Justin Blaney's Blog, page 57
November 4, 2013
Isfits is launching in 3, 2, 1, Now! Free downloads, new mega giveaways and the official Kickstarter commercial
Benji Todd and I have been working day and night and we couldn’t be more excited than to announce the launch of our very special project, Isfits. Count down with us as we celebrate!
3. Watch the official video. Isfits: The Kickstarter Commercial
Immerse yourself in Isfits lore by taking in this video. Best shared with a friend. And a drink.
2. Check out the new home page for Isfits
On this wonderpage you can become an Isfits Jedi Master and download a free copy of the eBook.
1. Enter the new Isfits Mega Giveaway
Never before in the history of JustinBlaney.com has there been a giveaway so amazing. Enter to win more than $1000 in prizes.
Woot! We have lift off.
Leave a comment and help spread the celebration!
Announcing the new Isfits Mega Giveaway. I’m giving away over $1000 in prizes including a $250 Amazon Spree and signed copies tons of great books.
Last week’s winner is Katrina Epperson
Along with winning a signed copy of Evan Burl and the Falling, Katrina joins the other semi-finalists in the $250 Amazon gift card giveaway. Claim your prize by emailing
Click here to enter now for your chance to win, plus get the free eBook instantly, just for entering!
Watch for my next blog to see if you’ve won. These are some places to read the blog: Facebook, Twitter, in your email, on my website, on Amazon, or on Goodreads.
Here is a list of the semifinalists for the $250 Amazon giveaway!
Jessica Mamac, Kristen Patinka, Lou Scott, Scott Bothel, John Wargowsky, Tammy Dalley, Carl Smith, Heather Miles, Sally Hannoush, Christopher Burrell, Cathy Smith, Blake Goldstein, Katrina Epperson
November 1, 2013
Quick announcement for bloggers
Hey Everyone!
My Publicist, Lit Fuse, is doing a giveaway just for bloggers who review Isfits. They’re sending it out to their audience, but I wanted to give you a chance to win too!
If you sign up through this page, you’re in. Deadline is Nov 4th, so hurry!
Let me know if you have any questions. Thanks!
October 29, 2013
Isfits launch Team: First hundred to respond get free gifts and special benefits!
I’m looking for 100 people to be part of a special launch team. The first 100 who respond are in! Will you please help me?
First, what you will get if you’re on the launch team.
1. Your name on our thank you webpage [with a link to your blog, social media page, or your mom's website] and your name printed in the hardback book that’s coming out in April.
2. The complete eBook free [$10 value]. I’ll send it to you before anyone else in the world!
3. First access to the Kickstarter campaign and all the limited number of low price rewards. That can save you up to 50% off the prices others will pay for the same excellent goods.
4. A shoutout on Twitter [ or, if you're not on Twitter, just a shout out - I'll yell your name out loud ]
5. The chance to provide feedback on an advanced copy of the complete graphic novel.
What launch team members will be helping with.
1. Write a brief review of the first eBook, Cinderella Goes to the Potty, which is already available on Amazon.
2. Help spread the word about this Kickstarter campaign on November 5th and through the rest of the month. I’ll send you some prewritten tweets/facebook posts or you can write your own. I even have some supercool images optimized for Pinterest.
3. Share your ideas for how we can get additional exposure for this project. I’d love to hear from you!
Send me an email if you want to help! Remember, only the first 100 to respond will be part of the team —> justin@justinblaney.com
I’m giving away a $250 Amazon Shopping Spree and 50 signed copies of Evan Burl and the Falling.
Last week’s winner is Blake Goldstein
Along with winning a signed copy of Evan Burl and the Falling, Blake joins the other semi-finalists in the $250 Amazon gift card giveaway. Claim your prize by emailing
Click here to enter now for your chance to win, plus get the free eBook instantly, just for entering!
Watch for my next blog to see if you’ve won. These are some places to read the blog: Facebook, Twitter, in your email, on my website, on Amazon, or on Goodreads.
Here is a list of the semifinalists for the $250 Amazon giveaway!
