#bettsican

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“Today was not a good day.”

This was another section of the book that came to me early on and stayed through every draft. I really feel it brings Nate’s voice out and highlights the not-so-great state that New York, and the rest of America, has fallen into.

For more insight into the mind of Nathan Donovan sign up for my newsletter The Inkfrastructure right now.

As always, Trade Secrets is available for purchase now Amazon | Direct From Author

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Nate Donovan has never gone a day in his life without smoke in his lungs and a lie on his lips.

The secret to his success has always been his refusal to get involved in his client’s lives. Yet, when a handsome and troubled young man arrives on his stoop cloaked in lies and desperation he can’t bring himself to turn the stranger away.

As the truth unravels around him, Nate finds his resolve to keep his client at arm’s length unraveling as well. One errant comment will drag them both into a web of conspiracy and misinformation spanning decades, and as he breaks every rule of his trade to keep Cooper Hall alive, Nate may find that the truth is far more dangerous than any lie he’s ever told.

Trade Secrets Cover Reveal February 15th!

Here it comes guys. We're two days away from the cover reveal. Make some noise!!!

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I’d like to introduce you all to my newly adopted kittens, Butter and Noot Noot. Due to allergies and apartment rules you cannot have a picture of them because they exist on every level except physical.

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In anticipation for the Trade Secret launch date, I’ve pulled together a few of my favorite lines from the first third of the book. These will be posted every Monday and Thursday for the rest of the month.

I figured the best place to start is at the beginning, so here we are. My opening line. Most of the time first lines feel elusive and trite at best, but two years ago I was sitting on my couch at 4 am reading the news and trying to put a name to a feeling that was halfway between existential dread and the longing for a place I’d never actually been.

The line came to me then, and it has fueled me through three re-writes and several moments of doubt. Now I’m presenting it to you, this secret line that I’ve been keeping under wraps for fear of losing the magic it has brought to my writing.

Trade Secrets will be released March 30th, but is available for preorder now on Amazon | Direct From Author. 

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Here’s a little insight into the ‘tech’ aspect of my tech noir conspiracy thriller, Trade Secrets. When I was cobbling together the system I needed to make this story work it felt like I was grasping at straws with a vague idea about the value of our words vs our actions. 

The result was a chip implanted in the base of your neck at birth, designed to track your physiological responses and your every word, placing value on your knowledge and secrets alike. 

The ways that this complicates relationships, crime, and the government’s control are the lifeblood of this book.  

Trade Secrets is available for purchase now  Amazon | Direct From Author. 

Further stories,  including the tales of how this technology came about, will be available via my newsletter The Inkfrastructure.

You can receive the first three chapters free right now, as well!

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The Lemniscate, the 17 ruling families who call themselves America’s government, offer many gifts to their people. Delicacies and luxuries are scattered throughout the country and marked by neon red signs for your convenience. For 200 credits, the lowest price imaginable, you too can access these glorious gifts. 

And for the moderately more reasonable price of $5.99 you can gain access to a fast-paced, lgbtq tech noir conspiracy thriller. 

Amazon | Direct From Author

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Guys can we all just take a second to appriciate my cover artist. @paddart managed to lead me away from my terrible "silhouette on grey background" home made cover and towards a more modern and genre appropriate cover instead. Then she made my vision a reality.

@paddart has some incredible skills and an even more impressive personality. I am honored to have her as a friend and a collègue. Tysm love.

Now go check her out!

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Shitposts are the backbone of collaborative creation.

They’re the beginning of a campfire story that everyone adds to. They’re the setup to a bad pun that snowballs into a work of art. They’re the misspelled word or unique insult that we carry with us as we push to create something wonderful. Poetic and well-edited writing is all fine and good, but in this essay I will-