Rebel, extraction expert, intelligence operative, full negative, and former resident of First City on Earth, Malory McLain's records are spotty from around the time her parents were sent to the mines on Deimos for sedition when she was seven until she reappeared around ten years later working for the rebel League of Free Worlds. 

She swiftly became a talented extraction expert, with numerous high-value targets 'liberated' by her and her teams, although there is little physical evidence of how she accomplished some of these extractions. What is known is that she was declared a full negative, the Sarcodinay Empire's terminate-on-sight designation, some years ago. 

Now that the peace has broken out, she's back on Earth. Homesick? On business? Clearing up loose ends? It's not clear, but after the events at the Farthest Shore, Scorekeeper units are encouraged to be on high alert.

- From a Security Brief to the First City Scorekeepers

I've wanted to publish this book for a while now, but have been stymied by the perception that, as a 'fantasy author', I cannot change lanes. The truth is, I was a sci-fi writer first. Full Negative is, in fact, the spiritual successor of the first book I ever wrote. During the lockdown, I pulled that old manuscript out of a drawer and rewrote the whole thing, as one does. And then…nothing. Because I’m a ‘fantasy author.’

As every citizen of the glorious Sarcodinay Empire knows, your Score dictates your privileges. The harder you work and the more you do for the benefit of the Empire, the more you are rewarded with Overlay permissions for your Reality Lens, living accommodations, access to tastier food, and the like.

Change your appearance, get a bigger housing allotment, gain access to better restaurants and clubs, hear music in greater fidelity; all of these and more can be yours with a higher score! 

Work harder, do more, and your Score increases. With increased Score comes greater benefits.
 
- Kaj Zennis Baldoran, speaking to an unknown Xar who was roused for begging outside the Gladpit VIP entrance.

Like all crowdfunding campaigns, pledges for Full Negative are divided into tiers which dictate both how much you'll pay, and what benefits you get. If the campaign fully funds, you'll get everything listed at the tier that you pledged. In addition, there are add-ons and stretch-goals, but we'll get to those later.

The Tiers

 

Support the Revolution!
Join the mailing list, and receive a cool digital wallpaper for your phone as well as our thanks. Pick your faction and support them to unlock extras in the stretch-goals. Also gives access to the Add-Ons store.

Fal Tier
You get an ebook copy of Full Negative, perfect for reading on your phone or other electronic device. In addition, you get a digital wallpaper for your phone, and all of digital stretch goals that we unlock.

The ebook will be available in ePub format for your convenience and enjoyment.

Ara Tier - EXPIRED
EARLYBIRD: FIRST 48 HOURS ONLY

Available for the first 2 days only, industrious Aras can save some of their hard-earned credit. This pledge comes with a trade paperback copy of Full Negative, along with the ebook, digital wallpaper for your phone, and all digital stretch goals we unlock.
 
 Enjoy the book in the old-fashioned way; on paper. Also comes with a copy of the ebook so you don't have to stop reading just because you're going on a trip or otherwise don't want to or cannot read it in physical copy.
 
NOTE THAT AFTER THE FIRST 48 HOURS, THIS PLEDGE LEVEL WILL NO LONGER BE AVAILABLE.
THIS TIER IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE.

Lor Tier
This pledge comes with a trade paperback copy of Full Negative, along with the ebook, digital wallpaper for your phone, and all digital stretch goals we unlock.

Enjoy the book in the old-fashioned way; on paper. Also comes with a copy of the ebook so you don't have to stop reading just because you're going on a trip or otherwise don't want to or cannot read it in physical copy.

Tal Tier - EXPIRED
EARLYBIRD: FIRST 48 HOURS ONLY

Available for the first 2 days only, industrious Tals can save some of their hard-earned credit. This pledge comes with a hardcover copy of Full Negative, along with the ebook, digital wallpaper for your phone, and all digital stretch goals we unlock.
 
 Enjoy the book in the old-fashioned way; on paper. Also comes with a copy of the ebook so you don't have to stop reading just because you're going on a trip or otherwise don't want to or cannot read it in physical copy.
 
NOTE THAT AFTER THE FIRST 48 HOURS, THIS PLEDGE LEVEL WILL NO LONGER BE AVAILABLE.
THIS TIER IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE.

