A free mini-story for you!
We achieved a milestone of reaching 100 backers overnight. In honor and to thank all of you, I'm posting a FREE 100 word story!
100-word flash stories are called "drabbles" and there are several publications that support the form, such as The Drabbler magazine and The Drabblecast podcast. A drabble has to be 100 words exactly; no more, no less.
This is the first time this story is available online. It was originally published in The Drabbler magazine's Climate Change issue. I hope you'll enjoy an unorthodox take on the theme.
CHILL
By Alex Shvartsman
This old book had some seriously heavy stuff, man. Potion recipes, curses and spells; you know, the works. It even explained how to summon a demon and make it grant you a single wish. Totally radical, you dig? I followed the instructions and there it was, an ugly little critter screaming its head off inside the pentagram.
"Dude, like, chill," I told it. The beastie quit screaming, laughed and then disappeared. I tried summoning it again, but no luck.
It's been getting a little colder every day since then. Yesterday it snowed in LA, in June! I'm beginning to worry.
-END-
237
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Funding period
Aug 2, 2012 -
Sep 1, 2012
(30 days)
- 2 created · 11 backed
- Alex Shvartsman 581 friends
- Website: alexshvartsman.com
Pledge $1 or more
5 backers
SUPPORT THE CAUSE: Show your support by donating $1 or more. Every dollar counts. Thank you!
Estimated delivery: Sep 2012Pledge $5 or more
2 backers
CLUB UFO: You’ll be added to our mailing list and receive information and updates about the anthology before they’re posted on the web. You will also receive a PDF of Alex’s flash fiction fantasy story “Superior Firepower,” not currently available for free on the web. Other stories might occasionally show up in your inbox as well, so be sure to read those UFO updates!
Estimated delivery: Sep 2012Pledge $10 or more
105 backers
E-READER: As above, plus you’ll receive the UFO e-Book in PDF, MOBI and EPUB formats. You will also be listed as a supporter on the UFO Publishing Acknowledgement page.
Estimated delivery: Nov 2012Pledge $20 or more
67 backers
READER: As above, plus you’ll receive a physical copy of the book. Readers outside of the United States please add $12 to cover shipping costs, or $8 to Canada.
Estimated delivery: Nov 2012Pledge $30 or more
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READER VIP: As above, but your copy of the book will be signed by the editor, with a brief personalized note. Readers outside of the United States please add $12 to cover shipping costs, or $8 to Canada.
Estimated delivery: Nov 2012Pledge $45 or more
24 backers
LUXURY READER: Instead of the paperback, you’ll receive a luxury hardcover copy of the book, individually numbered and signed by the editor. This will be an extremely limited print run and it won’t be available in stores or on Amazon. Readers outside of the United States please add $15 to cover shipping costs, or $10 to Canada.
Estimated delivery: Nov 2012Pledge $70 or more
9 backers
THE KITCHEN SINK BUNDLE: You will get the e-book, the signed paperback and the signed hardcover, plus an exclusive opportunity to read one of the stories from UFO before the book is published. Readers outside of the United States please add $20 to cover shipping costs, or $12 to Canada.
Estimated delivery: Nov 2012Pledge $75 or more
3 backers
ASPIRING WRITER: All READER VIP level benefits, plus Alex Shvartsman will critique your short story or novel chapter, up to 5,000 words in length. He’ll provide inline notes/edits, a brief overall critique, and answer follow-up questions.
Estimated delivery: Nov 2012Pledge $90 or more
1 backer
STACK-O-BOOKS: You'll receive 10 copies of the trade paperback. Perfect for a retail store, a convention bookseller or anyone in the market for holiday presents for 10 of their humor-loving friends! Readers outside of the United States please add $35 for shipping (or $20 if you're in Canada).
Estimated delivery: Nov 2012Pledge $100 or more
1 backer
CLUB UFO VIP: You’ll receive THE KITCHEN SINK BUNDLE, plus access to an exclusive mailing list, a chance to read several UFO stories ahead of time, review story galleys, and receive an ARC (Advance Review Copy) of the e-Book before the general public.
Estimated delivery: Nov 2012Pledge $100 or more
1 backer All gone!
YOU'RE A CHARACTER! UFO contributor KEN LIU will name one of the minor characters in his future novel or short story after you. It's up to the writer's discretion exactly what this character will be like, what their story will be, and whether they end up being killed by a falling piano. But you will be immortalized in some fashion. You will also get to read the short story or novel chapter in which your character appears once it's finished and we'll let you know if/when the story is published. In addition to this you'll receive all READER VIP benefits.
