About this project
Daron's Guitar Chronicles: Second Omnibus Paperback
$5,258
115
UPDATE: I'm now taking Paypal (link) also and adding it to the stretch goal totals! So the real total as of right now is:
ALSO, I've promised everyone I'll release the backstage pass rewards to all backers if we can even get to $5,001! That's all it will take to get ALL REWARDS UNLOCKED!
Hi! I'm Cecilia Tan, and you might know me from the books and stories I've written in my 20+ years as a professional fiction writer. Among other things I write erotica, romance, and stories where alternative sexualities are represented. Over the years my work has been published by big companies like HarperCollins and Hachette, and by small presses like Alyson Books and Torquere Press. What i've got going on here today, though, is a story very personal to me called Daron's Guitar Chronicles.
Daron's Guitar Chronicles began, originally, in the 1980s, when I was a teenager in high school and I started to write about a gay guitarist struggling with coming out and coming of age. I tried to write a novel about him many times, and while I was getting my masters degree in writing in the 1990s I tackled the project again, eventually producing a long, flowing narrative in bite-sized fragments that simply was not a traditional novel. After much praise but rejection from many publishers, I put Daron on a back burner for about ten years.
In 2009 I got the idea to self-publish Daron's Guitar Chronicles as a web serial. The bite-sized fragments worked perfectly as serialized blog posts, and voila! Through the magic of technology, Daron began to find an audience. In 2010, Daron's Guitar Chronicles won the Rose & Bay Award for Best Crowdfunded Fiction, and in 2012 I ran my first Kickstarter, a successful effort to raise the funds to turn DGC into an omnibus paperback book. At the time, the omnibus collected the first 200 or so chapters into a phone-book sized publication.
Well, now it's 2014 and the next omnibus is ripe to be published. Covering chapters 201 through 389, Daron's Guitar Chronicles Second Omnibus will actually run even more pages than the first one did. I need your help through this Kickstarter to ensure that the result is as beautiful as the first volume. Among the people who the funds will pay: a professional proofreader, a professional cover artist and page layout designer, not to mention the manufacturing and printing cost of the books (and other rewards), plus the fees to Kickstarter and credit card processing. Here's some basic math:
Publishing costs: $800 initial proofreading
$500 interior design
$250 cover art
$300 final proofread
=$1,850
Estimated Fulfillment costs:
$420 printing 70 copies of book
$416 mailing 70 books to donors
$300 T-shirt printing for 25 donors
$155 T-shirt mailing
=$1291
Add up those two subtotals: $3,141
Add 9% to cover Kickstarter fees: $3,423
You'll notice that I haven't added anything into the cost for paying myself. Since I take donations all year round through the Daron's Guitar Chronicles serial site, and I will continue to sell the Daron ebooks and paperbacks after the campaign ends, I don't need to build in a "writer" cost here. However, should we exceed the $3,400 minimum goal, I have the following stretch goals and rewards in mind:
Stretch Goals
$4,000
At this level, I'll add two pages of "scrapbook" to the omnibus, with articles, clippings, and the like, and as an additional reward I'll send every donor the unexpurgated erotic novella "I Speak Guitar," which tells the story of Daron's trip to Seville, Spain. (This story will be appearing as regular chapters at Daron's Guitar Chronicles, but in an expurgated, PG-13 form.)
$4,500
At this level, I'll invest in the creation of paperback editions of the individual DGC ebooks, volumes 1-3. I'll need to buy new cover art for book 1, and although I have rudimentary PDFs already made for the ebook edition, they'll need proofreading. If we make this goal, the reward we'll unlock is a 2-hour online chat with Daron for all donors!
$5,000
At this level, I'll invest in paperback editions of DGC volumes 4 and 5, add two MORE pages of "scrapbook" to this omnibus, and the reward we'll unlock will be a historical timeline of DGC, possibly done as a two-page spread in the omnibus, and provided as a PDF for those getting digital rewards. Depending on what will fit, the timeline might go back as far as when Digger and Claire met, or it might concentrate on the 1980s, and it might include dates of historical interest as well.
$5,500
If we hit $5,500, I'll invest in website improvements for Daron's Guitar Chronicles, hiring someone to update my out of date WordPress and fix my broken plugins. And the reward we'll unlock will be because you're all truly rock stars: "ALL ACCESS" band and road crew passes for all donors at the $25 and above level, while those of you getting digital only packages will get a PDF of the pass you can print and laminate yourself. :-) [UPDATE: I'll do the backstage passes if we can even get to $5,001!]
REWARDS
Here's a summary of the reward levels being offered and what each one includes.
