My Book INK SPOTS is now out.

This is not so much a blog post as it is an announcement that my new book Ink Spots is now available at Amazon on Kindle and paperback.  Ink Spots is a collection of my blog posts from over the years.  Many of you may have read them, but I’m hoping that some of you may want them conveniently on your Kindle or Nook.  Or you might want an actual physical book to pop on the shelf to refer to from time to time.  Or you may want to give a book to someone as a gift. ‘Tis the season.  I’m just sayin’…

Last year I had the pleasure of working with legendary animator, and very cool person, Glen Keane and he was nice enough to provide a very nice foreword for the book.

Glen Keane and I at the pharmacy after he drove me to the dentist. Even while I was in pain the man was a joy to work with.

“Brian McDonald is an exceedingly rare combination of talent and heart.

He not only is a remarkable teacher he is also a gifted storyteller.

This makes what he has to share that much more valuable. He speaks with passion and experience.”  -- Glen Keane excerpted from his foreword to Ink Spots

Other equally cool folks had nice things to say about the book.  Here are just a few:

"Brian is that friend in movie storytelling that everyone deserves. He writes in clear, readily usable ways to improve your screenwriting. Like time-release story capsules they ignite and helped me over many movies and countless story bends. Give him a read, take a couple and repeat as needed." -- Ronnie del Carmen, story supervisor on UP and Finding Nemo, director and writer at Pixar Animation Studios.

"Brian's book is filled with insightful and useful gems for writers of any experience level.  The only reason you'll want to put it down is to go start writing yourself." -- J. Elvis Weinstein  writer/producer "Freak and Geeks", "Mystery Science Theater 3000", "Cinematic Titanic"

"Brian's books and website are succinct, insightful resources for understanding not only the mechanics, but the purpose, of storytelling. I've recommended them so many times you'd think I was getting a piece of the action." — Chris Warner, Senior Editor Dark Horse Comics/Books

Others were nice enough to lend their comments as well and they are in the book.  I want to thank everyone for their support of the book.

I also want to thank those who have been reading this blog over the years. You kept me going.  When I started I didn’t know if anyone would read it, or care.  But it turns out people did read it and got something useful from it.  Thank you sincerely for your readership. You guys have been great.

Soon I will post a real blog. I promise. But, I did recently do a guest blog for Elise Stephens at http://www.elisestephens.com/

P.S. My apologies. In a mad dash to get this book out before the holidays it looks like the wrong cover file was sent to the printer – the word “forward” should be “foreword”. What this means is that after the holidays the book will be unavailable while this correction is made. Maybe this means the first version will be worth money one of these days like an upside down stamp or buffalo nickel. Or not.