Two weeks until release - and other updates
almost 6 years ago – Tue, Jun 05, 2018 at 08:13:54 AM

Hello, everyone! Escape release is just two weeks away.

If you're not up for reading my musings this fine day, here are the quick updates:

• If you've enjoyed Diamondsong, I'd be so grateful if you left a review (for now, on Goodreads).
  
• Diamondsong is up for pre-order and I'd appreciate you sharing it out. The shortcut link is edebell.com/diamondsong - and this link will remain up-to-date throughout the series. So, you know, it's cool to get it tattooed or whatever.
• We don't have the print copies yet, but we are working them and will get them shipped as soon as we can. And the swag packs too - I hope you like them!
  

And a couple of fun updates!

• I was featured on SFWA President Cat Rambo's blog, chatting about food: http://www.kittywumpus.net/blog/2018/05/24/guest-post-e-d-e-bell-serves-up-five-simple-vegan-foods-to-try/
  
• I've recorded two segments for Vancouver podcast Pondo's Playground: The author segment will air on the 15th. I talk about Diamondsong, Shkode, and read as Mother from The Scattered Bond. (I've always wanted to read Mother.) You can follow them on Facebook or Twitter for updates. In the meantime, you can hear me talking about As Told by Things. I even managed not to sound as terrified as I was, haha. http://mechapandapublishing.com/pondos-playground-presents-as-told-by-things/
  

Now, my angsty author thoughts of the day.

I start the series with fewer characters intentionally, partially as a switch-it-up nod to all the people who wished The Banished Craft started with fewer storylines, and partially because I wanted to let the reader walk into the world a step at a time, and immerse more with each installation. I playfully have referred to the series as a "Concerto in Ten Parts," but I do view it that way: the telling of Dime's story from her own perspective, and how she's influenced by the people around her. Just as we all are. See, it's a tale of us. *sniffs*

So, yeah, I'm nervous about the reception. Again, being honest, I know some people won't like it. It's character-focused, non-violent, and gender-progressive, without the masculine focus of a lot of modern and traditional fantasy. And I am doing things with it. I hope all my readers will enjoy this, but I know some people out there won't. And the people who won't will probably be harsh about it. Armor on. Bracing.

Yet I knew what I was getting into, and I'm not really worrying anymore about the people who won't like it. (I actually mean that, though of course if you know me, you know I mean everything I say.) My worry is how to get it to the people who will like it as well as appreciate some of the twists I've taken with it. So if you do enjoy Escape, then your word-of-mouth, sharing the link, and leaving reviews is so, so appreciated. Truly. I know a lot of my readers are nervous about speaking out on social media, but just letting your friends know in person is great too. Whatever you are comfortable with.

And if you know people in the Detroit area, I'll have copies at the Michigan Comic Con in August at Cobo. Send them my way! (Or stop by yourself - I love when people stop by to say hi.)

The main delay on the print copies is making sure we get the best quality copies. I'm fussy. Getting better printing on As Told by Things really made a different (the paperbacks we sent out are lovely and much better quality from what will be printed on-demand online) so I want to make sure Escape gets that same love, while still being able to afford it.

Thanks for listening and for supporting me. It means everything. Thanks to each and every one of you. - E.

P.S. As Told by Things is out today! If you have a copy, I hope you love it, and please do leave your reviews on Amazon and Goodreads. If you haven't checked it out and are interested, the links are all at atthisarts.com. And either way, sharing the link is appreciated. (The shortcut is atthisarts.com/as-told-by-things)

Potential Error?
almost 6 years ago – Wed, May 30, 2018 at 04:47:26 PM

Hi - we have a report that the first letter of each Act isn't displaying. We actually migrated to the new standard, and it was a little tricky. This letter displays on our readers (and the beta readers saw it correctly also), but if there is an issue we definitely want to correct it before release. Could you look at the beginning of Act I and see whether you see the "D" in "Dime never"?

If you don't see it, could you please email Chris at [email protected] with:

1) What app and/or reader you are using.

2) Does it appear if you zoom in or out or otherwise change the settings?

Thank you! And we'll make an updated file once we've resolved the issue.

E

Diamondsong: *Ready to Read* (and important updates)
almost 6 years ago – Tue, May 29, 2018 at 06:25:57 PM

E-books!

We distributed the e-books this morning. You should receive a notification from BackerKit with a link to your downloads. The author, who may be adding this right now to the post, is very excited for you to read it. ♥ Can't wait to hear back from you!

