Another Excerpt - also, Be a Turtle!
about 7 years ago – Mon, Feb 27, 2017 at 04:50:49 AM

We're almost done, and I am so appreciative of each of you! I wanted to provide something else. I considered whether I could release another excerpt - clearly spoilers in a third book are a big issue for people that haven't started the series, and also just context. But - then I thought, for the last Kickstarter I released the scene when Cor visited Porto Nobile. Here, then, is part of Cor's journey through Gardenia, from The Scattered Bond.

=====

Cor turned down a narrow street between towering walls, stunned by what she encountered with each new step. The books she’d read described Gardenia as a land of opulence and prosperity, featuring illustrations of elaborate architecture, high garden walls, and the grand Presidential Estate, where the U.G. was headquartered.

Here, shells of buildings stood like gravestones as silent inhabitants huddled under moldy front awnings, escaping the heat that sweltered inside. The streets reeked of waste, and Cor stepped around garbage and murky liquid. Fires burned in small pits, adding wafts of chunky smoke to the pungent odors of the narrow alleys.

Children chattered and played, many with soiled pants that looked as though they hadn’t been washed in weeks. Some of the adults toiled at repair or craft, while others looked asleep, or already intoxicated in the early stretches of the morning. The buzz of insects swelled, interrupted by hacking and coughing of sick children who leaned against the rotten boards of the buildings.There were no gardens, trees, or other signs of plants, to eat—let alone to enjoy. A child picked at a small bone, most likely of a rodent. Overwhelmed and wanting to help, but knowing she couldn’t risk drawing attention to her magic, she kept her eyes ahead and walked with brisk steps.

Through her side-vision, heads turned as she passed. She wondered why, unlike in Porto Nobile, everyone here was staring at her. Though her clothes were clean, they were simple. There were others here with dark skin. Perhaps, then, her hair stood out.

Oh. But, it could not be her pregnancy. Most of the women, even the young girls here appeared to be pregnant. Maybe, she realized, it was all of these things. Or, any of them. Anger rose within her, an anger she had not felt for a while, not since her days of writing columns as Dr. Issa-Large.

I forgot. Cor’s anger turned on herself. How dare I forget?

=====

Be a Turtle!

We also love the total cuteness and happy vibe of this fun project from Peter Chiykowski. Do you want to be a turtle? We do! And he’s going to show us how:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/rockpapercynic/be-a-turtle-and-other-secrets-to-a-happy-life

=====

Just Three Days Left -

Please tell people about the project, and please share out the link. Thank you! I hope you’ll love how it all turned out. I do.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/atthisarts/the-scattered-bond

- E

P.S. If it seems like I’m saying “I” more than “we” lately it’s because this project is indeed personal to me, beyond the boundaries of Atthis Arts. I love my little trilogy. So thanks for your help. ♥

Good news and more good news
about 7 years ago – Wed, Feb 22, 2017 at 08:50:12 AM

Since my message last night, we've had six limited edition sales from three continents (including one Emperor pledge), one hardcover from right here in Dayton, and one e-book (Hello, Philadelphia) - and suffice it to say we have now reached our minimum goal. So this thing is a go. Thank you.

Bottom line: I would still very much appreciate you sharing the link. We were really hoping to exceed the minimum (our costs do). And like I said, it's not just the money - it's the exposure. Getting the book into more people's hands, getting more reviews up front, dramatically increases its chance of success. Still relatively few people have read this series, and I'd love to change that. As in indie author, word of mouth is really everything. (Other than quality, of course, and I've spent every day for the past year on that part. I work hard!) So, please - let people know who you think might be interested. Sharing the link is great, but sometimes just thinking of someone who is into unique fiction and sending them a note is even better. Anyway, thank you!

Also, someone pointed out to me that despite my lengthy descriptions - I never actually described the plot on the Kickstarter page. Oh. So, if you send people to the page now, that should be more clear.

In the sake of my always-transparency, I'd just like to add - at this point we (Atthis Arts or me personally) will not receive any part of this funding. It all goes to pay the bills we have for the project - including the cover illustration, three developmental edits (one major, one minor, and one review), line edits, and setup costs for the offset printer. These are all small business and/or independent artists located in Washington, Texas, Maryland, and Michigan. So you're not just enabling a quirky fantasy author (*waves*) you are enabling the artistic village.

