Admittedly, I didn’t know what to expect when I launched my Indiegogo campaign for Combat Frame XSeed. I certainly didn’t expect the initial funding goal to be met on the first day, let alone in fourteen hours. But that’s just what my generous backers did.
One key advantage of crowdfunding is that it serves as a barometer of public tastes. The results of a campaign will give you a good idea of whether or not there’s a market for a concept. I’d suspected mecha and Mil-SF fans were hungry for a story like XSeed based on reactions to the #AGundam4Us hashtag and Bradford Walker’s successful Star Knight Saga campaign. Meeting XSeed’s initial goal in less than one day confirms that readers want anime action with Western accessibility.
Well, I can say without reservation that they’re going to get what they want. I’ll be putting the final touches on the beta version of the first XSeed eBook today and sending it out to my beta readers. The fact that initial funding has been met guarantees that the second book in the series, Combat Frame XSeed: Coalition Year 40, is indeed happening.
And that’s not all! I can now officially announce “Combat Frame XSeed: CY 2 Gaiden”, an exclusive short story bridging CFXS and CY40, which will be offered free as a special bonus for subscribers to Nova Frontier, my dedicated XSeed newsletter.
Even that expansion of the brand is just the beginning. Cover artist Todd Everhart, mechanical designer ArtAnon, and myself, plus a constellation of all-star publishing experts, will continue to bring you exciting new XSeed content and previews as the campaign barrels ahead. New perks and stretch goals are on the way, including a possible audiobook by professional narrator Jim Fear.
We’re just getting started. But we can’t take our game to the next level without your help! Thanks to everyone who’s backed Combat Frame XSeed so far. Let’s keep this train pulling ten fully loaded boxcars at 150 kph rollin’! Back XSeed today!
Brian,
Is the Nova Frontier newsletter ready? This is welcome development
xavier
Hallelujah
The subscription link for Nova Frontier, the UCP armed services newsletter, will be included in the finished novel.
Brian,
Thanks and Ya!
xavier
Did a little promoting of the campaign, and I'm going to back it after my next paycheck later this week.
Thanks. I really appreciate it!
For the Pro Editing reward: could I pay during the campaign, but claim later than the November 2018 delivery date?
The November delivery date is just for the trade paperback. Before you commit to the perk, what's the approximate length of your manuscript in words?
I'm planning on 70-100k. Currently maybe a third of the way through writing it.
OK cool. Tell you what: If you go ahead and claim the perk now, I'll guarantee you a place on my editing schedule. Do at least two drafts, then get an objective group of beta readers to read it, and revise one more time based on their feedback–even I'm doing that with XSeed. Don't worry. I'll hold your spot until you're ready if you claim the perk. Thanks. Looking forward to working with you!
P.S. Like the perk says, $500 will cover an MS up to 90k words. If it runs longer, the total editing charge will be slightly higher, to a maximum of $600 at 100k, but you wouldn't have to pay the additional fee until after I turn in the edited MS.
Looks like we're gonna do trading cards as the $2000 stretch goal. What would you guys say to an initial run of four cards, each with a different CF on the front with its Jane's style specs on the back?
Brian,
Sounds perfect. Will they be laminated?
xavier
Nice!
Hi Brian,
Speaking of supporting Catholic creators, have you heard of Daniel Mitsui?
http://www.danielmitsui.com/
Very, very talented artist. He is embarking on a very ambitious plan "to draw an iconographic summary of the Old and New Testaments, illustrating those events that are most prominent in sacred liturgy and patristic exegesis. " (http://www.danielmitsui.com/00_pages/summula_pictoria.html)
I'm sure he'll need all the help he can get. If you like his work, please do him a favour by spreading the word.
Thanks for the heads up.