Word count today:  56156

News:  Do you guys get tired of hearing me say thanks?  Well I don’t get tired of thanking you guys for the reads, positive feedback and comments.  So once again-Thanks!  I’m pushing hard to look over everything so volume 1 is good to go and meets standard as far as readability, thematic structure, and most importantly:  entertainment value.  On or around August 12, I’ll be publishing it through smashwords and kindle for 2.99.  Lots of research and advice went towards that price, stuff you can find on the internet and also verify through other writers who’ve been around the block (not me, I just asked some friends) .  Also, probably old news to you other authors, but did you know smashwords will automatically publish your stuff not only on their site but through kobo, nook, and other places?  (They cut royalties from 85% to 60%, but I think it’s well worth it for the convenience.  But the bottom line is that hell, I’m happy you guys are reading my stuff to begin with!)  Apparently, using smashwords and kindle will cover about 95% of e-readership.  I think that’s a huge weight off.  Looking through the reformatted stuff after I submit to an e-publisher makes me feel like I have to edit the book all over again to make sure it looks good, so with smashwords I can just go through that process once for multiple publishing platforms!  I know.  Probably old news to you guys, but I felt the need to share in case any other noobs like me haven’t heard.  Anyways, back to work!  To all you writers, I wish you inspired drafting and insightful editing!

Synopsis:  Echo is a sci-fi dystopian novel.  In the late 21st century, humanity left Earth due to multiple resource shortcomings aggravated by an acceleration in climate change.  They settled Echo, a planet that was nearly a carbon copy of Earth except for being devoid of life-with the exception of basic bacteria and plants.  Fast forward 1200 years later.  Echo has endured over a thousand years of dark age.  Corporations and government merged early on, becoming the oppressive authority known as the Regime.  Military and police merged into the Department of Enforcement, their only mission to crush the huge network of rebels known as the Dissidents.  Over half the planet is covered by decaying cityscapes and the elite live high above; removed and remote from the greater populace on the moon-city of Ascension.  Hope lies in one man, a bitter and crippled former Enforcer named Atriya.  But before he can break the cycle of darkness and ignorance on Echo, he has to do it within himself.