So here's the next piece of good news. I got into GenCon50! Yes, I've still been digesting this - but it's true. The competition for the Author's Avenue was so intense they closed down registration basically as soon as they opened it. (Wow, so glad I left that meeting...ahem...) And then even from those applicants they screened and selected. So because of that, I am going to accelerate the printing schedule to get the copies of this book before then - which means you'll have your copies mid-August instead of late. (E-book too; we wouldn't hold out on you.) And I have no idea what that kind of exposure can do for the series, but I'm going to be there and find out!

Prior to GenCon, I'll be at (in order) Great Lakes Comic Con, Gem City Comic Con, Saint Louis Comic Con, Motor City Comic Con, and Columbus Comic Con.

Thanks again for the support. Indie publishing is a challenge as is breaking through some of the negative perceptions about pre-order campaigns like this one, but I think it's a worthwhile challenge because it allows for free expression and thematic exploration - risks the traditional publishers might not be interested in taking. And the reason I need the pre-orders is because I didn't cut corners or settle on quality. As I think you'll see.

Thanks for sharing the link, and maybe I'll see some of you at events. (I'd like that.)

Love - E

That link again: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/atthisarts/the-scattered-bond

Ok, I’m worried!
about 7 years ago – Wed, Feb 22, 2017 at 07:04:52 AM

Yes, I'm worried now. And, no, I wasn't before.

I really didn’t think funding this campaign was going to be a big issue, because even though this is the third book in a series:

• It's fantasy! It's nerdy and interesting and different. Also dragons.
• Everyone says this is my best book yet
• It’s the final book in the series, so there's no ongoing commitment
• You can order the whole trilogy at once, which I thought was pretty handy for people who haven’t read the series.

We totaled about $4500 in Kickstarter pre-sales for Book 1, and $7000 for Book 2, and now we’re sitting at just over $1600 with a week left for the finale, and I’m sort of baffled. Is it me? Is is talking about inclusiveness? Openness? Or non-violence? Is the pregnant woman not showing proper decorum? For the first time, I’ve even had someone with a campaign write to me about spreading “immoral” beliefs because I stated my support for LGBTQ issues. Yet, that person’s campaign is doing better. Well, this is who I am, and the essence of art is honest expression.

I’ve tried not to be pushy with this campaign (which was a relief, really), but yet I’ve reached out to a lot of people who I thought would enjoy it, and people and organizations have shared the campaign out (with some really glowing recommendations) to thousands of people. Yet here we are.

So, no way am I giving up, but - if you know anyone who would enjoy the series, please do let them know. Sharing the link is great, but also telling people in person, or showing them the website. Emailing people. We have a lot more bills (editing, illustration, etc) than the minimum amount (I’ve not cut back on the quality, which I think you’ll see), but funding would be a huge, huge help - not just for the money but the exposure also. So I will continue to reach out over the next week as best I can. I’ll give it my best!

Here’s the bottom line. - I do believe this story is for everyone, whatever their politics, background, or interests. I mean that very sincerely. It’s fantasy. Fantasy is all about exploration! And this story is about magic and struggles and connections and - of course - dragons and wizards. I’m really proud of it, and think it continues to get better as it goes.

I am truly grateful to each one of you for believing in me and believing in this story. I have seen every person that pledged and individually appreciate each of you. (I see you!) I really love how the series wraps up and hope you will as well! I have put so much effort into making it awesome. You deserve that! The genre deserves it. Because, as I've said from the beginning, I love fantasy fiction.

Cheers, E

Again, here’s the link:  https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/atthisarts/the-scattered-bond

A Testimonial and an Excerpt
about 7 years ago – Thu, Feb 16, 2017 at 04:51:38 AM

One of the early readers for The Scattered Bond, a Navy Sailor (which makes me love the included reference even more), wanted to share her thoughts with you. Thanks, Ma’am - I'm thrilled that you enjoyed it.

