WE HAVE CONTACT (The Kurtherian Gambit Book 12)

by Michael Anderle

  Ok, I think that covers it for who I’d love to talk to and would enjoy being written into a fiction book.

  Coach’s Revenge: Oh yeah, that was me (also known as the Latest Embarrassing Author Story)

  The other day (last Friday night) I had just finishing chapter 20 and shipped it to Stephen and told him ‘no more’ for the evening …I was done for the day, and everything else was likely downhill for the rest of the story (5 more chapters), and I looked around to see who I could celebrate with…

  But, my family was all gone. Wife in California, one son at a football game, the other at work. So, what should an author do when this happens?

  I went to an expensive steak house. (Hell Yeah!) Bob’s over in Grapevine, Tx to be exact. I had been treated there for Father’s day (last year, I think) and decided I was going to treat myself to an excellent steak.

  HA!

  I get there.

  Hostess: Do you have a reservation, sir?

  Me: Uh, no.

  Hostess: There is presently a long wait, would you care to eat in the bar area?

  Another hostess walks me to the bar area, and the only available seats are a comfortable looking leather couch and pair of chairs where the table is a coffee table. The kind of setup where you would enjoy having a drink with friends before your meal, not eating your meal. So, I didn’t choose to eat in the bar area. However, I was given one of those 5-inch buzzy things and went right back to the bar area and couch to wait.

  So, I sit down and do what any self-respecting indie author does when enjoying himself on this luxurious couch. I pulled out my laptop and started typing another chapter (hell yeah!)

  The problem was, it was about forty-five minutes to when my table is done. They buzz me in the middle of an important scene, and I go up to the front, and they take me to a table just around the corner to the right. I sit down, take out my laptop and continue typing (because I’m in the middle of a scene! I can’t stop now.)

  They come, I get my order taken, and I press on…Right through the scene where Coach is killed, and Penn is thinking about him.

  And I can’t stop from tearing up. I mean, 200+ pounds of author manliness and I’m freaking tearing up and wiping the tears from my eyes during my expensive steakhouse dinner.

  DAMNIT!

  How freaking embarrassing…But, I got through the scene and put the laptop away…I’ll miss you, Coach, I’ll miss you.

  Until next book, everyone!

  The Kurtherian Gambit Store

  I’ve been trying to get this d@mned store open for months. At first, it was ‘their’ fault (see below) then it was MY fault for …well, busy and didn’t want to put out old covers, I wanted the new hotness covers!

  Now, we have the new hotness with the first 7 covers and We Have Contact. So, here is the story below. Or, you can just skip all of this and see what I have up so far (only We Have Contact right now - more to come).

  http://kurtherianbooks.com/We_Have_Contact_Store

  THE STORY:

  At the end of March this year, I attended the Smarter Artist Summit in Austin, Tx put on by the SPP guys (Sean, Johnnie and Dave). During that event, J A Hess took the stage and presented. One of her favorite merchandising solutions was Society6 (https://society6.com). I was pretty excited to try them, and with such a huge name in the Romance market supporting them, I was happy to move forward with my own plans to offer Kurtherian Gambit products.

  Until I hit a snag.

  Actually, call it a full-on-catastrophe.

  See, I was planning on placing my first product into the store and I had to put my information 'into' the product and, as you may realize, my Series is 'The Kurtherian Gambit'.

  And there lies the problem. That name, or more specifically, one word in that name. "Gambit". Not a unique word by a LONG shot. It is a well understood Chess move, a useful phrase for so many books or other I.P. including one from "Marvel". I.E., their character 'Gambit.'

  So, my product was rejected for that reason and it pissed me off. So, I contacted Society6 and asked (in a mostly nice way) 'what the hell?'

  Here is the response at the time why I couldn't use "Gambit"

  Hi Michael,

  Thank you for contacting Society6 Support.

  We truly do appreciate your comments and questions.

  Unfortunately, in an effort to respect the rights of intellectual property owners, we are not able to support the inclusion of certain words, names, phrases, or combination thereof in artist submissions. In this particular case the term “Gambit” was used and we are not able to support the inclusion. Please replace this word to your description accordingly. All words in your listing must be accurate and refer only to the item for sale.

  We understand that this particular exclusion may be overbroad as applied to your submission, and we appreciate your patience as we continue to improve our policy and process for the benefit of the overall marketplace.

  We apologize for any inconvenience.

  Sincerely,

  S6 Legal Team

  So, I wrote them back…

  "Under compliance of the DMCA, we are unable to accept submissions with the term "Gambit" listed in the description or title. "

  I know this is inaccurate, I am assuming Society6 knows this is inaccurate (from a legal standpoint) so I'm completely guessing that Society6 was sued at one time or the legal team has decided that from a cost / value standpoint it isn't in the companies best interest to fight it without a 'promoter' to encourage it?

  Ok, I get that. So...

  Please advise me where and how Society6 is handling their obligation of the DMCA and "Section 512 - which contains provisions allowing users to challenge improper takedowns." So that I may abide by the LAW on this and challenge the UNLAWFUL use of DMCA for a word (not a likeness or unique application).

  I look forward to your patience in this annoying and painful effort to support Society6 from the abuse and overarching use of the DMCA and therefore the harmful effects the stifling use of the DMCA is having on at least one (1) of Society6's customers.

  Thank you in advance,

  Michael Anderle

  So, early June, 2016 I received notice that I COULD use Gambit in my storefront on Society6, go Society6! (And me)… But, it has taken me 60 more days to get going…

  Finally, my tiny little Kurtherian Gambit store is up now with the beginning of the products…MORE TO COME.

  If you have suggestions, drop by on Facebook and fire away on the FB Page here: https://www.facebook.com/TheKurtherianGambitBooks/ or the Amazon Forum pages - I listen ;-)

  Ready To Shop? http://kurtherianbooks.com/We_Have_Contact_Store

  The world is in ruins…

  The cataclysm, brought on by the start of the first Digital World War is complete. Earth has lost billions of people and is now comprised of powerful city-states, not countries. Locations where power, electricity, is possible.

  The problem? When the strong survive, not everyone who is strong, is benevolent.

  Into this future a man re-emerges from the Etheric where he has struggled to pull himself together, and finally to get himself free.

  He made a promise, and Dark Ages or not, he will fulfill his promise. For when he was born, you were only as good as your word. For Michael, his word is Honor…

  and Honor is everything.

  The Dark Messiah

  Coming Christmas 2016