Jessica Mamac, Kristen Patinka, Lou Scott, Scott Bothel, John Wargowsky, Tammy Dalley, Carl Smith, Heather Miles, Sally Hannoush, Christopher Burrell, Cathy Smith, Blake Goldstein
October 24, 2013
Rainier Tower. Downtown Seattle.
Rainier Tower. Downtown Seattle.
October 22, 2013
Solving humanity’s most enduring questions
This virtual summit of great minds has been convened to solve those questions once and for all.
Q1. Should people wear pajamas outside the four walls of their home?
Cast your vote, then discuss in the comments below.
Solving humanity's greatest questions part 1
Should people wear pajamas outside the home?
Never
On the weekends
Anytime
Other
Vote
View Results
I’m giving away a $250 Amazon Shopping Spree and 50 signed copies of Evan Burl and the Falling.
This week’s winner is Cathy Smith!
Along with winning a signed copy of Evan Burl and the Falling, Cathy joins the other semi-finalists in the $250 Amazon gift card giveaway. Claim your prize by emailing
Click here to enter now for your chance to win, plus get the free eBook instantly, just for entering!
Watch for my next blog to see if you’ve won. These are some places to read the blog: Facebook, Twitter, in your email, on my website, on Amazon, or on Goodreads.
Here is a list of the semifinalists for the $250 Amazon giveaway!
Jessica Mamac, Kristen Patinka, Lou Scott, Scott Bothel, John Wargowsky, Tammy Dalley, Carl Smith, Heather Miles, Sally Hannoush, Christopher Burrell, Cathy Smith
October 16, 2013
Announcing the cast of Isfits Volume 1
In a few weeks, Benji Todd and I are launching a Kickstarter campaign to fund the creation of a graphic novel. Today we’re announcing the first six characters featured in the book, but first…
What Is Isfits?
A cast of characters sampled from icons of adolescence, re-imagined.
A graphic novel, like you’ve never seen before.
6 short stories in one full-length book, illustrated and graphically designed to tantalize your senses.
Nearly 100 original layouts (200 pages), optimized for inspirational display in your home, office, prison cell, igloo, or hut.
And now, the cast!
Cinderella scratched a new line on the wall every night when the clock struck twelve. For 999 nights, she’d sworn to herself that she wouldn’t stay long enough to see 1000. Cinderella heard the old man and the old woman clunking up the stairs. The clock began to chime. Cinderella was out of time. She had a decision to make–the kind of decision that could change her life or take it from her. Click here to read her story!
Cinderella entering the potty forest. Art copyright Justin Blaney and Benji Todd.
Xarlie and the Xanthum Gum Factory wants to make food taste better with great chemical additives like MSG, Xanthum Gum and Jet Fuel. His plans don’t always work out. Click here to read his story!
A concept sketch of Xarlie hard at work. Art copyright Justin Blaney and Benji Todd.
When Vella Culligan’s husband, Edward, melted in stray beam of sunlight, she took a job as a union steam shovel operator to help make ends meet for her twelve children. But a multi-national corporation with a fleet of diesel steam shovels won the excavation contract Vella had been working, and she quickly found herself unemployed. Now Vella lives in the steam shovel with her twelve children.
Serious George is a repeat offender who wants to help other criminals understand their rights. He blogs on befriending penitentiary guards, making confined spaces feel homier, and successful escape strategies. He’s retained an agent and is in talks with a cable network to create a reality TV show.
Serious George doing research for his blog. His buddy Ricky is next door and will be featured in future Isfits stories. Art copyright Justin Blaney and Benji Todd.
Meatloaf is a misunderstood moon space station. He wants to feed hungry children, but nobody likes meatloaf.
Meatloaf, peeking over Earth’s horizon, and Naked Mole Rat Man, another Isfit that will be featured in a future short story. Art copyright Justin Blaney and Benji Todd.
iPat is a bunny with a fluffy tummy, living off the royalties of his popular children’s board-book. An aspiring professional video gammer, iPat is also one half of a mastermind duo that extorts thirsty Isfits for access to the water supply.
