Tag: kickstarter

30 Day, not so much

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On April 23, 2012

In Books, Metablog, Personal, Writing

sorry 🙁

I’m afraid I’m going to have to renege on that earlier promise to go through a rough draft process using the book First Draft in 30 Days. That is, I’m probably going to continue using the book, but I’m afraid if I try to analyze and review and blog about each step, I’ll be doing more words of that than my actual story! And right now, I can’t afford that. Let me explain:

I was laid off of my day-job last week. Sort of. That is, my job goes away by the end of June, and technically I’m without a main income (and insurance) at that time. But, I can apply at my work for one of the new jobs that are replacing it. I’m hopeful, and I have a good chance–but nothing is certain and I have to just assume that I’m going to be unemployed in 2 months. And even if I’m not, this event is showing me that I have to kick my writing and publishing efforts into full gear if it is to become a viable second income any time in the near future.

What this means is that, while have one collection of short stories out there, and soon an e-book novel (the Kickstarter is apparently not going to meet its goal, which means no print version in the foreseeable future), I need to really start pumping out the books! And then, get the publishing imprint going once I have the product and experience out there to back it up.

So, from here on out, I need to pump out the words hardcore on my next manuscript, and not take the time for long blog posts. Sorry. 🙁 In any case, I’m still too inexperienced of a writer to be showing off my early research and sketch-notes! Perhaps, once this next novel is completed, I can take the creation materials and do a retrospective on how the book worked. We’ll see.

Anyway, since the topic of work and jobs has been broached, I want to share something I found on BoingBoing this evening: a leaked copy of highly successful video game company’s employee manual. Reading that PDF and seeing how well they’ve incorporated a ROWE/anarcho-collective work environment–makes me very jealous! Although, once I can transfer my writing/publishing into my main job, I’ll have my own results-only work environment, and maybe I’ll make up a similarly creative and rewarding employee manual for myself. 🙂

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Podcast 008: Singularity Deferred, chapter 6

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On April 22, 2012

In Books, Podcast, Prose

Please see podcast episode 3 (http://www.tragic-sans.com/2012/03/27/podcast-003-singularity-deferred-chapter-1/) for background on this podcast and the reading of this novel.

At the time of this podcast release, a Kickstarter should be running to help fund the publishing and distribution of the novel. (http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1696794878/singularity-deferred-a-novel)

The complete audiobook will be published for free on Podiobooks, probably coinciding with the end of the Kickstarter and the beginning of the hardcopy publishing.

For more information on this novel, now and in the future, including a text/ebook sample, see the page: http://www.tragic-sans.com/singularity

Thanks for checking it out — hope you enjoy!

(Theme music:

“Cybernetic -Feat Zefora” (Stizreth) / CC BY 3.0

Intro music: “Oxygen Garden” by Chris Zabriskie
CC: Share, Non-Commercial, Attribute
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/
http://www.archive.org/details/Divider-10058)
Podcast feed: http://www.tragic-sans.com/feed/podcast

 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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Quick Kickstarter update

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On April 17, 2012

In News and Issues, Podcast-Meta, Writing

Kickstarter logo owned by kickstarter.comWell, the Kickstarter project to publish my novel, Singularity Deferred, is nearly over, but it’s far from successful. Despite the contribution of some very generous people, it doesn’t look like it’s going to reach the goal. The various places I planned on promoting the project hadn’t turned out quite the way I’d hoped. For example, just as I sent my promotional material to Dragon Page: Cover to Cover, they decided to stop putting out episodes.

However, I have one last hope: a favorite author of mine, John Scalzi, is actually allowing people to promote their Kickstarter in a special thread every Wednesday! I’ve set up an alarm to remind myself to post there promptly the next two weeks before the Kickstarter ends.

Some significant changes coming in my day job very shortly. We’ll see how that affects my writin’ n’ publishin’ work shortly.

And finally, in update news, my cold’s just about subdued enough to be a non-issue. I plan on recording chapter 6 tomorrow evening. Then, look for the official beginning of the novel draft exercise I mentioned last week.

Caio!

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The start is being kicked!

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On March 28, 2012

In Books, News and Issues, Personal, Prose

Well, it has begun. My Kickstarter project to help fund the production, printing, and distribution of my novel, Singularity Deferred, has been approved and it’s live! In 29 days from this moment, we shall see if there’s enough interest in the novel to have allowed it to be brought to life! So clap as hard as you can or the fairy dies!

If you have somehow accidentally stumbled upon this post and have no idea what’s going on: check out the novel info here: http://www.tragic-sans.com/stories/singularity-deferred/.

