What a delicious Friday, Space Crew. 

I’ve got pre-orders slowly rolling in, and the sun is shining. I’ve made a new rule that I can’t be stressed on Friday, so it’s a pretty good day for a newsletter. 

What’s Been Happening
Still en route to 300. 12 orders to go for that theme song! In case you don’t like scrolling to the bottoms of things, I’m going to put the pre-order link right here. And right here. Look, this text is a link too. 

Time is running out fast. I have a few tricks left up my sleeve, but no magic button to press. So please keep promoting this book to people’s faces. 

What’s Coming
First, I’m very excited to be attending Can-Con in a couple weeks. It’s a mega literary conference where I hope to learn a lot about what’s happening in the world of fantasy and sci-fi, and get better at this promo stuff. Networking opportunities are going to be good too. If you’re attending please hit me up on Twitter and we can grab a beer. 

The Dragon Awards, for which voting is open to the public, are closing soon. I’m not nominated since my book has yet to be published, and because I’m not that cool, but a few Inkshares writers are, and some of my NaNoWriMo e-friends too. I’ll avoid plugging names here, but if you want to know which books and authors I think are excellent, hit me up.

Weird and Dumb Things I Do Without Reasons
I put up a new idea on Inkshares this week (???!!). It’s barely a thing yet, but if you’re into the horror genre, and like the vibes of 90s mystery slashers with supernatural undertones, this might be your thing. 
 

It’s called Rattle Creek Road, and it’s about a community off an old wooded road that starts dropping like flies. As is customary in such communities, rumours spread quicker than fear, leading to all kinds of mass-hysteria. 

Check out the intro on the book page if you’re into it. I would highly recommend reading it with a deep southern accent. 

Your doodle of the day is me being cool as a cucumber. 

Your Calm and Collected Space Cucumber,
-AC

I was going to write an update in actual words, but then this happened.

If you can’t see the image, or want to view it in higher quality, you can view it here instead. 

Greeting, Travellers!

I’m a bit under the weather today, so I apologize if this comes out incoherently. But you guys are amazing, and you’re the reason this campaign has been as successful as it has so far. 

Now we’re running out of time. If we want the full publishing services of Inkshares at our disposal, we’ve got to bump ourselves up fast. The Nerdist contest will be over in two days. We’ve got a lot of ground to cover if we want to make this happen. 

This process has been new for me, and it’s been a lot of trial and error. I appreciate the patience and encouragement you’ve all managed to find for me along the way, and I’m sure the future is bright for us as a crew. 

But I’ve got to be real with you. I think the only shot we have left at winning this contest is to make a boom. 

So I ask you to first: keep posting about this. Whatever outlets you’ve got to grow our crew, we’re gonna need. If you’re a Youtuber, your shout-outs would mean a lot. If you know a subreddit where folks might be interested, post away. Post to local groups and geek groups and guild chats and forums (do people still use forums?).

Second: keep making it personal. Word of mouth recommendations go a long way. I keep saying it, but if all of us today got one more person to place an order, our position would skyrocket. 

Again, thanks for being such an amazing crew. You’re the reason I have so much hope in this story and others to come. 

Your-zzzzzzzzz-captain-who-might-have-overworked-themselves-just-slightly-but-I’ll-be-okay-really,
-AC

Guys, how do you keep topping yourselves? 

We’ve got 95 pre-orders! We bumped into sixth last night and have already surpassed it by 5! We’re less than 50 orders away from the goal. Thank you all so much for being a light at the end of my chaotic tunnel. 

I haven’t forgotten that I owe you a sample chapter for your hard effort; that’ll come later today. And since you guys did it again last night, you’ll see another tomorrow! 

I seriously can’t thank you guys enough. My inbox has been positively exploding with your orders, follows, and support. So much that I’m having a hard time keeping up with everything. I know there are probably a few of you I owe shout-outs to that I just haven’t been able to make yet. But I sincerely thank you. 

Like I mentioned above, we still have 50 orders to go, and that gap can easily increase. I need you, as my crew, to advertise with me. Please continue sharing on your social channels, and also, we’re still in the midst of referral week. Can you get 5 of your coworkers or guild-mates to order a copy? What about 2 family members (spouses count too!)? There are prizes after the release for anyone who refers 3 individuals to place an order.

Thanks for being the best crew a space captain could ask for. Your chapter will be hot off the press later this evening.

pew fweep explosion space laser,
-AC