Pulp Magazine Authors and Literature Fans discussion

Hi, folks,

We're pretty much right at the midpoint for our Kickstarter project, THE ASTONISHING ADVENTURES OF DOC WILDE. I wanted to remind everyone that it's going on, and fill you in on the specifics and some extra stuff we've added since we began.

The last day to get involved is Saturday, April 28th. The link to the Kickstarter is: http://kck.st/HpKLZo.

Many sincere thanks to those of you who've pledged your support. We hit 100% of our official goal in the first week. For those who aren't familiar with Kickstarter, the goal is the MINIMUM amount for the project to succeed, not the MAXIMUM that can be raised. If you don't hit the goal, the project fails and no funds are exchanged. If you hit the goal, the project succeeds, and can go on to even higher rates of success.

We're still doing well. We're currently at 129%, and were chosen as an official Kickstarter Staff Pick. But I'm actually hoping to hit 200% by the end, which will give us a comfortable margin to get plenty of art into these books and keep rolling into those scheduled for next year.

Initially, three novels were included in the Kickstarter, all to be released this year:

DOC WILDE AND THE FROGS OF DOOM (June)
DOC WILDE AND THE MAD SKULL (August)
DOC WILDE AND THE DANCE OF THE WEREWOLF (November)

To celebrate our early success in reaching 100%, I added an option allowing supporters to also get the fourth book, DOC WILDE AND THE DAUGHTER OF DARKNESS, at a special rate. That novel will be out in the first half of 2013, and introduces the rather violent teenage daughter of a shadowy avenger who knows a lot about what's in men's hearts.

(The most popular pledge by a huge margin is $20, which gets you the ebook versions of all four novels).

Additionally, there are a handful of Doc Wilde short adventures that are part of the package. The first will be included in the back of the new edition of FROGS OF DOOM, because I wanted there to be an extra something for those who'd already read the original Putnam version. (The book will also improve on the original with an extended "Author's Cut" of the novel and its great illustrations by Gary Chaloner).

The other three are available at certain reward levels. Folks getting these will be getting actual trade paperback copies of them, using the same size and book design elements of the novels, with their own covers by Gary Chaloner. That means they'll all fit perfectly as a set with the main books on your book shelves.

Also, these stories will never be available for sale in this form. While I may use some copies in the future for rare promotional purposes (raffle prizes at festivals and such), they are primarily a Kickstarter exclusive.

I've only just begun writing these, so this may change with the whims and vagaries of inspiration, but my current plan is to use them to pay homage to various pulp genres in which the Wildes might not usually operate. The one I'm writing now is basically a love letter to Fritz Leiber and other formative sword and sorcery greats and is called "Doc Wilde and The Gate to Nowhen."

I've also added a "stretch goal" for the project that will kick in and benefit ALL supporters if we reach a certain pledge level:

IF WE RAISE $6,000, I will write a fifth short adventure and everyone who has pledged $5 or more will get an ebook copy for no extra charge. Supporters at the PULP HERO level and above will receive a signed trade paperback copy as well. In the event anyone else wants a trade paperback copy, you'll be able to get it for $10 (plus international shipping if needed); supporters at SERIAL CLIFFHANGER level and above will have their copies signed to match their existing set.

One other option that's available:

LITERACY HERO OFFER: Supporters at any pledge level may kick in an additional $10 to donate a physical copy of any of the books to a school or public library in your name. (Additional shipping charges may be necessary at the time of fulfillment for foreign orders).

We also have a pledge level especially for retailers, libraries, schools, and book clubs called the "FORTRESS OF WILDITUDE."

Again, the last day to get involved is Saturday, April 28th. I hope more of you will join us on this great adventure and literally help a dream come true.

The link to the Kickstarter is: http://kck.st/HpKLZo.

Best,

Tim Byrd