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on November 28
Scott A. Johnson
Posted project update #13Fist Draft FINISHED!
So the first draft of ECTOSTORM: Book Three of the Stanley Cooper Chronicles is finished. That doesn't mean it's ready for press, but it does mean we're one step closer. What happens now is the rewrite process, which means I have to put it down for a couple of days, then come back and add things here, take things out there, make sure I said what I meant to say, etc. etc. In addition, I'll be working on preliminary concept art for the cover, which I'll then hand over to cover-artist extrodinaire, Romik, who did the covers to the first two books.
Here's the cool part for you: If you'd like to read the rough draft, send me an e-mail and I'll send it to you. Really. I mean it. It's the least I can do for your patience and your kindness. Also, it lets you know that you're a part of this book too. This offer is good ONLY for people who backed this project. That means you'll get a sneak peek at what Stanley's up to.
So that's it. A quickie, but important, update. Thanks again!
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on August 8, 2011
Scott A. Johnson
Posted project update #12Hit 100 Pages!
Post CommentHello, all you wonderful people! This is just a quick update to let you know how things are going with the project. ECTOSTORM hit 100 pages over the weekend, which means I'm 1/4 way through writing it. Writing it at 1000 words a day, I may have the first draft of it finished before Halloween, but don't hold me to that. The new computer is FANTASTIC, and every time I sit in front of it, I think of you guys and send my heartfelt thanks.
So what's going on with Stanley? Well, without too many spoilers:
- He discovered a group of people who, like him, died and came back
- someone's been killing said people
- said killer's been leaving love-notes for Stanley
- Stanley's crippled left arm just did something... interesting. Anyone know what Automatic Writing is?
- And yes, the big bad from Evergreen makes an appearance.
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on July 13, 2011
Scott A. Johnson
Posted project update #11Final Update: WE GOT FUNDED!
Post CommentI know it says "final update," but it isn't really. I'll continue to update everyone about the novel's progress, etc. But since the funding period is over, this is the point where I can officially say THANK YOU to all thirty-eight (!) of you who chose to back this project. Also, to announce that Kristina snuck in juuuuuuust under the wire, so major thanks for that! I'm now waiting for Amazon to release the funds, after which I get to start putting some plans into motion.
In other news, you guys rock. You anonymous backers rock. You one-dollar pledgers rock. Every single person who helped make this project a reality has a special place in my heart. Thank you! ECTOSTORM is getting stronger by the day!
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on July 13, 2011Funded!
Ectostorm: Book Three of the Stanley Cooper Chronicles by Scott A. Johnson
Help this established author continue his popular series, The Stanley Cooper Chronicles. Now writing book three of the series.
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102% funded $5,140 pledged
- 38 backers
- Funded Jul 13, 2011
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on July 12, 2011
Scott A. Johnson
Posted project update #10We're Funded! WOOT!
Post CommentI can't thank you guys enough! Our latest backers, Jodie, Irene, Mom (!), Chris and Jen, and our wonderful Anonymous Writer, thank you for this last push that put us over the mark! I'll never be able to thank you guys enough! So now, with 37 backers, is when the real work begins. For those of you who will be getting copies of the books, I'll be e-mailing in the next few days to get your mailing addresses. For the others, I'll be sending you a message so I can get your name spelled right. And for you anonymous folk...I know who you are, but if you don't want your name to appear, I'll respect that. Just know I appreciate your support.
And to all of you, thank you from the bottom of my heart! I promise I'll write my stubby little fingers to the bone for you! More later!
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on July 12, 2011
Scott A. Johnson
Posted project update #924 Hours to Go
With 24 hours to go, all I can say to you 31 people who have backed my project is THANK YOU! We've made it to about half funded, which is more than I expected. Unless something happens in the next 24 hours, I'll be relisting this project, and I hope I can count on your support (again). In the meantime, I'd like to thank the latest backers who have jumped onboard: The Smootz's (Becca and Derek), Elsa, and Todd. You guys are great. Thanks very much for your support. So, if this isn't successful, what suggestions do you have for helping it succeed the next time? Do you think I should list it for longer? What incentives would you like to see? Your feedback will help me make this project a success the next time around. Of course, this doesn't mean I'm giving up. Nope, Celtic pride won't let me do that. So with 24 hours to go, retweet, like, post, and pester, and just maybe we can pull this off. You guys all rock! Again, thanks very much for your support!Post Comment -
on July 11, 2011
Scott A. Johnson
Posted project update #848 Hour Challenge!
Post CommentLess than 48 hours to go, and we're making headway. We're not there yet, but I'm truly grateful for the amount of support you guys have offered. First off, thanks very much to all the new backers who jumped on board over the weekend: Sheena, Michelle, Mike, Valerie, Clint, Alyssa and Ron. You guys are truly wonderful, and I appreciate even the smallest amount. Thanks so much!
Moving on - ECTOSTORM hit page 50 over the weekend, and it's still going strong. I have lots of nastiness in store for our friend Stanley, and I think this one will be darker and more horrifying that the previous two.
In other news - For those who missed it, this coming Thursday, I'll be giving a reading at the Southwestern Writers Collection/Wittliff Collection in San Marcos, Texas. It's a huge deal to me (and to a lot of Texans), but what really trips me out is that Stanley Cooper will now become part of the Southwestern Writers Collection and my work will be sitting right beside (actually, in the same general area as...) Cormac McCarthy's. I know, right?!? It's like I'm a real writer or something!
