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69 HOURS LEFT! More THE GARLICKS HARDCOVERS, Final Wave of Pandora's Kit, Have a Custom Sketch Added to Your Book!

Update #19 · Jun 18, 2012 · comment

As we move into the final 60-some hours for THE GARLICKS, a big thanks for your support! Now, for the almost-final incentives of the campaign!

A second wave of 40 copies of THE GARLICKS hardcovers have been added at the $40 reward level! They will be unnumbered, but will be signed and sketched, like all copies of THE GARLICKS.

A LIMITED run of 10 THE GARLICKS Kurt Eats a Bug hardcovers are available at the $70. level. You'll get a signed hardcover with a custom drawing of Kurt Busiek eating a bug, mini-prints, a PDF of THE GARLICKS, and a sticker!

The FINAL wave of the popular PANDORA'S KIT is ready: a customized pencil bag with pencils, a blank moleskine, a copy of THE GARLICKS trade paperback, mini-prints, and a PDF of THE GARLICKS. Get yours at the $80. pledge level!

Finally: if you've already pledged at $25. and up and want a sketch of Kurt Busiek Eating a Bug in your copy of THE GARLICKS, just add $15. to your existing pledge! Simple!

xo, Lea

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How We're Bringing THE GARLICKS Home Fully Funded

Update #18 · Jun 17, 2012 · 2 comments

As THE GARLICKS: Pandora Garlicks, Fail Vampire heads into its final days,  I need your help to make the last big push to get it fully funded, and it CAN BE DONE. (I will also eat a bug*. Really.)

Here's how:

Everyone who's pledged, PLEASE tap FOUR people who haven't backed THE GARLICKS and encourage them to pledge at least $25. (That gets them a signed and sketched in book, a PDF, a sticker, and their name in the book.) That will generate $29,600** in funding, which puts us past goal.

Tell your friends who like Twilight, My Little Pony, want their kids to read more, like vampires, like genre fiction, like manga, parents you know who wonder where the good genre comics for kids are, or people who want to feel good about supporting a single parent entrepreneur.

Please post about THE GARLICKS to Facebook, Twitter, email lists, your blog(s), Tumblr, etc.Tell people THE GARLICKS needs their help to reach its funding goal.

If you've got a Big Name pal you can nudge to support THE GARLICKS with a Tweet, Facebook or blog entry, please do. If you've got an in at a site like The Mary Sue (who already covered TG, THANK YOU, GALS) or BoingBoing.net, please tell them about THE GARLICKS.

I'll still be doing my P.T. Barnum thing, too.

Know what else? It'd be COOL to get THE GARLICKS Kickstarter across the finish line in four days. You can say, "I WAS THERE!" You will all be badass Fishbats.

LET'S DO IT! I want to start drawing THE GARLICKS, already!

*I'm not kidding. I will eat a bug. I get to choose the bug, and I will not CHEW the bug, but I will eat one.

**The math: Backers so far: 296. If each of you gets four friends to pledge, we have 1,184 more backers. Get each of them to pledge $25., that's $29,600.

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Incentives UNLOCKED! EAT A BUG! And New Print!

Update #17 · Jun 15, 2012 · comment
UPDATE! The Kurt Busiek Eats a Bug prints will be signed by me AND KURT!

Here are the new incentives: KURT BUSIEK, Big Name Writer of Astro City, Marvels, JLA/Avengers (and Big Fan of THE GARLICKS)  is shown in an awesome new signed print eating a Madagascar Hissing Roach (it's cute, I promise)! There's also a $50. custom EAT A BUG incentive, which is a copy of THE GARLICKS with a sketch inside of Kurt eating the bug of YOUR choice, plus the print and other goodies!
(Scroll to the bottom for the PRINT INCENTIVE image!)
In his own words:

"I want THE GARLICKS to happen. I want that book. I want it so bad, I'm willing to eat a bug to get people to support it. Or at least, I'm willing to claim to.

