Support Jennifer's Magical Writing Journey

My name is Jennifer Rain Crosby and I am fundraising to write my illustrated novel series Dragon Aeon.

What is this story about?

Maganna, a foundling, finds trouble and blessings with equal measure wherever she goes. She weaves family from strangers, attracts magical creatures out of hiding, shape shifting between forms without thought of the consequences. Her flagrant strangeness leads her through many lands and worlds searching for her origins and kin. On this Journey her shape changing takes dangerous forms and she becomes something that the people of her world have never seen before. Through mystical worlds and bustling thieving cities she discovers that she is turning into a dragon.

How did this story come to you?

It began when I had reread Lord Of The Rings again as an adult and was deeply disappointed to find that the female characters were few and flatly one-dimensional. They had no satisfying story arcs. I craved a story with complex and subtle female and non-binary characters. I wanted a story of non-duality, a story that embodied both the hero’s journey and the heroine’s journey. I wanted a story of self-development, self-acceptance, discovery and empowerment. Most of all I wanted a story with real magic.

Shortly thereafter, a muse came to me, a young girl who introduced herself as Maganna. She had a story for me. As her story unfolded I knew I had to write it. It’s been 23 years now and she is still whispering her epic tale in my ear. It’s time to let the dragon out!

Why are you having this fundraiser?

Maganna’s epic, the Dragon Aeon series, deserves my undivided attention. My writing requires uninterrupted time and space for a deep dive. I asked the authors of Elfquest, Wendy and Richard Pini, for advice about writing an epic series with my own illustrations. They told me that I should write the whole series before I publish the first book. Once that first book is out I will only have time to illustrate the next book. Fans expect the following books to be released in a timely manner. If I am writing and illustrating simultaneously, publishing is delayed and fans disappear. It was sage advice that I intend to honor.

All the signs have been here over the years: make the time for Maganna! She still wants her story to be told!

As an artist who has worked very hard to survive without any handouts or grants, I have lived very frugally. During the winter and spring I work on an all-women burn-crew, Force of Nature, protecting and restoring fire resilience to the lands of the Yuba River and San Juan Ridge located in Nevada county in Northern California. During the summer and autumn when the burn ban is in effect, I support myself with multiple art avenues: oil paintings, murals, and illustration jobs. In my spare time, I contribute to my local community through special event productions like the Sierra Storytelling Festival at the North Schoolhouse Columbia Cultural Center and shepherding the San Juan Ridge Tapestry Project.

What can we expect from this project over the next year?

-A complete outline for all the books, including finished chapters dotted throughout the timeline of the book series.

-There will be loads of juicy merchandise and artwork to buy to further help support me in the of making of this amazing novel series. Special merchandise like stickers, t-shirts, illustration prints and original illustrations from my archives will be available to buy for the right price.

Why are you asking for $13,888?

I need around $2000+ a month. I’m a fast and focused worker but if I am distracted with too many other projects and just trying to make ends meet, this epic tale won’t find the completion it deserves.

All I want to do is WRITE!!! Join me in this endeavor and bring real magic back!