The Monthly, User-Driven Story Project – Interest Check

WHAT’S THE PROJECT?
Here’s the idea: with your support, I’ll begin writing a new story that’s influenced by your input. This is an interest check before I devote too much preparation to the project.

HOW WOULD THIS WORK?
If there’s sufficient interest, I’ll open an account with Patreon.com and set a monthly monetary goal for supporters to reach. If the goal is met each month, I’ll publish a new ten-page mini-chapter.

At the end of many of the updates will be a choice on how the characters should proceed. Contributors will get to vote on which way they want to see the story go from the provided options, and the majority vote will influence the next chapter. Initially, you’ll vote with your contribution. Five dollars would be five votes, ten dollars equals ten votes, and so on. (This may prove be a bad idea, depending on how deep some people’s pockets are. We’ll see how it goes)

WHAT HAPPENS IF THE MONTHLY GOAL ISN’T MET?
I’ll postpone the update until the goal is met.

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU GO OVER THE GOAL?
That gets bonus material – background lore, character profiles, species guides – all the fun fluff that wouldn’t necessarily come up in the regular narrative.

DO I HAVE TO PAY TO READ?
No. Contributors will get first dibs, but I’ll have a staggered release for everyone else to read at some point.

DO I HAVE TO USE PATERON? CAN’T I JUST SEND YOU THE MONEY?
I’m looking at Patreon.com because I don’t have the time to manage multiple payment accounts and keep track of who has paid and who hasn’t. They get a small percentage for handling all that so I can focus on the writing.

WILL THIS BE ILLUSTRATED?
Not initially. But with enough support, I might commission some artwork to go along with the chapters.

WHAT’S THE STORY ABOUT?
That’s the first bit of voting you get to do. I’ve done a tiny bit of pre-writing on two ideas. Part of your feedback will help be decide which one to focus on and move forward with. If there’s enough interest, the first mini-chapter will go up at the start of the new year.

Your choices are…

OPTION #1 – “RESTORING GLORIA”

The Gloria Kingdom was an ancient, storied and revered monarchy. The Gloria Queens were legendary leaders beloved by their subjects and respected by their enemies. Ten years ago it all ended when a terrible dragon assaulted the capital, annihilated its citizens, and took the city for its own.

Michelle is the heir to the Gloria line (or so she says – loudly and repeatedly). She sets out to find a way to restore her kingdom, reclaim her birthright, and rescue her kidnapped betrothed. Joining her are veteran Donna and loyal (if a bit dopey) Danni.

This fantasy story has the readers guiding Michelle in her decisions. Through them, she will either become a great queen or a lousy pretender to the throne.  Your choices will decide who stands with her in the end, and what she learns of the Gloria line.

OPTION #2 – “RAIDERS OF THE ABYSS”

The Raiders of the Abyss were once one of the most respected and feared gangs inside or outside of the Belt. But between tragedies and mistakes, they’ve been reduced to a shadow of their former strength. The boss is stepping down and putting the fate of the gang in Jamie’s hands.

In the same hour she’s taken over the Raiders she receives word that war has been declared. The Tri-World Coalition and the Lunar Empire are about to tear into each other – and each side is offering a pardon  to any pirate who signs up with them.

This sci-fi story has the readers guiding Jamie as she navigates an interplanetary war, choosing whether to side with one faction or another – or to serve her own ambitions. Readers will also guide Jamie as she tries to keep her gang together – or face mutiny.

Please vote below and let me know if you’re interested in helping me get this off the ground!

[yop_poll id=”3″]

Radio Interview with Geek Beat Radio

Bostonians!

…and everyone else with an internet connection!

I’ll be appearing on Geek Beat Radio (or “geekbeatradio,” as they seem to prefer it) on Monday, Oct. 6th at 10:00 PM EST.  We’ll be talking primarily about Mega Man, but knowing how my interviews go, we’ll most likely wander off into all sorts of discussion territory.

Podcasts, streams and more are available on their website:
www.geekbeatradio.com

ALS Ice Bucket Challenge!

I have accepted the call to have water dumped on my head in the name of medical research!

This also marks the launch of the BumbleKing Video channel on YouTube.  Hopefully one day soon it will have much more than me getting soaked.  Baby steps… baby steps.

Heroes Con ’14

UPDATED 6/19/13

So… call me a liar.  I’m doing a show this year after all!

I’ll be attending Heroes Con, which runs June 20th-24th.  You can find all the details about the show here.

A number of co-workers will be in attendance as well.  You can find us at the following tables:

IAN FLYNN – AA-519
(writer)

ALEAH BAKER – AA-520
(writer, colorist, letterer, conceptual artist)

TRACY YARDLEY! – AA-517
(writer, penciler, conceptual artist)

JIM AMASH – AA-619
(inker)

TERESA DAVIDSON – AA-620
(inker, letterer)

Update: There will be a panel featuring me, Aleah, Tracy and our editor on Saturday, June 21st at 2:00PM, room 201.

See y’all soon!