Concept sketch of iPat at home playing on the NES. Jack Rabbit’s out back hustling for some spare change. Art copyright Justin Blaney and Benji Todd.
Isfits to be featured in future short stories: Adam Claus, Bowker, Eddie the Crayon, Fleabags, Goodnight Ninja, JackRabbit, Kat in the Sack, Lord Trenchcoat, Pigmouth, Queen of Spades, Travis the Tree, Ulga, Wizard of Can’t, Yaks Gone Wild, and Zzzzoldermort
I’ve finished Xarlie and Cinderella’s stories. Which character’s story should I write next? What characters or art do you like best?
I’m giving away a $250 Amazon Shopping Spree and 50 signed copies of Evan Burl and the Falling.
Last week’s winner is Christopher Burrell!
Along with winning a signed copy of Evan Burl and the Falling, Chris joins the other semi-finalists in the $250 Amazon gift card giveaway. Claim your prize by emailing
Click here to enter now for your chance to win, plus get the free eBook instantly, just for entering!
Watch for my next blog to see if you’ve won. These are some places to read the blog: Facebook, Twitter, in your email, on my website, on Amazon, or on Goodreads.
Here is a list of the semifinalists for the $250 Amazon giveaway!
Jessica Mamac, Kristen Patinka, Lou Scott, Scott Bothel, John Wargowsky, Tammy Dalley, Carl Smith, Heather Miles, Sally Hannoush, Christopher Burrell
October 7, 2013
Column and short story contest
Now accepting submissions for our first column and short story contest. Winners get a signed copy of Evan Burl and the Falling plus a chance to win a $250 Amazon gift card.The details.
1. Content is open. The winning columns or short stories can be funny, smart, entertaining, educational, opinion based, engaging, interesting, unique or based on true stories. For inspiration, check out McSweeny’s, American Short Stories, Readers Digest, Opium Magazine, Monkeybicycle, FLYMF, Barrelhouse and Defenestration.
2. Rating should be PG-13 or less.
3. Length is open, but 500-1500 words is a good guideline.
4. Submissions should include 1-2 columns or short stories and author bio. Please do not submit more than two entries.
5. Deadline is October 24nd. The winners will be announced October 29th.
6. There may be more than one winner.
7. Email your submissions in the body of an email. No attachments please.
8. Prizes: All winners selected will get a signed copy of Evan Burl and the Falling plus earn a chance to win a $250 gift card along with the regular winners of our weekly contest.
9. You keep all rights to your content and may do anything you want with it forever. By submitting your work, you are only granting the right to publish your content on justinblaney.com.
10. Responses: Sorry, but we are not able to respond to questions about your submissions. We will get in touch if we want to talk more about your entry.
11. Winners may be invited to continue writing for JustinBlaney.com on a regular basis.
12. There is no cost to enter.
Click here to submit your entry now, or email evan@evanburl.com
Questions or comments? Ask away
I’m giving away a $250 Amazon Shopping Spree and 50 signed copies of Evan Burl and the Falling.
This week’s winner is Christopher Burrell!
Along with winning a signed copy of Evan Burl and the Falling, Chris joins the other semi-finalists in the $250 Amazon gift card giveaway. Claim your prize by emailing
Click here to enter now for your chance to win, plus get the free eBook instantly, just for entering!
Watch for my next blog to see if you’ve won. These are some places to read the blog: Facebook, Twitter, in your email, on my website, on Amazon, or on Goodreads.
Here is a list of the semifinalists for the $250 Amazon giveaway!
Jessica Mamac, Kristen Patinka, Lou Scott, Scott Bothel, John Wargowsky, Tammy Dalley, Carl Smith, Heather Miles, Sally Hannoush, Christopher Burrell
Help me congratulate this week’s winner, Christopher Burrell!
October 2, 2013
Evan Burl’s next 6 months
(it’s kind of long, but I added nifty headings so you can scan)
Part 1 and 2 of Evan Burl and the Falling released in Early 2014
As noted in a previous post, I’m combining part 1 and 2 of Evan Burl’s series into a single book. We’re going to do a huge launch (hopefully huge, with your help it will be) in early 2014.
