Erotica for the literary sapiosexual, Ligature Marks is a collection of erotic short stories elegantly written with READERS in mind.
UPDATE: I'm working with other erotica authors, including Jordyn McKenzie and Conrad Winterwolf, to provide short stories and book excerpts as a bonus for backing the project, even at the $1 level! You get to keep the bonus stories, including the full version of "Midnight Train" (below), even if the project isn't fully funded. READ MORE HERE...
READ AN EXCERPT FROM LIGATURE MARKS: Midnight Train
Want more than an excerpt? Pledge $1 or more and get the whole story (40-50 pages) as a download right now! Keep it even if the project isn't funded!
Follow #SpecialReward on Twitter! Suggest your own "special" rewards.
Pugilist v. English language
Ligature Marks is about elevating the language of erotica. Many examples from the genre, even well-selling ones, read like a pugilist got a hold of the English language in an un-refereed match. Full-on titillation, unfortunately, is something that most respectable authors are loathe to touch—though there are exceptions.
In mainstream venues, the violence of said pugilist can attain favorable ratings, but the beauty of sexuality remains taboo—in film, it is so often cursed with the much-feared NC-17 label. Ligature Marks attempts a beautiful presentation of a beautiful act with beautiful words.
No ratings.
No censors.
No pugilists.
(Unless they're sexy pugilists.)
Details
Ligature Marks is a collection of erotic short stories which aims to arouse the mind as well as the body. It covers a range a sexual acts, including light BDSM such as spanking, rope bondage, and Dominance/submission. The collection is bawdy without being an affront to the English language—you'll find no tactless references to "meat flaps" and "dude sausages." Seriously. If you want to put your genitals anywhere near meat flaps, I think you and I are going to have to have a long, serious discussion about your sexual preferences. (Unless you literally want to put your genitals near a literal meat flap, and it's not just a poorly constructed euphemism... then, by all means. Whatever floats your boat.)
In addition to the planned stories, three lucky supporters who donate $300 or more to the project will have stories written about them enjoying their most desired sex act.
Note: Ligature Marks is a book of sex and light BDSM. I reserve the right to decline to write any stories which feature extreme or illegal sex acts, including stories featuring blood, scat, watersports, bestiality, or sex with minors. If you're considering a $300+ donation and are unsure as to whether or not your story will be acceptable, please don't hesitate to contact me.
How Kickstarter helps
Funding from Kickstarter aims to accomplish many of the back end processes that go into making a book, from hiring an editor (because you guys deserve the best), to having a professionally designed cover created. Any of the polish that bibliophiles expect in the final product will be funded with your support.
Specifically, I'm looking at $1,000 for a two pass editing job, and $300 for a cover design. Hopefully the goal amount will be exceeded, and I can put some money toward a website to support the book as well.
Get "Midnight Trains" just for pledging!
I've decided to give away the whole story, "Midnight Trains", to anyone who pledges anything, regardless of amount. Once you back the project, click on "Updates" and get the backers only download link. It's 40-50 pages and recounts the story of Sarah and the Englishman. I hope you enjoy!
Additional stories have been provided by Conrad Winterwolf and Jordyn McKenzie, and links to those stories are available via backers-only download links as well. I'm working to add more bonus stories by such gracious authors every single day.
Kicking it Foward
I'm excited to have just discovered the Kicking it Forward movement, and couldn't be more pleased to support its mission by pledging 5% of any profits back to the Kickstarter community. It's my pleasure to support the other creative types out there. Thanks to Brian Fargo for this awesome idea. More info at http://kickingitforward.org.
FAQ
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If you've pledged what you are able to and you still want to help out, you can really help out the project by spreading the word.
Share on Google+: https://plus.google.com/share?url=http://kck.st/JMDmTE
Share on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fkck.st%2FJMDmTE
Submit to Reddit: http://reddit.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fkck.st%2FJMDmTE&title=Free%20erotica%20eBook%20with%20pledge%7C%20Ligature%20Marks
Comment & <3 on Fetlife: https://fetlife.com/users/275903/posts/994694
Like & comment on Booksie: http://www.booksie.com/erotica/short_story/mjlance/ligature-marks:-midnight-train
Comment & give 5 stars on Literotica: http://www.literotica.com/s/ligature-marks-midnight-train
And share this page anywhere else you think you'll find people who will enjoy it!
