The Great, the Annoying, and the... Miracle? (Important Special Edition + Limited Edition updates)
over 1 year ago – Thu, May 25, 2023 at 08:50:53 AM

Hi everyone!

Sorry for the silence. I've been meaning to give updates, but there's been a lot going on in the background that's taken up a lot of my time and changing things I'd say in these posts, so I wanted to wait until things calmed down. There's a lot of important information here, especially if you backed for a SE hardback and LTD hardback. So don't skip this update.

The Great

Special Edition Paperbacks are shipping! Those finally showed up on my doorsteps and they've passed my quality checks so they're going out this week/weekend. A few other packages for those who didn't get books but other merch will also be going out that I found out I missed in my first shipping batch (sorry about that!)

The Annoying

This is where I should also be saying the Special Edition Hardbacks are shipping too, but... they're not. The proof copy came in a few weeks ago, and the post office decided to feed it to a hungry shipping monster, because it was not in great condition. It was why I didn't update the moment it came it. It wasn't pretty. My shipper promised to get me a replacement, but there was enough still there for me to feel comfortable printing a full batch for fulfillment. And so I waited for them all to come in.

And they did today.... but something went wrong. Overall, they're gorgeous books! I'm happy with them on the outside. But, the inside is the issue. A handful of these books weren't glued to the spin right. Instead of directly in the middle, many were glued flush against the bottom. On top of that, for some reason, there were pages where images didn't print to the full length of the page, creating a strip of blank page. I can't explain why this happened, because it's not all images. It was only a select few ones and my file sent to the vendor was for sure set up correctly. So, I'm waiting to hear back from my printer about this error while being frustrated.

I want to give you all the perfect product you've been promised, and it's taking much longer than it should to do this. And for that I'm really sorry. I've talked with a few other authors I know who use the same printer I do (I've used them of 8 years) and they all agree this is something they're unfortunately dealing with all of a sudden and none of us predicted this would ever happen with them, as they've always been a fabulous printer.

Pictures below are examples of what I'm meaning. As it stands, all of these copies I've received fall under my "oops printing" label I usually sell at a discount. If any of these issues aren't one for you (like it is for me), message me, and I'll be happy to ship out your book as is, and I'll even throw in a "oops" discount (if discount is more than what remains on your invoice because of shipping, a partial refund) or an extra item(s) of equivalent value, your choice. (This option is not available to unsigned international orders, as those copies will come direct from a printer near your country, and not me. If those arrive with errors, after I get this current error issue domestically fixed, I will help right that issue at that time).

The Miracle?

This next update is about the limited edition. It's going to start off sounding bad, but it's going to turn out good-ish with a result that is very important to read as I need your feedback.

The limited edition has been the major source of my headaches this month. I've was working with this new printer who promised they could give me everything I promised you (my main printer can only do basic books). Everything in this relationship was going great, and I was almost over the finish line getting them my files and having a printed proof done. And then everything went wrong.

I won't be going into details, but I ended up cutting my partnership with this printer and was a little more than upset. Here I was with a promise to you for an exclusive edition, and I had no printer. So, after stress eating us out of house and home and trying not to burst into frustrated tears, I went back to the drawing board. I found some printers who could do what I needed, but their requirements for printing were out of the scope of this Kickstarter.

I networked with other authors to see what I could do, and about a week ago, it looked like I found a printer that could do some of the stuff I needed. This printer could do the foiling I needed, and make the jacket special, though not do the double-sided printing. They also couldn't do the special end sheets I promised or the painted edges. Painted edges wasn't going to be an issue, as I know how to do that myself (who doesn't like an extra special, author-made element to their books?), and the end sheets I was spending some time thinking about how I could also do something extra unique and special in their place.

Then, I was directed to my miracle. I have been in talks with a new printer that has been able to promise me everything I originally wanted, except the double-sided jacket and painted edges. Again, that painted edges piece not so problematic. The lack of double-sided jacket is disappointing, as that was a neat design I really liked. But I think considering the circumstances, this alternative, is better than what this could have ended up being. I can still do something special with the jacket. My options are foiling the title text or 3D embossing the text. And this is where you come into play.

