year that has the power to wind back time for a split-second in order to correct specific errors. The power was bestowed upon him when he lost his parents in a wreck, and ever since, he’s been using his power to save lives; however, when he transfers to a new school, he couldn’t save a particular girl from death and struggles with keeping her alive after saving her because a much darker force is after her. It turns into a much bigger story when he learns of how he got the power and the effects of abusing time. Changing Seasons is a collection of short stories that spans over seasons. I’m debating about how many stories, but a few heart-to-heart sequences that I came up with involves an immortal living in a village alone, but watching over the deceased, or a sacrifice going on a pilgrimage and coming to the end which results in death in order to keep the world stable. Either way, I will have the opportunity to work on my writing and challenge myself against fellow writers who are very skilled.

  Sooo that’s about it for this update. Once again, sorry for the late update, and have a good rest if it’s night for you as well, or good morning when you read it the next day!

Until next time, A.J.III.

All, thank you for the support. Things have been progressing well...Need those pre orders for Plagued, guys!  Please!  Thanks for all of the love and support!