The Finish Line
Hello again, for the last time.
Except not quite the last. Just the last to happen before the nature of “Hello” changes. Today, it means one thing. The next time we meet, it will not be the same.
I guess that’s sad. But I don’t feel sad about it.
I want this to happen. I’ve been planning it for more than a decade. Some people dream of winning the lottery. I dream of changing the meaning of “Hello”. Specifically, I want to change how you feel when I say it. Because, frankly, right now you don’t feel much of anything from it.
That will not last forever.
The Long Project
My book—Advent 9—releases this year. The Kickstarter is less than a month away. A substantial marketing push is in the works. Holy carp, things are happening fast right now!
At the moment, the cover artist and book designer are hard at work to give my manuscript the professional treatment. The finished book will look like one you can buy, physically or electronically, at any bookstore. The illustrations are in place. The fonts have been selected. What started as a manuscript is about to become a finished product.
In the meantime, I’ve got a lot of other things to do preparing for this launch. Figuring out the cost of printing, shipping, and what kind of support tiers the Kickstarter will use are crucial, and, naturally, I’ve never done anything like it before.
So, to keep you caught up, here are a few important points.
An Audiobook Teaser Trailer Will Be Dropping Soon
I’m such a tease.
Part of this launch was to make sure a parallel audiobook release would accompany the wide release of the text of Advent 9. And, thanks in no small part to the contributions of David Farland, I was able to land Michael Kramer as an audiobook narrator. Michael’s resume includes reading the books of big names, like James Patterson, Robert Jordan, Brandon Sanderson, and dozens of others.
And because he did such a fantastic job narrating this audiobook, I wanted to showcase the product in an interesting way. That is one reason I am creating a teaser trailer for the audiobook, which will also serve as promotion for the Kickstarter.
This is not the same thing as the Kickstarter video, which I must also produce. Michael has thankfully lent his talents for the narration of that video as well.
I’m editing the teaser trailer myself. I haven’t yet decided if I’m going to hire someone to do the Kickstarter video. My video editing skills have sharply improved after a week of finagling the teaser. We’ll see what happens.
I hope to have the teaser out this week.
Iconetics Classes Are on Hold
The study of iconetics was such an interesting topic that I want to convert it in a full-blown miniseries here on Mr. Horne’s Book of Secrets. There is at least one post left in the series. But I have no idea when I will get to it. Maybe this month. Maybe a year from now.
Keep your eyes on this space.
Cover Reveal Coming (Hopefully) This Month!
Many of you will already be aware that I was forced to part ways with my previous cover artist, Howard Lyon. His schedule was a bit more swamped than he anticipated, and I found myself sweating under time constraints.
But Howard, ever the good sport, recommended me to one of his friends, Carly Milligan. And, honestly, she is fantastic. It’s nice to find someone who can create professional-level cover art (and who definitely has an eye for iconetics).
If you’re the kind of person who likes to support artists, then I recommend checking out her Patreon page.
Within days, she had already devised the perfect cover for the book. I have now approved a final sketch and color scheme. And while I know it’s impossible to rush great art, she has been making spirited progress.
I hope to have a final cover reveal for you soon.
You’ll See Me in…Surprising Places
Currently, I’m planning an “all of the above” marketing strategy. And that may send word of Advent 9 to places you wouldn’t think to look.
If you see them, say “Hello”. It will mean something new when you do.
Never miss a secret. Subscribe to the blog.