Funded! This project successfully raised its funding goal on September 30, 2012.
The page proofs arrived last night and I have now finished reviewing all of the pages and the book is approved! I could have reshot every pic -- I discuss this and show more photos of the proofs at BattleGrip -- but that is realistically not necessary. The book is looking amazing; thank you, everyone, for being so very patient and understanding with me.
The book is expected to ship to all of you in late June.
Files and deposit are with the printer and my fingers are crossed in hope that everything turns out wonderfully. I'm trying to work out a physical proof step so I can have one last chance to make sure all of the colors are right, but I feel really good about the final files that were delivered to the printer and I don't think there will be any problems (I've been sending books to print for almost two decades now and have a fairly good handle on the process).
More news as it comes in! With any luck the next update will be: "The proof is beautiful!" I know I'm holding my breath and praying.
In completely unrelated news, if you're a fan of cyberpunk fiction you may want to take a look at my latest project, FlashCity Stories. $1 for thirty cyberpunk flash fiction stories and there's even an option for a printed collection. If you enjoy cyberpunk short stories then please take a few moments and check out the project.
After far too many unexpected delays, the final piece of Transforming Collections is in place and the files are heading off to the printer tomorrow morning. Then it's time to sign the print contract, pay the print bill, and sit back and wait for everything to be printed. My fingers are crossed that I've nailed all of the color issues and I'm praying that those too-dark images that I reshot are now exactly as they need to be.
Thank you, everyone, for being so amazingly patient through this long process. Not only were you all far too kind and helped make the book happen BUT you also stuck with me, offering encouragement and support as I kept expanding the book to its final size of 80-pages in hardcover.
For backers only. If you're a backer of this project, please log in to read this post.
I'm pushing to complete the book and send it to print next week, but losing the last week to a business trip means the coming weekend will be a real crunch and I may have to delay one more week later than I want. Please, everyone, forgive me for taking so long to get this done . . . but I want the book to be one we can all be proud of.
I scanned through the pages on a color-calibrated system recently and I saw three images that need some color correction, but those were the only images that look like they'll print too dark. So I will tweak those, finish those last three pages, and then make the final corrections. And then it's to print!
Cover WIP
TJ Duckett of Kuma Style Designs has been hard at work on the wrap-around cover for the book and he recently shared his WIP. I gave TJ some suggestions, but I think everyone will agree that this is going to be one remarkable cover once it's finished. I feel kinda bad that I have to drop the barcode, titles, and text on this cover image.
Funding period
Aug 31, 2012 -
Sep 30, 2012
(30 days)
3 backers
SUPPORTER! Thank you! You have helped the project and will be listed as a supporter on the battlegrip.com website. You do not receive the PDF, printed book, or any stickers unlocked through stretch goals.
8 backers
ELECTRONIC WARRIOR! The "Supporter" reward PLUS a PDF copy of the completed book. You do not receive the printed book or any stickers unlocked through stretch goals.
15 backers All gone!
GENERATION ONE PROTECTOR! For the early adopters. The "Electronic Warrior" rewards PLUS a printed copy of "Transforming Collections" mailed to you (supporters outside of the United States add $5 for shipping). You will receive any stickers that are unlocked through stretch goals.
125 backers
GENERATION ONE DEFENDER! The "Electronic Warrior" rewards PLUS a printed copy of "Transforming Collections" mailed to you (supporters outside of the United States add $5 for shipping). You will receive any stickers that are unlocked through stretch goals.
78 backers
MASTER COLLECTOR! The "Generation One Defender" rewards PLUS a second copy of the printed book mailed to you to give to a friend (supporters outside of the United States add $5 for shipping).
6 backers All gone!
BLOGGER-IN-ARMS! The "Generation One Defender" rewards PLUS I will photograph and review a Transformers toy for your blog and link to the review from battlegrip.com (supporters outside of the United States add $5 for shipping).
9 backers Limited (1 of 10 left)
MASTER SUPPLIER! The "Generation One Defender" rewards PLUS your name listed as a special backer in the completed book. Your generous donation is applied to acquiring more toys for inclusion in the book and reviews on battlegrip.com (supporters outside of the United States add $5 for shipping).
1 backer All gone!
EXPERT ADVERTISER! The "Generation One Defender" rewards PLUS your ad on the inside front cover of the final book AND a 215 x 215 button ad displayed on battlegrip.com from when this project closes successfully until December 31, 2013 (supporters outside of the United States add $5 for shipping).
2 backers
RESUPPLY DEPOT! Designed for resellers. Ten printed copies of "Transforming Collections" mailed to you (supporters outside of the United States add $5 for shipping). The book's MSRP will depend on format -- saddle-stitched: $14.95; hardcover: $24.95 -- but you can set any price you wish. NOTE: The book will not be offered in physical form after this Kickstarter project closes.
1 backer All gone!
ULTIMATE ADVERTISER! The "Generation One Defender" rewards PLUS your advertisement on the inside back cover of the final book, a 215 x 215 button ad displayed on battlegrip.com, AND a special thank you at the end of all Transformers reviews posted to battlegrip.com from when this project closes successfully until December 31, 2013 (supporters outside of the United States add $5 for shipping).
