Hey all,

The response to the surveys has been outstanding! Over 80% have responded within the first week.

This is just a reminder to the handful of you who haven't done so yet; please fill out your backer survey so I can start working on putting together information for ordering and shipping.

As a side note, the Pre-Order page is up. If you know anyone who wanted to get in on this action but missed the campaign window they still have a little more time until we lock down orders entirely at which point they'll have to go through a FLBS.

The pre-order page (and your backer survey add-ons section) is also the last chance to order any of the fun add-ons we have, such as Tier rank stickers and buttons, bookmarks, art cards, signed copies of my older books, and the like.

Feel free to distribute the link to anyone who wants it.
https://full-negative-a-novel.backerkit.com/hosted_preorders

Take care, and talk to you soon,
Jenn

As of today, all surveys are being sent out.

Surveys allow you to review your pledge level and rewards, put in your address (for physical items) and email (for digital ones), decide upon any options you had based on multiple-choice pledges or add-ons, and select any add-ons you've been eyeing but hadn't picked yet.

Surveys are very important for us, as it allows us to know how many of each item to order from printers and publishers.

What next?
We'll be getting the manuscript back from the editor Very Soon Now, at which point we will start formatting it for the various publication methods (ebook, tpb, hardcover, etc). Then, it goes off to the printer, along with ordering all the various other stuff (stickers, buttons, art cards, etc).

You'll notice that shipping isn't mentioned in the survey yet. Once we know how much everything will weigh, we will work with various shipping companies to get the best rates for people, especially those Far, Far Away (looking at YOU, Australia). Your shipping will be determined before we lock your address, which in turn will happen before we begin sending stuff out to you all.

If you need to change your address BEFORE we lock them in, that's no problem: just go back to your survey and make the change. If you need to change your address AFTER we lock them in, you'll need to email us directly.

That's it for now. As for me; back to the Word Mines. Those sentences aren't going to construct themselves.

Before we can sent out the surveys to everyone, Backerkit requires a 'smoke test' where they send the survey to a small percentage of backers across all pledge levels. This gives us a chance to make sure everything is set up correctly and fix any mistakes before sending the surveys to everyone.

So, if you got you survey today; congrats! You're part of this smoke test!
Everyone else will get their surveys once the test is done and any issues that need fixing are fixed. Probably a day or two.

I know I said I'd send them out last week, but it turns out Backerkit makes you wait at least two weeks after the campaign ends before sending them out, so it'll be next Monday. Sorry for the delay.

In the meanwhile, some stats:
The two winning factions were the League (with 42% of responders picking it) and Wilders (with 27%). Poor Dome Dwellers only got 6%, while Pirates were close to Wilders with 25%. Overall, just under 50% of people picked a faction (49%). This means that the additional art card options will be Reka Szabo of the League Navy, and Paul DuPres of the Wilders and Malory's childhood best friend.

The most popular tier was Seris, with 25% of backers opting for the Deluxe edition of the Hard Cover. The second most popular tier was Fal, the digital tier, with 18%.

As far as add-ons are concerned, the most popular, Audiobook, just narrowly edged out single bookmarks by one (16% vs 15%). For some reason, no one picked up an extra copy of the ebook... ;)

Work is progressing on the edits and the Setting Guide. We didn't QUITE make the third chapter stretch goal, but it was close enough that I think I'll go ahead and include it anyways... probably. We'll see how time and my energy for art comes along for that.

The survey, when it goes out, will mention that shipping will be handled/charged at a later date, once I have everyone's addresses and the weights of each package. I'll try like heck to get the cheapest rates available for everyone. Certain Things Happening regarding tariffs aren't helping with this prospect, but I will continue to strive for the best.

That's all I have for you right now. I'll keep you updated when information changes, and talk to you next week!

-Jenn

We've come to the end of the project. What a wild last few minutes it was: we triggered that 'overtime mode' thing 3 times, extending the campaign by an extra 21 or so minutes. It was weirdly fun but also stressful watching that timer count down.

I can't believe it's been 24 days already. The time just flew by. Meanwhile, I've been hard at work behind the scenes doing art for the extended cards and the Setting Guide, which is being written and laid out also.

In addition, I've been brainstorming and world-building for my next fantasy novel, but more on that will have to wait until it's in a finished state and the Powers That Be have had a chance to discuss it amongst themselves.

What happens now?

Well, later today or possibly tomorrow, I'll post another update with stats and figures for those who like those sorts of things; a sort of 'campaign retrospective,' if you will.

Starting probably Monday, the backer surveys will start going out, where you can select your selectables, put in your address, and the like.

Once I get the manuscript back from the copy editor (see Stretch Goal 2), I will begin the layout process. Once that is done, it's off to the printer and the ebooks can start getting finished. And then the audiobook needs to be narrated... bookmarks and buttons and stickers ordered... loot boxes compiled... and then signing. SO. MUCH. SIGNING.

I'm looking forward to all of it!

But for now, I'm going to collapse into a little ball of nerves and try to decompress a little.

Thank you ALL for making this, my first crowdfunding, a huge success. You're all wonderful, and I couldn't be happier to have you as part of the Full Negative family.

Talk to you later!
-Jenn