I have no limits. I will claim to eat any kind of bug you want. If enough pledges come in, I'm perfectly willing to claim to have caused the extinction of entire insect species. I'm just that committed.

I call this the Renfield Strategy. Entirely fitting, for a graphic novel about vampires, I'd say.

And hey, now you can have my bug-eating claims immortalized! An original sketch of me eating whatever kind of bug you want, as drawn by Lea in your own copy of THE GARLICKS! Stinkbug, goliath beetle, pillbug -- drive Lea mad, looking up reference! Heck, I'll claim to eat Herbie the Love Bug. Or a clandestine listening device. Inelegant and glitchy computer code. Ambush Bug. Any kind of bug you want!

And if we get enough takers, maybe we'll unlock a level where I'll sign the sketches, too,  authenticating my claim of having eaten said bug, just for you!

Support THE GARLICKS. I'll claim to eat a bug -- and you'll get a one-of-a-kind keepsake of it! AND a great book!

Now how much would you pay?"Here is the new incentive: a print of adorable Kurt Busiek about to eat the first of many bugs I'm willing to draw in your book! And, c'mon, don't you want this print signed by Kurt, too?YEAH, you do.

ONLY SIX DAYS LEFT! Be a backer! Share with your friends and family! Raise your pledge!
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$9,000. INCENTIVE UNLOCKED: THE GARLICKS HARDCOVER!

Update #16 · Jun 12, 2012 · comment

As hinted, passing the $9,000. level has unlocked THE GARLICKS hardcover! This will be an edition exclusive to Kickstarter and limited to 50 books. The hardcovers will have a tipped-in plate identifying it as a Kickstarter-only book with the number of the edition and my signature, plus a sketch in the book itself.


There are 35 copies at the $40. level, 5 at the PAN'S BOOKS $70. level, 5 at the PANDORA'S KIT (BLACK) $95. level, and 5 at the PAN'S LIBRARY $105. level.
You can upgrade your current pledge to get a hardcover!

A big THANKS to Anthony Cardno who put THE GARLICKS past the $9,000 mark!

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What a Successful Kickstarter Does for Me

Update #15 · Jun 12, 2012 · 1 comment

About half of the post-fees and taxes raised for THE GARLICKS via Kickstarter goes towards paying me to produce the art for THE GARLICKS, which will be serialized online three times a week,  readable for FREE, and then will be collected into a trade paperback.

This pay I've budgeted for gives me a year of financial security so I can focus solely on making THE GARLICKS. In the interest of letting you see exactly where your pledges (and your wonderful confidence in me) are/is going, here's my monthly budget:

My base pay is $125. a page, 12 pages minimum per month. That pays for this on a monthly basis:

  • Rent $300.
  • Food $300. (Even rice and beans cost money, and I have cats and two teenagers.)
  • Utilities $240. (Hey, busted water heater!) and phone.
  • Gas $50. (Going without a car isn't an option in a city without proper public transportation.)
  • Summer daycare (and evening daycare during the school year) for my son with autism. He requires constant supervision and time with peers. $200.  (Without the daycare, I can't work, his sister can't work, and we're all effing miserable.)
  • Health insurance $30.
  • Car insurance $80.
  • Meds $40. (That are, quite literally, lifesaving.)
  • Paying back personal loans made to me and bills that piled up while I wasn't working: $150./month

The remainder goes into savings against large regular expenses like car inspection and registration, tax preparation, taxes, and also emergencies or disasters. (Broken car, broken glasses, the aforementioned busted water heater, sick me, sick kids, you get the idea.) Things that can wipe out funds for rent, food and insurance. (Hi ho, drove around with expired registration for three months, car water heater blows up, prescription co-pay doubles...)

I'm hoping this will make you more likely to pledge or even increase your pledges! Your money is going towards not only a new graphic novel, but helps a cartoonist and single parent of two teens (one special needs, one hoping to go to college) keep her household together.

