Whew! We're a go!
about 6 years ago – Sun, Feb 04, 2018 at 08:36:01 AM

[Note: There seem to be some issues with the KS site, so sorry for the delay on sending this out and also for not being able to "link" the links below.]

Ok, well, whew - we're at the minimum now - thanks to the new backers (hello!) and thanks to those of you who upgraded also (aww!).  

Please do let people know about the project. Any additional pre-orders will help a lot with the cover, map (must have map), and editing. And that certainly includes the e-book pledges - they raise the visibility of the project and get it to even more people.  

Here's the link to share:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/atthisarts/diamondsong-escape/  

And if you haven't yet, don't forget to check out our/my new websites. Each has a subscription list (one for our publisher and one for my writing) and no spam shall be sent. She dost not spam!  

Anyway, the project is live for another day - we'll see how it goes! Thanks for being part of Dime's journey. ♥ ♥ ♥

http://atthisarts.com/  

http://edebell.com/

Final Hours: Some Thoughts
about 6 years ago – Sun, Feb 04, 2018 at 08:35:23 AM

We are in the last 48 hours and have not reached the minimum. But—I’m still a believer this is going to fund, so I’m not out making pleas for it or calling in favors, etc. (Though of course I'm actively trying to spread the word.) I BELIEVE. I just love the story.

I was thinking today about why this isn’t connecting the way I'd like it to. I know some people are put off by me saying that the stories are socially conscious. I go back and forth on it - in some regard I’d just like to stick to saying they are fantasy. Fantasy rules! But, I do think their modern edge sets them apart. On the flip side, if I’m not upfront about it and just go for "it's epic" I get huge pushback from naysayers who are offended that my writing isn't “traditional” enough. (Read, inherent racism/speciesism, only implied and sidelined queerness, swooning yet covertly "strong" women with a token woman warrior who is "so bad ass," sexual and gory violence, on and on.)

So I’ve kind of tried to own that I’m different and that I am trying to bring something modern to fantasy, which as I’ve discussed, I believe is really right in line with fantasy’s roots. Fantasy is the new fantasy, you know. But I know that costs me too.

Another issue I run into is that there is probably a lot of leverage right now in the empowered female message. But I can’t do it. Yeah, the book is totally ladies gettin’ stuff done. But it’s also men. And non-binary folks. And my readers statistically are at least half male (♥ you). And I’ve never been into the whole girl power / strong woman message because I feel that promoting it actually runs counter to the whole point, which is that it is NOT surprising that women are strong. Of course they are. Promoting something as “features strong women” to me reads as though I’m kind of backing up the same stereotypes I’ve spent 40+ years rejecting. I don’t know if that makes sense, but it does to me. Also, it’s hard to describe the implications of something when you’re not worried about gender rules. If I say the book is feminine, well, I think it is. Part I is almost all female characters, (more non-females get introduced later) and they aren't accompanied by or backing up men. So, great. But now we’re back to why is that more odd than having a scene carried by a man and - what, we need a separate genre? Lady fantasy? That’s goofy and, well, harmful. And, being even more blunt, if I say how feminine the book is, it might imply a certain type of feminine. Which I’m not and feel no pressure to be. I am who I am. So, anyway, if you value gender equality and rejection of silly old stereotypes in life and fiction, I hope you’ll pass the word along about Diamondsong. Because sometimes I’m not sure how to do it.

So that’s some of me rambling. I do this. I know I didn't say the above very eloquently, but I have a whole lot going on today and wanted to get something out to you. So, you know, pretend it was profound or at least on point.

The best and most genuine thing I can say is that I’m thrilled that each of you has supported this project. I’m thrilled you’ll read the story, which I do really love (have I mentioned that), and I think is fun and, sure, a little weird. Thank you, thank you, thank you to each one of you. I see every one of you on that list (including the anonymous ones) and am so happy.

We’ll see how these last 48 hours goes - sharing the link, especially with a recommendation, is always appreciated.

Speaking of which, I have followed this creator for a while. She makes all sort of fantasy baubles and treats, and she and her husband are now working on these lux dragon/wyvern silver (as in actual silver) pendants. If you need some fantasy bling, I’d give the project a look:

 

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ninabolenart/make-100-dragon-wyvern-silver-pendant-by-nina-and/

Cheers - E

A quick note of thanks
about 6 years ago – Thu, Feb 01, 2018 at 10:40:52 PM

So there has been some discussion over whether it's preferred to thank people via updates or to send personal notes to each backer. Some people love the personal notes to show the sincerity and appreciation of the project team, and others view them in a negative light - as either too much or even, counter to the intent, impersonal.

