The Demise of Tendril’s Demise

Random news- we’re in the process of moving our evil lair. I’ll be offline and disguised until we can fortify the new apartment and reconfigure the death rays.

Before we black out, have a few quick DK news bites:


Volume 3 is now available on the Kindle, and PDF downloads are also available for sale.  That’s correct- not e-books, but the much-requested downloads are now live!  http://www.dreamkeeperscomic.com/GNVol3.php


We’re launching our first Kickstarter campaign this spring / summer for a Prelude book collection.

To that end, I’m gathering printing quotes to see what our Kickstarter target should be- so do people want hardcover books, or soft cover?  If you’re interested, please hit up our poll on DeviantArt:  http://dreamkeepers.deviantart.com/

You’ll also see a poll regarding the update schedule for Prelude- if you have a preference, please cast a vote and let us know!



One last note.  Before starting V4 scripting, we worked on a lot of revisions for the overall Dreamkeepers story plan.  With the improvements I’m more excited than ever to be working on bringing the series to life- but, alas.  Some things have been left on the cutting room floor.

One of those things is Tendril’s Demise ( http://dreamkeepers.deviantart.com/art/Tendril-s-Demise-Page-1-148654793 ), a 2007 comic we had planned to fit in with the story.

After revisions, Tenril’s Demise is officially non-canon.  Now it’s only fun.

Everyone hang tight, and keep an eye out for Kickstarter news coming soon!

Ebooks vs Downloads

Quick announcement- we recently released Volume 3 as an e-book, on a bunch of different platforms.

However, e-books aren't downloadable- after purchasing, you can only read them when you're online.  I've had a lot of requests for V3 *downloads* to be available for sale.

In years past we sold V1 and V2 downloads from our site, but I had to stop.   Selling the downloads personally meant I had a myriad of technical customer service issues to solve, and it escalated to the point where I didn't have enough time to focus on making books.

However, the recent requests prompted me to seek a download-selling solution that would bypass this problem- it looks like Lulu sells pdf downloads from their site, so I'm planning to make all three volumes available there.

Between current busy-ness and an upcoming move, the pdf sales probably won't be set up this spring- probably more like this summer.  But I wanted to announce the intent early, to keep you guys informed.


-David

Daily Dose of Free!

For the first time ever, we're releasing our backlist titles online for free:  http://www.dreamkeeperscomic.com/GNSaga.php

They're on our revamped 'Graphic Novel Saga' website page.  Hop in, browse around, and have fun!

This also makes a great way to attract new readers- if you know anyone who's been on the fence regarding the saga, point them this way!

Volume 1 and 2 are online for free- but Volume 3 is currently pay-only.  We'll *probably* release Volume 3 for free online after Volume 4 is released.


Other website tweaks include revamped Store pages for the graphic novel volumes, a new FAQ, the new Forum of course http://www.dreamkeeperscomic.com/forum/, and a page to sign up for our e-mail newsletter:  http://www.dreamkeeperscomic.com/Newsletter.htm   Which I just learned to make pretty.  8 D

V3 E-books, New forum, and more!

Happy V-day everyone!  I’ve got a pile of stuff to announce, so let’s get right to it.

* Volume 3 digital sales
* Custom new Dreamkeepers Forum
* New Darkspeeds motion comics
* Youtube interview with Dave & Liz
* DA Group Valentine contest



The wait is over- Volume 3 digital sales are now live!  

Web- http://graphicly.com/vivid-publishing/dreamkeepers/v3
Facebook-  https://apps.facebook.com/graphicly/issues/16112
iBookstore- https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/dreamkeepers-vol.-3-intentions/id602392118?mt=11
Nook- still processing
Kindle- still processing, it’ll take longer because I need to set up panel-to-panel viewing.
Kobo- still processing.

Three important notes about e-books before you buy.

1)- I’m not the seller- the different e-book platforms are acting as retailers, and you’re actually buying your e-book from them.  This means if you’re having technical problems or need service with your purchase, I won’t be able to help or issue refunds- you’ll have to talk to the customer service folks at the store you buy from.

2)- The stores are separate from one another.  If you buy Volume 3 for your Nook, you do not automatically have it on your ipad or your Kindle.  You would have to buy one for your Nook, and another one for your Kindle if you intended to have it on both devices.

3)- I’m considering making Volume 3 free online in a year or two.  I’m redesigning the Graphic Novel page on the Dreamkeepers site to actually show all of Volume 1 for free.  I haven’t decided yet, but I’m considering releasing all backlist editions for free.  That means since Volume 3 is available, I would put V2 up for free on our site.  And once V4 is finished (hopefully in a year or two) I would release V3 for free on our site.   I haven’t decided one way or another on this, but I don’t want anyone to buy an e-book now and feel cheated later.  

In addition to e-books, normal Volume 3 book sales are live in our site store.


On to the next announcement- if you want a place to meet ’n greet some other DK readers, we’ve just launched our brand new custom-created Dreamkeepers Forum:  http://www.dreamkeeperscomic.com/forum/
Hop on over and take a look!  In addition to the improved visuals, the user interface is designed to be intuitive and fun, with customizable profiles- for example:  http://www.dreamkeeperscomic.com/forum/profile.php?id=1

Another feature is the built-in dice roller in the RP forum.

