Another extra bonus flash goal!! ^_^
almost 3 years ago – Thu, Mar 23, 2023 at 02:49:49 PM

Folks, we are only $346 away from crossing the $5000 raised mark... soooooo close I can't stand it any longer, LOL... so I'm pulling out more EXTRA BONUSES! 

Yep, we're having another FLASH GOAL! 

If we manage to raise $5000 by midnight on Sunday, March 26th, ALL backers will get a FREE EBOOK copy of Outlaw Christmas, my 2022 Christmas short story set in the Legacy of Lucky Logan world - complete with a brand new illustration - AND a set of two stickers so you can declare which team you're on: #poorVan or #saveVan ! Hehe. (Digital backers will get the sticker designs as downloads!)

Now, let me explain those two rewards a bit:

I always get a little sappy around Christmastime, so for the last few years I've been caving to that feeling and writing up some (sort of) sweet and fluffy Christmas-themed stories set in the Lucky Logan world. It's been a fun excuse to take a little bit of a lighter track from the main series AND explore some extra character backstories or get to know some secondary characters better. This particular story though is especially special to me, because it details Van and Holt's first Christmas together.

If you haven't read any of the main series yet, Holt is the grizzly old outlaw who took Van in at the age of 16 after his parents died. I won't tell you anything more as much of their history is explored through my other short stories (which you can find compiled in the Tales of the Territories ebook also offered in this campaign) or through the main series itself... but needless to say, Outlaw Christmas is pretty much the start of their semi-father-son relationship, lol.

This story was in part inspired by the Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, of all things, because readers have said before that the relationship between Van and Holt reminds them of the relationship between Peter and Yondu.

And that holiday special was a nice little showcase of Peter and Yondu’s relationship, which I personally love… and it made me think… “What if this year’s Christmas short story was about Van and Holt, and one of the Christmases they spent together?”

Once I started thinking down that path, I realized it would be fun and super interesting to be able to see things from HOLT’S point of view for once, since we’ve not gotten inside his head at all yet during this series or any of its shorts. And so... Outlaw Christmas was born!

 It's rated R for some language and implications of violence, and here is its blurb: Holt Haggerty has managed to save at least one of his former best friend’s kids from death, and now the two spend their first Christmas together. Too bad the kid is already startin’ to wear on Holt’s nerves…

And it's all yours for free if we can manage to hit this next flash goal!

Now, about those stickers...

Let's take a minute to talk about... MORALLY GRAY HEROES!!!

I didn't really realize almost all the heroes I write are morally gray until everyone else started touting morally gray heroes, and I was like, "Oh yeah. That's my jam!" 

Because in my opinion, a character who is all good or all bad is just ... really not all that interesting. At least not to me personally.

As a reader or viewer or gamer, one of my VERY FAVORITE THINGS is to explore the gray areas of morality in practically any given situation. Which explains why games like Red Dead Redemption, Red Dead Redemption 2, and The Last of Us are some of my VERY favorites.

And why games like Telltale's Game of Thrones and Detroit: Become Human, which make YOU, as the player, make some REALLY HARD decisions, are just so delicious to me.

Likewise, when I read books that aren't afraid to put their characters into really tough situations, and force them to make some really hard choices (and let them not always make the right choice, too), OOF... those are the books that get seared into my brain and that I end up OBSESSING over! 

So I suppose it should come as no surprise that that is exactly what I do to the main character of my Legacy of Lucky Logan series Van Delano. 

And that's where those two sticker designs come in... becasue in fact, regular readers of the series and I have a running joke in my Discord server, and that is... #poorVan ... which means, we feel for the guy, but we're totally there for his suffering. >.< Lol.

While an author friend of mine *cough*cough* has started a #saveVan campaign, it seems... because he's of the opinion I am much too hard on poor ol' Van.

But the point of the matter is that Van IS a morally gray hero, and one of my favorite things about writing this series is getting to explore that slippery slope he's on. Much of what happens to him is a result of his own actions (obviously), but the questions I hope readers ask themselves are "How far exactly IS he gonna go to save his sister?" and "Can he still be redeemed?"