If you have already finished any version of Evan Burl, I recommend waiting until the final launch in January. I’m doing a ton of work editing it down and adding details that I think will make the book even more enjoyable.
If you haven’t read any version of Evan Burl yet, I’d love to have you pick up a free copy at justinblaney.com/giveaway and give me some feedback to incorporate into the final release. I’m actively seeking feedback on this advanced reader version and your input will make a huge difference in the quality of the final book.
Amazon shopping spree and book giveaway
To celebrate the launch of Evan Burl in 2014, I’m giving away 50 signed books and an Amazon shopping spree. There is a new giveaway every week. Check the bottom of this page for more info. If you want to share our contest with your friends now, all they have to do to enter is download the book. Here are some links: Twitter, Facebook and email. Thanks!
Blog tour
I hope to get Evan Burl reviewed and have our giveaway featured by 100 blogs. If you’re a blogger or know one, please let me know! I’m also planning to do some Facebook parties, but have no idea what I’m doing. If you want to help out, email me or leave a comment. I don’t know much about blog tours and release parties, but I know they’re important to getting the word out and would love your help if you have some experience.
Kickstarter campaign
Along with the release of Evan Burl in January, I’m planning a kickstarter campaign to print several thousand hardbacks. I have several goals for this campaign that I think are really exciting.
1. With your help, I want to donate 1000 copies of the book to libraries around the world to encourage reading, especially with young men, and increase awareness for issues related to fatherlessness.
2. I love small, independent book stores and want to support them by printing a high enough volume to keep our prices low. In today’s publishing world (even Barnes and Nobel is bleeding money) small, independent bookstores need our support more than ever. Together, we can ensure that we always have inviting, comfortable places to browse and discover great new books! Plus, book stores smell great. The world just wouldn’t be the same without them.
3. In addition to donating copies to libraries, I hope to see Evan Burl used by reading groups to stimulate conversations around the social and personal issues brought up in this novel. As part of the kickstarter, I plan to release support materials and make highly discounted books available to make participation affordable. (the ebook will be free, but not everyone can afford an ereader).
4. Wonder what Evan Burl’s world looks like? (Sometimes, I do too) I’m planning to work with a great artist based here in Seattle to develop a series of original digital canvases which could be included in the hardback version.
5. 10% of the proceeds from the kickstarter will be donated to support at risk youth and orphans.
6. Promoting and participating in the kickstarter will also earn entries to the Amazon shopping spree giveaway.
Book trailer
You may not know that I own a video production studio, which pays for my writing habit. I’m planning to get our whole production team involved in something special for Evan’s book trailer and can’t wait to share it with you. Look for the trailer to be released around the first part of September.
Book two progress reports
Starting in 2014, I plan to release regular progress reports on how work is going with the next book in Evan Burl’s tale. This was originally going to be book three in the series, but because I combined books one and two into the new Evan Burl and the Falling, this will be the currently-unnamed, book two. No release date is planned yet, but you’ll be the first to hear as soon as I know.
About this blog
Over the next six months, I’ll continue to update you on launch activities. I also have a few other writing projects I think you might find interesting, including an illustrated children’s book called Isfits, and plan to share more about those projects in the future. That said, I don’t want this to be some kind of continuous commercial for all my junk. If you ever have any ideas for something interesting you’d like to read about here, let me know. I’ll also be on the hunt for content to write about that I think you’ll find interesting. Thanks for being along for the ride as we figure this blogging/writing/publishing thing out together!
That’s it for now. I’ll be in touch.
Your friend,
Justin
PS, if you want to let any of your friends know how to get a free copy of Evan Burl, I’ve made it easy with these links: Twitter, Facebook and email.
I’m giving away a $250 Amazon Shopping Spree and 50 signed copies of Evan Burl and the Falling.
This week’s winner is Sally Hannoush!
