Howdy! And my sincerest best wishes for you and yours through whatever hand this mad time may have dealt you.

Just a quick update. Earlier this week, I received my third editorial letter for Bane of All Things from my awesome editor, Sarah Nivala. Sarah is quite happy with where we are with the current draft and so am I.

Through two rounds of developmental editing that enriched description, provided more context for readers to be better be able to get a handle on the complexity of this story, and to make my characters and their interactions with each other more engaging, BoAT has gotten a little thicker -- from 129,000 words as first submitted to Inkshares, to 158,000.

Formatted as a trade paperback, this equates to about 500 pages. That’s still relatively lean compared to many of the epic fantasy titles out there these days that are bending bookshelves, but Sarah has offered some great ideas on how to tighten up the story. (Hint: Chapter Four may be the new Chapter One).

Over the next month, I will be working on those revisions, and then BoAT will be handed off to Inkshares CEO Adam Gomolin for his thoughts.

At present, we still don’t have a publication date. Due to the impact of pandemic lockdown measures on bookstores and the kind of public gathering launch events that are key to a successful kick-off for a new book, Inkshares is not releasing any new titles until 2021.

As soon as I have insight on when BoAT may finally be in your hands, you will, too.

On the cancer front, I have continued to be in good health since my last update. Today marks five weeks into my one year of gene therapy medication that promises to beat this thing forever. I am glad to say that the side effects of the meds have so far been less severe than I had feared they might be.

Stay tuned, stay safe, and thank you again for your continued faith and patience.

Cheers

Leo

Good morning, everyone. Happy Ides of March.

Today is supposed to be the day. The campaign for Bane of All Things is currently slated to end around 8 pm EDT tonight.

I could let it end. Or we could push on with the goal of passing 400 pre-orders.

Last Friday was supposed to be the end, too, but adding another week to the campaign paid off. Since Monday morning alone, 26 additional pre-orders! We currently stand at 359.

Is this total enough, when added to those other metrics besides pre-orders that Inkshares is also tracking against BoAT? I don’t know yet, nor can I say at this moment when I might. I had hoped to have something more substantial to tell you at this point, but patience is a virtue, in this world, and the world of BoAT, too.

On the firm belief that no news is good news, I am inclined to keep BoAT in the race. Today, I will have the campaign extended until April 1 (yes, I know what day that is). Fingers crossed that in that time, there will be a definitive determination made about BoAT’s fate.

I humbly ask for your continued patience and support.

As I have stressed in recent updates, keeping that pre-order total ticking up is the important thing we can all focus on to increase the odds of success. Please continue to spread the word to friends and family and consider ordering additional copies. If we cross 400, there will be a new prize added to that list of draws!

If you haven’t had a chance to read the four sample chapters up on the site, please do, and leave a Review/Recommendation – this activity also boosts BoAT’s standings.

It’s been a long ride and I thank you all for jumping onboard with me. When I have news to share, you will all be first to know. Regardless of what that news might be, it will then be time for those prize draws!

Happy reading.

Leo