The day after the reading at the Wittliff Collection, I'll be flying to Pittsburgh to work with AlphaCon, a writer's workshop for high-school kids. I'm incredibly grateful to them for flying me out and giving me this opportunity to scar...er...work with these young writers.
Finally, the question has been asked: What's going to happen if this project doesn't get 100% funded? Good question. Well, the short answer is: Nothing. You're not out any money, I don't get any money, and the world keeps moving. However, I intend to relist this project, so I hope I can count on all of your support. I'm not asking you to give more than the first time. If you're in a position where you can pledge the same amount, that's great! If not, I still love you. The fact that you pledged to this project in any amount means so much to me.
So here it is...48 hours to go. Can we raise the additional 53%? I bet we can. And if we can't, we'll try again. Writers are nothing if not stubborn. If I weren't stubborn, I'd never have gotten to where I am now. And with your help, I'll get even further.
Remember to retweet, re-post, like and share all over the place!
SAJ
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on July 8, 2011
Scott A. Johnson
Posted project update #7Pre-Weekend Update
Post CommentFirst off, a HUGE thank you goes out to our newest backers: Paul, Gennifer, and Kerri-Leigh, you guys all rock hard! Thank you so much. Your support means a lot to me.
We've got 17 backers, and we're at 40% funded, with only four and a half days to go. Will we make it? Who knows, but I'm excited by all the support shown so far! Remember, folks, win lose or draw, your names ALL go in the special thanks section of the book.
I hit page 50 last night and worked in a little wrinkle for our boy Stan. Riddle me this: Why would a murderer leave a drawing of a Christmas tree on a wall in such a way that only Stanley's freaky shifted perception can see? And why would said picture scare the hell out of him?
Also, since our biggest donor chose to remain anonymous, I decided to give the now-deceased character a randomly chosen name... How 'bout Niccole? Yeah...No worries. She died horribly. They haven't found her head yet. There's also a blonde cheerleader-type named Erica who will meet a gruesome demise, but that's later...
There's still time! We need about 3k to get this project completely funded. It may seem impossible, but it's not. Tell everyone you know about this project and get them to pledge!
Thanks very much for supporting independent art!
SAJ
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on July 7, 2011
Scott A. Johnson
Posted project update #6Five Days to Go!
Post CommentFirst off, a HUGE thank you goes out to our latest batch of backers! TCBucher, Symantha, Carrie, and Carla, you guys are all so greatly appreciated.
With five days to go, we're sitting at 40 percent funded. There is still hope! Remember, none of the rewards (like the books being sent or physical stuff like that) will be sent unless the project is totally funded. If it isn't, no one gets charged and we all get on with our lives. But you guys, the backers, the people who have pledged for this project, your names will all go into the "Special Thanks" section, regardless. I'm touched by your support, and you deserve at least that much.
Which doesn't mean I'm giving up hope! We need about $3000 in the next five days for this thing to be funded. Impossible, you say? Poppycock! Take a look at your twitter followers, your facebook friends, etc. Every little bit helps. If all my facebook friends donated $5, this thing would be funded in no time. And I'd be inclined to put ALL their names in the thanks page! Think about it... A "Special Thanks" section with more than 700 names! That would be freaking sweet!
News of the book: Last night, I hit page 40, 8,000 words. That makes me 1/10th of the way through writing it, and I'm having a ball. I hope you all like this one as much as you did the first two. Stanley meets up with a group of people who, like him, have had near-death experiences. But just how much like him are they? And what about the unnamed big-bad from Pages? And what's a man to do with a demon living inside him? All these questions and more are going to be answered (maybe) in Ectostorm: Book Three of the Stanley Cooper Chronicles!
Thank you very much for your support!
SAJ
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on July 5, 2011
Scott A. Johnson
Posted project update #5Seven Days Left!
We have new backers that deserve our heart-felt thanks. Dave and Fran, thank you so much! With seven days to go, work on ECTOSTORM is humming along. I wrote on the project all weekend, and even got two ideas (one bad, one REALLY bad) for the next books. As I stated before, whether this project funding succeeds or fails, I'm thankful to everyone who has offered support.It also struck me... If everyone on my Facebook "friends" list sent in $10, the whole thing would be funded, and then some! That would be cool, plus I think it would be funny to have a "thanks to" page with over 700 names on it.
So, to all my backers (hereafter referred to as my angels), thank you! Repost the link, show your facebook friends and twitter followers, and let everyone know that you're lending support, and that they should too! It doesn't have to be much, but every little bit counts.
So far, we have only one person who pledged enough to have the character named after him/her, and he/she left the name anonymous. What does that mean? I can either have an unnamed character, or I can, through my weasle-like powers of awesomeness, discover this person's identity. Or, I can nod with great thanks and just name the character whatever comes to mind. I'm open to suggestions.
And so, I'm off to continue writing the saga of Stanley Cooper. Seven days. Can we make it? I hope so! Thanks much!
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Scott A. Johnson
Austin, TX
Scott is a traditionally-published writer. He specializes in horror, noir, and dark urban fantasy. He currently has eleven books in print.
Do I get to critique if I get to read the first draft?