Bet Tier
This pledge comes with a hardcover copy of Full Negative, along with the ebook, digital wallpaper for your phone, and all digital stretch goals we unlock.

Enjoy the book in the old-fashioned way; on paper with a hard cover. Also comes with a copy of the ebook so you don't have to stop reading just because you're going on a trip or otherwise don't want to or cannot read it in physical copy.

Gala Tier
Get a personalized copy of Full Negative in trade paperback with the author's dedication and signature, as well as a line from the book quoted just for you.

In addition, you will receive a free bookmark, a copy of the ebook, digital wallpaper, and all digital stretch goals we unlock.

Limited to 250.

Ran Tier
Ran is the highest score a non-telepath can reach, the pinnacle of Sarcodinay culture. As such, they know a good thing when they see it, and a personalized hardback copy of Full Negative, signed and dedicated by the author, with a line quoted just for you, is definitely a good thing!

Also comes with a bookmark so you don't have to fold your corners or use napkins like a mere Ara, a copy of the ebook, a digital wallpaper for your phone, and all digital stretch goals we unlock.

Limited to 250.

Kaj Tier
Charity bundle!

The first 'noble' tier, you are definitely showing your nobility with this pledge. Buy one copy of Full Negative in trade paperback format, and we will donate one to charity in your name.

Also includes a copy of the ebook, digital wallpaper, and all digital stretch goals we unlock just for you.

Hey, it can't ALL be about charity.

Mora Tier
Just like the individual helixes in a strand of DNA twist around each other, you're in a position to read the book in any format you like. At this tier, you get a copy of Full Negative in trade paperback, one in hardback, and one in ebook.

This kind of mixing should be forbidden by the Tridates, but for some reason it isn't.

Lucky you! You won't be declared a heretic for buying this bundle, and you will get a slight discount on the price. Win-win!

In addition, you will receive a digital wallpaper for your phone and all unlocked digital stretch goals.

Seris Tier
Void razors know that your gear is your best friend. As such, we offer this limited edition hardcover copy of the book. The special edition has a textured cover, even higher quality paper than our normal already quite high quality, and is dedicated, signed, and numbered by the author.

Additionally, you get the digital wallpaper, the ebook version, and any digital stretch goals we unlock.

There are only 500 of this special edition. Act fast so you don't miss out.

Ul Tier
Fill in the gaps in your collection, or simply acquire a new set to display and show off with this ULtimate Fan Edition. No, I won't apologize for that pun. In addition to the hardcover edition of Full Negative, you will receive a hardcover of each of the following:

The Ruin of Kings
The Name of All Things
The Memory of Souls
The House of Always
The Discord of Gods
The Sky on Fire

All books will be signed and dedicated by the author.

Additionally, you will receive a digital wallpaper, an ebook copy of Full Negative, and any digital stretch goals we unlock.

There are only 4 of this tier available. Once they're gone, they're gone.- SOLD OUT

Scavenger Tier - EXPIRED
EARLYBIRD: FIRST 48 HOURS ONLY
For those who want it all, and don't want to get carpal tunnel clicking on scads of items, we offer the One-Click All-In bundle. You get everything available at launch:

The book in ebook, audiobook, paperback, and hardcover.
All 12 stickers
All 12 buttons
All 4 small art cards
All 4 large art cards
All 3 bookmarks
Digital wallpaper
Digital stretch goals
All 5 T-shirts

And as an Early Bird special, you get this entire bundle AND a $20 savings. Can't argue with that!

NOTE THAT AFTER THE FIRST 48 HOURS, THIS PLEDGE LEVEL WILL NO LONGER BE AVAILABLE.
THIS TIER IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE.

QZ Delver Tier
You've delved deep into the Quarantine Zones on Earth, and come away with a treasure trove of goodies!

All 5 T-shirts

Striker Tier
Earth is a big planet. Even after over a century of being picked over by Wilders and the occasional Striketeam, there are still treasures left to find.

Such as this box.

In addition to a copy of the hardcover of Full Negative, this tier comes with a Wilder Time Capsule; a collection of things from before the plague, carefully and lovingly preserved for generations within a Wilder tribe.

And now it's yours!

Each box is guaranteed to have a signed copy of the book, as well as tons* of other swag and loot. Exactly what's in the box? That's the mystery!