Help requested: Reviews and Pre-orders

In what the author is referring to as an "achieve," our first Goodreads review of Escape is... ☆ one star! Pfft! The reviewer also referred to it as interesting and well-written, but she was apparently irritated by the fantasy setting or something. Clearly, especially with that start, we would be thrilled to have your reviews on Goodreads (and Amazon after release) so that anyone checking out the book will not see only a one-star review. Thanks in advance for taking the time to do this; it helps us out a lot - the quantity of reviews, in addition to the rating, is critical to getting exposure online.

We are compiling all the pre-order links (which will be changed to buy links at release) at edebell.com/diamondsong - and we'll maintain this link throughout the series. Posting and sharing the link (especially with a recommendation) is so, so helpful and appreciated. There will also be posts you can share directly from Facebook and Twitter.

Paperbacks will ship soon

We will lock down surveys and charge any outstanding orders on Friday in preparation for the paperback delivery. If you have not yet done so, please complete your survey (send us a message if you need the survey resent). We expect to ship paperbacks the week of June 11. (We don't have them yet; we're working with a few printers on options.) Release date is set for the 19th.

What has she been doing?
almost 6 years ago – Thu, May 03, 2018 at 04:46:28 PM

A lot! But I wanted to check in and let you know I haven't forgotten you. Quite the opposite, actually.

In addition to working some freelance opportunities (billlllls) I have been working on three main things. First, getting our anthology, As Told by Things, out. It turned out so great! Amazon pre-orders are available, if you're interested in ordering an e-book and/or sharing the link. https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07CSM49G3/?tag=attart-20

Second and Third (I'll explain!) I've been working on Diamondsong. I have had to work a really aggressive schedule that involves me drafting three more of the parts right away in order to get better economy as well as developmental reach out of my editing. So I've been writing about 100K words "in the background" while working to release As Told by Things and Diamondsong: Escape.

As for Escape, wanna see a cover? This has been a challenge to pull together, and I've even switched artists multiple times. (Though not far into the process for any.) I've had budget constraints as well as the desire, if I have to do a paperback (argh), to have more of a simple, paperback-novella-style cover. (I do want to do a limited combined hardcover at some point but we can't even discuss that yet.) But I'm done fretting over different styles, so, like, here it is! COVER!

As for the schedule, release is looking like it'll fall on 19 June, to keep it two weeks away from the anthology's release. We'll connect back soon on getting your surveys and getting your copies to you prior to release. I will not have physical copies in time for Motor City Comic Con, but I will have them for GenCon and Michigan Comic Con, both in August, and then Windsor Comic Con after that. (And if you're attending London Comic Con, I'll have Part 02 fresh off the press, just for you.)

Part 02 (I almost told you the title, but I think it's better to wait until you've had a chance to finish Escape) will be out in October. After that, I plan to stay on a three month release schedule until all ten are out. Whee!

I am excited as well as nervous about how Escape has turned out. I'm excited because I'm in love with it and for as long as I spent just planning my little epic serial saga, I feel like it's been a long time on the way. Several early readers have enjoyed it, and feedback is that the characters are great and the settings and story fresh and unique. Then why nervous? It does have a lot of experimentation, and I know there will be mixed reactions to that. It's not a "pew pew" kind of book. But I know my readers are open minded and maybe interested in a little rule-breaking, so -- it sounds simple but, quite honestly, I hope you like it.

I hope you are all doing well, and you'll be getting BackerKit surveys soon. Message us with any questions or issues!

Cheers - E

E.D.E. Bell on Calm
about 6 years ago – Fri, Mar 30, 2018 at 11:50:49 PM

Hello, Diamondsong backers!

I've got a few updates for you. First, for any subscribers to the Calm app (Apple's 2017 app of the year), my all-ages sleep story, A Tale of Forest Friends, is featured this weekend. If you're a subscriber, I hope you'll enjoy it. : )

As you know from the last update, the Diamondsong map is complete. (Oh, it's so good.) I'm currently working with an artist in Pennsylvania on the Escape cover art. My next update will probably be to unveil that cover, so stay tuned.

As for the story, Diamondsong: Escape is off with the line editor and I am about a third of the way done drafting Diamondsong Part 02. We'll see how it goes, but I'm currently looking at a June release for Escape. You will have your copies as soon as they are available.

I'm also thrilled to say I've been accepted into the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA). I will work to make them proud to have accepted this indie author among their ranks!

Thanks again for your support. I'm so excited to share Dime's journey with you. - E