I always knew there was a possibility I'd have to write this; I was really hoping and preparing as if I wouldn’t have to. Alas, here we are.
Ennead’s current Kickstarter campaign is a week away from completion. At the time of writing, we are currently 100% funded. Barring an unforeseen setback, this makes Ennead a perfect 6 for 6 (90’s era Chicago Bulls??) on the platform. I’m tremendously proud… yet disappointed.
If you’ve been following me for any length of time, you know I’m ambitious. I have a grand vision for my indie epic fantasy saga, ambitions I have no business having. I was looking to move on from this campaign, directly to novel or fictional world history book production, using the excess funds from this campaign to pay for the art in Books 11 and 12 behind the scenes while I did it. That was going to lead to a Kickstarter in April or May for either of the more “traditional” fantasy projects. Unfortunately, it’s not looking like I’ll have said “excess” of funding.
That said, I’ll still be pivoting towards prose for the foreseeable future, but I’ll have to find the funds for Books 11 and 12 some other way…
Instead of Kickstarting a prose project this spring, I’ll be releasing the first half of Volume 2 instead.
That’s right, more comics it is! Last year I spent some of my own $$ to fund the artwork for the next 3 books: 8, 9, and 10 are all complete and just waiting for color. While this won’t be free, it won’t be cost prohibitive. By the time April comes around I’ll be ready to letter, launch a Kickstarter for, and release the first half of Volume two; a 58-page graphic novel featuring what’s next for Lannis and Gideon, Do’foli and her crew, as well as Inahtuu, King Ulius, and Queen Ellaria.
I’m extremely excited about the prose work I’m creating, so much so that I had a plan in place were something like these events to occur:
Starting sometime this spring, I’ll be releasing novel chapters for paid subscribers as they are completed.
Here’s a little sample (that has not been edited):
The wide corridor devoured Jahleel’s torchlight. He could only see a few paces in front of him and couldn’t make out what was on either side of the hall without taking a step in one direction or the other.
In the silence, his body went cold with fear. Jahleel scuttled to his right, reaching for something solid to touch. His shoulder hit first with a soft thud and he was close enough to make out doors with iron bars fixed into holes at eye level. Each of these doors had latches, yet none looked to be locked.
Jahleel’s curiosity battled his trepidation as he ventured further into the dark hall; a slight draft coming from one of the doors left ajar tilted things in favor of the former. Couple that with the feeling of those formless fingers once again, tugging at him to come inside, and it was as if Jahleel had no choice but to enter.
Ennead won’t be losing steam anytime soon.
The ability to pivot is something I’d like to say I’ve mastered; I don’t get too hung up on one way having to be the end all be all. In order to dream big, you’ve got to make space for plenty of options.
Make sure you check out the current campaign before it’s too late!
JL
Long con, friend.