Your input needed!
about 1 year ago – Thu, Nov 16, 2023 at 11:26:07 AM

Hello!

I got a special delivery in the form of 2 large boxes last night. The rest of this week is going to be filled with quality control and working on those sprayed edges which, hopefully, will have a little extra once I'm done with them. On top of that, I'm still working on the special little extra for LTD edition backers to make up for all the changes that happened. And, while I'm almost done, I would like something from you to help me out.

I want to know your favorite quotes from Valkyrie Lost.

Leave them in the comments of this update, and if any of them seem particularly popular or work amazingly for this secret little project, I'll use them.

Finally here, Limited Print Proof
over 1 year ago – Sat, Oct 28, 2023 at 11:02:37 AM

I finally have some amazing news to share about the limited print edition! Thank you, thank you, thank you for being so patient about this edition. We're creeping up on the one year year anniversary since this campaign ran and I never thought I'd be still working on the final fulfillment. From losing the original printer, to me scrambling around trying to make things work the best I can I have been on one heck of a rollercoaster.

The last few months have been difficult with file issues with the printer. Every time I thought I had the files perfected, the printer would come back with another issue, so I had to loop in my designers, which takes extra time. But I'm happy to say, the proof finally printed and arrived, and man does it look so gorgeous in person!

Here are some pictures I quickly snapped:

The photos don't quite show how pretty the foil looks on the cover, but I promise, you're going to love it as much as I do.

The main batch are now currently printing, and are estimated to arrive the middle of November. In that time I'll be working out the sprayed edges and the super special bonus thank you I promised for being so patient with these unexpected delays. My hope will be that these ship out before Christmas, but I know better than to promise exact dates until I have every little piece finished and all the boxes ready for the shipper to come pick them up.

Special Editions are shipping!
over 1 year ago – Fri, Aug 25, 2023 at 02:50:32 PM

Title says it all. These beauties came in this today, and after a good inspection, they've been deemed perfect.

I'm in the process of signing and packing them up and getting all other merch items together for each person and will be trying to get them shipped out by Monday.

Still working on the limited editions. I had a small issue with the cover, so I'm working with my designer to fix it and get that back to the printer. Should be fixed very soon.

If you're looking for more books and Kickstarter campaigns to back, check these out!

Good news!
over 1 year ago – Mon, Jul 31, 2023 at 05:19:53 PM

I finally have good news!

After waiting a bit for my cover designer to get me new files (she had a health related issue that delayed things), and waiting for books to come from across the pond, the proof copies from my new printer for the special edition books came in!

Look how  perfect and gorgeous they are!

I am so happy and relieved. This has stressed me out so much, and I truly am sorry it's taken this long to get to this point. I do hope the added upgrades make it up to you.

I'll be ordering up the main batch this week.

I will be closing out backer rewards with Backerkit for both of these editions. You'll have a last minute chance to add anything you'd like to your pledge through that system. International unsigned will have these delivered directly from the printer as normal like the past printer.

Limited edition, I should have the proof of that edition soon as well. Hopefully I'll have my next update on that shortly.

Thank you for being patient
over 1 year ago – Fri, Jun 23, 2023 at 01:56:37 PM

[insert deep breath gif here]

The first thing I want to say is thank you. Thank you for being so patient. If you're a long time supporter of me off Kickstarter you know the delays getting your goodies to you production issues I've been having aren't typical. If you're new to me, I am so sorry this is your first experience with me and am so thankful you haven't thrown in the towel. In my 8 years of publishing I've never had issues with getting books printed properly like I am now. I don't know why Murphey's Law has decided to rear its ugly head, but it has. Luckily, I've got a sword.

[insert trying not to scream gif here]

Special Edition Delays Continue.

The the replacement of special edition books finally came in. At first, pulling out the first book, I was so excited the problems from before were fixed. It was perfect. Then I pulled out the second book, because of course I quality control each one. And there was a problem. Okay, this happens. I order more just in case. Just check the next. Same problem. And then the next book, and the next book. All the remaining books had this same problem.

The problem? The ends of page chunks glued together.

I tried with one book to slowly work them free, and it worked in a way, but it wasn't perfect for some pages, and that glue still stuck to the ends.

I am beyond furious with my printer for not having the decency to make sure the QC was perfect for this replacement, and frustrated for you. Because of this, I'm trying out a different printer some friends have suggested, while I still fight with my current printer. There may be some delays as I need to work with my cover designer to make sure the cover is in line with the printer, but one way or another, I will have these promised books in the condition you all deserve them to be in.

I'm making it up to you for the wait too.

I really hate that you're having to wait. It's been a major stress factor for me for a while now. So, I'm going to be upgrading the special editions to have color and include the bonus chapters beyond the one that was already promised. This is my thank you to you for being so patient.

How does this work for paperback backers?

So, in my last update I'd mentioned that I had the paperback books in, and they printed perfectly, so I was going to send them out. That send got delayed due to a personal life thing that happened, and after that cleared up, I was noticing how long it was taking for the replacement hardbacks to come in. So I held off sending them out. I knew, if this didn't go well, I needed to make it up to everyone, and I didn't want to put paperback backers at a disadvantage.

So, you'll have two options, and I'll PM you to get your choice:

• I'll ship out the current printed versions, and you'll get a digital copy of the bonus chapters.
• You're willing to wait for the new version of the paperback.

It'll be that simple for you.

Status on the Limited Edition.

As we know, I've been struggling with this edition since I lost my original printer. I thought I had a replacement, which I announced in my last update. Unfortunately there was a miscommunication between me and the rep on my needs, and they can't do what I need. This leaves me with a printer I knew about before but couldn't do the custom end sheet printing. I wanted to avoid that, because the book would look so spectacular with that printing, but sometimes you have to pivot.

So I'm double checking with this printer to make sure they can meet my needs before I scream more and actually throw in the towel.

I will be making this up to you as well.

I will be giving you a few extra things with your pledge to make up for all these unexpected changes I've had to make. Also as a thank you for your patience, and to make up for what I can't provide when I promised I could.

I won't say yet what this gift is as I'm still finalizing it, but I believe it'll be something that helps make up for all of this.

I've definitely learned from this and will be more careful with printers I work with in the future.

How do the printings differ?

Some of you may be asking, how is this printer different than the one I'm working with for the limited edition? The printer that does these special editions (and my retail editions), is what we call a POD printer, or Print on Demand printer. They allow for orders as low as 1 to be made without costing an arm and a leg. The catch is that the books are printed with basic offers.

However, the printer for the limited edition is an off-set printer. They require larger print runs, but they also offer books with special additions. These printers aren't as cost effective for printing basic style books as POD printers at the quantities I'm ordering them.

I hope that makes sense to you!

Do you have questions?

This is a bit of an impromptu Q&A. If you have a question you want to ask me, either about this fulfillment situation or something else with my books, ask in the comments!

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