Rachel Rener's Blog, page 10

Who's got two thumbs and a literary agent?

I feel like this month (year?) has been such a whirlwind of announcements and big news and important developments, so much so that when I say I have *BIG NEWS* it might run the risk of falling flat, given the flurry of new books and special editions and all of the other wonderful things that have been in the making.

With that disclaimer, I have some *seriously* incredible news. I've just been picked up by Italia Gandolfo, CEO of Gandolfo Helin & Fountain Literary Management. Italia has over 25 years’ experience in media between a big 4 Hollywood Talent & Literary Agency, Publishing, PR/Advertising, and Film in Los Angeles and New York.

What this means is that my tiny little empire of books, which I have worked tirelessly to build over these past 5 years, now has the opportunity to explore different, bigger, more exciting avenues of distribution. I can't say for sure what that will look like without speculating or jinxing anything, but I can say that I am incredibly excited and hopeful about the future! It's been a long, arduous, and incredibly rewarding journey up until this point, and to those of you who have been here since the beginning, and those of you who are just now hopping aboard, thank you so, so much for your support!

Stick around, because something tells me this journey is just the beginning of the adventure! ❤️

❤️StretchGoal#3Unlocked! (With a beautiful fold-out map nigh in sight!)

Holy smokes, guys - we did it! Thanks to all of your support, we've now unlocked temporary rune tattoos for EVERYONE, 3 more full-page illustrations (for 13 total!!), AND a built-in ribbon bookmark! I never thought we would get this far!! As part of my heartfelt thanks, and to honor those followers who have expressed special interests in fantasy maps, I am decreasing the next stretch goal from $40k to $35k. I don't know about you all, but I have never seen such a stunning, colorful map in a fantasy book, and to be able to print it even larger, in vibrant HD color...well, let's just say, I *really* want to make this happen for us!

So there you have it! Three stretch goals unlocked, with a fourth nigh in sight! BTW, that "surprise" reward at $40k is shaping up to be something REALLY, REALLY, special. If you know anyone who would love portal fantasy with snark, steam, Yiddishisms, and heart, please consider sharing this gilded yumminess with them!

Lastly, I wanted to share this incredible project from my friend and urban fantasy idol, Annette Marie. While her Kickstarter certainly needs no help from me, it's one of the most beautiful and high-quality fantasy Kickstarters I've seen in a very long time. If stories like Mulan, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings are your jam, you've got to check out this incredible campaign, which funded within minutes of going live! I for one can't wait to get my copy!

The Brief but Explosive War of Gold and Rainbows✨

[Be sure to scroll to the bottom!]

WE DID IT!!! In just three days, we have funded, annihilated Stretch Goal #1 (temporary rune tattoos for all), and sailed right past Stretch Goal #2 (MORE full page illustrations)!!! That brings us to THIRTEEN full-color illustrations - 3 key scenes per book, plus a bonus illustration for book 4!! Any guesses as to what those scenes might be?

Up next, Stretch Goal #3: built-in ribbon bookmarks!!! We have metallic options, as well as two-toned options. I'd love to hear your thoughts on ribbon colors below!

PS, following The Brief but Explosive War of Gold and Rainbows that occurred earlier this week, I am incredibly excited to announce that protective slipcovers will now match the book you've selected. In other words, gold-foiled books get gold-foiled slipcovers, and rainbow-foiled books will get rainbow-foiled slipcovers!

HUZZAH for successful (and gorgeous) peace treaties!!!!

(In case you missed it, you can now select rainbow foil/edges as an add-on , meaning gold-lovers get gold and rainbow-lovers get rainbow!)

By the way, if you're looking for more epic Kickstarter fantasy goodness, check out these sweet campaigns!

Stretch goals (the FUN variety, not the exercise kind!)

EDIT: When I posted the Stretch Goal Rewards earlier today, it caused a little bit of a tizzy between my gold lovers and my rainbow lovers. So, my project manager and I put our heads together and came up with this stunning compromise! Which means our previous 50k stretch goal is now up for grabs! Once we get closer to that number, we'll take a vote to see what YOU would like to see unlocked!

