It’s not often write-in votes amount to anything when it comes to awards and elections. The most popular victor of such an outcome is Boaty McBoatface, but maybe it doesn’t have to be that way. I was going to send a follow-on email thanking you all for your write-in efforts, except YOU TOTALLY DID IT! The Punch Escrow is now a semifinalist for the best science fiction book of the year in the Goodreads Choice awards. Thanks to each of you for donating 4.8 seconds of your time and writing in the name of my book. As you can see, we made it into the semi-finals. That means The Punch Escrow is already recognized as one of the 20 top sci-fi books of the year! 

Now, I have but one last favor to ask of you. As you can see, we’re in the semifinals, which means I need your vote again. BUT—I only need 1 second this time. You see that vote button under The Punch Escrow? Just click it, and you’ve done your part. It’s so easy to make such a big difference!

Thank you so much—this whole journey has surpassed my wildest dreams. I have no idea what happens next!

All things literary have been a whirlwind. I’ve recently gotten notified that The Punch Escrow has been selected as one of Kirkus Reviews’ 100 Best Books of the 2017. That is great news! But on the same day I learned that Goodreads didn’t see The Punch Escrow fit to be listed among their selections for the Goodreads Choice Science Fiction awards. What adds insult to a bit of injury is that some of the books that they did nominate aren’t even published yet!

However, there is still some hope. YOU can alter reality! If you read and liked my book and have a Goodreads account, it takes about 4.8 seconds (I timed it) to write-in The Punch Escrow in the Best Science Fiction category. It would mean the world to me. The write-in field is at the bottom of the link above. It looks like this:

All you need to do is type in The Punch Escrow (it will auto-fill) and that’s it—you’ve altered reality! 

Thank you for everything you’ve done for me and this book. I’ll be writing a more comprehensive update on what’s going on with the film adaptation next year, there’s just a lot going on and I’m legally not allowed to discuss any of it. But it’s all *good* stuff!

-Tal 

Okay!

So, around 92% of you want the slightly delayed autographed book, and that is what you shall get. On July 24th I will enter Inkshares’ office with a bunch of special pens and not leave until every pre-ordered signed book is numbered and autographed. For the few of you who wanted your books early but unautographed, I’ve discussed the matter with Inkshares and they asked that you simply pop them an email at: hello@inkshares.com and let them know that you pre-ordered a signed copy of The Punch Escrow, but you’d rather get an unsigned copy sooner.

More news soon! We’re almost at the finish line. We’ve crossed the 4,000 pre-orders threshold. Tell you what, if we break 5,000 by July 24, I’ll add something extra for all of you early backers.

More soon!

-Tal 

Okay. First thing this morning I told my wife, "Baby I’m so Quilltastic," and she said, "Shut up and bring me some coffee." So I’ve got that going for me. Which is nice.

I want to give a special shoutout to Brett Bynum who was the pre-order that put us over the top! Thanks Brett!

So we got to 250 pre-orders 24 hours ahead of schedule. Let me break down what that means you guys have been pre-ordering 1.16 books per hour since this campaign started. That’s pretty much amazing, and you all deserve something special. So let’s start by announcing that everyone who backed thus far at the "Buy This" level or higher is getting a limited edition future vintage International Transport shirt. Give me a few days to figure out the logistics of that. Going forward, anyone who backs at the "Feeling Spendy?" level will also get a shirt. So that means the shirts won’t be going out until after the campaign is over, and at that point I will get your info from you. Check out the previous update if you’re curious what the shirt looks like.

Also, as promised, tonight I will send out Chapters One, Two, and Three, which sounds like a lot but, they’re kind of  a preamble, preface, chapter 1 - So shouldn’t be overwhelming. Also, I would encourage you to check out the new International Transport video on the book’s page, we’ve officially ruffled their feathers! 

I’ve got lots of other exciting things coming up, but you caught me 24 hours ahead of schedule, and I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to thank you for making this possible. 

Quill on, Wayne.

Quill on, Garth.

Okay.