MANDRILL P.I. Novels 1-3: A noir tale for cartoon lovers

Some frustrating printer news...
almost 2 years ago – Fri, Jun 21, 2024 at 10:30:16 AM

Hello again!

Unfortunately, I've run into some issues with my printer. I expected to have books in hand to begin shipping your way before the end of June. However, it's now looking like I won't be receiving them from the printer until mid-to-late July.

I know this news is frustrating (it's frustrating for me, too!). But rest assured that I will begin shipping them your way as soon as they arrive at my place.

All other materials (bookmarks, stickers, etc.) are all already here in my office waiting to be sent with your books.

If you absolutely can't wait until July and don't mind your copies being slightly damaged, I've got a slightly damaged author copy of both the Regular and Variant covers for the first person who lets me know they want those instead of waiting. The corners are creased, but otherwise in good condition. Just comment here if those books are your preference. No worries either way! :)

Also, we only have 8 people left who haven't finished their surveys. If you misplaced your survey link, you can get it here: https://mandrill-pi-novel-vol-3.backerkit.com/

I sent out Digital Rewards from Backerkit at the end of May. If you didn't see the email, make sure to check your Spam folder. If you can't find your digital rewards email, please reach out to me at [email protected] , and I'll get them resent your way ASAP.

And a reminder of other awesome news:

The collected edition of MANDRILL P.I. Issues #1-6 is coming soon!

We would love for you to follow our pre-launch Kickstarter page. We're aiming for 100 followers by next week, and you can help us get there. Clicking the link below and then tapping "Notify me on launch" on the Kickstarter page will help ensure we have the strongest launch possible. We're planning to launch later this Summer after I've fulfilled the physical rewards from this novel.

Note: clicking the "notify" button in NO WAY obligates you to back the project on launch, but it does help with the Kickstarter algorithms and is vital to the project's success. And this author will love you forever if you do so :)

[CLICK HERE OR THE IMAGE ABOVE TO CHECK IT OUT]

Thanks again!
 -Chris

Digital Rewards Sent!
almost 2 years ago – Fri, May 31, 2024 at 01:18:05 PM

Check your inbox, because digital rewards have been sent!

I sent out digital rewards a few minutes ago!

Everyone who finished their survey should have received an email from Backerkit with links to your digital rewards. Huzzah! If you misplaced your survey link, you can get it here: https://mandrill-pi-novel-vol-3.backerkit.com/

If you didn't receive your digital rewards, the email may have landed in your spam folder. If you can't find it, please message me on Kickstarter or email me at [email protected], and I'll get them to you right away. And if you're missing anything from your digital rewards, please don't hesitate to email me and I'll get it fixed right away!

Also, I'm scheduled to receive the author proofs of the physical books TODAY, so hopefully they will turn out well and I can give the green light on producing the full run of books (which will keep us on track for June fulfillment). All other physical items except for the paper bookmark stretch goal have arrived at my place, including stickers, prints, metal prints/bookmarks.

And a reminder of other awesome news:

The collected edition of MANDRILL P.I. Issues #1-6 is coming soon!

We would love for you to follow our pre-launch Kickstarter page. We're aiming for 100 followers by next week, and you can help us get there. Clicking the link below and then tapping "Notify me on launch" on the Kickstarter page will help ensure we have the strongest launch possible. We're planning to launch later this Summer after I've fulfilled the physical rewards from this novel.

Note: clicking the "notify" button in NO WAY obligates you to back the project on launch, but it does help with the Kickstarter algorithms and is vital to the project's success. And this author will love you forever if you do so :)

[CLICK HERE OR THE IMAGE ABOVE TO CHECK IT OUT]

I'm super excited with our progress, and I can't wait to send you your rewards!
 -Chris

A survey Reminder ... and a cover reveal!
almost 2 years ago – Thu, May 23, 2024 at 07:33:00 PM

Hello again!

Just wanted to send a quick reminder that if you want your name included in the "thank you" page in the back of the digital edition of the novel, please complete your survey by tomorrow, May 24.

