NOTE: I STRONGLY ADVISE YOU TO READ THIS UPDATE IN FULL, AS IT HAS IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT RECEIVING THE BOOK AND ALSO ABOUT PLEDGE REWARDS.
Rory Hobble and the Voyage to Haligogen has gone to press and that means you will be receiving your copy soon. With its publication date of 8th July, you should keep an eye on your post from about 21st June onwards (for those of you who pledged for the paperback version). If you pledged for the ebook copy only, then you will soon receive an email with a copy of the book to download and instructions on how you can get it onto your ebook reader (e.g. Kindle, Nook, etc.). When you do get your book, please do share pictures on social media, if you can, and when you've read it leave a review on Amazon or any other online site - that would be a massive help. Here's hoping the wait has been worth it and you enjoy your book! Look out for your name appearing either at the front or the back as well!
Now, before you stop reading because you're very busy, I do have some important information for those of you who will be getting a few extras alongside the book. Firstly though, want to see the final cover design? Here it is, complete with all three quotes and a revised blurb:
Okay, for those of you who pledged for the Super Patron Paperback level or above, you can also expect the unofficial book soundtrack on YouTube, Spotify and iTunes and clues for the Exo-Easter Egg Challenge. You will receive both of these by email around the same time you get your copy of the book through your door.
Exo-Easter Egg Challenge and Reward
You'll recall that the Exo-Easter Egg Challenge is all about finding the sci-fi/fantasy film references that appear in each chapter of the book (one per chapter to find). I've teased it for long enough now, but what happens if you are the first to complete the Exo-Easter Egg Challenge? Well, I'm pleased to reveal that the plan all along has been to pay for you and a +1 to visit the Euro Space Center in Belgium (see here: https://www.eurospacecenter.be/en) for a day of astronaut training and stay at a local hotel - cost to be covered by me. I've given it some thought, what with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and I've decided to keep this as the prize. I have confidence that, with the vaccine rollout, there will come a time sooner rather than later, where all of this will be doable again. But remember: this is a race. The people who've pledged to also receive the clues for the challenge will have a head start, but ANYONE can find the sci-fi/fantasy film references and tell me them at my email of maximilianhawker@gmail.com. First to do so wins the prize!
Alien Whale Talisman and Artwork Package
I am now in possession of all the alien whale talisman designs that were kindly created by Lulu Allison (https://luluallison.net/) as rewards for those who pledged at that level or higher. I am liaising with Unbound about how best to get them sent out.
Likewise with the art prints created by Eli Allison (https://www.eli-allison.com/), I am liaising with Unbound about how best to send those out.
Closing Thoughts
Other than that, I continue to be busy with marketing and am trying to get a launch event through Blackwell's, the book retailer. Please encourage family and friends to pre-order through Amazon, Waterstones, WHSmith, Blackwell's, etc. as lift-off is near.
It's been a long journey to this point, but we're finally here and I only hope you all thoroughly enjoy the book. Thank you, as ever, for your support, and I'm sure I'll be in touch with more news in the run-up to launch.
Max.