"I have recently finished the last book in this amazing trilogy and all I can say is 'Wow' with tears in my eyes that this is the end. I felt I was on the edge of my seat as I breathlessly read each chapter like I was right there at the end with the humans and dragons fighting for their world. I really believe that Ms. Bell's books are genre changing. I love her themes of inclusiveness, how she fights for gender equality and animal compassion and I love how she crafted a vibrant, multi layered society of dragons. Personally, I am head over heels for the cover of this book and I hope to see it in glorious hardback. Seriously a pregnant wizard riding a dragon? Yes please!

"I am writing this message because we have only about two weeks left in the campaign! Your help is needed to fund this project. We need all hands on deck and your help in promoting this project is greatly appreciated.  Independent published books offer a unique chance for non traditional characters and themes to be shared into the world and this trilogy is chock full of them.  Please share this project any way you can, encouraging others to take a chance and pre-order this book and start reading the trilogy today.”

Next, is the first excerpt I’ve released from the book. (Clearly I am looking to avoid spoilers.) To set the stage, there is an upcoming presidential election, where a man, Smel’ny’ Pond, from Marshstate is running against the popular incumbent, Gregory King. In his previous visit to the capitol city, Gardenia, Smel’ny’ realized that people of the Marsh are treated with great cultural condescension there - people claim to revere and celebrate their tribal, sometimes nomadic nature, yet do not take them seriously as a people. They certainly cannot envision a Marshman as president. Yet, Smel’ny’s aims are broader, and so he has returned to the city to campaign. He wants to send word to his mother, but as women are prohibited from learning to read, he must send the letter to his father. That letter follows.

Father,

I have arrived again in Gardenia, and I plan to stay here through the summer until the election is complete. While I’ve done my best to visit even the reaches of the Marsh, I’ve accepted that most voting is done by the people here in the city, those for whom the voting offices are within the morning’s reach. And so here is where I must be.

Returning was not easy. Memories of the attack aside—and they are not aside—I cannot feel comfortable in this place. I can get used to the busy streets and the large, thick buildings, of course, but my unmixed Marsh features stand out here like a winter bloom. If I am a stranger, they treat me with curiosity, mimicking my speech in their questions. If they recognize me for the sole alternative to President King this fall, they laugh and cheer me on. And those are the more pleasant encounters.

It is not to say I do not like Gardenia. I believe I would grow to love it. Perhaps, though, I do not fit in. Even when they accept me here, I do not. When my eyes close, I am surrounded by swaying grasses and croaking toads. It is who I am.

I don’t want Mum to worry about me, so please read her this letter. Consider it a concession to your world-traveling son! If she is concerned, tell her it contains no politics. (This is our joke.) Just tell Mum I miss her and I will see her in the fall.

Dry Patches and Sparkling Nights,
Smel’ny’

Please tell others about the campaign, and the ability to order the whole trilogy at once, if they are new to the series. I appreciate your support for independent publishing, as well as for my little project. Cheers - E

The link:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/atthisarts/the-scattered-bond/

Government Warbeasts and Impossible Places
about 7 years ago – Wed, Feb 08, 2017 at 05:45:03 AM

Thanks to everyone who has joined us for The Scattered Bond - we are so happy you're here and really hope you'll love the series. Please share the link to others who might enjoy - word of mouth is the indie author's most powerful resource.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/atthisarts/the-scattered-bond/

We, too, love to share indie projects - there is so much joy in being part of an artistic community. Here are a couple that caught our eye. Hope you check them out!

Utter Fabrication

This looks so interesting! The Mad Scientist Journal out of Seattle is putting together an anthology of first-hand accounts of non-Euclidian structures (yes!) and other weird places. They’ve produced several successful books in the past with a diverse author base and an emphasis on supporting authors from marginalized groups. We’re in, and hope you check it out too:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/bolthy/utter-fabrication-tales-of-haunted-houses-and-weir

 

Devil Spy Comic

There is so much spirit to this fun comic from Portland about a government-created human-animal hybrid who's told to clean up all the bodies after the war he was created to fight in is already over. Over this background of whimsical dark humor is a story about friendship and loyalty. Aww, yay. We’ve ordered our copy!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jaymzbernard/devil-spy-book-one