If you’re totally up to speed, like what you see, and want to pledge some bucks, please visit the Kickstarter! But, even more importantly, if you wouldn’t mind spreading the word and giving other people the opportunity to take a look and see if it’s something they’d like to support–I’d really appreciate it!

Did I mention there’s some cool reward incentives? From autographed copies of the book, up to being able to name a ship or character in the novel!

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1696794878/singularity-deferred-a-novel

Well, with bated breath, I begin a month of obsessive webpage reloading. 🙂

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Podcast 007: Singularity Deferred, chapter 5

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On March 27, 2012

In Books, Podcast, Prose

Please see podcast episode 3 (http://www.tragic-sans.com/2012/03/27/podcast-003-singularity-deferred-chapter-1/) for background on this podcast and the reading of this novel.

At the time of this podcast release, a Kickstarter should be running to help fund the publishing and distribution of the novel. (http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1696794878/singularity-deferred-a-novel)

The complete audiobook will be published for free on Podiobooks, probably coinciding with the end of the Kickstarter and the beginning of the hardcopy publishing.

For more information on this novel, now and in the future, including a text/ebook sample, see the page: http://www.tragic-sans.com/singularity

Thanks for checking it out — hope you enjoy!

(Theme music:

“Cybernetic -Feat Zefora” (Stizreth) / CC BY 3.0

Intro music: “Oxygen Garden” by Chris Zabriskie
CC: Share, Non-Commercial, Attribute
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/
http://www.archive.org/details/Divider-10058)
Podcast feed: http://www.tragic-sans.com/feed/podcast

 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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Podcast 006: Singularity Deferred, chapter 4

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On March 27, 2012

In Books, Podcast, Prose

Please see podcast episode 3 (http://www.tragic-sans.com/2012/03/27/podcast-003-singularity-deferred-chapter-1/) for background on this podcast and the reading of this novel.

At the time of this podcast release, a Kickstarter should be running to help fund the publishing and distribution of the novel. (http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1696794878/singularity-deferred-a-novel)

The complete audiobook will be published for free on Podiobooks, probably coinciding with the end of the Kickstarter and the beginning of the hardcopy publishing.

For more information on this novel, now and in the future, including a text/ebook sample, see the page: http://www.tragic-sans.com/singularity

Thanks for checking it out — hope you enjoy!

(Theme music:

“Cybernetic -Feat Zefora” (Stizreth) / CC BY 3.0

Intro music: “Oxygen Garden” by Chris Zabriskie
CC: Share, Non-Commercial, Attribute
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/
http://www.archive.org/details/Divider-10058)

 

Podcast feed: http://www.tragic-sans.com/feed/podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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Podcast 005: Singularity Deferred, chapter 3

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On March 27, 2012

In Books, Podcast, Prose

Please see podcast episode 3 (http://www.tragic-sans.com/2012/03/27/podcast-003-singularity-deferred-chapter-1/) for background on this podcast and the reading of this novel.

At the time of this podcast release, a Kickstarter should be running to help fund the publishing and distribution of the novel. (http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1696794878/singularity-deferred-a-novel)

The complete audiobook will be published for free on Podiobooks, probably coinciding with the end of the Kickstarter and the beginning of the hardcopy publishing.

For more information on this novel, now and in the future, including a text/ebook sample, see the page: http://www.tragic-sans.com/singularity

Thanks for checking it out — hope you enjoy!

(Theme music:

“Cybernetic -Feat Zefora” (Stizreth) / CC BY 3.0

Intro music: “Oxygen Garden” by Chris Zabriskie
CC: Share, Non-Commercial, Attribute
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/
http://www.archive.org/details/Divider-10058)

 

Podcast feed: http://www.tragic-sans.com/feed/podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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Podcast 004: Singularity Deferred, chapter 2

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On March 27, 2012

In Books, Podcast, Prose

Please see podcast episode 3 (http://www.tragic-sans.com/2012/03/27/podcast-003-singularity-deferred-chapter-1/) for background on this podcast and the reading of this novel.

At the time of this podcast release, a Kickstarter should be running to help fund the publishing and distribution of the novel. (http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1696794878/singularity-deferred-a-novel)

The complete audiobook will be published for free on Podiobooks, probably coinciding with the end of the Kickstarter and the beginning of the hardcopy publishing.

For more information on this novel, now and in the future, including a text/ebook sample, see the page: http://www.tragic-sans.com/singularity

Thanks for checking it out — hope you enjoy!