Additionally, you will get the digital rewards: digital wallpaper, an ebook, and any digital stretch goals we unlock.

* Well, ounces, at any rate. Possibly pounds. Probably not tons; that would make shipping problematic.

Kantari Tier
As the Kantari can change their shape to suit their needs, so too does a book change shape over the course of its creation. Now, you can see those changes (and trust me, there are a lot of them) with the Kantari Bundle.

In addition to a signed copy of the hardcover of Full Negative, you'll receive a  paperback copy of an earlier draft of the manuscript, back when this project was just a working title and I hadn't revised it. See the evolution of not only the characters and story, but the very world itself.

Also, as you're such an awesome person... alien... entity... we'll throw in everything from the QZ Delver all-In bundle:
A copy of Full Negative in 3 other formats (ebook, paperback, audio), 12 stickers, 4 small art cards, 4 large art cards, 3 bookmarks, 12 buttons, and 5 t-shirts, as well as digital wallpaper and any digital stretch goals we unlock.

This is a limited edition offer, as I don't want too many copies of my embarrassing early work running around out there.

Limited to 25.

Keeper Tier
As the Keepers ordained that the Sarcodinay were to be the premiere species in the galaxy, so will we declare... OUR INITATIVE ROLLS!

That's right, you and a small number of other lucky and devoted fans will get to play in an online RPG with me, the author. Exact system and details will be determined once I know how many other players there will be, but in any case, I'm looking forward to getting my game on and rolling my math rocks, even if only virtually.

And because this is a book-funding campaign, of course you also get a signed hardcover copy of the book. Also, as you're such an awesome person... alien... entity... we'll throw in everything from the All-In bundle:
A copy of Full Negative in 3 other formats (ebook, paperback, audio), 12 stickers, 4 small art cards, 4 large art cards, 3 bookmarks, 12 buttons, and 5 t-shirts, as well as digital wallpaper and any digital stretch goals we unlock.

This tier is VERY limited, as I want everyone who plays to have fun and have some time to be in the spotlight, and that doesn't seem realistic if we have 20 players, right?

Limited to 5.

Although the armistice is in effect and the Sarcodinary are withdrawing from the Sol system, the hunt for McLain continues. Her status as a full negative has yet to be officially rescinded by the new powers-that-be. Plus, the events at the Farthest Shore happened after the ceasefire, and it is entirely possible that she is working some sort of operation of her own. To what end, we do not know, which is why we need to find out.

- Internal memo from Gala Stiles Breman to First City Scorekeeper Corps. 

What happens if we reach our funding goal? We print the book and give everyone their copies!
What happens if we reach more than that?
Stretch-goals, of course!

At certain milestones, new options for add-ons and new rewards for digital tiers will unlock.

$6000 - UNLOCKED!

More Stickers unlocked for Add-ons. At this level, we will add four more sticker options to the sticker add-ons: the four Faction logos - Dome Dwellers, League of Free Worlds, Pirates, and Wilders.

$7500 - UNLOCKED

$8000 - UNLOCKED

More Art Cards unlocked. At this level, we make two more characters available for Small and Large Art Card add-ons. Which characters will depend on which Factions are in first and second place: Vanessa Lee for the Dome, Rika Szabo for the League, Gabriel Zaytsev for the Pirates, or Paul DuPres for the Wilders.

$9000 - UNLOCKED

Setting Guide Part 1: The Past. At this level, we start releasing the Setting Guide as a digital reward. This guide covers the history of Earth and the Sarcodinay from before their arrival to just last week. Additionally, we may offer it in physical form as an add-on if we reach higher goals.

$10,000 - UNLOCKED

More Bookmarks unlocked. At this level, we will add 2 more bookmarks to the Add-ons section.

$12,000

Setting Guide Part 2: Earth. At this level, we will release part 2 of the Setting Guide, detailing Earth and current events, as a digital reward. Additionally, we may offer it in physical form as an add-on if we reach higher goals.

Setting Guide Part 3: The League. Learn about the League of Free Worlds, including details on the navy, various planets and how they were founded, and opinions of the LFW towards Earth, the Sarcodinary, and the like. Available at this level as a digital reward, we may also offer it in physical form as an add-on if we reach higher goals.