THANK YOU! Please keep sharing THE GARLICKS Kickstarter across all your social networks!

xo,

Lea

1 Comment
426
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pledged of $40,000 goal
0
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Funding Unsuccessful This project reached the deadline without achieving its funding goal on June 21, 2012.

Funding period
May 22, 2012 - Jun 21, 2012 (30 days)

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  • Pledge $5 or more

    11 backers

    LILY: A lovely THE GARLICKS wallpaper for your desktop, and acknowledgement at The Garlicks website as a backer.

    Estimated delivery: Jul 2012
  • Pledge $10 or more

    77 backers

    VOURDAIN: A PDF of THE GARLICKS when it's complete, plus acknowledgement at The Garlicks website as a backer.

    Estimated delivery: Jul 2012
  • Pledge $15 or more

    19 backers

    OLIVE: A PDF of THE GARLICKS when it's complete, a set of 4 high-quality 4.25" x 5.5" mini-prints of Pandora, Ham, Fishbat Ham, and a surprise character, plus acknowledgement at The Garlicks website as a backer. Outside of the US, add $5. for shipping.

    Estimated delivery: May 2013
  • Pledge $20 or more

    10 backers

    EAT A BUG PDF! Kurt Busiek is willing to eat a bug to support THE GARLICKS, so here's a signed print of writer of him EATING A BUG, plus a PDF of THE GARLICKS when it's complete, a set of 4 high-quality 4.25" x 5.5" mini-prints of Pandora, Ham, Fishbat Ham, and a surprise character, plus acknowledgement at The Garlicks website as a backer. Outside of the US, add $5. for shipping.

    Estimated delivery: May 2013
  • Pledge $25 or more

    130 backers

    PAMILA: A signed copy of THE GARLICKS trade paperback, the PDF, and your name in the book recognizing you as a backer. Outside of the US, add $16. for shipping.

    Estimated delivery: May 2013
  • Pledge $30 or more

    16 backers

    EAT A BUG! PAMILA: Kurt Busiek is willing to eat a bug to support THE GARLICKS, so here's a signed print of Kurt Busiek EATING A BUG (see update 17 for image), a signed copy of THE GARLICKS trade paperback, the PDF, and your name in the book recognizing you as a backer. Outside of the US, add $16. for shipping.

    Estimated delivery: May 2013
  • Pledge $35 or more

    18 backers

    PANDORA: A signed copy of THE GARLICKS trade paperback, the PDF, the swell mini-prints, and your name in the book recognizing you as a backer. Outside of the US, add $16. for shipping.

    Estimated delivery: May 2013
  • Pledge $40 or more

    3 backers

    EAT A BUG! PANDORA: The signed print of Kurt Busiek EATING A BUG (see update 17 for the image), a signed copy of THE GARLICKS trade paperback, the PDF, the swell mini-prints, and your name in the book recognizing you as a backer. Outside of the US, add $16. for shipping.

    Estimated delivery: May 2013
  • Pledge $40 or more

    10 backers Limited (30 of 40 left)

    THE GARLICKS: Pandora Orange, Fail Vampire HARDCOVER SECOND WAVE! This second wane of THE GARLICKS hardcover isn't a limited edition, but will still be the same wonderful book, and will be signed an sketched in! It also comes with a PDF copy of THE GARLICKS and a sticker!

    Estimated delivery: May 2013
  • Pledge $40 or more

    35 backers All gone!

    INCENTIVE UNLOCKED! Kickstarter EXCLUSIVE: THE GARLICKS: Pandora Orange, Fail Vampire HARDCOVER LIMITED EDITION! This hardcover will have a tipped-in plate that is signed and numbered, and a sketch in the book. The edition number is determined by when the backer pledges, so get in early! It also comes with a PDF copy of THE GARLICKS and a sticker!

