About this project
AU$ 3,586
140
The anthology
Ecopunk! Speculative Tales of Radical Futures examines how humanity might cope with dramatic changes in nature, and adjust to new versions of normal.
Ecopunk! shares stories in which the human race embraces these changes, using innovative technologies and fresh attitudes to make our emerging world sustainable.
The stories we have chosen for these pages explore a plethora of possible futures. Our amazing Australian and international authors have blown us away with their powerful, near-future visions, inspiring us with humanity standing strong with optimism and hope.
The table of contents includes:
- Adam Browne, “The Radiolarian Violin"
- Matthew Chrulew, “Future Perfect”
- Emilie Collyer, “From the Dark”
- Jason Fischer, “Milk and Honey”
- Thomas Benjamin Guerney, “The Mangrove Maker”
- Claire McKenna, “Mr. Mycelium”
- R. Jean Mathieu, “The City Sunk, the City Risen”
- D.K. Mok, “The Wandering Library”
- Jason Nahrung, “The Today Home”
- Ian Nichols, “First Flight”
- Shauna O'Meara, “Island Green”
- Rivqa Rafael, “Trivalent”
- Jane Rawson, “The Right Side of History”
- Jane Routley, “The Scent of Betrayal“
- Andrew Sullivan, “The Butterfly Whisperer”
- Janeen Webb, “Monkey Business”
- Corey J. White, “Happy Hunting Ground”
- Tess Williams, “Broad Church”
- Marian Womack, “Pink Footed”
- An essay on speculative and climate fiction by Cat Sparks
These stories explore meteorological, agricultural and biological technologies, alternative histories, arcologies and communes, the beauty in flooded cities, innovations in cross-continental travel, animals on the verge of extinction, androids, reality tv shows, new food sources, environmental refugees, blurring the divide between humans and animals, and above all, friendship, family and love.
The editors
![Cat Sparks and Liz Grzyb (L-R) [photo by Cat Sparks]](https://ksr-ugc.imgix.net/assets/018/166/703/5013f2aabd65e2c247aea0e226f298f3_original.jpg?w=680&fit=max&v=1504357817&auto=format&q=92&s=3fdd34c0278b47a026a57331bf240f4c)
Cat Sparks was fiction editor of Cosmos Magazine from 2010-2016. She managed Agog! Press, an Australian independent press that produced ten anthologies of new speculative fiction from 2002-2008. She’s known for her award-winning editing, writing, graphic design and photography. Her short story collection The Bride Price was published by Ticonderoga Publications in May, 2013. The book was nominated for an Aurealis Award and won the Ditmar for Best Collected Work in 2014. Her debut novel, Lotus Blue, was published by Skyhorse Press this year.
Liz Grzyb was born in the middle of a thunderstorm in Perth, Western Australia. She is the award-winning editor of acclaimed paranormal romance anthologies Scary Kisses and More Scary Kisses, the Orientalist pantomime Dreaming of Djinn, steampunk romance Kisses by Clockwork, feminist spec-fic Hear Me Roar, co-editor of the paranormal noir Damnation and Dames and The Year’s Best Australian Fantasy and Horror series from Ticonderoga Publications. Liz is often to be found sipping champagne and debating the fate of the Oxford comma.
How you make Ecopunk! real
Every dollar helps. In 21 years of publishing we've learnt that it is an upfront business - the publisher pays the writers, the printers, the artists before the book is produced, and then sends out books to reviewers and bookshops, all before any money comes in. As a small press we are sometimes limited in our ability to absorb these initial outlays.
We've priced our reward levels as good value pre-orders. You'll get the book for what you'd expect to pay in a store, we get a bit of a buffer, and everyone gets paid!
Timeline
- September 2017 - Kickstarter ends
- October 2017 - Special preview event at Conflux convention, Canberra.
- October 2017 - rewards copies shipped
- October 2017 - anthology goes on sale worldwide
Budget $11,000 (AUD)
- Author payments $5,000 (5c/word)
- Editor payments $500
- Layout and original artwork by Peg Hewitt $500
- Printing (approx 300 copies) $3,000
- Review copies $1,000
- Shipping (rewards) $1,000
TOTAL $11,000
We're aiming low with our target to cover the absolute basics: paying the writers, sending them copies, and covering your rewards (and the kickstarter fees).
The Hoodie
We want one, we know you want one too.
(Unisex, S-2XL, cotton/poly blend, ethically sourced materials.)
The silks
When Liz isn't editing anthologies or at her day job as an English teacher, she likes to dye silk scarves and dance veils. You can get your hands on one of these unique scarves as a Kickstarter reward. Silk is a natural fibre, breathable and sustainable, and Liz dyes them with a low-chemical process using vinegar.
Choose from one of the five elemental colour schemes:
- Earth - greens, golds and browns
- Water - blues, teals and aquatic greens
- Air - blues and greys
- Fire - reds, oranges, yellows and pinks
- Magic - purples and reds, sometimes mixed with aquamarines and greens
The scarves are made from 8mm silk (except the XL scarves which are 5mm silk), are machine-hemmed and come in the following sizes:
- Small - 135cm x 20cm
- Medium - 150cm x 35cm
- Large - 180cm x 55cm
- Extra Large - 270cm x 110cm
All these scarves are unique. They are hand-made: the size may be within 3cm of these measurements. As each scarf is dyed individually, there may be imperfections and surprising colour combinations which add to the character of your silk.
See more examples of these silks at: https://www.facebook.com/ChampagneSilks/
UPDATE: To celebrate the additional reward tiers, once we reach 70 backers, one lucky backer from the first 70 will receive a silk scarf in their choice of elemental colour schemes (earth, water, air, fire and magic).
The winner of this competition is backer PURRDENCE. Congratulations! We'll be in touch at the end of the kickstarter about your prize.
UPDATE 2: Once we reach 80 backers, one lucky backer will receive a paperback copy of Cat Sparks' award-winning collection The Bride Price!
The winner of this competition is backer Amy Louise Brennan. Congratulations! We'll be in touch at the end of the kickstarter about your prize.
UPDATE 3: Once we reach 100 backers, all of our backers will receive an ebook of The Year's Best Australian Fantasy and Horror Volume 1, edited by Liz Grzyb and Talie Helene.
Risks and challenges
The risks are slim. We have a proven track record of making books happen on time. This title is almost ready to go to print. With your support we will make this happen.
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Funding period
- (19 days)