Celebration Dance!
12 months ago – Mon, Oct 23, 2023 at 07:31:54 PM

Flash reward success!

Yay! Technically speaking, we had 49 backers on Friday, but when I woke up Saturday morning we had 50, so it counts! Right? It definitely counts. 

That means I get to commission new art for you and give my backers a gift...digital prints for everyone and a physical print to any of the first 50 backers who selected a physical tier. I'm always excited for new art and I hope you are too!

Everyone who dropped a comment voted for B (a deadly dance) and I'm happy to share that I have commissioned that illustration from @efa_finearts. We'll be getting that one back in mid November due to her schedule, but I know she's going to do a great job and reward us for our patience.

I also ended up commissioning the shadowvein oath scene from @Celiaber and I'm thrilled with the rough sketch I received from her. I think it is going to be lovely. We should have that completed illustration in about a week and I can't wait to show you!

Stretch Goal Update 

We also hit a new stretch goal at $3000, which means the physical bookmarks are getting a foiled glow-up to match the pretty foiled case laminate. Our next stretch goal unlocks at $3250 and we're almost there! 

If you're really excited about the upcoming stretch goals, there's a few things you can do to help make them happen.

• Share your excitement for this project with your friends, family, and social network. Word of mouth can have a tremendous impact. With your help, we can get this book all the special features we want. 
• Check out the special add-ons like the custom enamel pin, paperback, or vellum insert and add it to your rewards.
• Consider upgrading your reward tier if you've been eyeing the goodies at the next level

No matter what, I'm incredibly grateful and honored that you've chosen to be a part of this journey. Thank you for everything you've already done to get this debut author one step closer to realizing a lifelong dream. When you receive your rewards, I hope my gratitude will shine through as a reflection of the heartfelt care that went into creating something really special for you. 

Until next time,

A.C. Guess 

Quick Poll: For an upcoming stretch goal, would you prefer a new scene illustration or a map? I'd like both, but want to see what is most important to my backers. 

Here are some Kickstarter campaigns that caught my eye this week! Click on the banners to check them out.

Flash Reward and a Poll!
almost 1 year ago – Wed, Oct 18, 2023 at 10:36:45 AM

We started off with a bang and we've added bonus content and silver foiling to the case laminate. 

I know everyone loves art so I'm announcing a flash reward!

We currently have 39 backers. If we make it to 50 backers by Friday, I'll add an extra illustrated scene to the book! All backers will receive a digital copy of the art print and the illustration will be included in the E-book and print book. Any of the first 50 backers with physical rewards selected will also receive the illustration as an art print, but only if we hit our goal. Tell your friends and let's get this rolling!

Now the fun part...which illustration would you like to see? Comment below!

A) Rydar and Rae swear a shadowvein oath

B) A Deadly Dance (Rydar and Rae dance together in the magical Sundial Waltz, trying to avoid the runes that come to life and strike down competitors in the trial).

Check out these other Kickstarters that are rocking it!  

 Blood & Scales: Paranormal Fantasy Romance Novel & Art 

 Exclusive Villainous Wonderland Deluxe Edition Hardcovers 

  Special Edition Omnibus Set: Accidental Alien Brides 

Stretch Goal #2 Unlocked!
about 1 year ago – Mon, Oct 16, 2023 at 07:40:21 PM

We have officially unlocked silver foiling for our case laminate cover! It will be so gorgeous and I am elated that we have unlocked this one. 

We are so close to unlocking our next stretch goal -- Foiled Bookmarks! Once we hit $3000 we get foil upgrades for the bookmarks that go to all the physical tiers with paper packages! After that, we have digital coloring pages for ALL backers. Then we'll work towards another art commission for a new vellum insert and digital illustration.

Those fancy upgrades we all want to see are getting closer and closer to becoming a reality. I have to hit a certain funding amount to be able to justify the print run that will get us those fancy extras, but it is on the horizon! If you're hoping for details like sprayed edges, dual sided dust jackets, and fancy dust cover font treatment...keep sharing and telling everyone that you're looking forward to getting this special edition in your hands! Let's crush more stretch goals <3

Thank you again for backing this project. I appreciate all of your support and am so excited to create something beautiful with you and for you. 

 Lastly, here are some Kickstarters I recently backed or thought you may enjoy!

Sky of Thorns A special edition romantic fantasy with mischievous mayhem, loyal side companions, found family, and enemies to lovers slow burn romance

 The Mate Games: War Illustrated Editions Luxe special editions featuring 40+ beautiful original illustrations of pivotal scenes from the bestselling paranormal romance series.

 The Forty-Year-Old Virgin Witch Omnibus Black cat familiars who aren't what they seem, mysterious magickal men, and sweater weather! Grab a pumpkin flavored hot beverage and cuddle up with this witty, paranormal why choose romance this fall!

We Funded in Less Than an Hour!
about 1 year ago – Sun, Oct 15, 2023 at 08:13:36 PM

I am so excited to update everyone and let you know that we reached our funding goal in less than an hour today! It's been a busy, surreal kind of day and I'm so grateful to all of the early backers who helped get this campaign on a roll. I am so humbled by the amount of support that showed up for this project on day one. Thank you so much.

Let's talk about the fun stuff. I know everyone is excited for stretch goals and I hope you are just as eager as I am to make this book get all the extra features. 

Good news! While I was running around at soccer practice with my kids, we soared right through the first stretch goal!

$1500 - Nell's handwritten poetry pages

Rae's younger sister, Nell, loves to write poetry even though it's prohibited in Orogi. I'll be adding three pages of Nell's handwritten poetry and doodles to the end of the book as bonus content. 

The next stretch goal is right around the corner and it's a good one! If we hit $2500, the gorgeous case laminate cover will get silver foil treatment. How gorgeous will that be?!?

Thank you to all who backed. Please tell your friends how excited you are about The Timeless Trials and encourage people to take a look. Every referral, every share, has the potential to help us get closer to the foil and fancy printed edges that we're all hoping to get! 

Here are a few bookish Kickstarters I think you may want to check out!

 The Vigilante's Magic Hardcover Editions - What happens when magic meets science? Superheroes wield magic in this exciting, fast paced YA series that is complete at 3 books! 

 Of Shadows and Death Exclusive Edition A New Adult dark fantasy Rapunzel retelling with forbidden love & vampires. Book 1 of the Five Queens Prophecy series.

 Veil of Souls Deluxe Hardbacks Book 1 in an epic romantic dark fantasy, with character and cover art exclusive to Kickstarter.