If you backed for a Limited Edition, I want to know if you would prefer foil on your jacket or a 3D embossing. You can make a comment below or you can message me. I'd like to collect opinions quickly, so I can get this edition back and rolling, so I'll take input until the end of the weekend.

That's it for now. Thank you again so much for to patience with me, and I can't wait for these editions to come out right and end up in your hands and on your shelves.

Until next time!

Did you get a bad shipment? And SE update
almost 2 years ago – Fri, Apr 21, 2023 at 04:45:26 PM

Hello, hello, hello!

I have two things that I want to talk about today. They're quick and simple, but both equally important.

Did you get a bad shipment?

If your package has arrived and something is wrong with it please reach out to me immediately. This is especially important to me right now if you pledged for an unsigned copy of any edition. Not that hand signed is less important, but I already did quality control on the books that went out signed, so, unless the shipper treated your package like a soccer ball, you should have less to worry about.

I'm worried about the unsigned books because I had my printer directly ship these out, and I've recently gotten a message about a quality control issue from a backer. I've worked with this printer for almost 10 years, so hearing about these kinds of problems is concerning. I'm hoping this isn't a recurring issue, and this just turns into a PSA, but I want to me safe, rather than sorry. So if your book comes with the wrong cover, missing jacket (for hardcovers), wonky interior, etc... please reach out immediately so I can get things fixed.

Special Edition Paperback

I got my proof copy in today (still waiting on the hardback), and it's almost perfect. I need to make a few tweaks (my errors, you can see one in one of the photos below), which are easy to do, and once the printer has those files I'll be ordering up the paperbacks for fulfillment!

Looking for other campaigns to back? Check out these ones:

Products have flooded in!
almost 2 years ago – Tue, Apr 04, 2023 at 03:29:08 PM

I finally have a long awaited update for all of you that's more than me say "just waiting for the mail". And boy, is it a much bigger one than expected. Everything just came in all at once.

Standard Print

The hardbacks have joined the party! Along with them the paperbacks I ordered also showed up. I don't know what's up with my printer but they've been really slow to process books right now. So if you were waiting on a signed copy of these editions, you won't be waiting much longer. (pictures below aren't great quality, sorry. Took them quickly and at night, in a house with poor lighting)

Art Prints

Not only did the books come it, but after some weirdness with shipping, all prints and posters have arrived! Take a look at these:

With these here, there are a lot of orders that can be fulfilled. So you'll be getting notifications from Backerkit soon about your pledges.

Special Edition Print

I had some issues with the formatting, requiring some slight changes, but everything is doing great now, and I'm just waiting on proofs to come in. Fingers crossed they don't take forever to show up.

Limited Edition

I've got something back from my formatter, and that thing is: a completed formatting! It'd planned to show off progress pieces but after I approved the drafts, my formatter practically snapped her fingers and everything was done. Take a look at these!

That they amazing? I'm so excited. We're wrapping up this week getting the formatting to my printer's specs and then I'll be able to work with the printer to get a proof copy worked up (it won't have all the bells and whistles, but it'll have most, enough to make sure this printer is up to snuff as they're new to me) then we'll be off to the races with this edition.

That's all for now. There is still some time to update your Backerkit pledges if you want anything extra. Once your pledge is locked, the key is thrown away. And don't forget to let others know so they can get in on some last minute items through the pre-order store!

'Til next time!

Audio is complete and one print edition is in!
almost 2 years ago – Fri, Mar 03, 2023 at 07:21:54 AM

This is a big update, so buckle up!

Audiobook

I finally got through all of the audio for the AI narrated version of Valkyrie Lost. It took a lot of figuring out, and a great deal of tweaking, but we finally have an audiobook. It's not perfect, as AI is no human, but it's a step closer in that direction and opens accessibility.

For all tier backers who were slated to receive this, you should have received an email from Backerkit late last night with the ability to download. This version of the AI narration with the included bonus chapter, is only available for you backers. Another version of this AI book will be made public in time, but it won't include the extras.

