Top of the Thursday, Space Crew!
Welp, I know this is almost a week late. If it’s any consolation, that might mean two updates in one week? Or should I spare your inboxes? Lemme know.
The thing is, I’ve been legitimately busy legitimately working on legitimate projects. Oh, and impromptu travel and hosting friends from out of town. All in good fun. But mostly this summer is about working for you guys, and I’ve been doing a lot of that.
First, This Weekend is Montreal ComicCon!
I’m going to come hang out on Saturday, mostly in the vendor area, and talk about my book. I’ll have some of these fancy bookmarks with me to give away. If you’re going, please hit me up. Tweeting at me is going to be the best way (@ac_baldwin).
Podcast Coming Soon!
Last week I spent an hour talking to my old friend Frédéric Byé. Fred hosts a podcast called Creative Magic Unchained where he interviews all sorts of writerly folk and asks them tough questions. You can listen to me awkwardly stumble through them once the cast goes live at the end of the month.
Theme Song...Come on Now, Guys. We’re So Close.
I’ve been working my bottom off to get this done. I’m close. We’re close. We need about ten orders. You know who you are.
And you know, if we have a theme song, it would only make sense to publish a book trailer. Not that I’ve been secretly working on one or anything. What.
Now go forward and enjoy your Friday and the weekend and please come see me at Montreal ComicCon. 
Your Sly and Sassy Space Captain,
-AC
Hey there!
So much news, but we’re gonna keep it efficient!
That is all for now. As always, you’re all the best people in the world for being so supportive. Not only have I found amazing readers in you, but also a great community that I’m proud to call friends.
I remain, as always, your humble servant,
JF
Hey there!
So much news, but we’re gonna keep it efficient!
That is all for now. As always, you’re all the best people in the world for being so supportive. Not only have I found amazing readers in you, but also a great community that I’m proud to call friends.
I remain, as always, your humble servant,
JF
Hello Sweethearts!
I hope that you all are doing well and that your summer has been full of popsicles, time spent with people you love and lots of sunshine! Things have been progressing really well with How to Get Run Over by a Truck. We have been editing the manuscript itself, finalizing the cover, and sending out galley copies (the promotional copies of the book - not the final ones you’ll be getting :) to book reviewers and to bookstores! In some really fantastic news, the book has gotten a few really wonderful reviews that I’d love to share with you:
"Katie McKenna’s beautiful, wrenching memoir reduced me to actual tears—and then, slowly, left me with a broad smile and a growing sense of wonder. This book starts out as the story of an accident, but it becomes a meditation on the preciousness of life, and the long road we all travel to become ourselves." —Jennifer Finney Boylan, author of She’s Not There and Stuck in the Middle with You
"At times visceral and horrifying, at times heartbreaking and healing, and at times hilarious, McKenna’s memoir is a testament to the incredible resilience of the human spirit coming up against a crushing blow." —Hilary Angus, Managing Editor of Momentum Mag
"...Unflinchingly honest, at times dark, and yet surprisingly funny — a delight to read." —Michael J. O’Loughlin, author of The Tweetable Pope: A Spiritual Revolution in 140 Characters
I am over the moon that some of the people who have read it have really enjoyed it, and I CAN’T WAIT to share it with you!
Also, another bit of exciting news is that we have recently sold the audiobook rights Audible! The release date of the audio book is TBD, but I am so delighted about this opportunity, and so grateful to Inkshares for making this happen!
And lastly, I was recently featured in a podcast by the start-up company SpareMin! They interviewed me about my memoir, and my experience writing it, how I wrote the book that I needed to read, and what the feedback has been:
https://www.sparemin.com/category/the-spare-minute/
The conversation with me starts at about 10:40, but listen to the whole podcast - its really great!
Thank you all again for your incredible support and kindness, none of this would have happened without you!! You are too wonderful for words.
Heart,
Katie McKenna
Well, I got one last extension, this is now the final 30 days of my campaign. If I don’t make it to Quill, I will gracefully bow out...but, I still believe we can make it! I will be doing a lot of local promotion here in my hometown. I still got a bunch of postcards and business cards to give out and I’m hitting up local sci-fi/fantasy clubs.
