Not as catchy as It's Gonna be May (cue Justin Timberlake), but we make it work around here.
Howdy!
As per my last update back in January, we did indeed enter the Dead Zone of project updates, but I am now here to pop that bubble of silence.
First and foremost, I have received Monitored Activity's final edits this past Friday. You know, the whole point of the campaign? The part of this book you all so graciously helped fund? It is — officially — done. Shout-out to subvertebra over on BlueSky who has been an absolute thrill to work with. I genuinely could not have asked for a better editor.
This means we now get to enter the final formatting and the proof-ordering phase.
I cannot believe we're here, and way ahead of schedule, too. That late summer release date might just become early summer, but let's hold off on any major announcements for a bit longer.
The sticker sheets and bookmarks have long since arrived and are currently hanging out on my desk, eagerly waiting to be sent out to their new homes!
In the coming weeks, orders will be locked in and cards charged for any post-campaign add-on purchases as well as shipping.
Keep an eye on your inbox! Emails will go out a few days beforehand so you're not caught by surprise.
Also — please make sure you've completed your survey! I'm still waiting on a few. If you've somehow lost it in your sea of emails (I don't blame you; my main inbox has 6,400 unread emails...), do not hesitate reaching out to me. I can very easily resend it.
And that's about it, for now. I hope you are all as excited as I am! Monitored Activity is close enough to taste.
Until next time. Happy (almost) April, and stay hydrated.
I sent out the smoke test this morning, which means that about 5% of backers will get their surveys to fill out now so we can make sure there's no major problems when we send them to everyone else.
If you recieved a survey, please fill it out when you can! Once I see that a couple people have completed the process with no issues, I'll be able to send them out to everyone else. Also, if you missed the campaign and want to pre-order, please do this ASAP so you can still get in on the first round of the release!
Secondly, I wanted to share one of my favorite pieces of the art (by Soren Leigh) for the new Sandy the Dragon adventures:
The final story of the series will be Sandy and friends working through some common new player TTRPG issues so we can send you off from StoryGuider and onto your next game system with some helpful tips. With regards to the timeline:
I mentioned last time there was some health stuff going on, and I did find out I will need a major surgery in April plus a bunch of extra doctor's stuff leading up to that point. I'm still working towards the dates I planned, and I'll keep you updated if anything changes due to the medical and life events.
I'm still working on layout and rewrites for the Big Book of Friends series, with all but 3 of the 12 completed. I'm still planning on finishing that up by the end of March so I can order proofs soon.
Once that's all settled, I'll be working on getting the Heroes and Friends digital releases set up and starting layout for the Dragons series!
Current priorities are: #1 - Finish layouts for the Friends series (3 remaining) #2 - Update Heroes/Friends based on proofs, and order next round of proofs #3 - Prep print-and-play files, game pages, and keys for Heroes/Friends while survey is running + waiting for proofs to deliver
Please keep an eye out for your surveys this and next week, and you can expect the next project update in late April when I'll be closing surveys and having status on the Heroes and Friends releases.
ChasmFriend pin reservations will be sent with your pledge rewards once you’ve backed the campaign (and completed the backer survey after that is sent out).
Introducing…Hoid’s Worldsinger Symposium!
Hello backers, we did it!
Brandon will be hosting a livestream to celebrate the launch of Hoid’s Storybook Collection today (March 3, 2026) at 6:00PM MST (1:00AM UTC). We’re sure you can see the joyspren surrounding us as we share the news that our campaign is officially funded! Once again, we’re able to bring the magic of Brandon’s worlds to life because of YOU. As if getting four enchantingly illustrated storybooks wasn’t enough, Brandon’s newest secret project The Fires of December is an adventure we know you’ll love as much as we did. Remember that the gold foiling on each of the picture books and the printed edges for The Fires of December will only be available for purchase during the lifetime of this BackerKit project. You’ll want to act now to guarantee their spot on your Sandershelf!
Now is the perfect time to collect your ChasmFriend Blind Bag pins to be able to trade with other Worldhoppers and complete your herd. The price of these collectible cuties is only $10 during the project launch, but will increase after the campaign closes.
If you reserved a ChasmFriend pin pre-campaign, as long as you have backed the campaign and completed your backer survey once it is sent out, the pin will automatically be sent with your pledge rewards.