    Estimated delivery: May 2013
  • Pledge $50 or more

    6 backers

    KURT BUSIEK EATS A BUG BIG PACKAGE! In your copy THE GARLICKS trade paperback you will get a custom sketch of Kurt Busiek eating any bug you want: doodle, fly, hissing roach, the cute little car kind, a dung beetle. You'll also get a signed Kurt Busiek Eats a Bug print, the PDF, the swell mini-prints, and your name in the book recognizing you as a backer. Outside of the US, add $16. for shipping.

    Estimated delivery: May 2013
  • Pledge $55 or more

    9 backers

    PAN'S BOOKS: Get "Pan Orange", a special behind-the-scenes THE GARLICKS sketchbook, plus a signed copy of THE GARLICKS trade paperback, the PDF, the swell mini-prints, and your name in the book recognizing you as a backer. Outside of the US, add $16. for shipping.

    Estimated delivery: May 2013
  • Pledge $60 or more

    2 backers

    EAT A BUG! PAN'S BOOKS: Kurt Busiek is willing to eat a bug to support THE GARLICKS, so here's a signed print of Kurt doing that (see update 17 for image), plus "Pan Orange", a special behind-the-scenes THE GARLICKS sketchbook, plus a signed copy of THE GARLICKS trade paperback, the PDF, the swell mini-prints, and your name in the book recognizing you as a backer. Outside of the US, add $16. for shipping.

    Estimated delivery: May 2013
  • Pledge $70 or more

    5 backers All gone!

    INCENTIVE UNLOCKED! PAN'S BOOKS HARDCOVER! You get a signed, numbered and sketched limited edition HARDCOVER of THE GARLICKS plus "Pan Orange", a special behind-the-scenes THE GARLICKS sketchbook, the PDF, the swell mini-prints, and your name in the book recognizing you as a backer. Outside of the US, add $16. for shipping.

    Estimated delivery: May 2013
  • Pledge $70 or more

    3 backers Limited (7 of 10 left)

    KURT BUSIEK EATS A BUG *HARDCOVER* BIG PACKAGE! In your copy of THE GARLICKS hardcover you will get a custom sketch of Kurt Busiek eating any bug you want: doodle, fly, hissing roach, the cute little car kind, a dung beetle. You'll also get a Kurt Busiek Eats a Bug print (signed by me AND Kurt!), the PDF, the swell mini-prints, and your name in the book recognizing you as a backer. Outside of the US, add $16. for shipping. Note: this is an unnumbered hardcover, not a limited edition one.

    Estimated delivery: May 2013
  • Pledge $80 or more

    5 backers Limited (5 of 10 left)

    PANDORA'S KIT GREEN: A second wave of PANDORA'S KIT. This is the kit I use to create every piece of art that becomes a GARLICKS page: Prismacolor pencils in blue, red, and black, a GREEN pencil bag that doubles as a pencil cup and can be hooked into a binder,and a blank Moleskine notebook. I'll draw a GARLICKS character on your bag, too! You also get the Pan Orange sketchbook, a signed copy of THE GARLICKS trade paperback, the PDF, the mini-prints, and your name in the book recognizing you as a backer. Outside of the US, add $22. for shipping.

    Estimated delivery: May 2013
  • Pledge $80 or more

    1 backer

    FISHBAT: TWO signed copies of THE GARLICKS trade paperback, PLUS the Pan Orange sketchbook, the PDF, the mini-prints, and your name in the book recognizing you as a backer. Outside of the US, add $22. for shipping.

    Estimated delivery: May 2013
  • Pledge $80 or more

    5 backers Limited (1 of 6 left)

    LIMITED OFFER! PANDORA'S KIT: This is the kit I used to create every piece of art that becomes a GARLICKS page: Prismacolor pencils in blue, red, and black, a pencil bag that doubles as a pencil cup and can be hooked into a binder,and a blank Moleskine notebook. I'll draw a GARLICKS character on your bag, too! You also get the Pan Orange sketchbook, a signed copy of THE GARLICKS trade paperback, the PDF, the mini-prints, and your name in the book recognizing you as a backer. Outside of the US, add $22. for shipping.