$18,000

Setting Guide Part 4: The Sarcodinay. Learn about Earth's most dangerous and oddly familiar enemy, the Sarcodinay. From their home planet to their culture and religion, there's a lot to know about these seemingly indomitable foes. This book will be made available as a digital reward, and we may make it available in physical form as an add-on at higher goal levels.

$20,000

Setting Guide Part 5: Other Species. The humans and the Sharks aren't the only races in the galaxy. Learn more about the industrious Meshakath, the telepathic shape-shifting Kantari, the unstoppable and insatiable Cyok'neykt, the mysterious and possibly fictional Keepers, and others. At this level, Part 5 will be available as a digital reward, and we may make it available as a physical add-on if we reach the Part 6 stretch goal.

$22,500

Poster Unlock. Unlocks an 12 x 18 or 18 x 24 poster as an add-on. Adorn your wall in style!

$25,000 

Setting Guide Part 6: A Tour of First City. See the city where Malory grew up in depth, and learn the machinations and machineries that keep the city running. Released as a digital reward. Additionally, the entire Setting Guide will be made available as an add-on at this level.

More?
As we approach the above goals, we'll start listing more ideas. And yes, we have more ideas.

Welcome to the dome, Wilder. 

You've just received your Reality Lens with its Overlays. Overlays to your Reality Lens quite literally dictate how you see the world, with higher tier scores granting you more elaborate and higher resolution views of the world. 

Since this is your first time in a Dome, let me explain. Your Reality Lens is a self-repairing nanite colony in your brain that overrides ocular and auditory impulses. Not to the point of seeing things that aren't there or the reverse, but modifying how you see and hear things. For example, you might notice that everything in this room appears 'blocky' and kind of plain, regardless of what the walls and furniture actually look like.

Don't worry, you won't fall off a cliff or bridge. It doesn't benefit the Sarcodinay to have us falling to our deaths constantly, so what you see IS really there. It just might not look or sound as nice. And you want things to look and sound nice, right? 

That's why, whenever you go up in Score Tier rankings, you may select new Overlay Upgrades. In the next segment, we will talk about some of those upgrades, and how much Score you need to access them...

    - From "Welcome to the Dome - An Educational Module for New Citizens." circa 100 years ago

So, you've selected a pledge level. Fantastic! 

But...

It looks a bit bare, doesn't it? 

I mean, books are awesome! Don't get me wrong, I love books. And this is one of the best. 

But...

It could use a little something, couldn't it? A little 'extra', a bit of 'overlay' as the sharks would call it. 

That's where Add-Ons come in! When making your pledge, you will be prompted to add-on some add-ons. Don't worry if you didn't realize just how much you wanted that T-shirt right now; you can edit your pledge up until the campaign ending, and I think you can add other add-ons during the pledge manager phase. 

So what do we have for add-ons? What kind of neat swag can you get? Glad you asked. We have...

Score Rank and League Symbols

Available on Stickers, Buttons, Bookmarks, and T-Shirts, pick from one of the above symbols during the Pledge Manager phase after the campaign ends.

Bookmarks

You're buying a book, why not also get a bookmark? These lovelies are 2" x 6" and perfect for showing that you're a reader of taste and sophistication. Not the sort to just ham the left-over crust of a sandwich between the pages. $2

Set of 3 Bookmarks

Do you read a lot? Do you flip back and forth between books? Do you just really like 2 x 6 pieces of art? If you said 'yes' to any of those questions, this is the bundle you're looking for. Pick 3 bookmarks. $5

Stickers

Declare your Score Rank or else admit you're a dirty rebel League member with these lovely 2" stickers. They come in your choice of symbols Each of the Score Rank symbols above, and the League of Free Worlds symbol are all options at launch. $3

Set of 4 Stickers

Why pick only one Score when you can have four? The following sets are available at launch: The Low (Full Negative, Fal, Ara, and Lor), The Citizens (Tal, Bet, Gala, and Ran), and The High (Kaj, Mora, Seris, and Ul). $10

Small Art Cards

2.5" x 3.5" (Trading card-sized) cards for your favorite characters. At launch, we will have four available, one from each Faction; Malory McLain for the League, Zakhariy Zaytsev for the Wilders, Stewart Campbell for the Dome Dwellers, and Bloody Jester for the Pirates.  $4

