Wow, thanks everyone, it's great to know that you can make a nice straightforward campaign without all the song and dance and people will still turn out for it!

In the spirit of simplicity, the next stages are not complicated. Priority #1 is locking in the files with the printer so we can secure a slot for getting the cards printed. Our files are ready to go, assuming the factory doesn't have changes they need us to make, so it's mostly down to their schedule as to when the printing resolves. In the past they have never taken more than a month for anything, and this is less complicated than what we've done with them before.

At the same time as we send the files to the factory we will use those same files to set up the digital/POD edition. POD does require us to order and confirm a print proof which can take a while depending on trans-Atlantic post situations. DriveThru have taken quite a while in the past to dispatch printed cards to us but that was a long time ago, maybe things are faster now. Still, even before the POD goes live there will at least be a digital version people can mess about with if they're feeling crafty.

We will wait until the last moment to lock in shipping costs, since things are, shall we say, changeable at the moment. We'll likely set it off a week or two ahead of the cards ETA, so as to minimize the possibility of complications.

More soon!
-Dan

Oh wow! 4 days left and we hit the £11k mark. Thanks everyone!

Honestly, I'm very pleasantly surprised at how enthusiastic everyone has been for the project; industry logic regarding crowdfunding is that every project needs to be "worth" $40 per backer to be a success. And here we are, with a sensibly priced, functional thing with no bells or whistles, and it's doing perfectly well. So once again, thanks for being involved!

Regarding the TOP SECRET goal: it is likely this will remain SOMEWHAT SECRET until we can confirm whether it's possible or not. I have learned (again, and again, and again...) that being too enthusiastic for what we can achieve in a given time can end up with everyone being less than thrilled, so I'm gonna stay MYSTERIOUS until I can say with certainty. All I'll say is we need to have another meeting with the factory first, and that it's not gonna be a massive "oh wow, that's insane" surprise, more of a "huh, that's handy" one.

I'll keep you informed!
DAN OUT!

Funded, and then some! Right now we're committed to make a very usable print-and-play PDF of the cards. That way anyone who wants to get a bit crafty can slap together a set in a pinch!

We're also close to the vague embellishments goal. In practice this means we're going to start chatting with the printers about some options on the print job. There is not limit, almost, to how fancy you can make something when you have a factory full of cool machines making your it. We'll show restraint! Promise. 

Many of you are already Friends of Melsonia and are asking "how does this fit in with our book subscription?". Strictly speaking these kinds of non-book doodads exist outside of it but we'd like to give you all something 'cos we <3 you folks. Two things actually. And a half. Anyway, 1) All Friends will receive the print on demand/PDF code regardless of whether they back the campaign or not (so there is no need to back this level!) 2) If you want the limited edition version we will manually apply your usual 20% store discount off the campaign if you pledge, and can arrange for it to be held until your next Friends delivery to save on postage. (We offer this 'cos the final price on release may be higher than the campaign price, which would make your discount moot. This way it's still useful!)

In short:
1) You're a Friend and want the print on demand/digital version? Do nothing! You have that coming your way.
2) You're a Friend and want the limited version? Back the campaign and email us that you did. We'll manually apply your 20% discount and can later arrange the combine postage.

Hope that helps!