CHRISTAL PETTIT liked an update for To Live and Die in Avalon

Greetings Earthlings,

The project page has once again been updated, with a spicy new hook and revised synopsis. The completed draft is sitting on my desktop waiting to be made into a real thing that can be bought and consumed. So, know that if and when the campaign starts anew, you are going to be investing in a complete project, ready to be edited and buffed and shined into full-blown amazingness (not a word, don’t judge me, you get the point).

 

Thanks for your support!

J


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    CHRISTAL PETTIT liked an update for To Live and Die in Avalon

    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    I have revamped the Inkshares page, took down the old, outdated sample chapters and replaced them with the current prologue and first chapter.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

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      CHRISTAL PETTIT liked an update for To Live and Die in Avalon

      Happy Holidays readers!

      So, I’ve been spending my Holiday break refining the latest (third) draft and we are now sitting at about 94,000 words, twenty-three chapters, a prologue, epilogue and a partridge in a pear tree. I’ve beefed up the novel with more detail, more backstory, and a parallel series of flashbacks that take place in the swinging sixties that’s adds more context to the motivations of the main characters. I also think the addition of a prologue (much like the cold opening of a Bond film) and an epilogue (much like the post-credits scenes we see so often nowadays) really adds a bit more bang for your buck, story-wise as well as leaving the door open for future installments. It’s a constant process, but I think I’m just about the point where I can hand this off to beta readers to get some much needed feedback. 

      And what say you, faithful followers, about possibly relaunching an Inkshares campaign? Not now, I’m not at that point just yet, but perhaps in a couple of months after Holiday fatigue has worn off. The novel has evolved so much since I first started working on it over a year ago and I feel much more confident that I can get people excited about it and see it become a reality. Without the pressures of a contest or a crowdfunding campaign over the past few months, I’ve been able to really crack this open and refine it and there’s still more work to be done. Exciting times!

      I hope you all have a wonderful Holiday and Happy New Year!

      J

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        CHRISTAL PETTIT liked an update for To Live and Die in Avalon

        Oh, hey, you’re still here?

         

        Well, I’m glad you are! What’s going on with "To Live and Die in Avalon" you ask? Have I thrown in the towel and stopped working on it? Nope, not at all. 

        The truth is, that crowdfunding a novel is a very draining thing and I put 200% into it, leaving -100% to work on the novel (sorry, I no do math so good). The point is since the campaign ended I’ve been pouring every free moment into overhauling my book into something I can be proud of and can really market the pants off. Ok, I’m sorry, that makes no sense, books don’t wear pants, but I think you know what I mean. 

        The amazing thing that has happened is after walking away from my manuscript for a while and then coming back to it, I discovered a plethora of ways to improve it, to really turn into the combination spy thriller/space opera I want it to be. Compelling characters, a villain that is not a two-dimensional caricature, a plot that spans both the past and present and enough seeds planted to maybe make this into a series.

        It was a tall order to put together a completely coherent novel I could be proud enough to market in a handful of months, but now with the extra time, I feel I can really hammer this into something truly special. 

        The next question you’re asking is probably either "how long is this update going to be because Luke Cage is on Netflix and I’m sleepy?" or "when is the book going to be finished?". I’ll answer the second question...I’m not sure yet. Sometimes, you just have to bake these things until they are done...or burnt to a crisp (note to self, need better analogy). But, when it is done, then I will decide whether to relaunch a brand spanking new campaign on ye olde Inkshares or shop this baby around elsewhere. Either way, you, my faithful followers will be kept in the loop. If another opportunity lands in my lap, I will be sure to let you know and will not leave my Inkshares brethren without passing on the love to other authors who desperately need it. 

        Until then, my friends, I’ll go back to my writing cave to chisel away at a complete manuscript that will be ready for an editor to beat into a finished product. My other project, which is also a draft "Aurasong: Blue Sword" will also get some love when I need to switch gears. Please check that out and give it a follow if you feel so inclined. 

        That’s it for now, have a great week, superspies.

        J
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          CHRISTAL PETTIT liked an update for To Live and Die in Avalon

          Hello, Superspies!

          This week’s issue of the Avalon Chronicler has been delayed unfortunately due to real life commitments, but we shall resume our regular schedule of world building next week with TWO new issues (and two new pieces of microfiction)! 

          Now, I’m sitting on 60 or so days left in the campaign and we are still quite a ways away from Quill. I ask all of you who have already taken the leap of faith on my retro sci-fi spy story to get the word out and help bring in more readers! There’s an audience out there that wants this book and together we’ll find them! And again, thank you from the bottom of my heart to you who have already pre-ordered, it’s because of you that I soldier on in hopes of expanding the Avalon Fanbase (yes, I’m making that a thing, right here, right now). 

          Have a great weekend and for all the mothers, enjoy your special day! 

          Jason

          @atomicboywonder


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            CHRISTAL PETTIT followed To Live and Die in Avalon
            To Live and Die in Avalon
            Can a reckless secret agent and a time-displaced scientist from the sixties stop a fanatical empire from toppling humanity’s fledgling utopia?