Help Jon Bring Beast Savers to Life

Hi Guys!

My name is Jon Upton, and I am a children’s book writer and illustrator.

I am raising funds to assist in self-publishing my newest book, ‘The High Seas Save!’. It is the first volume in my Beast Savers! chapter book series; An action adventure tale for 7-12 year olds, filled with strong willed characters, wild creatures, and high stakes excitement!

My goal when I set out to write the book was to marry my two favorite storytelling mediums: the written word, and animation. Essentially, I set out to create a ‘Saturday morning cartoon’ for the page.

I finished the first volume at the end of last year and began writing the second, as well as planning an overall series arc. Currently I have a map for ten books. I have also been doing visual exploration in preparation to illustrate the series. All while working a day job!

Now to the fun part: What Beast Savers! is all about….

The series takes place in a world where powerful creatures, called Beasts, keep the balance of the natural environment. But they can’t always do it by themselves and often need help and protection.

Out of that need, humans, called Savers have paired up with Companion Beasts to keep wild Beasts, and the natural world, safe.

Enter, our main characters:

Wren Goldsmith: A 12 year old Beast Saver. He’s not afraid to jump into the fray, and he’s had many successful saves.

Tolstoy: Wren’s Companion Beast. A dog-like creature who can change its size at will, and whose hair can harden into armor!

Dr. Moira Moraine: A Beast Saver and biologist who runs a laboratory in the Pomm Islands.

Ottoline: Dr. Moraine’s Companion Beast. A small, shell-creature with wings. Ottoline has healing and telepathic powers.

Here they are!

Vol. 1 - THE HIGH SEAS SAVE!

In Vol. 1, Wren and Tolstoy have been called to the Pomm Islands to assist Dr. Moraine in uncovering the origin of a mysterious disease causing normally peaceful Beasts to go on violent rampages!

Wren can’t wait to get to the islands and do some saving! That is… if they ever make it!

Out of no where, their cruise ship is attacked by a huge aquatic Beast.

It’s very possible that this Beast is suffering from the very illness Wren and Tolstoy have been called to the Pomm Islands to investigate.

But there’s only one way to find out: they’ll have to do some saving!

And thus the series begins!

I’m eyeing a publication date of either Sept. or Oct. 2024, but I’ll keep you updated!

And look forward to Vol. 2 of Wren and Tolstoy’s adventures early next year!

Now to the most important question:

Why self-publishing?

First and foremost, because I have a very strong vision of what I want this series to be, where I want it to go, and how I want it to look. Self-publishing offers me that creative control.

It also allows me to hire Portland based creatives, such as graphic designers and editors, to help the project come to fruition. Artistic citizenship is hugely important to me.

As well, the chance to market through and plan events in local bookshops is an exciting prospect!

I'm ecstatic for the opportunity to get Beast Savers! on the shelves and to start meeting readers!

I understand that GoFundMe doesn’t require that the recipient do anything in thanks for their donations, but I think saying thank you is incredibly important, so I’m implementing donation tiers with varying gifts!

TIER 1 $0 - $99

2 signed copies and your name in the acknowledgments of the book.

TIER 2 $100-249

3 signed copies, your name in the acknowledgements, and additional art plates included.

TIER 3 $250-$499

4 signed copies, your name in the acknowledgements, additional art plates, stickers, and an original art piece drawn into each book!

TIER 4 $500-$999

6 signed copies, acknowledgements, art plates, stickers, original drawing in each book, and the chance to name a character (either human or Beast) after you, your kids, or your pets!

TIER 5 $1,000+

Alright parents! This one is for you! This tier includes 10 signed copies, along with the additional previous offers from tier 4, as well as the opportunity for your child to become a main character in the series! (More details to come on this)

Kids love nothing more than feeling as if they belong in the adventure, and this would put them there!

Alrighty, almost done with all the info, I promise!

HOW I WILL UTILIZE THE MONEY:

Paying the editor and graphic designer to help finalize text and layout for printing.

Of course, the actual printing of the book.

Marketing, promotional materials, and possible event costs.

And to help with any potential copyright or trademark fees, which are important to protecting my written work and my designs. This will help to secure the series future!

Finally, I want to say thank you!

Whether you donate or not, many of you have been incredibly supportive of me and my work for a long time, and that has made a huge difference! Technically, you’ve already helped to bring Beast Savers! To life, and I can’t thank you enough!