Jake Combs's Blog
January 13, 2015
1000
When I woke up this morning I checked my facebook account as I always do to see how many more likes I’ve received. What made today more exciting was that I finally hit the 1000 like milestone. Recently I challenged those that hit the like button previously to help spread the word and that once I hit this milestone I would be sharing a short story that I wrote that takes place before the events of the novel. Well to say thank you for the support here is the link.
http://www.jakecombsauthor.com/boxed-...
If you haven’t already, don’t forget to pick up your copy of the novel from your favorite bookseller- for links go here:
December 16, 2014
A gift for the fans
At the suggestion of my publisher I created a facebook page dedicated to me as an author and to my book. When building my website I was given advertising credits. I had no idea that people would click on the links so readily. Currently I’m nearing 500 fans on the facebook page and it hasnt even been a month. Most likely by the end of the day I’ll hit that milestone. When I do I’ll be posting a short thanks but it goes beyond that.
I have been working on a short story that follows two of the main characters of the book decades before the events of book 1. I’ve put the second book on hold while I finish this story but I will be sharing it with the world for free, the only thing I ask in return is that I hit 1000 likes. As soon as I hit that goal I will be adding it to the website for anyone and everyone to read.
So if you havent already, head over to the facebook page and please hit that like button.
November 17, 2014
Among the Chaos
The last couple of weeks have been chaotically busy, but somehow I was able to get a lot of the work done on chapter 7. I’ve tried a few new methods, similar to some things I tried in the first book but completely new.
One of the characters becomes mortally wounded and as he is dealing with some intense fever dreams reality keeps finding its way in. Throughout it seems like one thing is going on but the truth will be revealed by the end.
I wish I could say more without spoiling things too much, but to be safe I will only say that the characters get to enjoy some downtime prior to the current mission.
The story aside, many things have been happening, the book became available in all 3 formats- paperback, hardcover and ebook. When ordering the production of the book, I knew that all readers have different tastes. Personally I prefer a hardcover, my wife prefers ebooks only and some of my friends only like to buy and read paperbacks only, so whatever way you like to read I have a version available for you.
Since before the first copy was printed I had created the website and as part of my deal with the hosting service I was given free advertising credits and waited until the final version became available. The credits included advertising through Google as well as Facebook and within an hour of turning on the ads the “Likes” I had on the facebook account more than doubled, what was most surprising was a majority of those were from people in Jamaica.
It’s very exciting to see, not just people I don’t personally know, but people in other countries like my author page. If any of my new followers are reading this- Thank you for your support and I hope you hang around for the long run because I have some things in the works that I would love to share with the world.
November 3, 2014
I’ll keep this short today
This is a call to all of my friends, fans and future fans!
This morning I learned that Goodreads is collecting votes for this years goodreads Choice Awards 2014.
Please go there, cast your vote and don’t forget to write in “Haunted By Shadows: Syn’s Regret” when you do.
Last years winner had almost 17000 votes so please spread the word and lets see if we can win this! I can’t do it alone and need all the help I can get.
October 19, 2014
The things you don’t know
Everyday it surprises me how much behind the scenes work there is to releasing a book, especially a POD -Print On Demand title. It feels like something is added to that list everyday as well.
As of yesterday and thanks to all of those tireless workings the book is available in paperback only through amazon. The remaining paperwork was filed with booklocker so they will begin selling it soon as well as barns and noble. (EDIT- 3:03 PM 10/19/14) The book is now available through Barns and Noble as well!
Hardcover is still underway. I have approved the final cover and am now waiting for the printer to mail the first copy to me. Once I approve that copy, which if the quality of the paperback is anything to go by then i shouldn’t need a reprinting and within a couple days the hardcover will be available for distribution through Ingram and then be sold by the same retailers as the paperback.
As I understand it, once the hardcover is released we will soon have the ebook/epub version available through the same sellers as well as itunes!
With everything I’ve had to do before, during and after publishing, would I do it again? In a heartbeat.
If you haven’t already, please check out the book and if nothing else please share the link below.
http://www.amazon.com/HAUNTED-BY-SHAD...