Along with winning a signed copy of Evan Burl and the Falling, Sally joins the other semi-finalists in the $250 Amazon gift card giveaway. Claim your prize by emailing
Click here to enter now for your chance to win, plus get the free eBook instantly, just for entering!
Watch for my next blog to see if you’ve won. These are some places to read the blog: Facebook, Twitter, in your email, on my website, on Amazon, or on Goodreads.
Here is a list of the semifinalists for the $250 Amazon giveaway!
Jessica Mamac, Kristen Patinka, Lou Scott, Scott Bothel, John Wargowsky, Tammy Dalley, Carl Smith, Heather Miles
Help me congratulate this week’s winner, Sally Hannoush!
September 30, 2013
Tips for completing the first draft
She had some great tips that I wanted to pass along.
Part of Tricia’s process is to realize she doesn’t need to know everything about the book before she starts writing. Whether it’s fiction or non-fiction, she knows going into it that she’s not going to feel as confident as she’d like, and that’s OK.
For fiction, Tricia’s just fine with having a world and a character who wants something more than anything; and that’s enough. Start with that. Fill up that blank screen with some words, doesn’t matter what those words are because you can change them later. For non-fiction, Tricia starts by dumping everything she knows and thinks about a subject.
If you want to write a book on a particular subject, chances are you know a ton about it already. Don’t worry about organization. Just get it all out there.
Tricia has found that she is often amazed at what’s already inside her.
Once the words start coming out, they make more and more sense as she moves forward. She used to spend a lot more time defining plots, determining details, doing tons of research, but found a lot of the stuff she started with didn’t make it into the final book anyway. So why worry about getting it right the first time?
There is a time for research, especially when you don’t intrinsically know enough about a subject to write authoritatively on it, but a lot of authors spend too much time preparing before getting started.
Once everything you know is in your computer or written on paper, then you can begin the process of organizing, throwing out, and cleaning up. Move stuff around, fill in holes, learn to love the rewriting process. It’s OK to write out of order. For some people, it’s the only way they’ll get a book done. It’s a lot easier to move chapters of text around than to organize empty sheets of paper.
One word of caution.
With a writing style like Tricia’s, you have to make sure you don’t become attached to your own words. Get used to using your delete key. Be OK with changing your story; the beginning, middle or end. Make every sentence, every chapter, every thought and every character fight for their existence. If they aren’t essential, take them out.
This process has helped Tricia write dozens of books, but every writer is unique. I’d love to know what works for you. Share your successes and failures and dreams in the comments below. Maybe someone reading this article will be inspired by you.
About Tricia Goyer
Tricia Goyer is a busy mom of six, grandmother of two, and wife to John. Somewhere around the hustle and bustle of family life, she manages to find the time to write fictional tales delighting and entertaining readers and non-fiction titles offering encouragement and hope. A bestselling author, Tricia has published thirty-three books to date and has written more than 500 articles. She is a two time Carol Award winner, as well as a Christy and ECPA Award Nominee. In 2010, she was selected as one of the Top 20 Moms to Follow on Twitter by SheKnows.com. Tricia is also on the blogging team at MomLifeToday.com, TheBetterMom.com and other homeschooling and Christian sites.
I’m giving away a $250 Amazon Shopping Spree and 50 signed copies of Evan Burl and the Falling.
This week’s winner is Sally Hannoush!
Along with winning a signed copy of Evan Burl and the Falling, Sally joins the other semi-finalists in the $250 Amazon gift card giveaway. Claim your prize by emailing
Click here to enter now for your chance to win, plus get the free eBook instantly, just for entering!
Watch for my next blog to see if you’ve won. These are some places to read the blog: Facebook, Twitter, in your email, on my website, on Amazon, or on Goodreads.
Here is a list of the semifinalists for the $250 Amazon giveaway!
Jessica Mamac, Kristen Patinka, Lou Scott, Scott Bothel, John Wargowsky, Tammy Dalley, Carl Smith, Heather Miles
Help me congratulate this week’s winner, Sally Hannoush!
September 29, 2013
General Store
A general store at Sundance Ski Resort near Provo, Utah
