Moe Lane

Southern Cross, Crosby Stills & Nash

Today I started the map-purchasing process. I’ve commissioned Robert Altbauer of Fantasy Map to do the job; he comes well-recommended, and after seeing some of his work I was happy to hire him to do the work. One more possible add-on, I think. Speaking of which: I want to see how FROZEN DREAMS is doing at the midpoint level before I decide how to do add-ons. Backerkit will make it a lot easier, but also cost money to set up and run. If I don’t get very many more backers, it may make more sense for me to run things on my own*.

Combat drama!

This one will probably be a for-the-short-story-collection special. I’m not sure how much conflict is going to be involved. Although I guess I could add some. Perhaps… a murder? No, not quite right for the setting. Must ponder.

This aside by Dave Barry reminds me of simpler times.

This Kicktraq site looks very interesting. It’s doing trends and observations of various Kickstarter projects — including mine, which is how I found it. The breakdowns look useful, too.

Marie’s Wedding, Orthodox Celts

Today, I had discussions, or at least a discussion and maybe started another couple. The ‘maybe’ discussions involved inquiries into map prices, and I’ll know how they went in a few days. The full discussion involved the audiobook stretch goal; I sat down with my audiobook narrator and worked out what she would do and her rates, should it fund and/or I put the money together otherwise. She’ll also be hopefully recording a blurb/sample in the next few days, which I will absolutely use to try to entice more people to back the Kickstarter.

I’m not sure how well that will work out, assuming that it funds; but every time I’ve gone I don’t think people will pay good money for that about something in this Kickstarter I’ve turned out to be wrong. Besides, if it works it’s a revenue stream worth looking into. And, honestly: I kind of like the idea in general now. Pulp detective stories lend themselves well to dramatic readings, I think.

At this rate, I’m going to be calling it an all-new story. I don’t know when we’re getting back to the authentic Old American blue jeans.

It didn’t like the crossbows, and it didn’t like the staggering volleys that the two squads proceeded to toss into it, either. Fire and air elementals weren’t always the brightest spirits out there, and it took another two crossbow volleys before the elemental calmed down enough to toss back fireballs with something approaching actual aim. But by then the crew was ducking out of sight, into cover — and far, far away from any barrels. When wood explodes from being fireballed, it explodes nasty.

Jimmy and Leo hadn’t fired after the first volley; in fact, the volleys were there to keep the fire elemental distracted while they moved. Not that Jimmy minded softening up the damned thing first. He even allowed himself the ridiculous hope that a stray bolt might hit the restraining charm that was keeping this elemental captive and mad on this plane of existence, although the odds of that were roughly equivalent to picking all six numbers in the next Greater Hershey Stupidity Tax. But even if Jimmy didn’t hit the lottery today that way, the two were still getting closer to the time and place where they could do something useful with their time.

I don’t have much to say about ‘Last Laugh.’ It’d make a better short story than a short-short, I think. I didn’t at the time, but I reserve the right to change my mind.