Hop over and check it out!  Since it’s so new, if you come across any bugs please report them on the ‘BUGS!’ thread in the ‘Lookit This!’ area.

In other news, Darkspeeds is already giving voice to Volume 3!   Check out some of his brand-new motion comic projects on you tube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvMaAlv5jlg&list=UUhxjIYG9SoK6Hms2aq0d0Ug&index=3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7uPE6YusXE&list=UUhxjIYG9SoK6Hms2aq0d0Ug&index=4
A word of caution on the Randy scene:  It has Randy in it.  You’ve been warned.  DON’T COME CRYING TO ME WHEN YOUR WORLD IS ALL FULL OF RANDY.

Thank you to Darkspeeds for taking the time to put together such a fun project!

And while we’re dispensing thank-yous, thank you to Isiah Jacobs for taking the time to interview us!   Liz & I chat with him during a V3 interview on his youtube channel:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGnhu410f18

Before I finish this announce-a-thon, don’t forget the ongoing DK Valentine’s Day contest happening in the DA Group:  http://dreamkeepers-fans.deviantart.com/  There’s already some darling art in the gallery, and there are still days left before the entry deadline.



…Phew!  After all of that, I feel compelled to give a brief update on what I’ve been working on lately.  
Well, mostly mailing V3 Pre-Orders.  More packages than I‘ve even seen in my life. It was both exciting and exhausting, if that makes any sense.  But at last they’re all arrived or on the way.

Next objective is, of course, Volume 4.  But before jumping into production on the script, we’ve been doing a complete reassessment of the overall graphic novel saga storyline.  I’ve learned a lot since we thought it up years ago, and it’s exciting to fix problems I couldn’t see before.  Consuming books on writing-craft and soliciting critique is helping tremendously.  With better footing, we’ll start scripting V4 soon.  However, none of this ‘writing’ business provides much in the way of enticing visual sneak peeks.  Hang in there though- we’re working hard, and the art will be here before too long!

Status Report!

First off, some fun stuff- there’s a new reader-created motion comic up!
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMdjSQH_XKg&list=UUB0f2p9TRxkt0aO2JgrkOqA&index=1

If you haven’t read Volume 1, beware- spoilers await.

There’s an open call for aspiring voice actors and artists who’d be interested in making more- the readers are recruiting here:  http://dreamkeepers.forums-free.com/dk-volunteer-army-f24.html


I haven’t been up to anything quite so glamorous- packaging books.  But even though it’s bereft of glitter and jazz solos, it’s still exciting to me.  I’ve never had so many orders to package at once before, so it’s a whole new experience- but thinking that every individual book and sticker and label is destined to launch out to someone who wants it is incredibly gratifying.

Hundreds of books have been sharpie signed & doodled, and next week hundreds of envelopes should be hitting the mail.  I’m hoping another two weeks will get all the Volume 3 fulfillment done.

Hang in there- they’re coming!

Once I deliver on Volume 3, I’ll come back in here and blather a bit about our 2013 plans.

-David

DAVID DESTROYS CHRISTMAS

Another impressive line for my resume’.

We have a V3 completion date from the printer- December 21st!  

Then begins my weeks of signing, sticker-stuffing, packaging, and rounds to the post office.   However, this guarantees I can’t deliver V3 Pre-Orders in time for Christmas.

Thereby destroying it.

I was waiting in fear for Santa to swoop in and foil me, but it appears my precautions on that front have paid off in full.  A little garlic goes a long way…  Or hadn’t you heard?

Santa = vampire.  http://vividstuff.blogspot.com/2010/12/santa-horror.html


If you have a Volume 3 Pre-Order, I’ve e-mailed you regarding this.  (The release date, not Santa being undead.)  So if there’s nothing in your inbox from me today, be sure to e-mail me and ensure we have the right contact info on file for you.

I find it curious that Volume 3’s print date falls on the exact day the Mayans predicted earths’ cataclysmic finale.

Everyone have a safe apocalyptic holiday season!

V3 Pre-Orders: COUNTDOWN

Volume 3 is with the printer right now- in a few more weeks, our apartment will be 1,000 books heavier.  Once they‘re here, Pre-Orders will close so we can focus exclusively on packaging & mailing them without confusing ourselves.  I’m expecting us to be mailing for at least two solid weeks-

This means if you want to receive Volume 3 before Christmas, be sure to get your Pre-Orders in now before they close!

And might I take this opportunity to point out that nothing is more in keeping with the warm yuletide spirit than neon cartoon characters struggling for survival against bloodthirsty Lovecraftian horrors.

If you know anyone that might like V3 for Christmas, or even someone that would be interested in Pre-Ordering themselves, please spread the word! http://www.dreamkeeperscomic.com/storeVolume3.htm
I’m keen on finishing Volume 4 fast- ideally within a year.  Every single V3 order is going to support this goal.


E-books:  We’ll get Volume 3 formatted and available as soon as I’m finished delivering Pre-Orders.  I also plan to get all books available in Nook, Kindle, and whatever else those crazy kids are using these days.

Meanwhile, I’m getting the Halloween Fanart beads sculpted and painted, and I have some other surprises in mind for the remainder of 2012...



Thank you again to everyone for your incredible patience and support!  The next book is almost here, and I think we may be in a position to kick this whole project into high gear.