To start, I want to thank everyone who has completed their surveys. It's helped immensely in determining whether to do a print run or print on demand.
But, I also come with both good and less good news.
I'll start with the good, because well, I'm really excited to share it with you guys!
New art, featuring Evie & Cain:
This illustration was completely random and born while I was anxiously awaiting the first feedback from my new editor. It's not a described scene in either of the books, but does capture the emotion I feel when I think of them.
(I might write a bonus scene with this art in mind! But no promises, yet - it'll likely be in book 3...)
Anyway, this leads me to the bad news.
TL:DR, the eBook & official retailers release has been delayed by a couple months.
After a long time thinking about it, I have decided to officially delay the book release because it's not ready yet. When I first created the campaign (in Feb) things were supposed to be fully edited and done in time for Booktopia. (Since I usually like to have things done before I launch)
I had paid my deposit to Star Found's editor in November and the first draft was written by January. That meant I had a lot of time...or should have had a lot of time.
Unfortunately, my editor ended up gravely ill and hospitalized for 2 months. Things got pushed back again and again due to his health. I wasn't idle, or worried, as I turned my focus on the art and everything else. And come August, he assured me he was well enough to edit in time for an end of Sept deadline.
Needless to say, Sept came and went without any progress and all communication ended with delays being due to his health.
So in the first week of Oct, I made the hard decision to find a new editor despite the loss of the deposit. (Fortunately, I had already scouted one out for my other books.) And I was thrilled that she had immediate availability. But as this was her first time with the series, she had some catching up to do.
About a week ago, I received the first developmental edit back. And while it's mostly positive without major disbehaving plot bunnies, there were a couple chapters that required extra love.
Which brings me to the delay. While I would love to rush and get the eBook to you by the first week of Dec, I don't think it's possible. I want this book to be as beautiful and perfect as I promised. And to do that, I need more time. The editor's suggestions will make the book even better than I imagined. (I already added 7k words to the manuscript just based on her feedback) Plus, I want you to be happy with the result as well.
So there's a new timeline for the eBook. I moved the retail release back as far as I could, which is March 3rd. And barring any other unforseen circumstances out of my control, I will aim to get Star Awakened to you sometime in January, still a whole month before the official release.
This gives me enough time to do the developmental edit, line edits, and 3 proofread runs, and final formatting.
What does this delay mean for the print books?
I had originally given myself a huge buffer for the print books, and there's still a good chance we might hit the projected fulfillment by June. But, until I have the final format in hand, I can't give an accurate date. To make sure no extra errors in formatting sneak through, I will order myself a paperback to read through and mark up before placing the final order with the printer.
My goal is still to do all of this before January.
But I will communicate as things progress.
What does this all mean for fulfillment?
🌟 Pin tiers will still lock & ship this month, with digital rewards being delivered once it's ready.
✨ EBook tiers will lock at the same time so I can deliver any other eBook add-ons (Blood & Scales & Flesh & Fur). Star Awakened will deliver as soon as it's ready, but Star Found should go out after I lock & charge additional add-ons.
🌟 Hardcover tiers - dates will be determined once eBooks are done.
My apology
I am really sorry for this delay. I had been optimistic about dates, but circumstances beyond my control proved more powerful than my hopes.
While I can't rush the process, I decided to add both these new illustrations to your digital rewards as a high resolution wall paper.
I know it doesn't get you your books sooner, but hope you will like it nonetheless.
And, on the positive side, perhaps between edits while I wait for my editor, maybe I'll get even more interior art for Star Awakened. I'm feeling particularly inspired as I'm going through the story and editing once more 😊.
I'll update you when I submit the edits and with any new art.
