It’s the best day to write about these sorts of things, so be ready for a jam-packed monthly update.
But first, some newer stuff:
So, while listening to this album, think it over:
Is this ambient, barber beats, dreampunk, lofi, slushwave, vaporwave, or just plain ol’ internet music?
…Is it none of those things?
Possibly! I’m not the genre police, but I like the sound.
Let’s begin our cute little update. You can also look forward to a special poem near the very end.
No, I won’t tell you what it’s about or who it’s for, and yes, it will be outrageously sappy.
Featured art of the month: two pieces!
Two stylish and skilled artists have rendered me some particularly show-offable art this month:
First, a cool looking, “chibified” piece of our Lord Knight Captain facing off against the enigmatic and highly forgetful High Overlord – Keep your wits about you, Ranalie!
Next, a badass piece showcasing Rayda (Is this like his second piece of art… ever?) showcasing the power of the Indomitable Human Spirit against one of his millions of deniers as mankind’s greatest king:
Dang, that ancient dragon sure showed him!… wait, why’s Rayda’s fist smoking like that?
A SHORT STORY?! That takes place before SUBSTATION 7?!
The odds are likelier than you think!
Newsletter subscribers will soon receive the link to this one, as part of being signed up.
Ever wondered why Clare’s mom lost all her marbles? What in the world happened to cause… that thing that people who finished the series know what I’m referring to?!
For the rest of you, sign up to the newsletter, dangit! You get free stuff!
You can grab the new short story, as well as Occult Vengeance (Soot Knight’s thrilling book 1) by clicking here or going to https://BookHip.com/JSFNWNM.
Author Reflection – Free was not (Really) my friend
Okay, the time’s come to admit what I admit every year, and where I blame it on something else.
I don’t sell too many books, and this is still largely a hobby for me. Despite lots of fan mail (thank you) lots of fan art (THANK YOU) and plenty of interaction on the various social spaces we’ve set up through our own little Inkverse, that usually doesn’t translate much into sales past the readers that really love what I have to write and not just buy everything I write, but hunt it down and ask me for more (you know who you are, and to you… thank you EXTRA!)
But anyway, I’ve realized something while reading through a fellow author’s book on understanding sales and rights. as it pertains to the ebook world: The Magic Bakery by Dean Wesley Smith.
It’s been quite an eye-opening read, and a very specified bit of thinking from a true veteran in the ebook world (dude’s got like 200+ books under his belt and has been widely published for decades – quite impressive)
My original thinking for what a prospective reader would do: WOW a FREE SHORT STORY?! Kell Inkston is so COOL and GENEROUS and HANDSOME and SMART! I should read this awesome free short story and then buy ALL OF HIS BOOKS BECAUSE HE’S GREAT!!!!11!!
What The Magic Bakery theory would suggest actually happens: Wow, here’s this author who sells cool boo- wait, is that one FREE?! I’m just gonna get that one and go – very cool.
And that’s it. Because it’s free, they’ll have no sense of investment to actually finish the short, so while I move lots and lots of free copies, it “cheapens” my value altogether, because almost every new reader I encounter will read one free short, and then another free short, and then another free short.
That’s a lot of visits to my page without them buying anything – so I’m going to follow the advice of the book and truly price closer to what I believe things are worth. No more permanent free. Freebies will be on the newsletter and socials for the most part – so please, keep an eye out for it to not miss out!
Here’s hoping that THIS is the thing that will turn it all around (probably not, I just need to write more, I bet)
Last (biggest?!) update of the month – THE 2024 INKVERSE FANART CONTEST AHHHHHHH
I present to you the SECOND Annual Holyverse Fanart Contest!
It’s been just under a year since our first one, and that was amazing. Here’s the top three winners from last year’s contest:
Here’s the details! (Mostly the same as last year’s, with some extra prize money for the top 3 winners)
What: draw the coolest, funniest, prettiest, or all-in-all most enjoyable piece of art you can related to the Holy Verses books and their characters (Yes, Mr. Ruck – Kyle the Ostrich is allowed). Entries will be voted upon in the week following the contest in the Discord server – winners picked by mob rule!
When: The contest period starts today until the end of July 15th. Don’t worry about posting late, votes won’t begin until after the June 20th deadline!
Who: Myself, other authors, lots of artists, readers, and of course, you.
Where: Post your entries direct to the #Holyverse-Fanart-Contest channel in the official discord at https://discord.gg/UeNhd2HjQQ.
Why?!: Because the practice of art, be it awesome, hilariously bad, or both, is gratifying to the heart and soul of all who gaze upon it.
The reward tiers:
Overall:
1st (most votes) : $150 or $150-or-less commission to the artist of your choice (mediated by yours truly)– ultra-rare signed misprint copy of Nocturna League Season 1 (you’ll be the first to get one EVER), the Featured Art spot for the following month’s newsletter, as well as one of the secret bookmarks.
2nd: $100 or $100-or-less commission to the artist of your choice (mediated by yours truly), as well as one of the secret bookmarks.
3rd: $50 as well as one of the secret bookmarks.
Honorable mentions (cannot be the same as a top 3 winner)
“Funny“: $20
“Colorful“: $20
“Cool“: $20
The Fine Print:
-All reward payments will be made by Paypal.
-Unlimited submissions per Entrant, but only one reward in the case of an entrant placing first in more than one category, they will receive the highest-won prize, with the second-highest voted entry receiving the follow-up reward.
-Depending on Shipping fees, your physical rewards may not arrive right away – be patient!
-Voting will be conducted in the official discord server at https://discord.gg/nZFyza9Qe3
-Winners picking the commission route will detail the artist of their choice, either someone inside the competition, on skeb, or some other kind of art-fund platform. I’ll send your details as well as the payment to them in the winner’s name. This will be one commission, not to exceed the prize amount – remaining funds will be considered lost to the winner.
-Every other normal disclaimer in normal online art contests apply. If you know what I’m talking about you know what’s right and wrong – thank you.
Hope to see you there! You have a whole month to put together your entries, so take your time and tell your friends!
Now, I’ll take my leave for the month.
Sincerely,
Kell Inkston
(P.S. The free book this month’s right here again in case you forgot to get it https://BookHip.com/JSFNWNM)
(P.P.S. The poem’s below – presented without comment)
a poem: The Firefly Lady
O’ Snake Slayer – Patrick of your world,
How crowned you were with the fireflies – as you strode down the path and I was too short to see anything but what you showed me.
O’ Love Bearer – Justice-ensuring spirit,
How unlike your peers you were – when you strove to not simply hope for peace in the world, but create it for yourself and those around you.
O’ Tear Jerker – Converser of the Unhearable,
How dearly I said I loved, but overlooked you as a matter of course.
How little I could bring myself to love the way you had loved me.
How small you were in my universe where you held me up.
Crown thyself anew, Firefly Lady – a new star has dawned.
There will be more dinners, and dancing, and nights with the piano.
Of all the things I meant to say and ask, if I could only pick one:
Through the hot days by the lake and the cold nights of Christmas,
Through the memories on an old farm and across time and space,
Through the beginnings of life to past the ironed veil of eternity,
I love you, too.
2 Responses
Amazing stuff!
@sum117 Thanks!