Please note: I'm also offering various "add-ons" so you can customize your rewards somewhat. See the info on add-ons at the bottom! Add ons include if you just want to add a T-shirt, a vol 1 omnibus, or a vol 2 omnibus to whatever reward you are getting. That way if you want to get, say, two copies of the omnibus, one for you and one to give a friend, you can! Or if you just want to add a shirt to a level that doesn't have it. Or the book. Etc.
$1 Supporter
Thanks for chipping in! Your reward is an ebook edition of DGC volume 1, and you'll get your name in the acknowledgments of the omnibus edition (Unless you opt out. All backers at all levels will be thanked.)
$5 Stick with Daron
Your reward is a Moondog Three band logo bumper sticker! Plus the DGC volume 1 ebook and your name in the acknowledgments.
$7 Ebook Starter
Your reward is DGC ebooks vol. 1 & 2, and your name in the acknowledgements.
$10 Ebook Triple
Your reward is DGC ebooks vol. 1, 2, and 3, and your name in the acknowledgements.
$15 Ebook Quad
Your reward is DGC ebooks vol. 1, 2, 3, and 4, and your name in the acknowledgements.
$20 Ebook Completist
Your reward is a package of DGC ebooks vol. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, and your name in the acknowledgements.
$24 Sexy Digital Completist
Your reward is all 5 of the DGC ebooks (volumes 1-5), plus 6 erotic "bonus scenes" and "Daron's Night Out," an erotic short story telling of Daron's exploits one night in Southern Cali while on tour which was only available to backers of the previous Kickstarter! Here's your chance!
$25 This is It! Give me the book!
Get an autographed copy of the Second Omnibus of Daron's Guitar Chronicles, which this Kickstarter is producing, and your name in the acknowledgements.
$26 Catch Up
What? You want to start with the first of the Daron's Guitar Chronicles omnibus volumes? Sure! Pledge here for that! Vol 1 will come autographed and your name will appear in the acknowledgments of vol 2 when it's produced.
OR GET BOTH OMNIBUS BOOKS!
$33 Sexy Omnibus
Get the Second Omnibus of Daron's Guitar Chronicles and ALSO add all the digital rewards, including all 5 of the DGC ebooks (volumes 1-5), plus 6 erotic "bonus scenes" and "Daron's Night Out." Plus acknowledgments.
$30 Tour Souvenir #1
It's time for another tour T-shirt! This one features the Candlelight and Moondog Three logos. This reward level is for just the T-shirt, no paperback, but also all the digital rewards, including all 5 of the DGC ebooks (volumes 1-5), "bonus scenes" and "Daron's Night Out." Plus acknowledgments.
$40 Tour Souvenirs #2
Get the Candlelight T-shirt and a Moondog Three tote bag! The tote bags are black canvas, sturdy enough to carry books in and straps long enough to carry on one shoulder. No paperback is included at this level, but you do get all the digital rewards, including all 5 of the DGC ebooks (volumes 1-5), "bonus scenes" and "Daron's Night Out." Plus acknowledgments.
$50 Both Omnibus Volumes!
Your reward is both omnibus paperback volumes 1 & 2! Plus we'll also send you a Moondog Three bumper sticker, and all the digital rewards, including all 5 of the DGC ebooks (volumes 1-5), "bonus scenes" and "Daron's Night Out." Plus acknowledgments.
$60 Book Lover!
Your reward is both omnibus volumes plus a Moondog Three logo totebag to carry them in! As pictured above, the tote bags are black canvas, sturdy enough to carry books in and straps long enough to carry on one shoulder. You also get all the digital rewards, including all 5 of the DGC ebooks (volumes 1-5), "bonus scenes" and "Daron's Night Out." Plus acknowledgments.
$75 Autograph Hound
Your choice of either the Candlelight T-shirt or Moondog Three logo tote bag autographed by Daron! Plus the Second Omnibus paperback being produced by this Kickstarter, and a band logo sticker, and all the digital rewards including 5 of the DGC ebooks (volumes 1-5), "bonus scenes" and "Daron's Night Out." Plus acknowledgments.
$100 (Limited to 3)
A Daron-used guitar pick and the Candlelight T-shirt autographed by Daron! Plus the Second Omnibus paperback being produced by this Kickstarter, and a band logo sticker, and all the digital rewards including 5 of the DGC ebooks (volumes 1-5), "bonus scenes" and "Daron's Night Out." Plus acknowledgments.
$100 (Limited to 5)
A personalized postcard to you from Daron, from the road. Plus the Candlelight T-shirt autographed by Daron, and the Second Omnibus paperback being produced by this Kickstarter, and a band logo sticker, and all the digital rewards including 5 of the DGC ebooks (volumes 1-5), "bonus scenes" and "Daron's Night Out." Plus acknowledgments.
