Kickstarter

Hey everyone,

I was convinced I'd sent an update last week. I definitely typed it up here. One of the writers just mentioned that there've been no updates for a while, and all high and mighty I got ready to box with him. But alas, the update I posted vanished. Weird.

Anyway,  so Tim had his crack at the puzzle-making aspects of the manuscript. He wove and patched, so to speak. He decided in his infinite wisdom that we needed three more stories. I agreed to do one, which I finished earlier in the week. The other two are still being worked on. I managed to time my other work so that I had a gap for the story. Others are not so lucky or flexible. It should take about two more weeks for the remaining two stories,

In the meantime, things that have happened: We got ISBNs, so our books will have proper barcodes for bookstores. I've made arrangements to have the signing pages printed. I thought this would be faster, but the printer wouldn't do it until they started printing the books. So I found another printer that works with the one we're using who will do them in advance.

Nothing is ever as fast as you hope it will be, but we're getting really close to having that aspect of it ready. We plan to make a map and mark where the pages are as they go around the globe. That map will live on the Red Phone Box Facebook page, so if you'd like to see it, you should like/follow that page which is here: http://www.facebook.com/The.Red.Phone.Box.

Books are looking really good. I have the edited manuscript on my desk to look over while we wait for the extra stories. So far it's beautiful. It's up to 100,000 words now with extra added in for the remaining stories. Crikey!

When we get closer to having things to send, I'll start asking you for your addresses. I don't want to do it too soon, in case you move or whatever.

We're still pretty much on schedule, I hope. I'd wanted to have the books at least at the printers by now, but we had this chat about whether it was better to have great books or to get them done quickly and we agreed that great was better than fast.

That's all, really. I should be able to update you again in a couple of weeks when remaining stories should be finished and, hopefully, the signing pages will be making their way somewhere.

I'm going to be sending out a survey very soon asking how you'd like your name to appear in the acknowledgements. (That's part of your rewards, all of you.)

love and peace,

Salome (and Tim)

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to give you a brief update. We've been working on some final tweaks to the manuscript and layout while we wait for the money you all made happen to be released from Kickstarter.

We received an email from them today telling us how much they're sending and saying that it might take a few days to clear. Once that happens, we'll be able to get started on the aspects of the project that cost money. These are things like setting up printing for the various editions and paying license fees for the things that require them.

We will also be able to get the Ben Templesmith posters and the postcards from London photographer David Southwell printed.

There's still plenty of work for us to do and we're still very excited about it!

As soon as we can, we'll be starting the signing sheets on their trip around the globe. We plan to create a map that tracks their progress so no one can say to you when you get yours, "You don't know where that's been." 

More soon.

Love,

Salome

You know when you give a puppy a treat and he jumps around like a lunatic? That's kind of me right now, Salome, while Tim sits calmly and Britishly and grins like a lunatic. 

263 backers, £6671. We're floored.

Thank you all so much. It's been a ride. The other writers are as thrilled as we are. The cute comments I've been getting in email are awesome. Some of the quieter members of the team are even using capital letters in their emails. heh.

I'll be sending out a survey to collect your addresses. I think those surveys come as messages on your Kickstarter message box. I'll send out an update after I do it so you'll know to look if you don't come around here often.

Also, I'll keep you up to date on book progress. Only rarely though, so you won't be faced with so many messages. :) We're all glad I won't be sending out so many. hahaha

HERE IT COMES, HERE IT COMES! SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

*squee-sposion*

We can't thank you all enough. You guys have renewed our hope for creativity and books. I was going to invoke Alexander Dumas. I have an illustrated copy of The Count of Monte Cristo that my dad apparently borrowed from his high school library and 'forgot' to return. It's the first adult book I ever read when I was about eight. I've thought many times recently that books might go away. I've looked at that big, old tome, with its fading color book plates and thought "Alexander Dumas is crying in his grave," but this project has made me feel that people still really love books.

Thank you, thank you, thank you. For us as writers, this is very hopeful.

And now LET'S MAKE BOOKS!

Love,

Salome and Tim

Thanks to over 250 people, our stretch goal has been achieved! We're down to the last 24 hours.

I might babble if I try to say too much, but I'm so very grateful to every one of you for your help. I can't wait to put the books and posters and other stuff in your hands.

I barely slept last night. At 3 a.m., I got up and started working on the hardcover book layout so that I could resolve a question I had about the page count. You know you have it bad when you get out of bed in the middle of the night and start blocking out text. 

What I have to tell you is that I'll be sending out a survey to collect your addresses and so forth and in which you can remind me if you signed up for anything special so we can double check our notes and spreadsheet.

You all have made this possible. Thank you so much. 

And yes, now we'll be writing a long article about the obstacles that face small publishers in trying to compete with the big guys. 

Love, love, and oh my god, you people are amazing!

Salome and Tim