Printed edges...or no? Plus, the vote's been cast on chapter headings! See what won and unlock it at $5500! NEW Stretch goal!
about 1 year ago – Sat, Oct 21, 2023 at 05:08:58 PM

Greetings witches & dragon lovers,

Apparently chapter headings are popular with you guys! And I agree, the book will be so much better with it! So, I went ahead and designed them ^_^ And thanks to the very helpful feedback I received on the last update, I lightened the illustrations significantly. 

Please note, these are mock ups, and do not reflect the true look of the pages. It will print much lighter as the screenshot i took is of the "shaded" mock up.  

Here is one of the Blood & Scales chapter headings:

Thank you for everyone who gave feedback! It was really helpful to know you guys loved them and it encouraged me to get them done.

And since we are on the topic of the book interior, take a look at this! 

Now, you may be wondering whether this upgrade will be in the eBook. Sadly, no. Only unlocked illustrations will be in the eBook. Since images files are so big, it makes eBooks too large to send :( Especially when you start adding a picture per chapter! So, these chapter headings will be exclusively in the printed editions. 

Exciting news!

I recently discovered a company who formats finished books to have printed edge designs!

And since I ended up not using the dragon I drew for the chapter headings, I figured it would make the PERFECT design for printed edges! 

Unfortunately, this service comes at a cost. Which means I have to add it as a stretch goal to help cover it.  

Between the printed edges and chapter art, this book is shaping up to be absolutely gorgeous! And I am so grateful you are here with me making it a reality! But, I could really use your help to get the campaign in front of more backers. 

So please share it with friends and family! 

And since I now have a better idea of stretch goals, here is the updated graphic to track progress with!

Which stretch goal are you most excited for?

I look forward to hearing your votes on our favourite stretch goal and whether you like edge designs or not!

Yours in Art,

Therena

Here are some more campaigns i think you might enjoy!

Chapter heading...yes or no? Help me decide! (Flash goal) So close to the next stretch goal!
about 1 year ago – Thu, Oct 19, 2023 at 07:50:23 PM

Greetings witches & dragon lovers,

Today I wanted to delve a little deeper into the making of the book. You see, for me designing the book is like cultivating a living breathing entity that changes and grows as time goes by. Like good wine it only gets better over time! I think that is one of the reasons I LOVE Kickstarter! Not only do I get my book into real people's hands, but they can be a part of the process, and as I stare at the book critically for hours on end to make sure it is perfect, it helps me look outside the box.  Plus, having to think of stretch goals to make things better really pushes my creative thoughts.

Which is what I wanted to share today. 

Originally I hadn't planned on creating chapter art for the book... But, since my previous novel had 14 different designs, the thought never sat right with me. Perhaps I have impossible standards for myself, or perhaps just really high ones. 🤷‍♀️Either way, I have been doodling with the idea of adding chapter headings to the hardcover.

Here is my first concept I am toying with:

I honestly have mixed feelings. I am not certain if this will be the final rendition...I will have to sleep on it. But, I love the design I illustrated so far...it just needs...something... 

What do you think? I think if I don't use it for the chapter headings, I can always turn it into a sticker for a stretch goal or something. 🤔

But...if I go ahead with this chapter heading, that means I need to come up with a second one for "Flesh & Fur"! But this time something with a wolf 😶. Hence my dilemma. I have struggled with ideas for chapter headers for this book for months now. And I really, really want to add one. But, my Muse has been frustratingly silent thus far. 

So, I come to you for help. Do you like chapter headings? If so, do you prefer more graphic ones or more illustrated ones? 

I am also toying with the idea of a soft illustrated one vs the graphic one above.  Perhaps using some elements of the character art and cover? Like a wolf & a dragon...or perhaps drawing them from scratch completely.... sigh. 

Something like this:

So, what do you think? Graphic heading or illustrated one? Either way, I will have to design another one.  Though, as I'm writing this, I am slowly falling in love with the idea of adding these to the books! 😂 And not surprising my Muse just reared her head with ideas!

Enough to add it as a flash goal. Because, why not. But, I'll make it easy (because I want to unlock it 😂). 

We'll unlock it at $5500. Which means I just need 2 more people to buy a hardcover to unlock it. You can help by sharing the campaign with your book loving friends! 

Just copy this link:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/therena/witch-and-dragon?ref=705xbe

Help us unlock these flash goals! Alternatively you can upgrade your pledge with one of the awesome add-ons! 

So, which do you like more? Let me know in the comments or a message!

Yours in art,

Therena

PS: More campaigns you may love!