Is it just me or has this been a really long week?

Yes, it’s probably just me.

I launched my Kickstarter last Wednesday, and I’m already at 45% of the project goal which is AMAZING. Thank you to all my early adopters for coming in for this all-important first week to pick your pledge levels.

We’ve already had one pledge level fill up completely! Flappers Gone Soft (hand-made crazy quilted book bag with tonnes of extras and hardback trilogy) is ALL GONE.

Now that the first wave of YAY has calmed down a bit, I thought I’d address some basics about this campaign.

WHAT IS KICKSTARTER AND HOW DOES IT WORK?

Kickstarter campaigns are still one of the biggest and best ways to crowdfund a project — that is, raise the money to do something big by collecting a lot of small pledges from different backers.

When you pledge, you’re pre-ordering your chosen “reward” — and paying for it in advance, which enables the creator to produce it. BUT your credit card only gets charged when (if!) the Kickstarter campaign reaches its goal. Whether you come in at a $1 or $1000 level, you’re part of this project now, and the creator is very grateful for your support!

If you’ve never pledged to a Kickstarter before… it’s easy! Come on in, the water’s fine. It’s a fun and exciting way to get access to interesting books, games, art and tech before they hit the stores.

WHAT’S YOUR KICKSTARTER ABOUT?

I want to reprint three novels of mine which were published by Harper Voyager back in 2010-2012. The Creature Court trilogy was a huge undertaking for me at the time — the first time I set out to write serious epic fantasy, at the time the longest novels I’d ever written, and the first time I sold a series to a Big Publisher that had strong editorial support all the way through to the end.

The trilogy won awards, got a bunch of great reviews and scored me some loyal readers. But it never got a substantial overseas release, and sales dropped quietly away to a handful of e-sales each year. I eventually requested the rights back, planning to rebrand them with great new cover art, and bring them back into print myself.

I’m working with celebrated Brisbane artist Kathleen Jennings to produce beautiful books with a strong Art Deco/1920’s feel which runs through the books. I’m also writing a brand new prequel novella so that the Creature Court’s original readers (who already have the books on their shelves) can support something new.

Kathleen has designed a gorgeous enamel pin for various reward level and I’m desperately hoping we get to stretch goal stage so I can share some of the different colour options! The classic design is pretty great, though.

I’m also hand-making fabric mice, bookmarks and other goodies.

WHAT ARE THE BOOKS ABOUT?

A dressmaker becomes the unexpected leader of a gang of glamorous, vicious warriors whose job it is to save the world while transforming into hordes of animals. Velody is determined to prove that you don’t have to be a monster to be the Power and Majesty. Not every city will survive.

WHAT LEVEL SHOULD I PLEDGE AT?

Any level you like! If you’ve never read my work before, you can get an entire digital bundle of my previous novels and stories, as well as the Creature Court trilogy and new novella, for only $20 (Creature Feature). If the enamel pin is calling your name, there’s a bargain level of A Touch of Glamour at $16 which includes the pin and the e-novella. By far our most popular level is Come to the Cabaret at $35 which includes the paperback of the novella, the enamel pin and a postcard pack, as well as the trilogy as ebooks. I’ll be interested to see if that continues to be the clear winner in backer support as the weeks continue…

WHAT ABOUT POSTAGE AND CURRENCY EXCHANGE?

Worldwide postage is included in all levels, so what you see is what you get for pricing. Because I’m based in Australia, my Kickstarter is in Australian dollars, but the currency of your country should show up for you, which is why some of the levels look like different prices. (The good news, if you’re in the US or UK, is that your currency is worth more than ours so literally everything on my Kickstarter is a bargain)

WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF YOU DON’T FUND?

I will cry and cry.

But seriously (wiping away tears) I am going to get these books into print by hook or by crook. It will just take a lot longer to get there without the boost of Kickstarter investment to pay the cover artist, designer, etc. up front. So much longer. Years, basically.

ARE YOU GOING TO FUND?

There’s a tradition/superstition/statistical fact among Kickstarter supporters that any campaign that reaches half of its goal in the first week will definitely fund. I’d be very happy to prove that right! Let’s go to work.

HOW CAN I HELP?

Tell your friends! Tell your parents. Like and retweet on social media. Send virtual cups of tea and plates of cookies. If you want to pledge, do it early instead of waiting. And, you know. Wish me luck.