(This original update was supposed to go out last Friday, but never made it out of the gate, so now you get the new and improved, updated version!)
We've crossed $8000! Thanks so much for making this happen. We're 200% funded, and author pay rates are going up again! This, to me, is one of the best things about my crowdfunding campaigns. I get to pay authors more for their art!
And what am I paying them for? Lesbians in Space! From the poll numbers, turns out you folks mainly just want the Lesbians, with 48% of the vote! Second is Science Fiction, with 22%, followed by Fantasy and Adventure, tied for 13%. Only 4% of you want the spicy, Steamy stories!
We've only got 3 days left, so I'm really hoping we hit our next stretch goal at $10,000 for Fancy Hardcovers! I've attached a poll to gather some information about what fancy features you want. Not all of these are available at every printer, so this will help me decide which company to go with. See below!
Finally, I want to point to you a few other awesome campaigns in booktopia. Remember, if you back at least 5 projects, BacketKit will send you a free metal bookmark!
First up, Nuclear Strudel, which, aside from having a fantastic name, looks like an excellent graphic novel!
Here's what the author has to say about it:
"Nuclear Strudel is an independent narrative set in the Quantum Marmalade universe. It blends intriguing alien cultures, giant monsters, questions about organized religion, and plenty of jokes about pastry. ("Kefsh’koopz" is the Diotashese word for pastry, in case you were wondering, which I KNOW YOU WERE.)
Strudel grapples with the process of letting go of one's faith. The characters in the narrative have grown up within the Kilviosh Church, a militant institution with sacred technological power. Fighting in the Church's many wars was their entire purpose for decades.
But what if the Church was built on a lie? As our characters discover the hidden past of the Kilviosh Church, they face a reality starkly different from what they've been taught. They must now wrestle with questions about their upbringing, their beliefs, their leaders, and even their very existence. As someone who grew up very religious, and has since let go of my faith, this story is a deeply personal one.
But hey, I've also tried to make it funny because we could all use some levity. And also baked goods. You're welcome."
Second, is another graphic novel, Sombulus, which backed myself because it looks really cool. They're 85% funded, so let's help push them to the finish line (so I can get my graphic novel!!)
Here's what it's about:
"ACT 1 of Sombulus introduces Astyr, a world-hopping scavenger from the winged, magic-based Demshul culture, where the essence they draw from objects/creatures in the Myriad Worlds is used as currency. Flippant and carefree, he's hit the jackpot this time: an immortal king who can't seem to get the hang of dying asks Astyr to take his immortality. It's a tough task, but if he can pull it off, he'll have it made!
Sydney, the zealous paladin sworn to fight the Demshul, is not so lucky. Her pursuit of Astyr quickly lands her in the royal prison and under the scrutiny of the stern princess, who is convinced she's sent to end her father's immortal life and won't take "no" for an answer.
Their mutual friend Rana is also caught in the middle of the kingdom's troubled past, though Rana's curious inventions, kind nature, and strange ability to talk to any machine might just come in handy when both Sydney and Astyr's situations take a sharp left turn.
Daring escapes, magic gone wrong, and desperate royals collide as the world bursts into color and they all must find a way to work together to save the kingdom!"
