Latest from the Creator
PROJECT UPDATE
Project Update: ⛵✨🌟 Editing progess, more art, and an apology 🌟✨⛵
Greetings Star Seekers,
To start, I want to thank everyone who has completed their surveys. It's helped immensely in determining whether to do a print run or print on demand.
But, I also come with both good and less good news.
I'll start with the good, because well, I'm really excited to share it with you guys!
New art, featuring Evie & Cain:
This illustration was completely random and born while I was anxiously awaiting the first feedback from my new editor. It's not a described scene in either of the books, but does capture the emotion I feel when I think of them.
(I might write a bonus scene with this art in mind! But no promises, yet - it'll likely be in book 3...)
Anyway, this leads me to the bad news.
TL:DR, the eBook & official retailers release has been delayed by a couple months.
After a long time thinking about it, I have decided to officially delay the book release because it's not ready yet. When I first created the campaign (in Feb) things were supposed to be fully edited and done in time for Booktopia. (Since I usually like to have things done before I launch)
I had paid my deposit to Star Found's editor in November and the first draft was written by January. That meant I had a lot of time...or should have had a lot of time.
Unfortunately, my editor ended up gravely ill and hospitalized for 2 months. Things got pushed back again and again due to his health. I wasn't idle, or worried, as I turned my focus on the art and everything else. And come August, he assured me he was well enough to edit in time for an end of Sept deadline.
Needless to say, Sept came and went without any progress and all communication ended with delays being due to his health.
So in the first week of Oct, I made the hard decision to find a new editor despite the loss of the deposit. (Fortunately, I had already scouted one out for my other books.) And I was thrilled that she had immediate availability. But as this was her first time with the series, she had some catching up to do.
About a week ago, I received the first developmental edit back. And while it's mostly positive without major disbehaving plot bunnies, there were a couple chapters that required extra love.
Which brings me to the delay. While I would love to rush and get the eBook to you by the first week of Dec, I don't think it's possible. I want this book to be as beautiful and perfect as I promised. And to do that, I need more time.
The editor's suggestions will make the book even better than I imagined. (I already added 7k words to the manuscript just based on her feedback) Plus, I want you to be happy with the result as well.
So there's a new timeline for the eBook. I moved the retail release back as far as I could, which is March 3rd. And barring any other unforseen circumstances out of my control, I will aim to get Star Awakened to you sometime in January, still a whole month before the official release.
This gives me enough time to do the developmental edit, line edits, and 3 proofread runs, and final formatting.
After a long time thinking about it, I have decided to officially delay the book release because it's not ready yet. When I first created the campaign (in Feb) things were supposed to be fully edited and done in time for Booktopia. (Since I usually like to have things done before I launch)
I had paid my deposit to Star Found's editor in November and the first draft was written by January. That meant I had a lot of time...or should have had a lot of time.
Unfortunately, my editor ended up gravely ill and hospitalized for 2 months. Things got pushed back again and again due to his health. I wasn't idle, or worried, as I turned my focus on the art and everything else. And come August, he assured me he was well enough to edit in time for an end of Sept deadline.
Needless to say, Sept came and went without any progress and all communication ended with delays being due to his health.
So in the first week of Oct, I made the hard decision to find a new editor despite the loss of the deposit. (Fortunately, I had already scouted one out for my other books.) And I was thrilled that she had immediate availability. But as this was her first time with the series, she had some catching up to do.
About a week ago, I received the first developmental edit back. And while it's mostly positive without major disbehaving plot bunnies, there were a couple chapters that required extra love.
Which brings me to the delay. While I would love to rush and get the eBook to you by the first week of Dec, I don't think it's possible. I want this book to be as beautiful and perfect as I promised. And to do that, I need more time.
The editor's suggestions will make the book even better than I imagined. (I already added 7k words to the manuscript just based on her feedback) Plus, I want you to be happy with the result as well.