Original post

Real talk, guys: I was NOT expecting this project to fund in twelve days, let alone in twelve hours! I've been secretly working on this omnibus behind the scenes for months, chewing my nails to the nubs at the thought of not being able to turn this dream into a reality. The fact that this is NOW ACTUALLY 100% OFFICIALLY HAPPENING is so surreal, and I could not be more excited or more grateful to everyone who helped make this possible!!! Together, we're going to make this omnibus THE MOST GORGEOUS BOOK EVER MADE!!!

With that, let's get right now to brass tacks: STRETCH GOALS!

Which of the above milestones are you most excited about? Me, I am DROOLING over the iridescent rainbow sprayed edges and foil!!!

(For those of you who are new to the Kickstarter realm, "stretch goals" are additional goals that a creator can set for their Kickstarter project to thank their current backers and incentivize new ones to join. Stretch goals are used to add additional features, content, or bonuses to the project if the campaign is able to raise more money than was originally expected. Oftentimes, they're the most exciting part of a Kickstarter campaign!To get in on this project's awesomeness, follow along here!)

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By the way, if you're still itching for some MORE gorgeous books, get a load of these stunning Kickstarters coming this fall!

FULLY FUNDED IN UNDER 12 HOURS!!!!(?)

You guys, I have NO IDEA what to say, because I HAD NO IDEA that we would fund so quickly!!! THANK YOU, from the very bottom of my exploding heart, for making this stunning omnibus a reality!!!!!

NEXT STEP: STRETCH GOALS!!!!!!!!!!

TODAY'S THE DAY!

THE GILDED BLOOD KICKSTARTER HAS OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED!

The most stunning, colorful, breathtakingly-beautiful omnibus you have ever seen is on the verge of becoming a reality. We're talking:

All four books of the Gilded Blood series combined into one gorgeous deluxe collector's edition (with 11-pt font, for those who don't love to squint!), signed by yours truly!

A stunning foiled leather cover featuring Roy's infamous "Butt Cobra" and our beautiful, almond-loving Biscuit ❤︎

10 high-resolution, full-color illustrations of key moments in the series (sirens, crystal caverns, and baby Biscuits included!)

110+ revamped, fully colorized chapter headings (plus detailed character portraits of all your favorite (and not-so-favorite) characters!)

Sprayed gilded edges as a nod to our gilded-blood heroine, and

A sturdy-yet-stunning slipcase to protect your new treasure!

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For those of you who are unfamiliar with the site, Kickstarter is a platform that lets backers support a creative endeavor as a community. It works just like a pre-order, but with the opportunity to unlock book upgrades and extra goodies for every order as the funding increases. It will also be the only guaranteed way to get a copy.

Every follow, comment, and pledge tells the Kickstarter algorithm that this is a project that deserves to be publicized. So even if you're unable to splurge on the omnibus at this time, every dollar and share counts! Regardless of whether your pledge is $1 or $100, I cannot thank you enough for embarking on this adventure with me!

I am SO EXCITED to (hopefully) turn this dream project into reality!

September Deal Alerts!

USA Today Bestselling Author, Astrid V.J. is putting her entire Elisabeth and Edvard's World Boxed Set on sale for 99 cents! Check it out here! (Deal runs through 9/16, and then half off until 9/18).

The Synced Audiobook is HERE!❤️‍

THE DAY HAS FINALLY COME!! The entire Gilded Blood series is now available on Audible!

Not only has the one and only Tara Novie returned to reprise her role as our favorite needle-phobic Jewish heroine, but the KING of steam, Logan McAllister, is making his Gilded Blood debut as the sumptuous voice of a certain smoldering incubus.

And let me tell you, Logan's voice SMOLDERS

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/85042f_3f713cecc59a4fa7a4677258ac06a00f/720p/mp4/file.mp4

So much love has been poured into this series, from butt cobras to hard-fought battles, and I could not be more excited to share this final, breathtaking installment with you!

Happy listening!!!❤️‍

BISCUIT!!!!