This entire thing has been a big learning experience for me and no matter what happens, I’m going to take everything I’ve learned into the future, whether I decide to crowdfund another novel or not. I’m leaning toward the former since I do have a draft up on Inkshares that I’d like to pursue at some point. I now know what has worked, what has kind of worked and what hasn’t worked at all. I think it’s a different journey for everyone and maybe when this thing is done I can share my experiences with the community, whether I’m successful or not.
But, again, I think we CAN be successful and I’m pulling out all the stops to see that happen! Regardless of the outcome, I’m sure someone can benefit from sharing my experiences with both the Nerdist contest and the subsequent campaign and I plan on putting that all down in writing when the time comes.
Thank you to everyone who has supported me thus far, it means the world to me. To those who haven’t pre-ordered yet, now’s your chance! Help me make Quill! You’re doing more than getting a great retro science fiction novel, you’re also helping someone’s dream come true.
Thank you!
Jason
Today I thought I would share some of the nice things various people have said about SQUIDS IN during its campaign, not just to give myself a much needed ego boost going into the final week of the contest but also to show the level of support that other people have shown for this project over the past few weeks. Thanks guys!
A hilariously unique concept, engagingly written and adorably illustrated. Also gaming, profanity, and a naughty monkey. Sign me up! Jaye Milius
The opening excerpt of ’Squids In’ is packed with humor and over-the-top awkwardness. So obviously, I’m enjoying it immensely! Ken Lindsey
Big fan of the man and the book. A game playing cephalopod - what more could you want? Pre-order now! Peter Ryan
This is so creative. I could hardly believe the premise when I first read it, then I continued reading... and I was hooked! Stephanie Brooke
Yes, please. J. Danielle Dorn
An octopus gamer?! Yes please. Brian Guthrie
I’ve certainly not seen a concept like this before, and it’s absolutely great! Give it a look, and consider a pre order! H. Wardrope
Okay, this exactly what I needed. What a riot! You need a fun read at the end of the day, and this fits the bill. Lauren Drube
Very fun read! Check it out Dann Matias
THIS Thad Woodman
Somewhere, OCTODAD IS SMILING! Dom L
Love it Claireg24
A slacker surprised by an octopus in the pool, I’m curious if they will eat snacks and play games. can’t wait to find out! come check it out! Joshua Griffith
A great book from a great Author. One not to miss. Jamie
A great Read! Nell Walton
This is my daddy’s book. He tells me it is very good but that I’m not allowed to read it yet because it’s not a children’s book. William Poat
I’ve competed in E-sports and the twitch-factor required for top tier fame is insane. Squids In hits on a funny and sarcastic note of gaming. Who is really behind that keyboard typing in ’gg.’? I’m rooting for the cephalopod myself and you should as well. For too long E-Sport dominance has been held by specific regions! It’s time for a new champion to rise and crush the competition in the name eight-legged critters everywhere. Rick Heinz
A squid named Hendrix turns out to be a heck of a competitive gamer. This is my kind of book! Tony Valdez
Although I highly doubt an Octopus could beat me in Dota2, Starcraft, or even Hearthstone, I look forward to seeing Poat pull it off! Jamison Stone
Loving this hilarious concept! Check it out! Chelsea C. Moye
Kyle grabbed the last slice of bacon off the plate in the middle of the dining room table as his father topped off his mug of coffee. Dunking a donut into his coffee before taking a satisfyingly large bite Roland leaned back against the kitchen counter. He was tall but was visibly shorter than he used to be. Before the crash he stood a full six foot two inches. Nowadays though, with the slouch in his back and the pain in his right leg cause him to peak around five-foot-ten. He was wearing his . . .
Kyle grabbed the last slice of bacon off the plate in the middle of the dining room table as his father topped off his mug of coffee. Dunking a donut into his coffee before taking a satisfyingly large bite Roland leaned back against the kitchen counter. He was tall but was visibly shorter than he used to be. Before the crash he stood a full six foot two inches. Nowadays though, with the slouch in his back and the pain in his right leg cause him to peak around five-foot-ten. He was wearing his . . .