WILL he cross that line??? Or not? 

SO! Here is your chance to declare which team you're on... #poorVan or #saveVan ... and if you haven't read the series yet, don't worry! You'll get both designs if we unlock this flash goal so you can make your decision later! ^_^

SO!! If you know anyone who would love a book series about a morally gray hero, feisty heroines, and a dangerous heist (among many other action-packed scenarios), be sure to share this campaign with them, and let's unlock more loot! WOOT!!

A few more badass campaigns!

And before I go... I've found a few more GREAT campaigns!!! 

I'm super excited that an author friend of mine is ALSO making a short film, EEEEE!!! Hers is a fantasy, and at its core it features a relationship much like a few of our favorites... *ahem*...

If you like these stories, then I'm quite sure you'll also be interested in THE SILVER LADY, a fantasy short film! You can check out all the details here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1620530384/the-silver-lady-a-fantasy-short-film

And secondly... I've said it once and I'll say it again... I'm a huge sucker for pretty things, and these hardbacks are just TOO GORGEOUS!

Not to mention this series has a strong theme of found family, which, if you know anything about my Legacy of Lucky Logan series, is a serious favorite of mine!

You can check out the Witches of BlackBrook boxed set campaign right here to learn more about it: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/tishthawer/the-witches-of-blackbrook-luxe-editions-boxed-set

All right, I'd better get back to working on the next book now, but I'm SO EXCITED to create all these amazing things for you...

So let's do this! Thank you so incredibly much for your support so far... I couldn't do this without you! <3

-- Jeni

FLASH GOAL IN THE BAG AND STRETCH GOAL 2 *UNLOCKED*!!!! ^_^
almost 3 years ago – Tue, Mar 21, 2023 at 11:14:22 AM

WE DID IT AGAIN!!

We not only blew past our Flash Goal of $3500 before Sunday (which means ALL backers will now get BOTH "F*ck the Algorithm" designs, woot!!! #whychoose) we have now surpassed $4000 raised... in fact we are just over $4600 at this point, EEEEE... which means STRETCH GOAL #2 HAS BEEN UNLOCKED!! 

That means ALL backers (digital and physical) will get a free download of the amazing Bargain at Bravebank theme song, written and performed by Aaron Hollingsworth, free of charge! WOOT! 

Aaron did such a great job on this tune; it really captures the tone and essence of the entire series. And wait till you hear the lyrics... they are a great intro into the first book! 

You'll have to wait to hear the lyrics till you get your download, but in the meantime, if you haven't seen the brand-spanking-new book trailer created by Kristen Lee which uses the fabulous instrumental part of the song yet... here it is!!! Take a look and listen and see what you think! 

Our next stretch goal unlocks at $6000... at which point I will have our wonderful artist Taylor Park whip up some ADORABLE chibi versions of our grizzled western heroes (and villains mehe - just don't tell them about it!) for a set of stickers!! 

Here is a preview of Taylor's chibi style, which I LOVE! 

Aren't they just too cute!? I can't wait to see Van, Charlotte, Sally and Holt (and Nan *cough*cough*) rendered in such a fashion, so cross your fingers we get to $6k!

Annnnd there are more surprises coming down the pipeline for all of my backers on this campaign... but more on that later... 

Don't forget to share around with any of your friends who might also be lovers of action-packed adventure stories OR beautiful books and book swag! ;)

WE CAN DO IT!!!! 

ALSO... SPEAKING OF BEAUTIFUL BOOKS... 

I happened to find this incredible campaign for a romantic fantasy retelling of Hades and Persephone meets The Little Mermaid, and I was intrigued.

I am a sucker for pretty things, too, and this campaign has a LOT of really pretty things on offer, lol. Sooooo needless to say, I'm hooked in more ways than one, ha!

Let's just say I'm going to be getting my hands on some of this loot, for sure! And that being the case, I wanted to share it with you all, as well, as I thought it might also be something you'd love!