So there's a new timeline for the eBook. I moved the retail release back as far as I could, which is March 3rd. And barring any other unforseen circumstances out of my control, I will aim to get Star Awakened to you sometime in January, still a whole month before the official release.
This gives me enough time to do the developmental edit, line edits, and 3 proofread runs, and final formatting.
What does this delay mean for the print books?
I had originally given myself a huge buffer for the print books, and there's still a good chance we might hit the projected fulfillment by June. But, until I have the final format in hand, I can't give an accurate date. To make sure no extra errors in formatting sneak through, I will order myself a paperback to read through and mark up before placing the final order with the printer.
My goal is still to do all of this before January.
But I will communicate as things progress.
My goal is still to do all of this before January.
But I will communicate as things progress.
What does this all mean for fulfillment?
🌟 Pin tiers will still lock & ship this month, with digital rewards being delivered once it's ready.
✨ EBook tiers will lock at the same time so I can deliver any other eBook add-ons (Blood & Scales & Flesh & Fur). Star Awakened will deliver as soon as it's ready, but Star Found should go out after I lock & charge additional add-ons.
🌟 Hardcover tiers - dates will be determined once eBooks are done.
✨ EBook tiers will lock at the same time so I can deliver any other eBook add-ons (Blood & Scales & Flesh & Fur). Star Awakened will deliver as soon as it's ready, but Star Found should go out after I lock & charge additional add-ons.
🌟 Hardcover tiers - dates will be determined once eBooks are done.
My apology
I am really sorry for this delay. I had been optimistic about dates, but circumstances beyond my control proved more powerful than my hopes.
While I can't rush the process, I decided to add both these new illustrations to your digital rewards as a high resolution wall paper.
I know it doesn't get you your books sooner, but hope you will like it nonetheless.
And, on the positive side, perhaps between edits while I wait for my editor, maybe I'll get even more interior art for Star Awakened. I'm feeling particularly inspired as I'm going through the story and editing once more 😊.
I'll update you when I submit the edits and with any new art.
Yours in art,
Therena
While I can't rush the process, I decided to add both these new illustrations to your digital rewards as a high resolution wall paper.
I know it doesn't get you your books sooner, but hope you will like it nonetheless.
And, on the positive side, perhaps between edits while I wait for my editor, maybe I'll get even more interior art for Star Awakened. I'm feeling particularly inspired as I'm going through the story and editing once more 😊.
I'll update you when I submit the edits and with any new art.
Yours in art,
Therena
PROJECT UPDATE
Project Update: ✨⛵Surveys are coming⛵✨Plus new art!
Greetings Star Seekers,
Great news, I just finished the final illustration for Star Awakened! Presenting the back endpaper illustration:
Surveys coming your way
Starting today I am sending the surveys to you guys. For today and tomorrow just 5% will go out to make sure there aren't any issues. Once I know all is good, I will send the rest. Please complete it as soon as possible so I know how many of each book to order.
Digital/Pin only tiers:
Fulfilment will start next month. eBooks will be delivered in Nov once Star Awakened has been edited & formatted. These tiers will be locked early next month. Shipping will be charged soon after as I want to fulfill these asap.
Hardcover tiers:
Tiers won't lock until late November/early Dec when I order the books.
Digital/Pin only tiers:
Fulfilment will start next month. eBooks will be delivered in Nov once Star Awakened has been edited & formatted. These tiers will be locked early next month. Shipping will be charged soon after as I want to fulfill these asap.
Hardcover tiers:
Tiers won't lock until late November/early Dec when I order the books.
Pre-order store is live!
Did you miss the campaign? The pre-order store is now open. You can order pins, books & more!
Well, that's all for now. Have a wonderful day!
Yours in art,
Therena
Bronze Tier
This user contributed to this community!