Estimated delivery: Feb 2013Pledge $100 or more
0 backers Limited (1 of 1 left)
YOU'RE A CHARACTER! UFO contributor NATHANIEL LEE will name one of the minor characters in his future novel or short story after you. It's up to the writer's discretion exactly what this character will be like, what their story will be, and whether they end up being killed by a falling piano. But you will be immortalized in some fashion. You will also get to read the short story or novel chapter in which your character appears once it's finished and we'll let you know if/when the story is published. In addition to this you'll receive all READER VIP benefits.
Estimated delivery: Feb 2013Pledge $100 or more
0 backers Limited (1 of 1 left)
YOU'RE A CHARACTER! UFO contributor JAMES BEAMON will name one of the minor characters in his future novel or short story after you. It's up to the writer's discretion exactly what this character will be like, what their story will be, and whether they end up being killed by a falling piano. But you will be immortalized in some fashion. You will also get to read the short story or novel chapter in which your character appears once it's finished and we'll let you know if/when the story is published. In addition to this you'll receive all READER VIP benefits.
Estimated delivery: Feb 2013Pledge $100 or more
0 backers Limited (1 of 1 left)
YOU'RE A CHARACTER! UFO contributor MATT MIKALATOS will name one of the minor characters in his future novel or short story after you. It's up to the writer's discretion exactly what this character will be like, what their story will be, and whether they end up being killed by a falling piano. But you will be immortalized in some fashion. You will also get to read the short story or novel chapter in which your character appears once it's finished and we'll let you know if/when the story is published. In addition to this you'll receive all READER VIP benefits.
Estimated delivery: Feb 2013Pledge $100 or more
0 backers Limited (1 of 1 left)
YOU'RE A CHARACTER! UFO contributor ANATOLY BELILOVSKY will name one of the minor characters in his future novel or short story after you. It's up to the writer's discretion exactly what this character will be like, what their story will be, and whether they end up being killed by a falling piano. But you will be immortalized in some fashion. You will also get to read the short story or novel chapter in which your character appears once it's finished and we'll let you know if/when the story is published. In addition to this you'll receive all READER VIP benefits.
Estimated delivery: Feb 2013Pledge $100 or more
0 backers Limited (1 of 1 left)
TWITTER CELEBRITY: Jake Kerr will rename the @imissthenorthstars character in his story (linked here) to your actual Twitter alias! We'll even change the profile photo in the online version of the story to your profile photo (provided it doesn't use copyrighted material). In addition to this you'll receive all READER VIP benefits.
Estimated delivery: Sep 2012Pledge $150 or more
0 backers Limited (1 of 1 left)
PATRON OF THE ARTS: I will post a 2000 word humor story based on the UFO anthology cover FREE for the entire world to enjoy! The story will be published on the UFO web site and tagged "Sponsored by Your Name via Kickstarter." In addition to this you'll receive all READER VIP benefits.
Estimated delivery: Sep 2012Pledge $200 or more
2 backers All gone!
YOU'RE A STAR: I will name a MAJOR recurring character in either my Conrad Brent story series or my Magic Pawn Shop story series after you. I'll consult with you to create this character's background and story arc and he/she will appear in multiple stories and possibly even a novel! In addition to this you'll receive all KITCHEN SINK BUNDLE benefits.
Estimated delivery: Nov 2012Pledge $250 or more
1 backer
DINNER!: You get THE KITCHEN SINK BUNDLE plus a short story critique. Then Alex will take you out to dinner and “talk shop” for a couple of hours. Must take place in Brooklyn, NY or at a mutually-agreeable convention in the North East (PhilCon, BaltiCon, etc.) Will discuss a book or game project you’re working on, a submission strategy for your short stories, or any other related topics.
Estimated delivery: Nov 2012Pledge $1,000 or more
0 backers
SPONSOR: All CLUB UFO VIP benefits, plus your name will appear on the Credits page of the physical book and the e-book. We will also write an article on the UFO Publishing’s web site about you and/or help you write a guest blog post. Then we'll name a character after you or a person of your choice either in one of UFO stories, or an upcoming story by Alex.
Estimated delivery: Nov 2012Pledge $2,000 or more
0 backers
MINI WRITING WORKSHOP: All SPONSOR benefits, plus Alex will fly anywhere in the Continental United States and host an intensive one-day speculative fiction workshop for you and your writing group. Alex will pay for his transportation and hotel costs – all you need to provide is a venue for the workshop.
Estimated delivery: Dec 2012
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