Announcing HtSiE:Hostile Takeover


Okay, it’s officially begun. Or since I’ve just crossed the 50,000 word mark on the sequel to How to Succeed in Evil, maybe it’s more appropriate to say, “It has already done been begotten.” (Ah, scratch that, that can’t ever be appropriate to say. Verb tense, anyone?)

Anyway, the sequel is coming and it’s title is ‘Hostile Takeover.’

I won’t spoil the plot, but I can give you this. The main character is TOPPER! And, in the course of the novel, he winds up in charge. With hilarious and extreme consequences. Of course, Edwin is a major character, but Topper tells the tale. It’s much like Watson telling us about the exploits of Sherlock Holmes.

It’s already very funny. And it’s also proving to be very moving at points. After all, we’re going to proceed deeper and deeper into the unlikely friendship between these two men. Of course, we’ll meet a new host of outrageous, super-powered characters, and we will resolve the unfinished business with Excelsior once and for all.

So for everybody who has been hanging in there for the next installment, it’s one GIANT step closer. Or, more to the point, 50,000 tiny little steps closer. Thanks, as always, for your support and stay tuned for more.

How to Succeed in Evil on Kindle

Yup, it finally happened. I’m very excited that the whole book can be yours for mere pittance. 99 cents. Why, for less than the price of a cup of coffee you can have, all the antics of Topper. All the sinister brilliance of Edwin. All the prim and proper efficiency of Agnes (or, if you’ve been with us long enough, Edna.)

And if you’ve caught that Agnes reference. If you’ve listened to all the podcasts and versions. If you’re a true fan, then take a moment to write a review on Amazon, won’t you. The ebook version is tighter, tauter and another iteration better — but it’s the same story with the same wonderful characters that you’ve known and loved. If you are so moved, please gush with confidence. Your kind words will help others find it, and help me attract a bigger audience.

99 cents, right here.

An Interview with John Mierau

A week ago (hey, was it two?) I spent some quality time talking to John Mierau for his “Podcast Teardown” series. It’s a great idea.

The Teardown is a mini-series of 10 questions on the nature of podcasting, put to 10 well-known podcast authors. The questions are the same. The answers might just surprise you.

John has written and podcasted a couple of books himself so he knows how to ask a good question. It was a fun interview, but I’m really interested in the rest of the series. He’s got a great lineup and I’m interested in stealing all the ideas I can ;-) Seriously, if you have any aspirations or interests around podcast, check out some of these. I think it’s a brilliant idea.

http://johnmierau.wordpress.com/2011/01/31/the-podcast-teardown-2-patrick-e-mclean/

Lifehacker Likes Me. The Feeling is Mutual.

I’ve been getting a daily dose of productivity pr0n from Lifehacker for years. Taken altogether, the tidbits I’ve picked up there have saved me at least a month of time. Most recently, the the use of Simplenote  for plain text capture and synchronization across machines and handheld devices. 

Now they’ve seen fit to use one of my pieces, “A Defense of Writing Longhand.” Check out that byline! I’m really quite proud of this.

Posted via email from PatrickEMcLean’s Posterous

How to Succeed in Evil Update IN GLORIOUS COLOR

Okay, okay. So I’m lame for being quiet for so long. (And I know I’m lame)

But things are bubbling. I swear they are. For one thing, we’ve got a colorist (the Mighty Myron Macklin) and he’s awesome. And we’re almost, almost, almost, so close I can taste it, done with the color version of the book.
And of course, if you’ve caught up with the latest installment. We can expect many interesting things from Topper in what I’m going to call Season Two of How to Succeed in Evil.
Here’s a peek at the color (unlettered) Continue reading