Off to the printer we go! Also: FOULBROOD -- back it!
over 3 years ago – Tue, Oct 04, 2022 at 08:36:25 PM

Off to the printer...

Folks, I'm happy to say that we've just sent the files to the printer! Everything's been locked down -- and we've got to give a special shout-out to our editor Marissa Valentini for her final, fine-toothed comb review of the files. 

Next up: Digital Rewards!

Now that the file is off to the printer, we can now turn our eyes toward the DIGITAL files. This will take a little effort as we make sure it's formatted as best we can for digital viewing, but you can all look forward to your digital files arriving -- in the next week, if not sooner.

Back This: Foulbrood!

Our pal, Chris Sebela, is currently running a Kickstarter for issues 3 and 4 of FOULBROOD, his rural crime series about beekeeping, and... well... crime. It's got fantastic art by Claire Roe. I personally backed the first 2 issues, and loved them. Click on the image below and check out his Kickstarter. Definitely worth your time.

Last Call for "Names" before we lock files to send to the printer!
over 3 years ago – Mon, Sep 26, 2022 at 08:20:24 PM

Hey Folks -- 

We've got fewer than 50 backers left who haven't answered their surveys. We definitely don't want to hold up the printing process, so here's where we are right now: 

- If you have NOT received your survey -- or have some issue with it -- but you're seeing these updates, please let us know in the comments for this post. Or reach out to one of us directly. 

- In the meantime, we are starting to actively reach out to the remaining backers to make sure we at least have the correct names they want on the THANKS page. 

- Of those remaining backers, we do have most of the names. So if we hear nothing, we'll use the name or username we have.  

In reality, this was just our attempt to make sure our backers got the exact name, nickname or company name they WANT in the back of our special Kickstarter edition Thanks page.  But, of course, that's not a reason to hold up the print run for everyone. 

So, if you think you're one of the stragglers, give us a shout!

Thanks,

Dave (and Chris)

Survey Reminder, Info on Local Pick-up, and MORE Chris and Dave comics!
over 3 years ago – Wed, Sep 21, 2022 at 04:43:20 PM

Hey folks -- 

We really appreciate how everyone has jumped on the surveys! As I type this, over 76% of the surveys have been completed. If you haven't completed your survey yet, please do so. If you haven't received a survey, please reach out to us, and we'll work with you to make sure you receive it. 

(Well, first check your junk/spam, THEN reach out to us. ;) )

Local Pickup

There's an option for Local Pickup if you're in Portland (OR), Los Angeles (CA), or -- for puppets --St Paul (MN). However, we've found that it's a little tricky in the survey to navigate local pickup. On the very first survey screen, you need to select Local Pickup as your "country," as in the screenshot below: 

If you have any trouble with this option, please let us know! 

More Comics!

This one's a bit exciting. A little while back, Chris and I concocted a weird horror comic book short that we call "The Ritual of Skin." It's one of the creepier things I've written, and as you'd expect, Chris crushed it on the art. Well, that story has found a home in MONSTROSITIES, a new comics anthology from Warden Comics. 

Warden Comics is currently running their own Kickstarter campaign to fund the book, so we hope you'll hop on over there, and consider backing the campaign!

Below, we'll leave you with the FIRST page of our story, just to entice you...

Thanks!

Dave (& Chris)

Smoke Test Successful! Surveys going out...
over 3 years ago – Thu, Sep 15, 2022 at 06:36:25 PM

Hey folks -- 

As I write this, Chris and I are about to officially launch the surveys. We ran the Smoke Test last night, so a few of you have received the surveys already.  If you did receive and reply to the survey: thank you so much for your prompt response! This helps us move things along!

Important! 

As the surveys go out, the most important question we need ASAP is the answer to "how you want your name displayed" in the Contributors/Thanks section of the book. We need this in order to get them into the files we're sending to the printer. We're hoping everyone will answer within a week so we can get the final files locked. 

So, if you have questions about shipping or add-ons or anything else that's causing you to hesitate on completing the survey, please message us privately with the name you want in the book, so that we can lock the book down. 

Pre-order Store

We now have a Pre-Order Store open and there's a link to it from the Kickstarter campaign page. You don't need to worry about the pre-orders because you've already pledged, but if you know anyone who missed out on the Spectral campaign, they can still order a copy of the book. So spread the word! 

Add-ons

When you answer your survey, you'll be asked if you wish to add on any additional items. You can add everything from a signature (in your copy) to an enamel pin to a fully commissioned art piece from Chris. Feel free to add whatever you like -- if it's a physical item, the shipping fees will be added based on the weight of the item(s). 

Moving right along...

Dave (and Chris)

Surveys, Shipping, and a little bit of Fantasy...
over 3 years ago – Fri, Sep 09, 2022 at 03:07:57 PM

Hey folks! 

In our ongoing effort to stay transparent and keep you all abreast of our status, I just wanted to offer a quick update. 

Surveys

Chris and I have been heads down, prepping the surveys through BackerKit. We locked everything down, and we've submitted it for review, and then we'll run what's called a "smoke test," which sends the surveys to 5% of backers to test it for errors. 

Once we've cleared that smoke, we'll send out the surveys en masse. This should all happen next week, but we're quickly learning not to get ahead of ourselves too much, so I need to add in that "should." 

Shipping

Part of what's taken so long with the surveys actually has to do with setting up shipping via BackerKit. In order to get as ACCURATE shipping costs as possible, Chris and I have been spending our nights poring over shipping rates, plugging in numbers, and calling all of our Kickstarter-running friends for help.  We feel confident that we've done the work and that the shipping is accurate for both US and International orders. 

Back this: The Jumpstart Duchy

Now for the fun part -- my friend and regular RPG-playing colleague, Stefon Mears, has launched a Kickstarter for a full series of Fantasy novels called The Jumpstart Duchy. Stefon is a good friend, but he's also a very talented author, having written over 30 books. AND he's an amazing GM and Player in one of my regular gaming groups. In fact, role-playing games are a part of the pitch:

"The Jumpstart Duchy series follows the adventures of a man whose life gets changed by a crowdfunding campaign. Born on Earth, he grew up in Oregon, under the name of Keifer McShane. Devotee of pickup basketball and roleplaying games. Especially high fantasy games set in The Torn Kingdoms."

Fantasy fans, I suspect you can see where this is heading...

If that appeals to you, Stefon has already written ALL FOUR VOLUMES of this series, so you should have all your Fantasy cravings satiated from now until 2025 or so. ;)  Only 4 days left to get on board! 

Click here to check out Stefon's Kickstarter for more info and to back this project!

More soon!

Dave (and Chris)