Hey gang—I apologize for the lack of funnies on the site today. I have some important things to share… and I can’t promise that I’m not going to get a little misty-eyed. (Sorry in advance.) I promise you’re going to get a new Predator mash-up later this week. First, we have to talk.
First of all, I want to thank everyone who came out to support the release of my debut novel, THE FOURTH CHANNEL. The book has been out for seven weeks now. Back when I was getting ready to release TFC, nearly a dozen author friends came out of the woodwork, offering to feature my book on their blogs. I also had more than a half-dozen book bloggers who agreed to read and review my book. Okay, the publicity was a pittance in comparison to the fanfare Jim Butcher gets, but I was thrilled!
Sadly, when I released my book, almost all of the support disappeared. The only promotional support I had came from two of my close author friends, Candice Bundy and Steven Montano. I had none of the professional promotion the “experts” said I was supposed to have.
But something unexpected happened. And I admit that I’m getting a little teary as I write this, but it must be said:
You guys game out in full force and bought my book.
This may sound strange, but I was totally taken aback by what happened. In the first week of my release, I hit the comic fiction charts on Amazon.com. I even nabbed a “hot new release” spot in the category.
And when I thought my five minutes of fame was over, you started sharing the news of my book. Amazon took over and the book just kept growing. It’s still growing. As of today, THE FOURTH CHANNEL is in the Top 5 Comic Fiction chart on Amazon, and the Top 50 Contemporary Fantasy (for the last week it’s been ping-ponging between #35 and #41). I’m nowhere near being a New York Times Bestseller, but I don’t give a crap. I’m on a list in the middle of Sookie Sackhouse, Iron Druid, and Dresden Files! I never dreamed of this, guys. NEVER.
I’m trying to figure out a way to express just how grateful I am, but the best I can offer is a thank you from the bottom of my heart.
So, thank you.
Along with that, I have another favor to ask. I need more reviews on my book, especially on Amazon.com. If you’ve read THE FOURTH CHANNEL and enjoyed it, would you please take a few minutes to pop over to Amazon and leave a review? It would help me a lot. Just click on Kari & Stubby below to go to the TFC page on Amazon.com.
A few of you have been asking about a sequel. Yes, I’m working on a sequel. I’m still in the early stages of writing, so I don’t want to say much about it yet, but I’ll be sure to fill you in when we get closer. The book starts two and a half months after TFC ends. Hopefully in the next book we’ll answer the biggest question on everyone’s minds:
Will Mikelis’s knives ever get wrestling names?
You’re just going to have to wait and find out.
Jen Kirchner 
Jen, I am thrilled for you and your success. Congratulations on your achievement! I am reading TFC (I need to update my status on Goodreads, lol) and will let you and the world know what I think as soon as I am done.
Good on ya, girl!
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Thanks Jason! Truth be told, I’ve been determinedly working through my other commitments so I can start on your Blood Roses novel. I can’t wait to dive into it!
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Congratulations! I told you so. I love saying that. I look forward to reading the sequel.
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LOL Thanks, man. As you’ve seen from the acknowledgements page, that book never would have happened had it not been for your encouragement. Thanks for enduring my bad fan fiction and miscellaneous writing projects over the last ten years.
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Psst…hey you. No, not Jen. You, the person reading this post and the comments that follow who loves to read all of the things that Jen says.
Some of the most awesome things you can do for an author: leave them a good review. Like them on Amazon (yes, that’s a thing – like their book, and like their author page).
It’s better than sending coffee or wine or chocolate. (I think – right? Jen can back me up on that one.)
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Psst…hey Amber…
Personally, I vote for reviews, PLUS coffee, wine, and chocolate.
Why? See, it’s the job of authors to take things like coffee, wine, chocolate, and other such ingredients and transform them into new masterpieces. It’s simple math, when you get down to it.
Big hugs to Jen. You’re fabu, and you deserve all of the praise The Fourth Channel has brought in, because it’s amaze balls! I’m off to write you a review, because I, also, owe you one. 😉
Cheers,
cb
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Good call, Candice.
Listen to Candice, everyone. 🙂
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Oh my gosh, Jen, I’m so happy for you! When I first started reading your post, I thought “Oh crap, no… please tell me things didn’t go wrong for her!” I’m so happy they’re going right. Congrats on the book release!
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