Inspired by the show Survivor, a fast-paced fantasy thriller in paperback, hardback, hand-bound and special edition. What happens to a reality show when the island--and all its contestants--disappears?
Spider-verse meets LOST in this epic fantasy thriller inspired by the show Survivor.
Twelve contestants. Thirty-six days. One deserted island.
Welcome to Far Island Warrior, where players from different island nations compete for a grand prize of one million farra.
Enrick was a safety supervisor on FIW until a disagreement with the producer cost him his job. The studio invites him back as a consultant to investigate the mysterious death of a crewmember on set, but not everything on the show is what it seems. His investigation leads him to the secret labs of one of the studio’s sponsors, and a sinister conspiracy that could threaten the family he’s fought to rebuild.
Jaz’s dreams have come true when he’s selected as a contestant on FIW. It’s his chance to leave his tiny, spider-worshipping home and prove to his family—and himself—that he can survive on his own. Blessed with the ability to climb walls, he believes he’s prepared for whatever the island throws at him. Then contestants begin disappearing. Jaz is left to wonder, is this another twist from the producers, or is something darker lurking behind the scenes?
When a cataclysmic event throws the production into chaos, Jaz and Enrick must trust in their abilities, for strange, supernatural forces are stirring across the Far Islands, along with a season finale that could forever change their world.
What is this BackerKit for?
This BackerKit includes all physical editions of Spider Island. Paperback, hardback, special edition, or limited edition hand-bounds, there is something for everyone! Help me get this book into the hands of readers.
Want to try before you buy?
The ebook is on Kindle Unlimited and will be available June 1st. Want a sample before then? Click the image below to read the first two chapters.
Experience the spirit of the Far Islands with this Special Edition
Designed by the author, the RaTan Special Edition aims to capture the energy of the Far Islands counterculture movement. Inspired by the styles of the late 90s and early 2000s, it's loud, unapologetic, and like the book itself, blends tropes and styles to create a one-of-a-kind product.
Size: 6" x 9"
Pages: 410
Paper: 70 gsm cream
Signed
Custom chapter headings and part divides
Printed edges
Custom Endpapers
White and blue headbands
Spot UV dust jacket
Alternate case design
Color title page
2 full color maps
Vellum Art Tiers
*Hand installed vellum art may result in small errors during binding
Vellum is a type of semi-transparent paper that turns the text itself into a work of art. Vellum overlays are designed to slip into your book, acting as removable art pages. These inserts do not alter the text, but offer a unique alternative to expensive art pages bound inside the book. Want your vellum prints to be more permanent? Installation will be available through the BackerKit surveys*
Prints are specially designed to showcase the text, but if you want to see the art better, all vellum tiers include original prints.
Exclusive through BackerKit, I'll be offering a small number of deluxe, hand-bound editions of Spider Island, designed and assembled by me, the author. All hand-bound editions include pre-installed vellum art, prints, a metal bookmark, and a paperback copy of Spider Island, so you can read without worrying about damaging your pretty copy. Supplies are limited, so be sure to back early if you're interested in this exclusive tier.
Atrix Files is a series of stand-alone novels set in the same fantasy world. Modern settings, human characters, and low magic, this series explores technology in a fantastical setting.
If you're a fan of Blake Crouch, Andy Weir, or Michael Crichton, but want to dip your toes into fantasy, SPIDER ISLAND is a great start!
Far Islands map by T. C. Duck (me)
If you love SPIDER ISLAND, or just want to see my next project, keep an eye out for ARBOR GIANTS coming in 2027.
Hi! I’m T. C. Duck, flight attendant, illustrator, and author of the Atrix Files. Under the name Theresa Duck, I participated in PitchWars 2018 as a mentee. I have a BFA in creative writing from the University of North Carolina Wilmington and worked as a children’s bookseller at Barnes & Noble. I’ve interned at Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group. My work is inspired by places I’ve traveled.
I'm so excited to share my work with you. All the illustrations you in the art prints are my own, along with the cover layouts and interior design. By supporting this campaign you're supporting both my art and writing, so thank you so much for your interest in SPIDER ISLAND.
Sarah has been a compulsive reader her whole life. At a young age, she found her reading niche in the fantastic genre of Speculative Fiction. She blames her active imagination for the hobbies that threaten to consume her life. She is a published author and editor, a semi-pro nature photographer, world traveler, three-time cancer survivor, and mom to two kids. In her ideal world, she’d do nothing but drink lots of tea and read from a never-ending pile of books.
Sarah has been a respected book critic since 2010 (Bookworm Blues). This has served to give her an intimate knowledge of story, and has kept her thumb on the pulse of the genre. She has been a developmental editor since 2017, with numerous award-winning titles under her belt (SPFBO finalists). Now, she is also the staff editor of Grimdark Magazine. Sarah has put her love of words to good use and is the author of Seraphina’s Lament and Of Honey and Wildfires, and numerous other published books.