Take a gander and see what you think: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/thebonethiefstale/exclusive-illustrated-hardcover-edition-and-audiobook

And that is all I have for you today... I am busy over here thinking up some more awesome bonuses to offer you wonderful backers in the meantime...

So with that, I hope you have a fabulous rest of your day and I shall return again SOON with more NEWS... THANK YOU once more for your support of an indie project and an indie creator! 

-- Jeni

FLASH GOAL TIME!!! How about an extra free sticker??? ^_^
almost 3 years ago – Fri, Mar 17, 2023 at 08:34:20 AM

We are cruising right along and are now only $24 AWAY FROM $3000 y'all!!!!  EEEE!!!

I was in downtown Kansas City all day yesterday setting up our table for Planet Comicon 2023...

So I wasn't able to check in on our progress all day! But I was super excited to see when I finally got to have a look that we're SO CLOSE to nudging over the $3k mark! 

That being said... it's FLASH GOAL TIME!!!!! 

That's right... IF we can manage to hit $3500 raised by the end of this weekend (that's midnight on Sunday, March 19th), ALL backers will get one of these designs as a FREE STICKER! (Digital backers will get a digital version they can print out as they see fit!)

Mehehehe.

(And if we reach that goal BEFORE Sunday, there just might be something extra in it for everyone, too... )

If you know me at all, especially as a reader of mine on my newsletter, then you know this motto fits in ALLLL too well with my attitude as an author. 

BUT, what I LOVE about this is that it can apply to SO MANY OTHER THINGS TOO. 

What does it apply to for YOU???? Lemme know in a comment if you'd like (plus which color option you like best!), and in the meantime be sure to spread the word about this campaign to anyone else you think might like to embark on this romping adventure so we can hit that goal! ^_^

And of course, if you have ANY questions at all about this campaign, any of the rewards, the books, etc, or even are thinking of a reward you'd LOVE to have but don't see featured on the campaign, don't hesitate to reach out to me here or in the message inbox, or even email at [email protected] and I'll be more than happy to help you out!

Can't wait to see you behind the backer wall... and if you're there already, thank you so much!!! I can't WAIT to get you all your goodies!!! These are going to be EPIC!

-- Jeni 

YOWZA! What a whirlwind first day!
almost 3 years ago – Wed, Mar 15, 2023 at 09:04:33 AM

HOLY COW! THANK YOU SO MUCH to everyone who has backed this campaign so far!!! <3

We've already funded AND unlocked our FIRST STRETCH GOAL: gold-foil accents to the Vengeance Oracle card, which is included in all physical pledges over $55, woot!

Just imagine that bad boy with all those gold bits in REAL shiny gold foil!! WOOT!

Plus, this project has now received the Project We Love badge from Kickstarter!!! AWWWW. What a way to feel loved!

The Project We Love badge comes from Kickstarter staff, who actually personally review campaigns and decide whether or not to grant the stamp. I am honored and touched they have decided my campaign is a "brilliant example of creativity", as they say in their award email, and worthy of their notice! YAY!

We are currently sitting pretty at $2693 raised so far with 15 days left to go, and our next Stretch Goal is unlocked at $4000, where ALL backers will get a FREE download of the custom-commissioned Bargain at Bravebank theme song...

Yes. That's right. Bargain at Bravebank has a THEME SONG and it's EPIC!!! Fits right in with the theme songs of tv shows like Westworld, Deadwood, Godless, and Hell on Wheels... and yes, it will be used in the upcoming Bargain at Bravebank short film! SQUEE!!!

And all backers of the campaign will get a FREE sneak peek of it themselves if we can manage to hit our next goal.

The Launch Day discounts have ended now... but there are still plenty of high-quality, premium goodies to grab for yourself if you haven't yet! (... okay, except for the DELUXE editions, there aren't many of those left, so if you want 'em, get 'em now!)

Hope to see you behind the backer wall if you're not already there! ;)

-- Jeni