Hey! Most of you that are seeing this already know me, so I'll get to the point.

I've been dreaming of becoming a published author since early on in high school. When other kids would go out and play, hit the gym, or sit around playing video games, I stuffed a serious amount of time into creating fantasy worlds. Some of these have gone on to be thrilling D&D campaigns, and others have been lovely short stories that I've never shared with anyone.

After many false starts, I finally took the plunge and wrote my first novel. After two years of blood, sweat, and tears, I've completed it, with a whopping total of 130k+ words. All that I need now to accomplish my dream is to get my book published, and unfortunately, it requires money. I have to get a cover made for my novel, as well as pay for editing costs to get it shelf ready.

If you would love to see a new Epic Fantasy franchise that takes place in a science fiction universe hit the shelves at a store near you, please consider donating to my campaign. I will use the money I raise to get my book ready for shelves, and to market it.

Cost Breakdown

Editing prices can vary a lot, depending on the size of the work as well as the experience of the writer. As my book is rather large, combined with this being my first novel, the total price came out to 5280$. This includes the Reedsy fee (my editor liaison), and the cost to provide a query letter review to help me get an agent.

The industry standard for cover art of a novel varies greatly, landing somewhere between 400 and 900$. Luckily, my great friend and colleague Jacob Vickers offered to do it for 400$, and created a piece of art greater than I could have ever expected from him.

After a book is complete, and the cover-art is generated, you still need to lay the pages out in such a manner that it is print-ready. This seems to cost anywhere between 400-900$, but I decided to estimate this more on the low end.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, even if this fundraiser completes at 6000$, I will be pushing forward at a loss, and that is completely fine! I am dedicated to getting this book in the hands of as many people as possible, and believe that the product will be worth the investment.

Excess Donations

Any money that I make in excess of getting my book to shelves, will be set aside for possible future edits/novels.

I cannot promise to hand out any merchandise or books due to this campaign, since gofundme is ultimately not for sales. However, I can say, that it is my intention to send out free copies of my book, to many of my friends after the publishing process is over.

What Type of Book is This?

The Meaning of Stars is an Epic Sci-Fi-Fantasy Novel, detailing a long journey in which several characters experience deep and cutting character development, learning more about themselves, the world around them, and the meaning of life. There is a significant level of action, as well as violence in this novel, but it is never meaningless.

If you are a fan of stories in the style of Lord of The Rings / Star Wars, you would probably be quite entertained (Assuming I did my job!)

Here is an excerpt from my book,

He walked barefoot down a sodden path that cut between the stone eyes of the temple’s guardians. Shame spilled from each of his steps as the cold bled into his feet. What should I care? I owe them nothing. An aura of mist surrounded his robe, whisked away with his movement, replenished with every step. To think that I am bound to this. Reduced to a groveling insect in the halls of deceit. He reached the base of a long, steep set of stairs, crawling upward with the frost hanging from each crevice. One step at a time, his footfall melted the ice away with each step, only to be replenished seconds later. One mistake, one failure, one missed step. Death. Fools. The entry corridor was a maw of ice and stone, beckoning forth its’ next meal. Men and women dressed in pristine white robes acknowledged him with a simple nod. False prophets, false students. A disgrace. The gates of knowledge held shut by broken men, yet I, am the villain.

He stood before the ancient gateway. The cracks and markings told tales of endless abuse, abandonment, disregard for its upkeep. It disgusted him. To think they were the ones left to tend these halls. To think they were declared the scions of righteousness, of truth. The gateway rumbled, the crust of snow fell from it like wretched sand in a forgotten tomb. To think they were left behind to judge.

Thank you

Sincerely -- Tyler