Michael Valdez liked an update for She Is the End

Hello my friends!  I have a lot going on. A lot a lot.

But you know what? It's good stuff. I like it.

The Expo was great - someone wants to license a piece of my art, ahhhh, and someone else scolded me about selling my for too little. Thanks for the support, random strangers!

We're making some serious progress on the manuscript for She Is the End. Here's an excerpt of a conversation with Alex:

Alex: The showdown in Episode IV is SO GOOD, honey. This might be better than the rooftop scene [in Episode VI]. Your book can't peak in Episode IV!

Me: Thanks! IT DOESN'T.

(I promise it doesn't.)

Anyway!

Since Tuesday is Museday (and sometimes the muse is killed by work, but not every week), I'm going to give you a little inspiration collage, which in turn was inspired by how much Joe Terzieva's Pinterest page for Lost Generation helped me get a feel for his book.

Here's a collage of stuff that inspires me when I think about Milo. His character card is going to be based on Mucha's Winter.



Oh, Milo. So angry. So sad.

:)

Now, as for the Review-a-Thon... it's gonna be freakin' amazing!!! I hope you're telling everyone and their cousin's dog  to post reviews on the 19th. I'm so excited!

Authors, if you want in on our review exchange, please email me at cara.c.weston@gmail.com to get on the list!

Finally....

Strap on your hacking gloves, screw in your neon lights, and PRE-ORDER THIS BOOK:

Deus Hex Machina by Amanda Orneck:
A devout hacker collaborates with a streetwise gang leader to investigate magic in dystopic Orange County.
Y'all don't even know how much I like cyberpunk dystopias. Am I headcanoning Jonny Lee Miller and Angelina Jolie from 1995 as the main characters? Yes. Yes I am.

Have a wonderful evening!
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    Michael Valdez liked an update for Deus Hex Machina

    We're number 2!  I'm over the moon! I recorded it for posterity because this is a momentous occasion.  I want to stay number 2 for the next month, but I know too much is in flux in this sort of contest, so I'm going to enjoy this present moment and let it energize me for the weeks ahead.  

    We are only three orders away from the next round of the Shadow of the Owl giveaway.  I would love to do another raffle today.  Can we get there?  Let's do this!

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      Michael Valdez liked an update for Dax Harrison

      Hey everyone!

      My eyes have long since gone cross-eyed and bloodshot over the past couple days, endlessly staring at the computer and pitching my book to every soul on the internet. So I thought I'd take a quick sanity breather and wish you all a happy middle of the week.

      DAX COUNTDOWN: 17 days, 68 orders to publishing

      I've been surprisingly fairly relaxed as the countdown to the campaign deadline has been steadily approaching. That said, I will now use my aforementioned break time to illustrate my thoughts, in the calm, collected demeanor which those who know me personally are well familiar...

      PANIC! SHEER AND UTTER PANIC!
      IN MUPPETY EXAGGERATION!
      IN "DINOSAURS ARE COMING TO EAT US" PROPORTIONS!
      And so on...
      And so on...
      Almost done...
      Little more muppety...
      A little bit Weasley...
      Just a little bit spongy...
      Last one. This one is actually more my style.

      Ok, moment over. Honestly guys, I'm not that worried. Ok, a little worried. Not THAT worried. But animated GIFs are fun.

      To my other authors here on Inkshares, I applaud you and your efforts. This has been my first crowdfunding experience, and it is a dance, a race, sometimes a slog, but also amazing and rewarding.

      So authors, readers, and assorted random followers who just happened to follow me back: let's all take a collective deep breath...


      Thanks, Sherlock. *over-dramatic-yet-refreshing sigh* All right then, back to the grind.

      And if any of you still need help finding your calm, get a trusty friend to give you the Airplane treatment...


      Or better yet, just go watch Airplane. That movie is amazing and still holds up.

      -Tony
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        Michael Valdez liked an update for The Crown of Secrets

        Greetings, readers!

        Today I'm excited to announce that The Crown of Secrets has started funding again! f BUT WAIT THERE'S MORE!!! If you're Christmas shopping, order by December 24th for some added bonuses! (See below for details.)

        I've been continuing to work with the illustrators and will be sharing some brand new art with you in the upcoming weeks, as well as more of the stories. I've also shifted some stories around, so this book will be a large-format hardcover with about 96 full-color pages (it will not include Towers or The Mamo Fragments - more details on that soon).

        So the final story list is as follows:

        1. The Crown of Secrets, illustrated by Stephen Rigall
        2. Hunting My Dress, illustrated by Kristin Richland
        3. The Last of the Giants, illustrated by Jake Cochrane
        4. The Tiger and the Rabbit, illustrated by Billie Austin
        5. Tapioca Hunt, illustrated by Jeremiah Christie
        6. Mr Banana's Strange Day, illustrated by Jeremiah Christie
        7. Little Drifters, illustrated by Jake Cochrane
        8. The Evening Day and Grey, illustrated by Kristin Richland
        9. The People of Naphoth Tsur, illustrated by Isidre Mones
        10. The Sea at Night, illustrated by Karen Davie
        11. The Robot and the Goldfish, illustrated by Xiao Ma
        12. Wooden Horse, illustrated by Natalie Slater

        Right now the price is super low, so grab it while the grabbing is good. And although obviously the book won't be printed by Christmas, if you need a Christmas present, you can order The Crown of Secrets by December 24th and I'll send you a printable "Future You is getting this book!" certificate and a bonus story that you can give as a gift (or keep for yourself, of course).

        As always, your thoughts and feedback are all appreciated. Be well! Keep reading and dreaming and creating!

        Jeremiah

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          Michael Valdez liked an update for The Children of the Forest

          Dear readers,

          I've made the difficult decision of placing The Children of the Forest into the sequel contest to the Sword & Laser contest. While I've been blown away by the support and success of the story, I ultimately decided that this offers the best chance for the book to receive maximum exposure. I really believe in my story, the universe, and the cast of wonderful characters. I believe it's a relevant tale of ecological-unrest, and I know that it has the potential to win. 

          Recently I put the final touches on the first draft of my novel, and I've been working diligently to complete the second version of the manuscript. I've removed the previous chapters and added the novel's new forward, along with the edited copy of Chapter One. Chapter Two will be forthcoming by the end of the night. 

          Now comes the part where I need to ask a huge favor of the community. You've all been instrumental int this entire process, and you've made my story a thousand times greater than it could have ever been without you. The feedback, criticism, and more have helped shape my writing, and the story into something truly wonderful and unique. Now I need to ask that everyone go and pre-order a copy to help me get ahead in the contest. If even just half of the original supporters come and purchase only a single copy, it should shoot me right up to first place! 

          I'm banking on the support of everyone who has followed me and my work, and again, I'm eternally grateful for you all.

          ~ Until next time folks.



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            Michael Valdez commented on The Rememberer
            Reminds me of the Trill in some ways, and anything that reminds me of Star Trek is a plus :)
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