The state of ASH!
The picture says it better than I can!
Here's a detailed update, copied straight from the latest message to the pledgers (AKA, the Silexare Army)
Regarding the book
I've received all art and have grafted it into the final manuscript. 95% of story-level edits are finished. I estimate two - four hours remain to be done. 85% of line-level edits are finished. I estimate one hour of work remains.
Ebook - I had originally considered formatting the book to several formats, for all the various stores and platforms. Then I became aware of a handful of key factors that changed my mind. 1. If you own an electronic device, you have access to Kindle 2. Kindle is the single largest distributor of ebooks, anywhere. 3. If I can narrow the learning curve down and convert to a single ebook format, everyone gets their book quicker!
That said, A Sawmill's Hope ebook will be available via Kindle devices. If you don't have a Kindle, there's a free app for your PC, MAC, Iphone, Android, or tablet. If you're the individual keeping Nook in business, and would prefer to read it on your (the last remaining) Nook, fear not. I have a solution for you, too.
If there's another device on which you'd like to read A Sawmill's Hope and no other means is available, I can accommodate you. Trust me.
Physical Book (hardcover, softcover) - While I'd like to throw a single, brilliantly orchestrated launch and infiltrate every orifice of the literary world simultaneously in a glorious penetrata Silexari trifecta, I am but un hombre, with only dos handos. And since I don't have the marketing muscle of Simon & Schuster, Penguin, Hachette, or any of the other crumbling behemoths, no one would notice anyway. (This is ok. The truth doesn't hurt so much unless it catches you with your pants down. And I don't wear pants unless I simply have no choice.)
So as soon as my educks are in a row, I'll be blazing the lines of Lightning Source / Ingram Spark and get youse guys' books printing.
I've been keeping the Kickstarters informed with private updates but from this point forward, I'm probably going to document the completion of the other prizes on my blog, despite that only a select few are receiving Silexare schwag this go round. I just want to share the experience. Who knows, you might realize you have enough (or can produce enough) exclusive intellectual property to launch your own crowd-funded event.
Prizes
Art - Map is done and printed. Cover is done, soon to be printed (within the week). Prints of Tracy's work are in hand, soon to be printed (also within the week). FIVE computer wallpapers are done, five to go (I'm getting a little crazy with these.) These will double as marketing devices in the weeks to come. The signed, rough, and original inks from Tracy are on their way to me via snail-mail (and you have no freaking idea how stoked I am about that!).
Music - The SoS albums are near. I just have to go down the road and pick them up. I wish I could make that sound more shady... The DL exclusive albums are 75% mastered and ready to go, just needing to be burned to CD.
Now I have one more bit of news regarding August and I'll let you get back to your lives...
David