A self-published (print and digital) novella companion to my second book, THE BROKEN LANDS. Both will be released in September.
The big idea:
I’m publishing a novella companion to release this fall with my second book, The Broken Lands (Clarion, September 2012). I want to experiment with self-publishing as a way to promote and enhance traditional releases by providing extra content to readers in the form of complete, related tales. I also want to use resources that support independent bookstores. It's my hope to release a self-published novella alongside as many of my forthcoming hardcover releases as possible in an ongoing effort called the Arcana Project, which is why it has the optimistic subtitle.
The novella is called The Kairos Mechanism (Arcana #1), and it's a story about characters from my first book, The Boneshaker (Clarion, 2010). It's also related to the events of The Broken Lands.
Synopsis:
September, 1913. The crossroads town of Arcane, Missouri, is a place where strange things happen, and lately those strange things have a habit of happening to thirteen year-old Natalie Minks. It's Natalie who first encounters the two boys who arrive in town seemingly out of nowhere, carrying a dead man between them. Odder still, a few of her older neighbors immediately recognize the dead man as a fellow citizen who's been missing for fifty years--and who doesn't appear to have aged in all that time. When another newcomer, a peddler called Trigemine, arrives in town, Natalie learns why the two boys and the peddler have really come to Arcane. And, of course, she realizes she has to stop them.
Like The Boneshaker and The Broken Lands, The Kairos Mechanism is a moderately frightening folklore-based fantasy. If you have read The Boneshaker, you'll find the novella full of clues as to what's coming and bits of history about characters you've already met. If you haven't read it, don't worry. You'll fall in love with Natalie and Arcane right away.
Reasons why The Kairos Mechanism is going to be awesome:
- It will be available in three editions:
- 1) a paperback designed and printed with McNally Jackson's self-publishing services, available through my website, from McNally Jackson Books (online and in-store) and ultimately as a print-on-demand title from any bookstore or library that has an Espresso Book Machine,
- 2) a digital book published through Google Play, and
- 3) a special digital edition illustrated by ten teen readers and available through my website, clockworkfoundry.com, pay-what-you-like.
- It will have a brand new cover illustration from Andrea Offermann, the artist behind the covers and the interior art for The Broken Lands and The Boneshaker.
- All the good folks who have collaborated on this project are getting paid at least enough to buy some fancy cupcakes or a tank of gas. Unfortunately, as some of the contributors live in NYC, I cannot guarantee that they will be able to do both. But if we exceed our goal, we'll pay them more.
- In the book there is a hefty dose of all the weirdness you've come to expect if you've read any of my stuff, including (but not limited to) a diabolical peddler, the arcane device of the title, and strange things in Simon Coffrett's garden. Plus, Natalie gets to showcase her right hook. If this means nothing to you, don't worry. Just trust me that the story is very cool and creepy.
Money stuff:
I'm looking to raise $6500.00 to cover the following:
- Compensation for all creative contributors to the novella
- Setup, design, and printing of 300 copies
- Mailing to Kickstarter backers and kindly bloggers who have offered their help in spreading the word
- Two months' of Outbrain content referral services
If, with your help, we exceed our fundraising goal, the first thing we’ll do is bump up the teen artists’ paychecks. The second thing will be to increase the print run.
Questions? Contact Kate directly: press@clockworkfoundry.com
Further Reading:
- Kate's Web Journal about The Kairos Mechanism
- About the Arcana project
- Read the beginning of The Kairos Mechanism
- Read an excerpt from The Boneshaker
- Read an excerpt from The Broken Lands
The Obligatory Social Media Roundup:
- Twitter: @katemilford
- Tumblr: katemilford.tumblr.com
- Pinterest: pinterest.com/katemilford/
- Facebook: facebook.com/katemilford
- Reddit: katemilford
Additional Links:
- About Andrea Offermann
- About McNally Jackson Books
- About McNally Jackson's Self-Publishing Services
- About Outbrain
Thanks for your time, and for your help.
FAQ
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
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Apr 10, 2012 -
Jun 9, 2012
- First created · 11 backed
- Kate Chell Milford 705 friends
- Website: clockworkfoundry.com
Pledge $10 or more
52 backers
A digital copy of The Kairos Mechanism.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2012Pledge $25 or more
8 backers
A digital copy of The Kairos Mechanism, a signed poster, and a thank you card. International backers, add $5.
Estimated delivery: Sep 2012Pledge $30 or more
22 backers
A digital copy of The Kairos Mechanism, a signed paperback copy of The Boneshaker, a handmade bookmark, and a handwritten thank you card. International backers, add $10.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2012Pledge $40 or more
14 backers Limited (6 of 20 left)
A paperback and a digital copy of The Kairos Mechanism, a handmade bookmark, and a handwritten thank you card. International backers, add $10.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2012Pledge $40 or more
0 backers Limited (10 of 10 left)
A digital copy of The Kairos Mechanism, a handmade book of selected poetry featured in all three books, and a handwritten thank you card. International backers, please add $10.