Standard print

I've got good news on this. I received all the updated files for the hardback and I'm submitting them to my printer. Fingers crossed we don't have anymore issues and they'll process the book this time.

As for the paperbacks...

Look!

Isn't it pretty?

Sorry for meh lighting. My house is not great for taking photos. But I promise this book looks amazing in person and I'm so excited.

This means we're moving forward with the tiers containing this edition. Backerkit will start closing up surveys for those who snagged unsigned versions so we can get shipping payment, allowing me to get these to you. I'll be ordering up a batch of books for signing, and the same will happen for you when everything in your signed orders are here. Still waiting on posters and art prints to arrive, so that will hold a few up until then.

If you had added anything to your pledge that was a last chance unlock and we didn't meet the goal to unlock that product, that item will be removed from your pledge and you won't be charged for it.

Special Edition Print

The layout is complete! It's so pretty, I love it. Take a look.

I've contacted my cover designers so they can finish making the edition covers, and then this will also go off to the printer.

Limited Edition Hardback

We're moving along with this edition. It's gone off to the formatter for it's special makeover. That's all I have for that update really. We're still on schedule with this edition, so we just have to be patient (as hard as that is).

That's all I have I believe (I hope I'm not missing anything). There is still some time to update your Backerkit pledges if you want anything extra. Once your pledge is locked, the key is thrown away. And don't forget to let others know so they can get in on some last minute items through the pre-order store!

Note: Retail edition and AI audiobook are no longer available to be purchased in the preorder store.

'Til next time!

Overdue update
almost 2 years ago – Thu, Feb 16, 2023 at 03:17:12 PM

Hello my lovely backers. I'm sorry I've been so quiet. I've been trying to get a million things done, which has kept me quiet. I appreciate your patience while I work through this. Being my first Kickstarter, I'm learning a lot when it comes to all this fulfillment stuff and balancing it all around other deadlines. I've been making all kinds of notes to make this process a million times smoother the next time I run one.

Bonus Chapters

I've gotten the bonus chapters for the limited edition finished and sent to my editor. That process will be done soon, and then the manuscript and bonus material will be going to the formatter the beginning of next month.

Print Editions

The proof copy of the standard paperback edition for Valkyrie Lost is finally on order. I had some file issues for both the hardback and paperback I had to work through with my printer and designers that held this up. The hardback edition I'm still working on. One of my designers for that format is technically on maternity leave and works for a select few number of days each month right now. So I'm just waiting for the next opening to come up so we can fix the file, then we'll be off to the races.

As for the special edition, the formatting is still in progress. That stalled a little because of me, but things have started progressing again. Once that's done (I'm hoping the next few days), I'll be able to get with my other designer to finalize the covers and get the proofs printed.

AI Audio

This is almost done! I've been playing around with some features and trying to get some of the AI's pronunciation better before saying it's done. Hoping to be done with it within the next week.

Art

All art is done! Julia got me the final files for the art prints and the limited edition undercover. Take a look!

I'm so happy with how this image came out, and I can't wait to see it printed. As a reminder, the image on the right and the image on the left are available seperately as print editions. If you're seeing these (and other items I've shown in updates) and want them but didn't grab them during the main campaign, you can snag them by updating your Backerkit pledge! The image on the left will be under a limited run, for the art prints, posters, and foil prints. The image on the left will have a limited run for the foil prints. They may be available in future Kickstarters or signing events as leftovers, but once those run out, there will be no more printings.

With these done, for those who backed at the hardback LT Ed bundle and higher, you'll be getting a notification soon from Backerkit that you'll be able to download your final phone wallpaper.

I'm working on finalizing the the foil files for art prints and bookmarks and ordering those immediately after that's done. The standard prints and posters are on order, so just waiting for those to arrive.

Everything else  (pins and stickers) I've got on hand, waiting to be shipped.

And that's it for my update. It may not be the one you were hoping for (things are shipping!), but we're very close to that point. While you wait, I do have some Kickstarter projects listed below that I think you should take a look at by other authors.