For a list of books she's edited, please click here for my Goodreads shelf. Please note, not every book Sarah has edited has been published yet.
As you are probably aware, the US is going through a lot right now, and that's made shipping things out of the country complicated.
These are my current prices for shipping prices to the countries offered. I know the international prices might not be ideal. If things happen in the coming months that make shipping a little less expensive, I'll adjust the prices accordingly.
Don't see your country listed? Email me at tcduckauthor[at]gmail.com and I'll see what I can work out. I strive to make this book as readily available to anyone who wants to read it.
All packages will be shipped in custom padded envelopes. These prices are based off USPS flat rate postage and are subject to change. Do to the limitations of crowdfunding, I am unable to offer refunds. I will be offering replacements in the case of severe damage or misprints (errors that make content unreadable). Lost parcels and missing items may also qualify if the package is verified lost through tracking. If you need a replacement, you must submit your claim within 14 days of receiving your reward.
NOTE: TO ASSURE THE MOST ACCURATE SHIPPING PRICES, SHIPPING WILL BE ADDED ON AS A PART OF BACKERKIT FULFILLMENT SURVEY AFTER THE CAMPAIGN CLOSES.
Please plan accordingly. Also be sure to fill out those surveys!
I've done my best to streamline the process as much as possible. The book is edited and complete. I've printed proofs and done the math on shipping.
That being said, I am new to crowdfunding, so please be patient while I work out fulfillment. I aim to order books as soon as the campaign closes, and mail them quickly once they arrive. Even still, this may take time. The special editions will be shipping from the UK, and can take up to a month to arrive. I will be providing regular updates as I receive them. If you have not received your book by 2027 (god forbid), please let me know.
This is an Extremely Tentative calendar of when you can expect your book to arrive. Please note, this calendar is based on everyone being diligent and filling out their surveys within the first few weeks of the campaign's close. If too many people delay on surveys, I may have to delay ordering to chase people down. I don't want to do that. You don't want me to do that. Your fellow backers don't want me to do that. Please fill out the surveys.
These surveys are not for marketing. They confirm your shipping address and MUST be completed to receive your reward.
Want your book early? I'll be doing hosting two early drop for my campaign followers. For these events, I'll be ordering a small number of the hardback and paperback editions in advance. If you qualify for this drop, please have your surveys filled out before the event, as that is how I'll be confirming copies.
Per BackerKit policy, no AI was used in the making of the book. All illustrations are either my own creation or stock images licensed from refutable sources. I research my stock images thoroughly, but if you fear any of the images used in this campaign might be AI, let me know and I'll investigate the issue.
As many of you are aware, I cut my teeth in the query trenches with my YA and MG novels. Querying taught me a lot, and while those first few books never sold, I have managed to create a solid backlist with multiple books I'm still immensely proud of. But MG is notoriously hard to sell in indie spaces. For that reason, much of my writing has remained unpublished.
SPIDER ISLAND is different. As my first adult novel, it's an opportunity to produce the quality of book that I've always dreamed of, with custom interior design, sprayed edges—all the bells and whistles.
Indie publishing has allowed me to write the kind of books I'd want to read while also maintaining full control over the creative process. I've had a blast putting together this campaign. These books ultimate expression of my creativity, from the writing to the design to the custom swag. It's taken a lot of time (and money) but I've managed to create a product I'm immensely proud of. I hope you appreciate SPIDER ISLAND (and return to check out my next Atrix Files book, Arbor Giants, in 2027).
Crowdfunding campaigns have been a great way to fund lofty projects such as this, and thankful to the community on BackerKit for making the process as easy as possible. Truly I could not do this without the support of this community, so be sure to check out projects from other Book Bazaar creators.
Most of all, thank you, dear reader, for joining me on this adventure.
Welcome to Book Bazaar Summer Edition, a celebration of all things indie and small press! We're collaborating to help make each creator's dreams come true with their publishing project. The more you back, the more goodies you earn. Here's how you can earn more:
Back more, earn more! ⭐Claim your Book Bazaar Summer Edition 2026 sticker sheet today by backing 5 or more projects. Each sticker sheet has all the book covers included! Plus, check out individual creators for special collaborations between projects. 👀
What is The Book Bazaar?
During this event, authors/indie presses run their own crowdfunding campaigns, with hopes of funding their publishing project. All campaigns run at the same time, and each campaign cross-promotes one another. Each campaign runs on an all-or-nothing basis, which means if they don’t meet their minimum goal, they can’t create their projects. 🙁 That’s why we’re hoping to count on you, the lovely reader, to help uplift these publishers and really make this Bazaar something special!
The more projects you back, the more rewards you’ll get. Some Bazaar projects are paired with another project, and by backing both Bazaar projects, you’ll get EXTRA free rewards! Back all Bazaar projects to maximize your rewards!