You asked, and my incredible illustrator, Uwe Jarling, triumphantly delivered! Behold - our brave and stalwart little Biscuit, soaring to Talia's defense in a prismatic blaze of glory!

What's that you say? You can't see all of the details?

Hmmm...I suppose that can only mean one thing: You'll have to follow the project to see the 2nd completed illustration in all its stunning, jaw-dropping glory!!

The Kickstarter for this omnibus is officially launching on September 12th, but the pre-order link is up now! ,Even if you're unable to contribute financially at this time, the more followers a Kickstarter project has before launch, the more KS pushes it in the algorithm once it goes live.

ONE WEEK 'TIL LAUNCH, PEOPLE!!!

Are you excited?! Cause I sure as fork am!!!

⌛COMING THIS OCTOBER⌛

For those of you who have been asking about my next project, I am SO pleased to present the spooky, time-bending, jaw-dropping sequel and prequel(!!!) to The Girl Who Talks to Ashes...

,THE BOY WHO LURKS IN SHADOWS

It’s been three years since Lilah Quinn stumbled upon the bones of her biological mother, thereby solving the mystery of Willow’s long-forgotten disappearance. Since then, Lilah has been working off-book as Sheriff Reid’s star detective, solving decades-old cold cases with the help of those closest to the crimes – the victims themselves.

But when Lilah’s newest case hits a dead end, she’s forced to do something she’s never done before: speak to the murderer himself. Unfortunately, his “ghost” isn’t interested in helping her, nor is he willing to play by her rules. Because, unlike all the others, this ghost is able to exist apart from his bones, untethered even by time.

And now that he’s been freed, he’s got a bone to pick.

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Get 15% signed copies of The Girl Who Talks to Ashes from now until Halloween with code ASHES15!

Yes, I have ARC reader openings, so if you've read The Girl Who Talks to Ashes and have time between October 1st and 17th, shoot me a message!

For those of you who haven't read the first book yet, now's the time! Ashes is wide until October 1st, when it will be triumphantly returning to its perma-home in KU alongside Shadows!

And for those of you who may need a little more enticement, here are some quotes!

"ℎ ℎ ℎ ℎ ℎ ℎ ℎ ℎ , ℎ - ℎ , ℎ ℎ ℎ. ℎ ’ ℎ." - Vinnie A. (this has to be one of my favorite quotes about this series!)

"5 ℎ ℎ ℎ - . " ℎ ℎ ℎ ℎ ℎ . ℎ . ℎ ℎ ℎ ℎ ℎ !" - The Magic Book Corner

"ℎ . ℎ , ℎ. ℎ ℎ ℎ ℎ, ℎ ℎ, ℎ ℎ ℎ ℎ . ℎ ℎ, ℎ ℎ . ." - SPFBO Winner, Author J.D. Evans

"ℎ ! ℎ ℎ ℎ ℎ ℎ ℎ ℎ - , ℎ ' ℎ . ' . ℎ -ℎ , . ." - David Green, author

I need your vote for the next Gilded Blood full-page illustration!

WOW. Over 200 followers in one weekend! I can't believe it! I've been chewing my nails to the nubs over this overwhelmingly intimidating project, but you all have given me hope that we just might be able to pull this off! Thank you all so, so much for the support!

If you haven't already, you can follow the project here. Even if you're unable to contribute financially at this time, the more followers a Kickstarter project has before launch, the more KS pushes it in the algorithm once it goes live on September 12th. So please come join and help make this lovely project a reality!

Speaking of which, it's my goal to have two finished illustrations by the time the project kicks off. So I want to know: which illustration would you like to see Uwe create next? (options below!)

Talia and Zayn kneeling with their arms around each other in the fae realm, surrounded by tall cobalt-blue grass, with the cerulean sun setting in a vibrant green sky. Biscuit engulfed in rainbow flames, protecting Talia from a vampire who is trying to attack her. Location: Zayn's ultra-colorful fae-bound office. Mermaids rising up from the emerald-green sea, hand in hand. They have green-tinted skin, long black hair, and are draped in garlands of shells and seaweed.

,Let me know your thoughts in the comments and I'll do my best to make it happen!