Michael Whetzel's Blog, page 6

Paperbacks are still cool!

Hey guys,

I know it has been awhile since my last blog. I have been very busy with my wife's business and focusing a lot on Black Rain 2. A lot of cool things are going on and I wanted to share them with you. 

First, June has been the best month ever for sales. That is great since the Summer is known for slower movement. Sales are strongest in the Fall/Winter nearer to the holidays. I am very happy with the results and hope it carries over into July and August. 

Black Rain 2 is developing nicely and I am pushing for late July release. I will set a release date when I know for sure. 

Paperback versions are FINALLY available for The Voice. You can order one from Amazon here.

If you would like a signed copy check out the Book Store link above. It is only $2 more for an autographed book.  Also in the Book Store is a donation button. I know, I know, the poor writer is begging for money. Maybe, but with the success of sites like Kickstarter and other crowd funding organizations, I thought it better to open a small link for project funding. Any money donated through the "Make Art" button goes immediately back into project development. It cost money for covers, formatting, stock art, advertising, supplies, promotion materials etc. If you want to support future works or just show some love for independent creativity, then drop a dollar or two into the bucket. It will be greatly appreciated and put to good use. 

So what is in store after Black Rain 2? Initially I was going to work on Firecracker but again that project is being put on hold for now. Instead I want to focus on pushing the Black Rain project with the release of Book 2. So.....at the end of July/beginning of August I will hold a Black Rain celebration here in my hometown of Broadway. It will be hosted by the fine folks at Plan B Community Cafe on Main Street. We will offer discounted copies of Book 1, a reading of sample chapters, followed by a book signing. There will also be some door prizes and maybe a Q & A regarding digital publishing. I will have the date set very very soon and will update the site ASAP. If you are nearby, you should definitely come check it out. Plan B is a very cool place and I spend a lot of time there drinking sweet tea and writing. 

Also, Pied Piper is coming to paperback for a very LIIMTED time. I am printing a limited edition Writer's Proof. It will have a print run of 100 copies and will be signed and hand numbered. They will make their debut at the book signing and then will be available through the book store. First come, first served. Once they are gone, that's it. The only way to get the story in print will be through a planned short story collection for next year. Watch the site for details. 

Speaking of Pied Piper, because you demanded it, a sequel is now being greenlit. I had no intention of following up with another story but readers were clamoring for more. I did not know what it would be about but finally had a "eureka" moment. Titled tentatively Peter and the Dead, the story takes place two weeks after the last scene in Pied Piper. I will begin first draft soon after Black Rain 2 is finished. 

The other project that is greenlit is Infinite Fiction. More details to come. These are set in stone and will not change. 

Wow, that's a lot of stuff. Thanks to everybody for their support and feedback. Reviews are steadily coming in and remain positive. I hope to really be rolling and writing full time by this time next year. Keep a lookout for the Plan B date and come if you can. Worst case scenario, no one comes and I got the bar all to myself (they have some great locally brewed beer!).

Happy reading and I will follow up this week with more details.

Peace,

Mike

PS- Did anyone go see Prometheus? I haven't been yet.