Set of 4 Small Art Cards

Get four trading-card sized pieces of art. All the same, mix-and-match; it's your decision. You earned it. $15

Large Art Cards

4" x 6" (postcard-sized) cards of your favorite characters. At launch we will have four available, one from each faction: Dome Dwellers (Stewart Campbell), The League of Free Worlds (Malory McLain), Pirates (Bloody Jester), and Wilders (Zakhariy Zaytsev).  $5

Set of 4 Large Art Cards

Get four postcard-sized pieces of art. All the same, mix-and-match; it's your decision. $18

Buttons

Represent your Score mark or declare your allegiance to the rebellion with these beautiful 1" buttons. Each comes with a metallic finish. Buttons come in the 12 emblems we start off with on launch: the League   $5

E-Book Copy

Get an extra copy of the e-Book for gifts, loaners, or simply because you feel like it. $15

Audiobook

Prefer to listen rather than read? Got a long roadtrip (or spaceship voyage) ahead of you? Want something to provide background noise over your headphones at work? Get the audiobook! $25

T-Shirt

Everyone needs clothing. Why not show that you're an Free World Intelligence operative while doing so? Or, like Malory, wear Medusa on your chest? Or swear to the sky that you're NOT a Kantari (which is totally something a Kantari would do)? Or support the book via viral marketing with our logo shirt? All of these options and more, available in sizes up to 4X. $30

Paperback Copy

Friends always 'borrowing' your books and not returning them? Got a birthday or holiday coming up? Just know a lot of readers in your life that you really like? An extra copy of the trade paperback makes the perfect solution to any of those problems. $30

Hardcover Copy

Friends always 'borrowing' your books and not returning them? Got a birthday or holiday coming up? Just know a lot of readers in your life that you really like? An extra copy of the hardcover makes an even more-perfecter solution to any of those problems. Yes, I'm aware that "more-perfecter" isn't in the dictionary... yet. $40

Back Copies - Hardcover

Back Copies - American Trade Paperback

Back Copies - UK Trade Paperback

It is said that there are as many tribes of humans as there are stars in the Empire. And while that's not exactly true, it certainly does feel that way sometimes.

Therefore, while it is not accurate, broadly-speaking, the commonly accepted four factions are useful containers to put groups of other groups into, for ease of conversation. Yes, a Wilder from Hellaye and a Wilder from the Jakartan Barrens wouldn't consider themselves in the same group, but they are both Wilders and therefore have some similarities not shared with, say, a person born and raised on Liberty.

- Gala Riswan Bethany, Many And Varied: the Strength and Weakness of Human Tribalism

Want to be part of a team? Of course you do. Everyone* likes being part of a team!

One of the things that Backerkit does is allow you to pick a Team, which we're calling a Faction, when you make your pledge. This allows you to play in trivia challenges that we might want to run, and any other use for this metric we can find.

The uses we found are as follows:

Mascots. Or more appropriately, masCats! Each team has a team Mascat. Which one is cutest?

Your Team is a Vote for stretch goals: Some stretch goals (art cards) will vary depending on which Faction is in the lead when the campaign ends. For example, if Pirates is in the lead and we reach the $8,000 mark, a new option for Bloody Jester will be added to the Art Cards add-ons.

If we reach the 19k stretch goal, all members of the leading Faction will get a free bookmark with any physical pledges they've made.

One of the shirt options is "Team Shirt." If you purchase that shirt as an add-on, it will come with your team's logo on it automatically. No one else can have your shirts!

And we might also do the trivia games, if that seems like it would be fun for people.

The Factions

 Fish/Dome Dwellers: Humans who live in the giant domed cities of Earth, safe from the elements, disease, and starvation. "Fish" is a derogatory term used by the other factions in reference to them living 'contented lives in the big fishbowls'. In truth, the resistance couldn't have accomplished as much as it did without agents living inside the Domes, risking their lives day after day to provide intelligence and sabotage assistance.  Famous Dome Dwellers include Vanessa Lee, Alexander Rhodes, and Stewart Campbell.

