Every few weeks, someone will ask me “what ever happened with Young Donald?” or (passive-aggressively) “did your book come out and I totally missed it?” or (just aggressively) “can I get my $20 back?”

Well, like a lonely man sitting in an underground bunker waiting for the Secret Service to tell him it’s safe to come out, the Young Donald manuscript has been locked away (in the intense editorial process) for some time now, waiting for the right moment to emerge into the world. Very good progress is definitely being made and with some luck that moment is coming (soon-ish). But, it is still months away, I’m afraid.

In the meantime, please stay safe, feel hopeful and inspired by the world’s sudden focus on racism and social justice and find time to get outside and enjoy some masked recreation and/or protest. And, as always, I’m sure the Ukrainian hackers that control Young Donald’s twitter account would appreciate your support.

 Michael

 https://www.inkshares.com/books/young-donald

 https://twitter.com/novel_young

A quick update on Young Donald’s journey to publication.

I received a set of excellent and very thorough comments from the editor late last year which has now resulted in a completely revised draft of the manuscript. Ironically, as the real Donald seems increasingly like a caricature of a human being, the character of Young Donald is becoming fuller and more multi-dimensional. The revised draft is now back with the editor.

In the meantime, please follow Young Donald on Twitter @novel_young. I am sure the Ukrainian hackers who have taken control of that account would appreciate a larger follower base.

And thanks to the 55 people who attended the Young Donald Supporters Party (and coincidentally new years eve party) on December 31!

Michael

The Young Donald book trailer, created by San Francisco Bay Area filmmaker Jamie Wright, is now up on Inkshares. Please check it out at:  https://www.inkshares.com/books/young-donald. 

If you like the trailer, you can see another trailer for Jamie’s forthcoming documentary on 1960’s San Francisco improv comedy group, The Committee, at www.TheCommitteeMovie.com.

You can now also follow Young Donald on Twitter (if you are into that sort of thing) at https://twitter/novel_young. Given old Donald’s love of Twitter, I felt Young Donald should also be represented on that platform.

Thanks again for your fabulous support of the novel. Pre-orders are now approaching 800!

Michael

I am overjoyed to announce that Young Donald reached the target of 750 preorders 25 days before the 90 day deadline! Thank you so much for your amazing support and generosity in making the publication of my debut novel possible!

Young Donald will now enter the process of being edited, designed and otherwise made ready for publication (which will surely take many months of hard work). During that time, the book is still available for preorder (now at the discount price for the paperback of only $13.99 and an almost free $5.99 for the e-book!). 

The BIG AMAZON GIFT CARD DRAWINGS are still set for September 7! As a reminder, if you are responsible for 3 or more preorders you are eligible for the drawing for a $100 gift card, and if you are responsible for 6 or more preorders you are additionally eligible for the $150 gift card drawing. So, if you have ordered 2 or 5 books, why not order just one more by September 7 (at the new discount prices) and make yourself eligible for these drawings? Although I am not an economist, that would surely make good economic sense.

Please keep your eyes out for announcement of another Young Donald thank you party, and, again, heartfelt thanks for your support.

Michael

I am extremely happy (and filled with gratitude) to report Young Donald surpassed 700 preorders on August 20. Thank you so much to all readers and followers for your amazing support for this book! I am now hoping to reach the magic number of 750 by September 8.

But have no fear - that still leaves plenty of time for you to order more copies and participate in the primary promotion! The BIG AMAZON GIFT CARD DRAWING is set for September 7.  Anyone responsible for 3 or more preorders will be in the drawing for the $100 gift card, and anyone responsible for six or more orders will also be eligible for a $150 gift card drawing. There are approximately 30 very generous people already eligible for the $100 drawing, and only a handful (aka the Young Donald super elite supporters) eligible for the $150 drawing.

And, one promotion update: the most recent “NEXT PERSON TO ORDER 5” promotion was won by Jhinuk.  Jhinuk will join Aki and Ben L. as the owner of a limited edition (set of 5) print by artist Monica Jahan Bose based on one of her amazing performances at Art Basel Miami. Thank you Jhinuk and thank you Monica!

Please keep your eyes out for the announcement of the Young Donald thank you dance party coming soon.

https://www.inkshares.com/books/young-donald?referral_code=4420b50b

Thank you again!

Michael

I am excited to report my target for Young Donald pre-orders was 400 by August 1, and (as of noon EST on August 1) the pre-order total stood at 440! Thank you so much for your pre-orders and support!

I am now targeting 500 by August 10. To get there, it’s PROMOTIONS PROMOTIONS PROMOTIONS!!!

(1) Secret Pre-order Number Promotion! There is a secret number between pre-orders 441 and 500 - the person responsible for that secret number pre-order will receive a $50 Amazon gift certificate!

(2) Pre-order number 500 Promotion! Whoever makes pre-order number 500 will receive a special gift!

(3) The "Henry Coyle" Promotion! One beer bought for you by the author for every additional order after your first (offer redeemable in Washington, DC only and capped at 7 beers in any one day for health reasons)!

(4) Big Gift Card Drawing Promotion! (A) If you are responsible for 3 or more orders, you are eligible for a $100 Amazon gift card drawing (13 eligible to date); (B) if you are responsible for 6 or more orders, you are eligible for an additional $150 Amazon gift card drawing (2 eligible to date - with Aki and Thinn both one order away from joining this elite group!).

Thanks so much again for your support! Please tell a friend, sibling or co-worker about the book today!

Michael

Young Donald reached a very exciting milestone today - the 375th pre-order was made (half of the required 750)! Thank you so, so much for your support!

 To commemorate this important milestone, I have released the third chapter. Just go to "Read" on the Young Donald page on the Inkshares website, and you can now see draft chapters 1-3.  

Now, if everyone who pre-ordered would introduce just one friend to the book, Young Donald would go into production!

The Amazon gift card promotion continues: (a) everyone responsible for 3 or more pre-orders is eligible for a $100 Amazon gift card drawing (8 people eligible to date); and (b) everyone responsible for 6 or more pre-orders is eligible for an additional $150 Amazon gift card drawing (1 person eligible to date).

Finally, there will be a Thank You Party for Young Donald supporters in DC on Saturday, August 3. Invitation coming soon!

I am extremely excited to report that Young Donald passed 300 pre-orders on July 19 (two days ahead of the target!). Thank you so much for the fantastic support. On to 400 now (with a target of August 1).

Please consider if you have a friend who might be interested - if everyone could get just one friend to pre-order, the book would soon be going into production!

The Amazon gift card drawings remain wide open: to recap that promotion, (a) if you are responsible for 3 or more pre-orders, you are in the running for a $100 gift card (a handful of people have qualified already - thanks!), and (b) if you responsible for 6 or more pre-orders you are also eligible for a $150 gift card drawing (still only one person eligible for this one).

Finally, please note that Inkshares treats $10, $20 and $60 orders exactly the same (as just one pre-order). But individuals can pre-order multiple times. So a $60 purchase is one pre-order, but six $10 purchases are 6 pre-orders.

Thank you so much! I truly appreciate your great support

Michael