A story doesn’t live until it is imagined
To celebrate the launch of Hoid’s Storybook Collection, we want to invite our backers to join in weaving a non-canonical Hoidian tale. Hoid’s Worldsinger Symposium is our new Stormlight-infused collaborative storytelling experience! Join the beloved Worldsinger’s ranks as you and other backers come together to tell a story of your own in the Collaborative Narrative. A writing prompt has been given on the Hoid’s Worldsinger Symposium tab of this project. Every day until the close of this campaign, you will have a chance to add to the narrative. It’s up to you Worldsingers to determine whose response is the best, as the entry with the most likes will be added to this storybook of your own creation! We will accept one submission per day, based on votes. If the content of a submission does not comply with our terms and conditions, it will be rejected.
The symposium will also include a Worldsinger Gallery! Send your fan art inspired by the Collaborative Narrative you’re creating via the submission link found within the Symposium. As long as your art adheres to our terms and conditions, we will feature it in our Worldsinger Gallery. Artists are allowed up to two art submissions during the campaign. Select art submissions, as well as the completed narrative, will be included in a free digital release entitled Hoid’s Worldsinger Symposium: Anthology.
We’re so happy you’re here and we’re elated to share Hoid’s tales with you. Until our next update later this month, Worldsingers!
I’m sorry it’s been a while since I shared an update. A lot of things have been going on lately, mostly not good. If you read my December newsletter, you’ll know that I’m in the process of moving house, which has caused a delay with Ruthless Wolves. Unfortunately, I still don’t have a moving date yet, but I’m hoping it won’t be much longer. On top of that, I'm dealing with a few personal issues at the moment that I can’t discuss. But please know that I’m still here. I haven’t gone anywhere, and I have no intention of disappearing at all. I’m still working hard to get Ruthless Wolves completed and ready to order/ship as soon as possible, but unfortunately, I don’t have a timeline to give at the moment. As soon as I know more, I will post an update in here to let you know.
Thank you again for your patience with this project. I hope to have better news for you soon.
Hello everyone! I apologize for the delay in getting back to you all. Long story short, a layoff on top of other things made late 2024 through most of 2025 a train wreck. I am back, though, and I just sent out a smoke screen survey to 7 backers. If that looks okay, I will send it to everyone. Merch should ship before books, and I now anticipate the books to ship early next year. Thank you for your extraordinary patience. If you’d prefer a refund, message me or email crownebooks [at] gmail.com. I will also set up a Google form if that’s easier. I expected to do this on the 15th, but it will be this weekend. Thank you for all of your support, regardless, and I can’t wait to get this spicy alt-history/weird western to you!
Hello fairy friends! It's time for a very another update!
We have the final poll for this week's make-a-fairy ready for everyone to vote on. Go vote!
We have less than four days left before the campaign ends! Ah!
As a special weekend treat, I'm revealing the sketches for last week's fairy animal companion.
The fairy animal companion, a creature with a mix of traits
A cute, jellyfish-like creature carrying an umbrella.
The first of these sketches is the animal companion. He has lizard traits, a unicorn horn, fuzzy mammal fur, a mermaid tail, and the appendages of a insect. I chose praying mantis. The sword wasn't a winning thing, but it did tie with all the secondary traits. The winning accessory, a cute friend, is what the second drawing is of. The cute friend is wearing earrings and carrying an umbrella. I didn't quite know how to fit the sweater in without it being too much, sadly.
While these creatures look aquatic, and can swim if need be, they are more apt to levitating above the ground. They swim through the air.
I'm excited to ink these very soon! I hope you like them!
And be sure to vote on the polls for the latest fairy!
I'm so sorry for the radio silence lately. The last couple of months have been extremely busy, especially November. I have some good news, bad news, and sad news to share today. First, the good news. Other than a small bit of editing and formatting, Ruthless Wolves is finally finished 🥳 I know it's taken a lot longer than expected, but I really do believe it is worth the wait. I've loved getting to know Ajax and Elspeth while writing their story and I hope you will too.
Now, onto the bad news. Unfortunately, even though Ruthless Wolves is finished, I can't order any copies at present. I can't explain why just yet, but please know that I will be placing the order as soon as possible. I will hopefully be able to explain the delay next month (December). Don't worry, I'm okay and everything is good with my family. The delay isn't because of something bad, but because of something good.
Finally, the sad news I mentioned above. I had to say goodbye to my sweet husky, Sox, this month. She was a wonderful girl who reached a fantastic age, but sadly, she was struggling and in a lot of pain. Making the decision to say goodbye is never an easy one, but with her, it broke my heart. She has been my little writing buddy for many years and I will miss seeing her happy face every day 😢 If you see a husky named Sox pop up in one of my future books, you'll know I've been thinking of her while writing.
For those in the US (and anyone who celebrates), I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving on Thursday.
Thank you again for being so patient with this project. I will get your book to you as soon as possible.