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $50 or more
1 backer Limited (4 of 5 left)
A digital copy of The Kairos Mechanism, a handwritten thank-you card, and a Kairos-inspired piece of jewelry handmade from bits and bobs from around my writing room by students at my high school, South River High in Maryland. Your contribution includes a donation to the high school. International backers, add $10.
Estimated delivery: Sep 2012Pledge $50 or more
12 backers Limited (8 of 20 left)
A digital copy of The Kairos Mechanism, a handwritten thank you card, and a strange but fascinating bit of ephemera that will surprise and delight you. It could be a weird mechanical thing that will be an awesome paperweight, or a weird used book I found somewhere, or a seriously pretty radio tube that would look great in a vase in place of flowers. International backers, add $10.
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $60 or more
4 backers Limited (6 of 10 left)
A digital copy of The Kairos Mechanism, a paperback copy of The Boneshaker, a handwritten thank you card, and a strange but fascinating bit of ephemera that will surprise and delight you. It could be a weird mechanical thing that will be an awesome paperweight, or a weird used book I found somewhere, or a seriously pretty radio tube that would look great in a vase in place of flowers. International backers, add $10.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2012Pledge $100 or more
0 backers Limited (5 of 5 left)
Your choice of a digital or paperback copy of The Kairos Mechanism, and a signed print by one of the reader artists, a handwritten thank you card, and your name on the special thanks page. International backers, add $10.
Estimated delivery: Sep 2012Pledge $100 or more
0 backers
Does your kid want to be a writer? I'll give her/him a call and talk writing for as long as she/he wants to chat. I'll also send a digital edition of The Kairos Mechanism and a handwritten thank you card, and put your child's name on the special thanks page.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2012Pledge $100 or more
7 backers
A signed set of The Boneshaker and The Broken Lands in hardcover, a digital copy of The Kairos Mechanism; a handwritten thank you card, and your name on the special thanks page. International backers, add $10.
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $125 or more
0 backers
A one-hour-long Skype visit with your child's book club to discuss books, writing, and turning weird history into stories. Also includes a digital edition of The Kairos Mechanism, handwritten thank you cards for each kid in the group, and the names of the kids in the book club on the special thanks page.
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $150 or more
1 backer Limited (4 of 5 left)
A digital copy of The Kairos Mechanism, The Boneshaker in paperback, a signed print selected by Andrea Offermann, your name on the special thanks page, and a handwritten thank you card. International backers, add $15.
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $150 or more
8 backers Limited (12 of 20 left)
A signed set of The Boneshaker and The Broken Lands in hardcover and The Kairos Mechanism in paperback, your name on the special thanks page, and a handwritten thank you card. International backers, add $10.
Estimated delivery: Sep 2012Pledge $200 or more
3 backers All gone!
A set of The Boneshaker and The Broken Lands in hardcover and The Kairos Mechanism in paperback, all signed by both Kate Milford and Andrea Offerman; your name on the special thanks page; and a handwritten thank you card. International backers, add $15.
Estimated delivery: Sep 2012Pledge $250 or more
0 backers
A one hour-long Skype visit with a class or library, a signed poster, a digital copy of The Kairos Mechanism, your name on the special thanks page, and a handwritten thank you card.
Estimated delivery: Sep 2012Pledge $250 or more
2 backers Limited (1 of 3 left)
Signed first-printing hardcover copies of The Boneshaker and The Broken Lands, a paperback copy of The Kairos Mechanism, a handwritten thank you card. International Backers, add $10.
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $300 or more
2 backers All gone!
A set of The Boneshaker and The Broken Lands in hardcover and The Kairos Mechanism in paperback, all signed by both Kate Milford and Andrea Offerman; a print from either The Boneshaker or The Broken Lands signed by Andrea Offermann, your name on the special thanks page; and a handwritten thank you card. International backers, add $15.
Estimated delivery: Sep 2012Pledge $300 or more
0 backers Limited (4 of 4 left)
Signed copies of The Boneshaker and The Broken Lands in hardcover, The Kairos Mechanism in paperback, a handmade book of selected poetry featured in the three books, a handwritten thank-you card, your name on the special thanks page. International backers, add $10.
Estimated delivery: Sep 2012Pledge $500 or more
0 backers
An in-person, one hour-long school or library visit. Locations within 2 hours of NYC, Annapolis, Baltimore, or Philadelphia, I will pick up travel expenses. Are you outside that geographic range? Email me to make inquiries, but basically if you're willing to pay actual travel and accommodation costs on top of the $500 pledge, I'm game. I will also include a digital copy of The Kairos Mechanism; a signed poster; your name on the special thanks page, and a handwritten thank you card.
Estimated delivery: Sep 2012Pledge $1,000 or more
0 backers Limited (2 of 2 left)
You choose the next volume of the Arcana series. I'll send you a signed set of all three books and four story options. You tell me which to write, and I'll name a character after you in the story you choose. I'm offering two of these, just to make my life difficult. If two people ante up for this one, I'll plan for two Arcana novellas in 2013, one in the spring and one in the fall, so although it says May, one of you will get delivery in September. International backers, please add $10 for shipping.
Estimated delivery: May 2013