Dome Mascat: Squeaker Catbell

League of Free Worlds: Humans who live in the so-called League of Free Worlds, lost colonies and the descendants of stolen factory ships. They consider themselves the 'true' resistance, fighting the Sarcodinary while the majority of humans live in contentment (or fear) in the dome cities. The League is where the Janus Drive was invented, and famous Free Worlders include Nicholas Rhodes, Merlin, and Belisle.

League Mascat: Meowlory McLain

Pirates: Although the line is sometimes blurry between Pirates and Free Worlders, the League maintains and swears that the pirates do not have their blessing nor their assistance. Often living on space ships or on one of the mythical Freeports in deep space, pirates harass Sarcodinary shipping and naval vessels alike, and if the pirates happen to make a little profit in the deal, well; what's the harm in that? Famous pirates include Bloody Jester, Isobar, and Riskovat.

Pirate Mascat: Bloody Pester

Wilders/Strikers: Humans who live on Earth in the Quarantine Zones, outside the "fishbowl" domes. Often seen as others as uncouth and savage, and by themselves as the descendants of those who never surrendered, never fled. Although these days, striketeams can be made up of people from any background, the Wilders were the first to engage in this level of a-symmetric resistance against the Sarcodinary. Famous Wilders include Paul duPres, Flynn and the members of Les Dieux de Guerre.

Wilder Mascat: Zoomery Zaytsev

* Okay, maybe not EVERYONE

Why do I prefer to work the short-haul trip, rather than the long one? Easy, friend. Time. It takes time to ship things off-world. Time to get out beyond the gravity well, time to check your emitters to make sure they're all in working order, time to plot the jump, time to crawl in-system at the destination before you can finally unload. 

Yeah, sure, the long-haulers get slightly better Score than us "shorties," but we have so much more time at home to enjoy the privileges we do have than them. 

Plus, every minute you spend in space is a minute you might get attacked by pirates or Sarc warships 'doing random inspections' or space monsters or whatever.

Yes, space monsters are real. My cousin's friend's sister's boyfriend gotten eaten up by one about 5, 6 years ago now. Don't tell me space monsters aren't real.

- Overheard on the Fourth City level 2 landing pad.

Now that you've made your pledge and added your add-ons, I'll bet you're wondering when you get your Stuff. 

When the campaign ends, there's a process called pledge managing that includes you filling out your Backer Survey. This allows you a last chance to pick up some add-ons, as well as make decisions on any ones you've already picked that allow for such decisions; picking what sticker you want, or what art card, or what t-shirt; that sort of thing. It also allows you to finalize your address, which will help us determine what shipping will cost you (if anything). 

After this, any digital rewards should start being available very quickly. E-books, digital wallpaper, and the like. The only outlier on this might be the Setting Guides if we reach those stretch-goals. 

After that, shipping and fulfilment will begin. This is often a lengthy process, especially depending on where you live. Most of the products we're offering have fairly short turn-around times, but shipping is an in-exact science. For every "Oh hey, turns out the factory is just up the street from me," there's an "Ever Given Suez" situation. 

We will be as open and honest as we can during this phase, updating you whenever we hear more (and sometimes even when we don't hear anything new). 

No engagement with the enemy is without danger, no endeavor worth attempting is free or risk.

- Warleader Ran Dolar Shaniran

As the Warleader said, nothing worth doing is risk-free and that includes this campaign. That said, we have done what we can to minimize the risks usually associated with this sort of thing. 

Most of our products are coming from (relatively) local places, without a lot of "slow-boat-from-China" stuff. That said, there's no way to 100% guarantee that nothing will go wrong. For instance, this country might suddenly start levying tariffs on goods from other countries, including our friendly neighbors. If something does, we will work tirelessly to fix the situation and, if it's unfixable, find some other way to make things right.

They told me that Paradise was the most beautiful planet in the galaxy, and after visiting I can say that they're likely correct. Sarcos may have a slight edge in terms of 'great giant buildings with ornate architecture' and Prometheus certainly wins the 'most awe-inspiring' award (note that 'awe' isn't always a GOOD thing). But Paradise certainly does live up to the travel brochures.

5/5, would visit again.

- Teela Lindstrom's Pocket Guide to the League

Come visit my webpage, or find me on ye olde' socials at the following locations:

JennLyons.com - For my rambling essays and that personal touch.
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Buy Me a Coffee - Or more math rocks. Honestly, they're both addictions.
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