Repeat Backer of Therena
Previously backed this creator's crowdfunding project
Previously backed this creator's crowdfunding project
Hello, I worked my way through everything, when I confirmed my order, it added on my KS add-ons a second time. I went back in and removed them, went all the way through, and it added them back in again. I printed the results out to PDFs if they will help. Sean
PROJECT UPDATE
Project Update: ✨💫⛵Star Awakened update⛵💫✨Editing, new art & important information✨💫⛵
✨Greetings Star Seekers,⛵
I trust you are having a wonderful October! I thought I would stop by with some important updates about the campaign.
Funds have now arrived and I am getting everything ready so I can place the order from my printer. I have received the tip-ins and now it's time for me to sign them all.
Once I have signed it, I will mail it back to the printer. As there are 300 tip ins to sign, this may take a few weeks! 😅 In the meantime, I am finishing the final art for Star Awakened.
In fact, I just made a completely unplanned interior illustration yesterday! Inspired by a scene with Evie and Cain. My family says I am cruel to my characters, but I think it just makes for more emotional art. 😅
I still need to finish the back end paper as well. Once that is done, all the art is complete.
Now some sad news. My manuscript editing has been slightly delayed. My original editor has some serious health issues, and so I made the decision to hire another editor.
Fortunately, I was able to secure one I have considered before, and she was able to take my book in on short notice. Unfortunately, the series is new to her, so she has to read Star Found first. She hopes to have the first round of editing done by the end of the month.
Which means that my final editing, and proofreading won't hapen until November. It still puts me on the timeline I anticipated to get the eBooks to you by the first week of December if all goes well. If for some reason we don't finish it by then, I will delay the official retail release date so that you can still have a month of early access.
In the meantime, I will have everything ready, including the art and signed tip ins.
My plan is still to have everything ordered by November/December from my printer. Printing will take about 3-4 months to print and ship to me.
Surveys:
I will put together the post-campaign survey over the next two weeks. Hopefully by next week. As this will help me know how many books to order, please fill it in as soon as you receive it. Shipping won't be charged until I ship the books (early next year) to get the most accurate shipping rates.
Failed Pledges:
There was a fair number of failed pledges in the campaign. However, fear not. Your pledge will be imported to the survey, and you will still have the opportunity to claim your rewards! Simply complete the survey when it comes your way ^_^
Payment Plans:
To those who are on the payment plans, your next payment will be processed in a week or so by Backerkit and every month until 4 payments have been collected. So please make sure the credit card you have on file is up to date.
While you wait:
I have two dragon pin campaigns which you may be interested in if you love derpy dragons!
Haunted Dragons is currently live, and we are only a few backers short of unlocking the next stretch goal!
So if you, or someone you know loves dragons and halloween, go check it out!
Haunted Dragons is currently live, and we are only a few backers short of unlocking the next stretch goal!
So if you, or someone you know loves dragons and halloween, go check it out!
Halloween not your thing? No problem! In January I am launching a Bookish Derpy Dragon pin campaign as part of Pintopia!
Bookish quotes, dragons, and all the derpy fun! In fact, I am partnering with my son who is also running his very first campaign, and together we have designed these two derpy dragon sets! Meet Inky and Mushy. These are only the early sketches. I did the dragons, and my son drew the mushrooms.
Bookish dragons will feature derpy dragons with bookish quotes like:
"Just one more chapter"
"Waiting for the next book"
"So many books, so little time"
"Out of control TBR pile"
"I'd rather be reading"
"Book worm? No! book dragon!"
and many more!
You can follow the bookish dragon campaign here: (Ignore my placeholder banner - the official one will come soon - once I finish the haunted Dragons campaign!)
And my son's Mushroom Hunt campaign here:
Well, that is all the news for now.
I would like to invite all of you to join me on a livestream over on Haunted Dragons this Saturday at 2 PM PST. I will be chatting with backers, answering questions and drawing a derpy dragon illustration! Early visitors will even have a chance to help me decide which dragon to draw ^_^
Until the next update, have a wonderful rest of the day!
Enjoy this little dragon illustration I just finished, perfect for the spooky season!
Yours in art,
Therena