Sword & sorcery fiction accented by great art. Our magazine explores the boundaries between the old and new, challenges where the genre is and was, and tells some kick-ass stories. The magazine is published in softcover and digital formats.
We are funding issue #1 of Swords Against! a sword and sorcery fiction magazine.
The current situation is thus:
We have about 50,000 words from some amazing authors, both classic and newcomers.
We have a cover in-process (see below) by Rick Hershey and some of the interior art also in-process (also see below).
We have a printer and process for distribution (from multiple TTRPG projects delivered over the last 13! years).
Cover Mockup -- In-progress art by Rick Hershey!
Out on the Edge with New Edge Sword & Sorcery Magazine!
We are blessed to be collaborating with Brackenbury Books and New Edge Sword & Sorcery Magazine.
I'm really excited about this. I think Oliver and team have really set the bar for modern sword & sorcery. I'm humbled, honestly and have really enjoyed working with the team over the last couple of months as we prepare.
What that means for you:
YOU GET DOUBLE-SIDED 'ZINE WITH TWO BONUS STORIES IF YOU BACK BOTH BACKERKIT CAMPAIGNS.
To see what New Edge has planned for their story, move your head that way and look at their Backerkit --->
Our story is currently in process. We'll be announcing author and cover artist on February 19th.
As a digital-only backer, you'll get the epub and PDF of the double-zine. Physical backers will get both the physical and digital versions delivered by whichever team ships their books first!
Sword and sorcery yarns have captured my imagination my whole life. I’ve read and written countless stories. I was thinking back, and my very first story was some dude with a sword fighting a wizard. And this was long before I encountered fantasy roleplaying games, the Hobbit, or any other obvious influences. I can only guess I saw it on a cartoon sometime between 0 and 6 years old.
The point is, I love this genre.
Why?
Because sword and sorcery captures the human at the core of a fantasy yarn. They aren’t heroes. They’re outsiders caught in some untenable situation, usually at the hands of some sorcerer/noble/rich bastard, and we ride along while the poor sot exhausts all their resources, reaches the end of their rope, and finally wins through by their own certain set of skills. Usually with a grim quip.
Art by Jason Sholtis!
At its core, the formula seems simple, but sword and sorcery is about all of us. Standing Against the forces of oppression, of unchecked power, of tyranny… It’s a message that’s resonated with us since the first person decided to wield a sword against the boot on their neck.
Our base funding level pays our writers and artists, as well as our editor, layout, and production folks. It pays to produce both physical and digital editions of the magazine, as well as the BONUS story and art for the collaboration with New Edge Sword & Sorcery Magazine.
Overall, we want to ensure that we produce a high quality publication that’s accessible and reproducible for future issues.
Every physical backer gets a postcard of the beautiful cover by Rick Hershey with another piece of art on the obverse!
$6,400
We add another story and more interior art!
$7,200
We'll add one more story and art headers for every story! (Example below)
Mockup by Jason Sholtis!
$9,500
Our creators and staff get a bonus!
$14,000
We will produce an audio version of each story for all backers!
Beyond!
For every $2K beyond, we'll increase our staff and creator bonuses.
YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR SHIPPING DURING FULFILLMENT!
ESTIMATED SHIPPING CHARGES
US Shipping: $10
Canadian Shipping: $24
Rest of the World Shipping: $28
Every book is shipped in a hard-cardboard mailer, wrapped in bubble-wrap. Backerkit will calculate shipping costs during the fulfillment process when you complete your order. You are only being charged for your pledge amount for this Backerkit campaign.
VAT and Other Taxes
We are not responsible or any VAT, duty, or customs charges any packages may incur.
When Do I Get My Books?
We’ll send you a survey once the books are printed and ready for distribution. We’re aiming for mid-Q2 2026, but this is not a guarantee.
I'm Paul Wolfe. You probably know me. I've been running Mystic Bull Games since 2013, where we've produced some high quality books for the TTRPG space. Both Mystic Bull Games and Swords Against! Magazine are my happy place -- working with other creators to produce books that you'll love.
I've delivered 10 books over the years, and written for many many more. We've delivered two crowdfunding campaigns (currently wrapping up a third), so we know the publishing process from end to end. I have a local printer ready. I have the postage process down (both US and International).
Currently, we have all the "words" for this magazine and all of the art that we'd need for the base level of funding. As we work up the stretch goals, we'll add more art and a couple extra stories.
I'm ready to deliver a kick-ass magazine. Are you ready to draw your Swords?