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I am working with some friends who make bondage rope to try to get replicas of the kit made to give away for the Kickstarter. That said, there hasn't been an agreement yet. I'm hoping that it works out.
That said, if you are a producer of bondage rope and can for sure create some kits to give away for the Kickstarter, I'd love to hear from you.
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So, about these bonus stories we're supposed to get just for backing the project. What's that about?
I've discovered some writers who believe in the project and have donated some of their stories to be given away just for backing the project. If you pledge, you can view the backers only updates where you'll be able to download these bonus stories.
There are three stories so far, but as I talk to more and more writers, more and more stories are being added to the project.
Best of all, you keep these stories even if the project isn't fully funded. Can't beat that, right?
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Many of the people who are interested with my project are unfamiliar with Kickstarter itself and want to know how it works and if it's safe. I'm happy to help you find an answer to any questions you have about the service. If you can't find the answer elsewhere, feel free to contact me using the "send message" link above.
As far as the safety and security of Kickstarter, the website has been around for about 3 years, and all of the payments are processed by Amazon. Several projects have raised over $3 million apiece. You're only charged at the end of the fundraising period, and only if the goal amount is reached. If a project is successfully funded, you'll be sent a survey to ask you how to get your rewards to you (including how you'd like to be credited if you claim that reward, mailing address if you're due a physical reward, or email address if you're due a digital reward).
Here's an article on NPR about the site: http://www.npr.org/2011/05/31/136590974/arts-funding-site-gets-kickstart-from-business-bids
And here's Kickstarter's own Backer FAQ: http://www.kickstarter.com/help/faq/backing%20a%20project
I hope this helps ease your mind! And I'm more than happy to chat with you if have any questions. I'm @mjlanceerotica on Twitter, if you prefer.
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Kicking it Forward is a project started by Brian Fargo which I just recently discovered. Projects which join Kicking it Forward promise to pledge to pledge 5% of their net profits (not their net funding) to other Kickstarter projects, thus spurring on even more creative endeavors.
I've always had a soft spot for creative types, so I'm more than happy to pledge at least 5% to other projects.
7
Backers
$96.00
pledged of $1,300 goal
0
seconds to go
Funding Unsuccessful This project reached the deadline without achieving its funding goal on May 27, 2012.
Funding period
Apr 27, 2012 -
May 27, 2012
(30 days)
- First created · 1 backed
- Has not connected Facebook
- Website: sites.google.com
Pledge $1 or more
2 backers
My unending adoration and appreciation for your support. PLUS, get a sneak peek of the entire story, "Midnight Train", which has heretofore only been available in excerpts. Even if the project isn't funded! AND, get bonus stories from guest writers, including Conrad Winterwolf and Jordyn McKenzie, just for becoming at backer at the $1+ level.
Estimated delivery: May 2012Pledge $10 or more
4 backers
Receive a customized copy of the ebook in the format of your choice (Mobi, PDF, or ePub), with a message just for you.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2012Pledge $25 or more
0 backers
All of the above, plus receive an postcard featuring the cover art for Ligature Marks.
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $35 or more
0 backers
All of the above, plus have your postcard signed by yours truly.
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $45 or more
0 backers
All of the above, plus get credited in the "Special Thanks" section by first and/or last name or initials.
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $50 or more
1 backer
All of the above, plus a limited Kickstarter edition of Ligature Marks in paperback, available only to backers. Note: I have no immediate plans to release Ligature Marks as a paper book, so this may be your only way to get one.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2012Pledge $75 or more
0 backers
All of the above, plus have your hard-copy of Ligature Marks signed by me.
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $100 or more
0 backers
Receive a poster print of the original cover artwork designed by the author. Is it bad? Oh yeah, it's bad. But it's history, baby! Recieve all of the above rewards too.
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $125 or more
0 backers
All that, and have your poster signed by yours truly.
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $200 or more
0 backers Limited (5 of 5 left)
All of the above, plus receive a replica of the Englishman's Rope Kit. Four black bondage ropes and a set of EMT shears for your safety.
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $300 or more
0 backers Limited (3 of 3 left)
Be a character in a story! Describe the sexual situation you'd like to have, and I'll make it happen (in writing, of course). Also receive the rest of the rewards.
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012