$125 (Limited to 5) A stuffed-animal "tattooed" with Sharpie by Ziggy! Plus the Candlelight T-shirt autographed by Daron. Plus the Second Omnibus paperback being produced by this Kickstarter, and a band logo sticker, and all the digital rewards including 5 of the DGC ebooks (volumes 1-5), "bonus scenes" and "Daron's Night Out." Plus acknowledgments.
$250 (Limited to 5)
Total goody package! Includes: Stuffed animal tattooed with Sharpie by Ziggy, personalized postcard from the road from Daron, Daron-used guitar pick, Candlelight T-shirt autographed by Daron, Moondog Three logo tote bag, plus the Second Omnibus paperback being produced by this Kickstarter, and a band logo sticker, and all the digital rewards including 5 of the DGC ebooks (volumes 1-5), "bonus scenes" and "Daron's Night Out." Plus acknowledgments.
$350 (Limited to 1) Ziggy's Diary: Literally This will be a one-of-a-kind calligraphic art object, a hand-lettered notebook containing all the chapters of Ziggy's Diary. With this reward you would also get the Second Omnibus paperback, Candlelight T-shirt autographed by Daron, band logo sticker, and all the digital rewards including 5 of the DGC ebooks (volumes 1-5), "bonus scenes" and "Daron's Night Out." Plus acknowledgments.
$350 (Limited to 1)
Ziggy's Notebook
This will be a one-of-a-kind calligraphic art object, a hand-lettered notebook containing at least ten pages of song lyrics written by Ziggy. With this reward you would also get the Second Omnibus paperback, Candlelight T-shirt autographed by Daron, band logo sticker, and all the digital rewards including 5 of the DGC ebooks (volumes 1-5), "bonus scenes" and "Daron's Night Out." Plus acknowledgments.
$350 (Limited to 1)
Daron's Notebook
This will be a one-of-a-kind calligraphic art object, a hand-lettered notebook containing at least ten pages of song lyrics written by Daron. With this reward you would also get the Second Omnibus paperback, Candlelight T-shirt autographed by Daron, band logo sticker, and all the digital rewards including 5 of the DGC ebooks (volumes 1-5), "bonus scenes" and "Daron's Night Out." Plus acknowledgments.
$500 (LIMITED TO 5)
One-hour private IM chat with Daron or Ziggy.
Chat as a fan or role play. With this reward you would also get the Second Omnibus paperback, Candlelight T-shirt autographed by Daron, band logo sticker, and all the digital rewards including 5 of the DGC ebooks (volumes 1-5), "bonus scenes" and "Daron's Night Out." Plus acknowledgments.
$1,000 (Limited to 1)
Custom Story
I will write a short story featuring any character of your choice, and produce a single-copy limited edition signed chapbook for you. (The story itself may appear later on the site.) With this reward you would also get the Second Omnibus paperback, Candlelight T-shirt autographed by Daron, band logo sticker, and all the digital rewards including 5 of the DGC ebooks (volumes 1-5), "bonus scenes" and "Daron's Night Out." Plus acknowledgments.
ADD ONS:
To help you customize the reward you get, we are offering a couple of add-ons, if you raise your pledge to cover the additional items.
To add Omnibus Volume 1 to any reward above, up your pledge by $26 and in the backer questionnaire you will receive at the end of the campaign, specify you'd like DGC Omnibus Volume 1 as an add on. (If you're international, increase your pledge by a total of $36 to include the additional shipping cost.)
To add Omnibus Volume 2 (this kickstarter's project!) to any reward above, up your pledge by $25 and in the backer questionnaire you will receive at the end of the campaign, specify you'd like DGC Omnibus Volume 2 as an add on. (If you're international, increase your pledge by a total of $35 to include the additional shipping cost.)
To add the Candlelight T-shirt to any reward above, up your pledge by $23 and in the backer questionnaire you will receive at the end of the campaign, specify you'd like the Candlelight T-shirt as an add on. (If you're international, increase your pledge by a total of $28 to include the additional shipping cost.)
Risks and challenges
I ran a Kickstarter very similar to this one two years ago and the main difficulty was that we underestimated two things, 1) how much international shipping was going to cost, and 2) how long proofreading was going to take. Fortunately, now Kickstarter has a much better system for accounting for international shipping costs which will help us immensely, and when it comes to proofreading, I will admit I got a head start and already contracted someone to do the work!
When it comes to the actual fulfillment, packing the envelopes, etc. I was very fortunate to have a few friends and fans of Daron come to help pack everything up and get it all shipped in a timely fashion. We did all the packing in a single night -- just like Santa's elves. I will be asking for volunteers to help me out again, and I hope some folks will answer that call again!
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Funding period
- (30 days)