The Timeless Trials: A Fantasy Romance Special Edition

That's a wrap!
3 months ago – Mon, Apr 15, 2024 at 08:50:06 PM

Today I sent off the rest of the Kickstarter packages! That means everything is fulfilled, with one exception (please fill out your Backerkit or message me if that's you!). Your tracking number should be in your Backerkit and emailed to you. If you can't find it and need it, please let me know. 

I also realized I forgot to add the extra printed bookmarks in my Ultimate Tier and Collector's Tier packages, so I'll be sending those out in envelopes separately. I promised those in a recent update and got so excited to mail out the packages that I completely forgot...but I'll fix it :) 

As the packages arrive, I hope you enjoy your goodies. Please feel free to tag @acguesswrites on social media if you're excited with your rewards and reach out here on Kickstarter via message or to my email [email protected] if you need anything or if there's any issues. I hope all the packages are treated kindly by the post office and make it quickly to their new homes! 

Once again, thank you so much for your support during my first Kickstarter project. It was a huge learning curve for me and working with you all has helped me reach some big dreams. I appreciate the role each of you played--this wouldn't have happened without your support. Because of you, The Timeless Trials has a gorgeous special edition and so much more to come. I am so happy to say...we did it! Thank you for being a part of it.

My next project
In August, I'll be running a Kickstarter for Sky Stitcher, a standalone fantasy romance. It features enemies to lovers, forced proximity, goddesses, banter and a bit of soul shredding before a happily ever after. The deluxe edition will have foiled covers, fully illustrated sprayed edges, beautiful interior chapter spread art, and illustrations. It would be an honor if you'd be my first few followers. Click the banner below and it will take you to the prelaunch page. <3 

You can also hang out with me on Ream...I've just kicked off there and it's very similar to Patreon, but made just for authors. Following is free and will give you access to my author updates/newsletter updates. The purple follow button is at the top. https://reamstories.com/acguess

Unless something comes up, this should be the last update for awhile. Thank you again and please reach out if you need anything! I hope you love the special editions as much as I do!

A.C. Guess

THEY ARE HERE!
3 months ago – Sat, Apr 13, 2024 at 06:39:55 AM

The books are here! They're finally here! 

And about a week and half before I expected them to arrive. I am so pleased!

I started digging into boxes and was so excited I've already packaged the first round of rewards. If you backed the Ultimate Tier, your package will be arriving in the next few days!

I am processing and packing as many as I can per day to get them out to you as quickly as possible. I know you have been so patient waiting with me, and the wait is almost over! 

Thank you everyone! I hope you are excited to see these beauties arrive at your door soon!

P.S. I'm too excited to edit out the surplus of exclamation points or overuse of the word excited. The exclamations are accurate. 

Just don't tell my editor. She hates echo words. Hahaha. 

I'm off to package some books. Have a wonderful day <3

A.C. Guess

If you haven't checked out any Kickstarters in a bit, I have two by good friends of mine that I would love to suggest! Click on the banners and it should take you there. 

I've already backed my friend C.A. Varian's gorgeous Crown of the Phoenix Omnibus (and booked her artist for my next project coming in August because OH MY GOODNESS). How beautiful does this look?

Second, my friend Tess Combs has another Kickstarter to follow that just went into prelaunch, and let me tell you that the sneak peeks she's given me are to die for. She is such a talented writer and great person and this is a project I am highly anticipating!

Important Update for Hardcover Backers (And Good News!)
4 months ago – Sun, Mar 17, 2024 at 06:21:32 AM

[[This update includes important information about your Backerkit surveys, locking orders, and add ons, so please read.]]

I'm back! Our internet has been down for the past two days but we finally got it back and running so I could upload this video. 

I have good news! The printer is fixing the issue and it’s only going to add four days to production. We should still be on the same timeline or only a few days behind schedule. I am so excited to finally get these books into your hands. 

Take a look...you'll see the corrected image page in the video!

So now comes the exciting part. These will be starting their voyage to me in just a few days. In preparation for their arrival, I'll be getting everything ready so I can mail these to you as quickly as possible. That means I need to prep shipping labels, boxes, swag...all the fun things! 

So I really need your help. I'll be locking orders on Backerkit. You'll get a reminder that orders will be locking in a few days, so you have a short window to make adjustments to add ons before the orders lock. Once orders lock, any remaining balances will be charged (this only applies to people who have added extras in their Backerkit survey). Make sure your addresses are correct and up to date (or please message me if you will have a change in the next month so I can make a note). After all of those steps, I'll be able to start prepping shipping labels to be ready to roll when the books arrive. 

If you have any questions, please reach out. We are heading into the home stretch of fulfillment and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that delivery goes smoothly so we don't have any more delays. As always, I'll keep you posted on what's happening!

P.S. I'm adding two extra art print bookmarks to every hardcover order. They feature some of the beautiful art by @efa_finearts.

I hope you guys are getting excited. I know I am. 

Thanks,

A.C. Guess

Production Update
4 months ago – Thu, Mar 14, 2024 at 08:41:04 AM

Well, this is not exactly the update I've been eager to send you all month, but I need to share where we are at.

I expect we are going to have a delay, despite my best efforts to stay on the production timeline, including paying for upgraded shipping from the factory for faster delivery.

I received notice from the printer that they have finished production of the books. They are gorgeous, but have one major flaw and I'm devastated.

The full page spread printed with a white interior margin, even though the digital proof and blue proof did not indicate any bleed issue or white strip. This is either a printing or binding error on their part, and I am not happy with it. 

I expect them to provide some sort of resolution, and I am asking for them to reprint since this was their error. I do not know what resolution is going to look like, but I want you to know that I am fighting to get the best quality product into your hands. I will provide an update once I have a resolution with them.

This is the finalized product image they sent, with the white strip that did not appear in any proofs:

This is disappointing and I'm really sad that this will likely increase the wait time for your books. I hope you understand and know that I'm trying to get the printer to address this as quickly as possible.

That being said, the rest of the book is gorgeous. They also sent this video, and I'm thrilled with everything else. 

I'll be back soon with an update. 

A.C. Guess

Paperbacks are here!
6 months ago – Fri, Feb 02, 2024 at 02:06:25 PM

The Kickstarter paperbacks just arrived and they are gorgeous! That means I get to start signing, packing, and shipping to my signed paperback tiers. If you ordered an unsigned copy, yours will be coming your way soon too! I'll be submitting those orders today and tomorrow. This is so exciting! I can't wait to start getting the books into your hands.

The special edition is officially in the production stage after a little snag with a new rule that made me panic a bit (government now has to approve all books printed by the specialty printer). But the book was approved so no issues! I got a video of the blue proof which is when they print the book signatures to make sure everything lines up in the proper order for binding, but it is just the interior sample. They said the fully printed book pictures will not be sent until the production process is finished in a few weeks. I am dying to see the completed project as much as you guys are!

Last thing...my brilliant friend launched her Kickstarter today and I'll personally vouch for this one. Beautiful story, beautiful world building and characters, and a story that will tear your heart out and piece it back together. I highly recommend checking this one out!