October 14, 2014
I’m Back!
The last few weeks have been rather hectic (pun intended for those that know). Ever since the completion of the kickstarter, I have done very little writing overall. Now after a ton of work on the previous book to get it ready we are now only a couple weeks away from it being available for purchase.
Starting yesterday, everything had been updated officially and I was finally able to return to writing. As of this morning Chapter 6 is complete and I’ve already dived into chapter 7.
For a sample of everything I’ve been working on here is a brief summary:
Built a website
Final edit of the book
final edit of the final edit
created a author specific facebook page
refuse the original cover, asking for edits
refuse the 2nd cover asking for more edits
happy with 3rd cover but refused for two last edits
approved final copy of the cover (which images are available at the facebook page and website- links below)
write the dedication page, author bio and book info for the back cover
review pdf file of the ready to print book
correct mistakes
correct dedication mistake
approve the corrected pdf
Now I’m waiting for the first printed copy to be sent to my house and once I give approval if everything is good, then it will be ready for the masses.
https://www.facebook.com/jakecombsauthor
October 12, 2014
Incoming!!!!
A couple months ago I started a kickstarter account, and it was an overwhelming success. I immediately sent the files to the publisher and began working with the cover artist immediately.
On Friday last week I sent in my approval for both the final cover for the paperback version as well as the pdf files. They have been sent to the printer and once the first copy is printed they will send it directly to me. Once I look it over, if all is well I will approve the printed the copy and within days it will be available for order through sites like amazon, barns and noble and booklocker.
Thanks for everyone’s love, support and financial aid to get this project where it is.
May 5, 2014
Hunter of Shadows- first update
Much has happened since I last updated. As soon as those work projects were completed I immediately jumped into editing the first book and simultaneously writing the second book.
After almost 3 months of writing, the third chapter is already completed, the first book is fully edited and I’ve sent the book to an agent. According to her website I will get a response within the next 25 days.
At the same time I’m working on getting an engineering position at work, which sadly would take time away from writing once I get it, but once that happens I will start writing at home more.
The format of book two will be a little different from the way the first book flowed. Book one was a series of shocking events that took the team by surprise. Book two is where Snake’s skills as a tactician will truly shine as he hunts down the 19 men responsible for his family becoming infected with Hurstrugers Syndrom.
Many many twists and turns will turn the team upside down and threaten to tear them apart as Snake puts his desires over the safety of his friends.
I will try to update more often so check back regularly.
February 17, 2014
THE END IS HERE!!!!!
The end is here so to speak, after 3+ years of writing , the book is finally at a close. Those that stuck with me to the end, and any that jumped aboard part way through, I hope you enjoy.
Don’t fret though, this isn’t the end of the story for our heroes, just the end of the first installment!
I will be taking a week or two off of writing (heavily) to get caught up on some work projects but once those are done I’ll be hitting the book with a vengeance. stay tuned for any additional updates in the coming weeks.
December 29, 2013
identity revealed
As things go on, it feels more and more like I’m spinning the plates of life. I think if it wasn’t for the ADD or ADHD (whichever it is I actually have) I might go a little nuts, but thankfully it works for me. I’m able to switch gears frequently and continue to keep everything going.
Writing is making headway, last week I finished Chapter 14 where I finally revealed the identity of the Shadow. Big stuff. Oh and one of the guys has been kidnapped by the Shadow, the traitor has been found and things are not looking up for the team.
While writing full time, I’m still maintaining the full time father, husband and still find time to read regularly and put in about 10+ hours a week into gaming. On top of that I work full time at Intel (a place I’ve wanted to work at since Jr. High- finally got to be where I want to be- not many can say that).
Life seems more like a river all the time and yet completely circular. I’m currently in the running for an Engineering position at work. This would not only mean a lot more money, more responsibility but also would require I switch states again. I’ve been here since ’98 and raised in the rainy state of Oregon. If I get this position I’ll be headed back. On top of that, the plant is close to my old hometown. Like I said, circular.
Time to get back to chapter 15. It features the true history of why the Shadow wants the team dead, something that spawned from a series of events from his childhood.
