About this project
A Brief Synopsis Followed by My "Pitch" For Your Support
Leonard's Story: If you think it was all good deeds and fancy ideals back in the days of Camelot, think again. Most people don’t know this, but for a time things went seriously bad; Arthur was imprisoned, Merlin had vanished, and a vile demon had taken over the throne. Young Leonard would have been shocked to learn any of this but right now all that concerned him was where his next meal was coming from.
As page to Sir Francis, a poor but kind knight, events at the castle took a back seat to a rumbling stomach. Oh sure, he held a secret dream that one day Sir Francis would take a seat at the Round Table, but seriously, that was about as likely as Maid Glennys seeing him as anyone other than the dirty page of a low-ranking nobleman. Not gonna happen.
Everything changes when Leonard meets Mantooth, a seriously depressed dragon who’s looking for a knight to end his misery with a swing of a broadsword. Wait a minute. If the dragon will allow Sir Francis to slay him, his misery would be over, Sir Francis would surely get a Round Table invite for such a brave deed, and Leonard might even climb a notch or two in the eyes of Glennys! Everybody wins, right?
Wrong.
Leonard’s plan backfires horribly when, on the day of the battle, Sir Francis is arrested for “bravery without a license” and he and Mantooth are dragged off to Camelot’s dungeons. Now Leonard must do whatever it takes to free his master even if that means doing battle with dangerous monsters, trying to outwit Camelot’s dark overlord, or taking a bath!
***
My Pitch: The biggest obstacle that stands between me and publishing my novel is an unwillingness to put out something that appears less than professional in quality. I want Leonard the Great: Dragon Friend to look and read the same as the very best "traditionally published" middle-grade novels.
Your backing will help me do the following:
-- Pay a professional service to edit and proofread my book. "Leonard" is already in good shape, but a frequent knock against "indie publishing" is that these books are full of typos, grammar/punctuation errors, and plot holes. By paying a service, I'll ensure this won't be the case with my book.
-- Purchase assorted support materials such as any additional cover art, Kindle conversion software, proof copies, copies for reviewers, etc.
-- Pay the fees required to publish with CreateSpace (an Amazon.com company). These fees include membership in their "Pro Plan," an expanded distribution channel that reaches certified resellers, bookstores and online retailers, and libraries and academic institutions throughout the U.S. Getting the book out there in as many ways as possible is important!
-- Pay for assorted marketing expenses such as promotional postcards, bookmarks, shipping materials, and postage.
--If I'm fortunate enough to reach my funding goal, any additional money will be applied to future book projects including a likely sequel to "Leonard the Great: Dragon Friend."
If you have any questions, please feel free to shoot me an email or visit me at my blog:
http://thenovelproject.blogspot.com/
or my Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/RogerEschbacherBooks
That's about all from this end. Thanks again for your support!
International backers, please add $10 to your pledge of $50 and up to cover shipping!
FAQ
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
24
Backers
$2,205
pledged of $2,100 goal
0
seconds to go
Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on May 2, 2011.
Pledge $10 or more Pledge $10 or more
The previous reward plus a nifty "Leonard" postcard mailed to your address.
Pledge $15 or more Pledge $15 or more
The previous rewards plus a blog shout-out where I describe you as being super-awesome (because you are).
Pledge $20 or more Pledge $20 or more
The previous rewards, plus three bookmarks. Yes, I can sense you diving for the "Back This Project" button already.
Pledge $25 or more Pledge $25 or more
The previous rewards, plus an eBook copy of my book.
Pledge $40 or more Pledge $40 or more
The previous rewards, plus an advance pdf copy of my NEXT BOOK (see the $500 reward for a description of what this book is likely to be) AND a digital photograph of me, sitting at my desk, working on that very book. (Yeah, I'm not so sure I'd want that last part either. I'll try to make it look "action-y" so at the very least you'll have something to mock.)
Pledge $50 or more Pledge $50 or more
The previous rewards, plus a SIGNED printed edition of my book.
Pledge $75 or more Pledge $75 or more
The previous rewards, plus a SIGNED high quality print of my book's cover art (front).
Pledge $100 or more Pledge $100 or more
The previous rewards, plus a thank you in the book's acknowledgments. Your name or a name of your choice, you tell me and it goes in!
Pledge $125 or more Pledge $125 or more
***NEW***The previous rewards, plus you can BECOME A SCOOBY DOO VILLAIN! What does this have to do with a middle-grade novel about a boy and a dragon? Absolutely nothing! However...since I'm a for real writer for the for real "Scooby Doo, Mystery Incorporated" (airing on Cartoon Network) I thought it would be fun to offer a part in a FAKE SCENE from a FAKE EPISODE: Backers who pledge this amount will receive a 2-3 page scene (pdf format) where they will be unmasked by the gang as the true culprit behind recent mysterious events in Crystal Cove. Your full name will be used in dialogue text and you will get to "create" your own villainous alter-ego (like "Space Kook," or "The Black Knight" - except your own). "Does this mean my name will get into a real episode?" Nope, sorry. This reward is solely for your own amusement. It will, however, look just like a real scene from a real script from the real show.
Pledge $250 or more Pledge $250 or more
The previous rewards, plus three additional SIGNED copies (total of four).
Pledge $500 or more Pledge $500 or more
The previous rewards, plus I will name a character after you in either the sequel to "Leonard the Great: Dragon Friend" (working title: Leonard the Great: Giant Killer) or a new middle-grade space opera (working title: Caden Brave). As of this writing, I am 3/4 of the way through "Giant Killer" and have a completed first draft of "Caden." Or, if you would prefer, I could name a genre appropriate enterprise after your business. For example, a law firm might become a roadside tavern or a graphic design firm might become manufacturers of spacecraft.
Pledge $1,000 or more Pledge $1,000 or more
The previous rewards, plus a signed original manuscript version of "Leonard the Great: Dragon Friend."
Pledge $1,500 or more Pledge $1,500 or more
BUSINESS SPONSORSHIP: The previous rewards, plus I will travel to your school, library, bookstore, place of business, or other mutually agreed upon location to read excerpts from "Leonard", answer questions about writing and being an author, and sign books. I've done this numerous times for my two picture books and am pleased to report that people really seem to enjoy my presentation. (NOTE: This reward is limited to the LOS ANGELES, CA area although if you live as far north as Bakersfield or as far south as San Diego, we can talk.)
Project By
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Roger Eschbacher got his start writing television animation for Warner Brothers, Cartoon Network, and Nickelodeon -- penning such shows as Scooby-Doo Mystery Inc., My Gym Partner's a Monkey, Baby Looney Tunes, Histeria, Angry Beavers, Aaah! Real Monsters, Detention, and Rocket Power.
Roger is the author of two picture books; "Road Trip" and "Nonsense! He Yelled", both published by Dial Books.
He is a main company alumnus of Los Angeles' acclaimed comedy troupe, The Groundlings.
Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Roger now lives in California with his family and a crazy dog named Lizzy.