    Estimated delivery: May 2013
  • Pledge $80 or more

    2 backers Limited (18 of 20 left)

    PANDORA'S KIT TEAL, FINAL WAVE: the FINAL limited set of the kit I used to create every piece of art that becomes a GARLICKS page: Prismacolor pencils in blue, red, and black, a TEAL pencil bag that doubles as a pencil cup and can be hooked into a binder,and a blank Moleskine notebook. I'll draw a GARLICKS character on your bag, too! You also get the Pan Orange sketchbook, a signed copy of THE GARLICKS trade paperback, the PDF, the mini-prints, and your name in the book recognizing you as a backer. Outside of the US, add $22. for shipping.

    Estimated delivery: May 2013
  • Pledge $85 or more

    1 backer

    RETAILER-ONLY 5-book package (must provide proof after funding): 5 signed copies of THE GARLICKS trade paperback and 5 stickers. Price includes shipping.

    Estimated delivery: May 2013
  • Pledge $85 or more

    3 backers

    Plush FISHBAT: An adorable handmade 5-6" long plush fishbat, just right for decor or snuggling! You also get a signed copy of THE GARLICKS trade paperback, the Pan Orange sketchbook, the PDF, the mini-prints, and your name in the book recognizing you as a backer. Outside of the US, add $22. for shipping.

    Estimated delivery: May 2013
  • Pledge $90 or more

    7 backers Limited (18 of 25 left)

    LIBRARY! A LOT of books! A copy of THE GARLICKS, signed and sketched in, the PDF, the Pan Orange sketchbook, signed and sketched copies of my other creator-owned books: Cathedral Child, Clockwork Angels, and Rumble Girls, and a copy of my 2011 sketchbook, BUNNIES, BUNNIES! Outside of the US, add $22. for shipping.

    Estimated delivery: May 2013
  • Pledge $95 or more

    5 backers All gone!

    INCENTIVE UNLOCKED! PANDORA'S KIT HARDCOVER BLACK: A signed, numbered and sketched HARDCOVER copy of the Kickstarter-exclusive edition of THE GARLICKS plus the kit I use to create every piece of art that becomes a GARLICKS page: Prismacolor pencils in blue, red, and black, a BLACK pencil bag that doubles as a pencil cup and can be hooked into a binder,and a blank Moleskine notebook. I'll draw a GARLICKS character on your bag, too! You also get the Pan Orange sketchbook, the PDF, the mini-prints, and your name in the book recognizing you as a backer. Outside of the US, add $22. for shipping.

    Estimated delivery: May 2013
  • Pledge $100 or more

    2 backers

    ESPRESSO WITH FRIENDS: THREE signed copies of THE GARLICKS trade, THREE sets of mini-prints, a PDF, and your and two friend's names in the book recognizing you as backers. Outside of the US, add $22. for shipping.

    Estimated delivery: May 2013
  • Pledge $100 or more

    4 backers All gone!

    ORIGINAL ART from the THE GARLICKS "pilot," with a Certificate of Authenticity. You also get a signed copy of THE GARLICKS trade paperback, the Pan Orange sketchbook, the PDF, the mini-prints, and your name in the book recognizing you as a backer. Outside of the US, add $22. for shipping.

    Estimated delivery: May 2013
  • Pledge $105 or more

    5 backers All gone!

    INCENTIVE UNLOCKED! PAN'S LIBRARY HARDCOVER! This package will be a Kickstarter-exclusive signed, numbered and sketched HARDCOVER of THE GARLICKS, the PDF, the Pan Orange sketchbook, signed and sketched copies of my other creator-owned books: Cathedral Child, Clockwork Angels, and Rumble Girls, and a copy of my 2011 sketchbook, BUNNIES, BUNNIES! Outside of the US, add $22. for shipping.

