Update on CSP print edition · 3:58pm Jan 15th, 2021
I haven't made any progress on the assembly of the CSP print version since I last brought up the subject- at least, not the page layout part of it. I hope to get back on that over the weekend.
However, I haven't stayed still. I've been doing some planning, and I've been making some arrangements.
First, I've commissioned new covers for the CSP book and a single-volume abridged Maretian, and I've also licensed the cover art used on the Maretian hardcover release from 2019. I've also commissioned four interior illustrations for the CSP book, specifically:
- Cherry Berry shouting at the cardboard-box capsule changelings;
- Twilight Sparkle walking in on the changelings playing in Cape Friendship's "fun machine"';
- Chrysalis as capcom in Mission Control, reading a book to Cherry Berry during CSP-22; and
- Chrysalis raising a hoof to cover Equus during the moon landing.
I've also been making lists of desired artwork for the interior of the new Maretian editions- in some cases going four levels deep.
Those aren't going to get commissioned yet, though... because I've decided to make a Maretian reprint a separate project from the CSP print edition.
The main reason I didn't do a Maretian print edition myself two years ago is that I still had the Peter is the Wolf Book 2 project hanging over my head. That experience, in which a combination of artist demotivation and financial setbacks caused the project to run seven years between funding and printing, has made me extra gun-shy about things which might delay future releases- and which might contribute to future financial instability.
Jason Meador, the artist I'm using for the interior illustrations, has a day job, and a fairly demanding one during the pandemic. The illustrations for the last chapter of CSP delayed release of that chapter by almost two months. (I think it was well worth it to get the effect I wanted.) They came slowly because Jason was overworked and overstressed. I've just asked him to do even more work, this time with no common elements between the pictures, and I've opened the door to even more illustration requests dropping on his desk in short order.
The current plan is that CSP will begin with the aforementioned four illustrations, plus reprints of the other illos made for the project to date (not including the screen captures, which probably won't be in the book). More illustrations can be requested by a particular perk in the project when it goes live, and stretch goals would also add more illustrations. The same would apply for the Maretian reprint- three interior illustrations per volume, all of which would also appear in the abridged single-volume unless the scene in question got cut.
Even if nobody expands the illustration count, that's thirteen complicated pictures for a person doing this as a sideline. And it's also a commitment which would block me from sending the book to print until all those pictures were in hand.
(Incidentally, it's also a ton of money I'd be out if the project failed- I'm paying cash up front for all of this so far.)
So, in order to manage both my risk and Jason's sanity, I've decided to break up the work load a bit and wait until, at the very least, the CSP project succeeds before going ahead with the Maretian reprint. It'll be announced here when the project goes live, but at present it'll be March at the very earliest before that happens, and that's if everything goes smoothly.
And that's where we are at the moment.
Can I use your Ko-Fi to make a deposit on the CSP hardcover, or do you view that as an unescessary complication?
Dope. I will be keeping an eye on this.
Thanks!
That’s a lot of time to start saving up and that’s actually good for me
Take care. Stay safe.
With a clear “This Side Up” arrow pointing down?
5436528 The Ko-Fi isn't a good place for me to track such things, and anyway I'm not even close to having price points set. Hold the money for now, unless you just want to tip me for writing / gamestreaming.
Whooo! That was the one I was most hoping for.
Cool.