Old friends, new friends and friendly subscribers -- welcome back to my newsletter! It's mid-March, and it has been a nonstop ride since the last newsletter. As always, first things first: If you're confused about what you're reading, don't want to read what you're reading, or just don't read... the unsubscribe button is right where it always is! Mash away, and panic not.
Still here? Keep reading for exciting updates and how you can win prizes!
My debut novel, Symbiote, has been released! If you don't have your copy yet, it's available for purchase from Barnes and Noble, Target, Amazon, Powell's, Apple Books, or anywhere else you get your reading fun on from. Favorably reviewed by the “The Guardian” -- “The best science fiction, fantasy and horror – reviews roundup”.
“The author of this debut novel has worked at an Antarctic research station, and excels in capturing the wonder as well as the fear it inspires [...] A grim, violent tale as hard to resist as the rapidly evolving symbiote.”
- The Guardian
But first - an announcement!
You dedicated newsletter followers are the first to know! I'm thrilled to announce that Symbiote will soon be published as an audiobook... and not those lifeless AI readings that's currently masquerading as an Audible book on Amazon, either.
Dreamscape Media and W.F. Howes are teaming up to bring Symbiote as an audiobook to North America/UK, and it should be out in two months from now. I know, I know, it's hard to wait... but it's no small feat to recreate the thrills and chills of Symbiote in voice form. Stay tuned to this newsletter to find out who the voice actor(s) will be...! I'm excited for you to hear it (kind of excited myself, honestly).
Next - a recap of recent book signings!
It's been a hectic month, and hopefully some of you had an opportunity to come out, meet, chat, and get your book signed.
First book signing: Bard's Alley, Vienna
We had a packed house at the lovely independent book store Bard's Alley in Vienna, VA. It was such a fun event. We talked about Antarctica, life at the South Pole, life as a writer, the editing process, and so much more. And so many fun questions from the crowd!
Second signing: Politics and Prose, Washington DC
It was another packed house at Politics and Prose in Union Market, Washington DC. I was joined on stage by the inimitable CJ Rivera, a fellow dystopian fiction author! We discussed the art of writing, what draws us to dystopian fiction and humans in stressful isolated environments, and of course, life in Antarctica. CJ did a great job moderating all of the fun questions from the audience, too!
Third signing: Mary Riley Styles Public Library, Falls Church, VA
Libraries are truly treasures. I've spent a lot of my life getting lost in worlds of my imagination inside libraries, and it was a treat to head (with Bard's Alley there to sell books!) to the Mary Riley Styles Public Library to chat with people about Symbiote.
Where are you gonna be next, Mikey?
Glad you asked ;) Please join me on April 9 at Chevy Chase Library, Washington DC, to discuss Symbiote, life in Antarctica, and any questions you have about the author life!
Hold on. You promised me prizes at the start of this thing!
You're right, I totally did. And here it comes!
There will be a sequel to Symbiote. It's out in just under a year from today -- but you can win a copy right now! The moment it's released, you'll have it, for free.
How, you ask? Well, so glad you asked.
Join me on the Mikey Sticker Game! The rules are simple.
Step 1. Buy stickers or come to an author event to get them for free!
Step 2. Zap them anywhere! (within reason, come on).
Step 3. Take a selfie or picture with your zapped sticker.
Step 4. Upload it, and where it was zapped, to Instagram! @stickermikey
Step 5. Tag 5 zapped stickers in 5 different locations, and you’ll be automatically entered into a drawing to win my next book!
Check out the stickers that have already been zapped -- counting Denver, Washington DC, and Virginia so far -- and coming soon to a city near you!
Symbiote is available now!
When's the next time I'll get you in my inbox?
A month from now! Coming your way in mid-April, stay tuned for the "zap of the month" from The Sticker Game (@stickermikey), a newsletter-only special sale on Symbiote, and... a micro-blog post on hanging out with The Functional Nerds and chatting sci-fi on their podcast. Check out the great reviews Symbiote has been getting!
In the meantime... thank you all for tuning in.
Until next month... keep smiling!
Cheers, and til next time,
--mikey