 

 

 

(Theme music:
“Cybernetic -Feat Zefora” (Stizreth) / CC BY 3.0

Intro music: “Oxygen Garden” by Chris Zabriskie
CC: Share, Non-Commercial, Attribute
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/
http://www.archive.org/details/Divider-10058)
Podcast feed: http://www.tragic-sans.com/feed/podcast

 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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Podcast 003: Singularity Deferred, chapter 1

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On March 27, 2012

In Books, Podcast, Podcast-Meta, Prose

In this episode, we begin reading my debut novel, SINGULARITY DEFERRED.

We’ll read only about the first 10 out of 30 chapters, one per episode, before moving on to other more diverse topics and guests. This will serve as a sample of the novel before you might buy it, or if it’s still going on, contribute to the Kickstarter to help fund its publication and distribution.

The complete audiobook will be published for free on Podiobooks, probably coinciding with the end of the Kickstarter and the beginning of the hardcopy publishing.

For more information on this novel, now and in the future, including a text/ebook sample, see the page: http://www.tragic-sans.com/singularity

Thanks for checking it out — hope you enjoy!

 

(Theme music:

“Cybernetic -Feat Zefora” (Stizreth) / CC BY 3.0

Intro music: “Oxygen Garden” by Chris Zabriskie
CC: Share, Non-Commercial, Attribute
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/
http://www.archive.org/details/Divider-10058)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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Update the nth

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On March 3, 2012

In Metablog, News and Issues, Personal, Prose

 

Funny, it’s never occurred to me to post more regularly, like my heroes John Scalzi, Cory Doctorow, Patrick Rothfuss, and Charles Stross, so that I can just do regular posts and not silly, bloated “update” posts. Funny; I should really start considering that. 😛

But anyway, here’s a bloated “update” post:

I just updated this site to remove the option of buying individual short stories (silly idea in the first place) to link to where they can be bought for soopercheep on Smashwords in one collection. As of this writing, only $1.49 for all five stories. However, starting tomorrow (Sunday, March 4), you can take advantage of the Smashwords Ebook Week promotion and get 25% off ($1.12 if my maths is right–and if not, that explains my English degrees….).

Enough hawking. What else is going on? Well, as this wonderful, funny, and very very accurate post, “25 Things I Want to Say to So-Called Aspiring Writers,” so ardently proclaims: a writer writes! I’ve been… not writing as much lately, so much as, doing stuff around the subject of writing. That is, I’ve been editing my novel, and looking for publishers and agents. I’ve got a feeler out for one agent in particular that I would really like to work with and I’m eagerly awaiting his reply. But, if he, like So. Very. Many. agents and editors out there, aren’t taking on any more submissions — I’m pulling the trigger on self-publishing this novel with the help of Kickstarter.

The novel’s been heavily edited, it’s been workshopped, it’s ready to see the light of day. And I’ve been setting up the framework to get it done: pricing marketing materials, proofing services, Lulu versus CreateSpace, and recording the audiobook to put out as a free trial of the book itself. (A tactic heavily recommended by such self-made successful authors like Scott Sigler and JC Hutchins. (At least, I’m pretty sure they advocate it. I mean, they did it when they got started. It could have been another writing hero of mine, Michael A. Stackpole, who is, while also a NY Times bestselling author, a huge self-publishing advocate. And while he furiously reminds authors to never forget the self-marketing, I’m not sure he’d advocate giving something like an audiobook away for completely free. *shrug*)

Anyway, so I’m getting that all ready to go.

I’m also working on an “Inception” role-playing game rules set. It uses Savage Worlds as its basic rules, but then it incorporates a Jenga tower (as inspired by Chad’s “Lucid” RPG). My version is a lot more crunchy than “Lucid,” and I’ll be play testing it next week. When I’m done, of course I’ll put it out for free, considering all the copyrights I’d probably break otherwise.

I’m also working on a new story that’s been flitting around my mind for a while. It’s a tough little thing to write, though. I know how it must start, I know how it must end, and I know some stops in between, but getting the points to connect has been a challenge.

And I’m working on the outline for my next novel: a YA fantasy inspired by my daughter’s imaginings once as we hiked a trail. I’m sure people will want a sequel to the novel I’ve already finished (my test readers sure do!) But this one needs to be written first.

And, finally, I’m working on a “shard,” or adventure for the Fading Suns RPG. It’s essentially writing on spec: one writes a shard, and submits it for potential approval. If they like it, they may send something more my way. I so very much want to write for them, for this world! I fell in love with the Fading Suns setting and story when I discovered the “Emperor of the Fading Suns” computer game, circa 1996, and discovered it came from an RPG. Ever since, I’ve been semi-obsessed! I really want the shard to be my top priority; I desperately want to write for this system. Especially as their new edition comes out later this year! But, alas, I’ve all of the above to try to get put away.

And that’s my writing life right now. Hopefully I can start posting the cool and interesting things that come my way near daily. So, Until next time….

 

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