    Estimated delivery: May 2013
  • Pledge $130 or more

    4 backers Limited (6 of 10 left)

    PAINTING! A ORIGINAL 5" x 8" watercolor painting of one of my characters from THE GARLICKS or any other book I created, or something general like a "superheroine" "a black cat with wings." (Sorry, no portraits of pets or people, or copyrighted characters.) You'll also get the signed and sketched THE GARLICKS trade, the PDF, the Pan Orange sketchbook, mini-prints, and your name in the book recognizing you as a backer. Outside of the US, add $22. for shipping..

    Estimated delivery: May 2013
  • Pledge $145 or more

    3 backers

    RETAILER-ONLY 10-book package (must provide proof after funding):10 signed copies of THE GARLICKS trade paperback and 10 stickers. Price includes shipping.

    Estimated delivery: May 2013
  • Pledge $175 or more

    2 backers Limited (6 of 8 left)

    MONSTER: You get a character named after you! Always wanted to be in comics, but you're a reader through and through? This is your reward! A character will be named for you, your cat, your mom, etc. I'll keep it tasteful, but I can't promise your namesake won't be the buttmonkey! You'll get a high-quality print of the page you appear on, too! You also get a signed copy of THE GARLICKS trade paperback, the Pan Orange sketchbook, the PDF, the mini-prints, and your name in the book recognizing you as a backer. Outside of the US, add $22. for shipping.

    Estimated delivery: May 2013
  • Pledge $235 or more

    2 backers Limited (3 of 5 left)

    EXTRA MONSTER: You (or a real person or pet you know) as a character in a walk-on role! Want to be a teeny-tiny bit famous? I can do that! You'll also get a high-quality print of the page you appear on, PLUS a sketch of yourself in character! You also get a signed copy of THE GARLICKS trade paperback, the Pan Orange sketchbook, the PDF, the mini-prints, and your name in the book recognizing you as a backer. (BTW, the person/animal you pick can't be a celebrity or a copyrighted character. I love My Little Pony, too, but I can't put Pinky Pie in.) Outside of the US, add $22. for shipping.

    Estimated delivery: May 2013
  • Pledge $350 or more

    3 backers Limited (2 of 5 left)

    PANDORA'S DREAM BAG: This is the ULTIMATE backer reward and there's just FIVE of them! It's ALL of the previous rewards in a custom-printed medium-size courier bag by Rickshaw Bagworks. (It's big enough to hold an iPad or 13" laptop!) In your bag will be THE GARLICKS trade paperback, the Pan Orange sketchbook, my three previous graphic novels, Cathedral Child, Clockwork Angels, and Rumble Girls, my 2011 sketchbook BUNNIES BUNNIES, the mini-prints, Pandora's sketch kit (the customized pencil bag, pencils and blank book), a Fishbat plush, and a red/blue/black original drawing of a THE GARLICKS character (you choose!), a few packets of my favorite instant coffee, and possibly some magic pencil shavings. (You'll also get the PDF!) Outside of the US, add $22. for shipping.

    Estimated delivery: May 2013
  • Pledge $2,000 or more

    0 backers Limited (2 of 2 left)

    VAMPIRES FLY! I bring myself, copies of THE GARLICKS, the Pan Orange sketchbook and prints (up to$500. total value at cover price) to any event/school/bookstore in the continental U.S. I'll stay two days and two nights, sign and sketch in all the books, and do up to 3 hours of workshops. The reward's delivery date is May, but I can visit any time between September 2012 and June 2013. If I appear earlier, the signed and sketched books will be shipped after printing. This reward is for conventions/ schools/bookstores only. (You'll have to provide proof.)

    Estimated delivery: May 2013
  • Pledge $5,001 or more

    0 backers Limited (1 of 1 left)

    KURT BUSIEK eats a REAL BUG! Seriously. Kurt Busiek will eat a bug. One that's ok for humans to eat, but definitely a bug. You'll also get the PAN'S DREAM BAG incentive & the KURT EATS A BUG print signed by me and KURT!

    Estimated delivery: May 2013