While I haven't send personal notes on this campaign, I will consider it moving forward. I'm still a bit torn on the idea. I back campaigns myself, and I don't usually find notes as personal as the updates, unless they really have something specific to say to me. So I want to let you know my rationale was trying not to clutter your messages, or come across with a thank you that, while sincere, may sound form-lettery.

Please know that I do appreciate each of you. I see each pre-order come in and look at each person and say yay!, usually literally, like an out loud yay. (And those of you who registered as guest, I don't know who you are but I still look and appreciate. And there is still a yay.)

This isn't just about money. (Not minimizing that books cost dough, but that's not all that's going on here.) It's about sharing a story that I love and believe in. And so every $3 pledge is a really big deal to me. I want you to know that. Thank you!

As for the campaign, I am hopeful that it will reach the minimum funding. I'm hopeful it'll start showing up in searches as the campaign runs out. So I'm not going to put out any sort of plea, because it's just not that kind of situation. This is a creative project I believe in and want to get to people, and at this point in my writing, I hope people will see what I can do and that they will enjoy it.

That said, sharing the project really is helpful. Both online, and to people you know in person. If they aren't familiar with Kickstarter, I think it's nice to tell them about it. As I often tell people, even if they aren't interested in this story, there are so many great artists out there doing beautiful creative things. We need more of that, I think.

So, sincerely from me, thanks to each of you for supporting this project. I hope you love the story like I do. And let's hope in the next few days, that word spreads.

Hope you all have a great day, or evening, or wherever I've found you in this big beautiful world of ours.

Cheers, E.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/atthisarts/diamondsong-escape/

Taking a Breath - and Breath
about 6 years ago – Tue, Jan 30, 2018 at 05:42:20 AM

We are moving toward the end of the campaign now and have not yet reached the minimum. I do admit I'd hoped we'd have more traction by now - despite a lot of readers not being engaged with Kickstarter (I get that), the project has been shared a humbling number of times by online groups, including several conventions. And (watch me be confident) I know I have something special - I love this story. I love the story, the world, the characters, and all of its layers. And as much as I think Part I: Escape is exciting and funny, I think it only gets better from here. So I do hope you'll let people know, and maybe as we near the end we'll get more exposure. Of course I want to meet the minimum goal, but the minimum is truly that - any additional interest helps us create the product that we envision for you. Thanks again for your support - I am honored (and happy) for it. It's a good story. Despite all my writer insecurities, I will tell you that. It has heart, and humor, and love, and a good dash of sparkle. I will love for you to read it. And I really appreciate the interest and the shares - those are always so helpful, because even after all of this, I'll continue to hear people say they don't know about the project.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/atthisarts/diamondsong-escape/

I'm also excited to see that one of our typesetting clients, the talented Victoria Dougherty, is on Kickstarter with a unique paranormal romance: Breath. That means my husband's FACE is on her Kickstarter page! That aside (Hi, Chris), her writing is excellent and her stories exciting. If you enjoy the genre, I hope you'll check out her new novel, Breath:

Nif and Sherin are Ninti. They share a deep and powerful devotion that puts them both in mortal danger, while propelling them towards an extraordinary fate that ensures they will live infinite human lives...and suffer an equal number of deaths. Together they must solve a mystery that spans the ages, or risk losing one another forever

 

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1866758796/breath-an-epic-young-adult-romance-novel/

Hope you have a great week! ♥ - E

New Sites, New Story, New Cousin
over 6 years ago – Thu, Jan 18, 2018 at 06:53:36 AM

Ok, we finally got them ready - our new websites! ★ Ta da! ★

While there are still updates to be made, the new sites are online. All fresh for your enjoyment. We hope you'll check out the new atthisarts.com as well as the new edebell.com - where there's a story available for download! (If you didn't read the anthology Call of the Warrior, you can enjoy my take on fighting for lactation in the workplace. Yes, it was a story about warriors, and I went for lactation. But, see, office warriors are real too, and emotional battles require heroes every bit as brave. I hope you'll enjoy it.)

Please continue to let people know about Diamondsong. Sharing the link with a recommendation is really helpful. I’m working through the first set of edits now, and honestly - I'm only getting more excited about it.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/atthisarts/diamondsong-escape/

My Thriller-Writing Cousin

Ok, he's not actually my cousin, though maybe he should be - he seems cool. I enjoyed talking to Justin Bell, the creator of crime thriller Duck Duck Goose, also an indie with great passion for his work. It has different elements than Diamondsong, but they are both written by Bells, both of us with a certain flair for the campaign video (his is actually hilarious and now I need to up my game), and both stories feature a woman trying to change the direction of her life but being pulled in a different direction instead. Give it a look! 

 

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/349158974/duck-duck-goose-a-crime-thriller/

Cheers, E.