So yeah. Long time no update.
Stuff has happened. Probably a lot of stuff and I’ve been busy with grad school, but really I don’t feel like talking about any of that. Because right now sucks. A lot.
Why I’m updating everyone at this time when so many of us just want to curl up into the fetal position and do nothing is because while I don’t have a lot of money to donate to causes that may need it in the next four years or the skills to help people (I write silly stories about monsters), what I do have are six codes for the audiobook version of An Unattractive Vampire.
So here’s the deal: between now and December 15th, donate to an at-risk cause. Here’s a list from Jezebel to get you started. Once you’ve donated, tell me. Tweet at me @jimmcdoniel or leave a comment on this post telling me that you’ve donated or walk past me on the sidewalk and give me the Elder Sign. Just make sure I know and your name will be added to the list. On December 16th, I will draw six names and those lucky do-gooders will be able to experience my book as it was meant to be experienced: read to them by a British man.
So hey, let’s get out there and make this all suck slightly less.
Dear Readers,
Or should I say...Listeners? For behold, thanks to the magic of Inkshares and Drew Campbell’s British accent...
An Unattractive Vampire is on Audible!!!
Thank you to everyone at Inkshares, Audible, and Mr. Campbell for making this happen.
So I know you’re all thinking: "Jim, I need this for my sound holes, but money has decided (literally) to see other people right now." Well, here’s a thing: Audible sponsors just about every podcast in existence. They offer so many deals and promos, it’s kind of ridiculous. For example: Lore podcast, Hardcore History, and Blurry Photos all offer trial codes. So yes, listen to awesome inspiring podcasts and when you’re done, listen to my book as well.
Also, just a reminder that the Dragon Awards are quickly approaching, so time is running out to VOTE for Inkshares/Sword and Laser books including The Life Engineered, Asteroid Made of Dragons, and, of course, An Unattractive Vampire which also all happen to be available in e-book for the special low-low price of 99 cents until the end of the month. (Completely coincidental, I assure you. *WINK*) So please, vote for An Unattractive Vampire because what could be better than mixing vampires and dragons?
Greetings All,
So lots of things. First of all, as of a day or two ago, An Unattractive Vampire broke 2500 books!
MAKE IT RAIN!
In other big news, An Unattractive Vampire is up for an award!
AUV along with its sibling books in the Sword and Laser collection, The Life Engineered and Asteroid Made of Dragons, has been nominated for The Dragon Awards at this years Dragon Con in Atlanta. Yulric and company are in the "Best Horror Novel category (with Life Engineered in Sci-Fi and Asteroid in Fantasy.) Here’s a link about it. And another one.
So I know what you’re thinking: "Jim, you’ve been nominated, but how do you win this fire-breathing award?" Well, I’m glad you asked. You just go to here and vote. And while you’re there, cast a vote for Asteroid Made of Dragons and The Life Engineered as well. Sword and Laser 2016!
P.S. We’re also going to be having a Sword and Laser Dragon Award sale on e-books starting tomorrow. So if you have friends with electronic devices who like vampires or bargains...send them Inkshares’ way. (Yes, I really did type that. Shut up. I’ve got a really bad cold.)
And finally, with all this exciting vampire talk it’s easy to forget other small details like THIS OTHER BOOK I’M WORKING ON.
That’s right, my tale of Death building a life for himself at the end of the world (a natural comedy) is off to the races of the Geek and Sundry Contest. Already there are nearly three hundred books that have been submitted which is daunting and scary. (I am feeling very, very daunted and very, very scared.) So here are a few things you can do to help me with this process.
1. Order a copy. Easy. No frills.
2. Tell your friends to order a copy. It’s all about the number of people who order in this contest, so more people >;;;;;;;;; more books.
3. Recommend the book. Go to the Morose’s Inkshares page, read the sample chapter, and click like or recommend. Highlight sections of the book you liked and comment on them. (I promise I’ll add more soon.) You can even leave a review. It all works out to more eyeballs on my page, more good words, more hype, more encouragement to take a chance on this new story with a slightly harder to sell premise than "Vampires."
Anyway, that’s the news for now. Thanks everyone.
Greetings Everyone,
Long time no update. And there has been news. Oh how there has been news. But also, there has been school and so I’ve been hunkered down with tales of prophecy and murder while contacting scientists who monitor space debris and...well, that’s all done now. School is out, so instead of all that writing, I can spend my time doing...other writing. But like I said, first...news.
I write audio drama/radio plays. (I might have mentioned it.) So naturally one of the first questions I was asked (via the Our Fair City Tumblr page) was whether or not there would be an audio book version of An Unattractive Vampire. Honestly, I hadn’t given it much thought, being too preoccupied with "Oh my gosh, I have a real, physical book out." But Inkshares thought about it. They thought about it a lot.
I am incredibly pleased to announce that an An Unattractive Vampire audio book is currently in production at Audible. Oh...you know Audible, the leading provider of audio books. They only sponsor about every podcast ever. (Hence why I know they’re intro pitch.) I am very lucky that they have picked up the audio rights to my book and will keep you all posted on this story as it progresses.
Also, I am pleased to report that we are just four reviews shy of hitting our first magic number (50) on Amazon. What does this mean? It means An Unattractive Vampire will show up more in Amazon searches. Which means more eyes. Which means more purchases. Which means money, which means time, which equals writing. (Because that’s how math works. So, please...go to Amazon and review An Unattractive Vampire. I’ll wait.
Other, other news:
A few more positive reviews went up on HorrorTalk.com and Fanbase Press. You can check them out here. Or you know, send them to friends.
Did I mention that I write audio drama? Well I do and my first episode of Our Fair City Season 7 went out last week. After last seasons cataclysm learn the (tragic?) fate of our lovable molepeople in "A Molepup Misadventure."
So about this audio drama thing. (Pretty sure I mentioned it.) This last weekend was also the HEAR Now Festival in Kansas City, MO, celebrating audio drama and my MAT contest winning piece "Last Transmission" was an official selection for the podcast showcase. (In case you missed it before, you can listen to it at the Midnight Audio Theatre website.)
At the end of June (beginning of July) I will be in Minneapolis for CONvergence. I’ll be doing a couple panels. plastering the convention with postcards and posters, and making my second attempt ever at playing D&D. So if any of you are up in the Great White North, come say hi and watch me flounder around as I try and not judge myself for not being Critical Role.
That’s all for now.
Hey everyone,
I don’t really have much to say, but this did happen...
1900 BOOKS SOLD!!!
Bela is pleased.
Thank you everyone for all your support.
Also, Michael Hasse, soon-to-be published author of The Madness of Mr. Butler, interviewed me for Renderosity Magazine. So if your a fan of long lists and overuse of the verb "decided" head over there and check it out.
Also for those of you who write (which I know is a good portion) WildClaw Theatre, Chicago’s premiere destination for horror on the stage, is now accepting submissions for their annual radio play festival, Deathscribe.
Five selected scripts will be performed at the beginning of December with live foley and professional actors, competing for the coveted Bloody Axe Award. Can you scare up a story? Submit and find out. (Or don’t. I have enough competition as it is.)
That’s all for now. Onward to 2000!
Greetings friends,