• I am planning to send out the digital files to backers this week, and we're sitting at about 86% completed.
• There are only 20 people who have not yet completed their surveys, so I'd love it if we could get that number up to 100% :)

Here's the link in case you misplaced your survey: 

I'll be sending out digital rewards over the next week, so be on the lookout for those to come through.

PLUS:

The collected edition of the first MANDRILL P.I. comic arc is headed to Kickstarter this summer! (...after I fulfill this novel, of course)

And I wanted to share the cover with you featuring art by Carlos Trigo:

I love how the heavy use of black really hammers home the noir setting. And the pop of Manny’s distinct lip and nose ridge colors helps to draw the eye to him and his hardboiled pose. Including Kawy's ghost on the cover allowed us to tie in the name of the arc (Dial M for Murdered Coyote) while also pulling in the supernatural element inherent in the Urban Fantasy subgenre in which this book lives.

I love this cover, but I would LOVE it even more if you would click the cover image or the below link and then tap the "notify me on launch" button. We're aiming for 100 followers by the end of the month, and the more followers we get, the more it helps with Kickstarter's algorithms to get us in front of more people.

And most importantly, if you follow the project, you'll be my favorite person. Yes, you.

[CLICK HERE OR THE COVER IMAGE TO GO TO THE PROJECT PAGE]

Thanks again for backing this grumpy little cartoon mandrill!

Chris

Surveys incoming!
almost 2 years ago – Mon, May 13, 2024 at 04:02:22 AM

Good News: BackerKit has approved the fulfillment survey!

It's super important that you complete your survey ASAP when you see it show up in your inbox. Among other things, this is how I'll know what name to use in the "thank you" section in the back of the book (and, of course, where to send your rewards...).

• I'm going to need to set a deadline of May 24 if you want to ensure your name gets placed in the "thank you" section in the back of the digital version (if you don't respond by then, I'll just use your first name or Kickstarter handle--no worries!); feel free to reach out if getting it done by then will be a problem.

Just a heads up that the first thing BackerKit requires is something called a Smoke Test, which is where a random 5% of backers across all pledge levels get the survey link. This is to ensure that it works properly.

Thus, some of you will receive the email with a special link to your BackerKit survey immediately, while the rest of you will get yours about a day later. Please check your spam/junk boxes if you don't see the email in your Inbox in the next couple days.

Also, there’s no need to create a BackerKit account to fill out your survey. Just click the link to fill out the survey when you receive the email. Answer the questions about your rewards, provide shipping information (if you chose physical items), and purchase add-on items if there are any that you fancy.

Please fill out the survey as soon as you see it come through. This way I can begin fulfilling orders right away.

Thanks again for backing this book! We're on track to fulfill the digital rewards before the end of the month and the physical rewards by the end of June. I can't wait to send them your way!
 

 -Chris

We did it!
almost 2 years ago – Sat, Apr 20, 2024 at 07:04:17 AM

We did it.  145 backers. 308% funded. Thank you so much!!!

We couldn't have done any of this without your support and enthusiasm. This campaign has been incredible, and it's all because of you.

So, what's next? The first thing is to fix “errored” pledges.

Over the next couple weeks, Kickstarter will process the funds. They will also try and correct what they term “errored” pledges. This generally happens when a backer's credit card has expired and needs to be updated.

Kickstarter gives us just a few days to correct these pledges, so make sure to update those or you will not be able to receive your rewards. And that's no fun!

As I write this, there are 9 people with errored pledges, so please check your inboxes in case you received a message from Kickstarter.

(Please message me if you have any issues correcting your pledge. I want to ensure you get all your rewards.)

The Timeline:

Once the funds are processed, you’ll be receiving a Backerkit survey that will collect the address where you’d like us to ship your books, as well as the name you’d like to see appear in the special “Thank You” page at the back of the digital edition. You'll also have the chance to add any other add-ons you'd like to grab before the art heads to print.

When you receive those surveys, please respond ASAP. Once those surveys are back, I’ll email the digital rewards. Meanwhile, I’ll send the novel off to the printer to get the books into your hands ASAP. I’ll keep you posted along the way.

One last thing...

THANKS AGAIN!

This campaign exceeded my wildest expectations, and it's all thanks to your support. I can't wait to share MANDRILL P.I. with you.

-Chris