Prologue
Think of the last book you purchased. Have you ever stopped to wonder what went on behind the scenes to get that story into your hands? Aside from writing the manuscript, there were revisions, edits, beta reads, and possibly querying, submissions, rejections, and countless hours of design and formatting. While you awaited the next installment of your favorite series, an army worked long hours to produce the finished product you now hold.
In the case of independent publishing, that army is often just one person. Before I started pursuing publication, I had no idea all of the steps that went into getting a book on the shelves. Now, I know that writing a story is just the beginning.
Next chapters
“What ever happened to that book you wrote?” These are the words that inspired me to revisit a draft that had sat dormant for nearly 10 years, and then to pursue publication for that same story once I’d dusted it off and given it a solid rewrite. When I penned the first words of Lily’s Passage in my youth, I never imagined the journey would lead me through growing up, starting a career, and motherhood. But as I took a leap of faith to flesh out the original draft, I realized the story I had been telling all along—one of bringing light into a darkened world—was the same as my message today. The only difference was my characters had grown up with me.
Lily’s Passage is a story of discovery and renewal. Within its pages, you will encounter a high fantasy world, complex characters with real problems, and a compelling story of the costs of becoming who we are.
Epilogue
My vision for publication goes beyond having my name on the cover of a book. While writing is my passion, so are people. I strive to touch people’s lives with the words I write and offer some light to combat the world’s darkness.
If you want to see more messages of hope entering the world of fiction, consider supporting my work! Along with publishing books, I plan to kindle the flame within young writers by speaking about the power of fiction and offering workshops to develop writing craft.
Appendix
What’s the deal with all the flowers? Floriography—the language of the flowers—was made popular by the Victorians. Each bouquet had a hidden meaning depending on the flowers, color of blooms, and even the arrangement of ribbon. The art of floriography is still alive today, and you will encounter the secret language of the flowers within the world of Lily’s Passage.
Every time you see a plant mentioned within Alderdale, consider what hidden meaning might be behind the bloom.
Become part of my story
It takes an army to bring down strongholds, and it takes a multitude to bring a vision to life. My dream is to share my books with the world, but I can’t do it alone.
You have a unique opportunity to be part of my publishing journey. Keep reading to learn about my fundraising campaign and the costs associated with publishing. Or, browse the links to get started.
Campaign Overview
The fundraising campaign will run for a total of six weeks from Monday, April 15th to Monday, May 27th.
During the campaign, you will receive at least one weekly email containing updates. If you opt-in to become a Lore Keeper, you will also receive monthly newsletters and blog post notifications, even after the conclusion of the campaign.
Why hybrid publishing?
There are many reasons I chose to go hybrid. The biggest one is my desire to have control over my creative work. When all is said and done, I’ll own my book and all the rights to it. Working with a hybrid publisher means I have the final say on everything, from edits to cover design. And most importantly, I don’t have a big publishing company changing my work to fit market trends.
But for all the freedom that comes with hybrid publishing, there is a cost. Publishing a book always comes with a price—the only thing that changes is who absorbs the risk. Because I’m an independent author, I’m the one who’s taking the chance my book won’t sell. But I also receive the reward for success.
As of March of 2024, I still have about $20,000 in costs to go towards editing, design, and launching Lily’s Passage with my publisher.
Costs
I strive to be transparent. Below is a breakdown of all the remaining costs associated with the publishing path I’ve chosen. If you want to know more, feel free to contact me with any questions.
Copyedit | 38%
Proofread | 21%
Cover Design | 3%
Book Layout | 10%
E-book Conversion & Distribution | 2%
Copyright | 1%
ISBN | <1%
Marketing & Book Launch | 16%
Coaching & Project Management | 7%
Total | $21,963
Campaign Rewards
Each tier represents a donation threshold. Rewards will be sent once Lily’s Passage is published. While my goal is to have the book in print by the end of 2024, publication is wholly dependent on funding. I will do my best to communicate if there will be a significant delay for campaign rewards.
Bellflower (gratitude) | $35
Supporters at this level will receive a physical copy of the book with campaign swag (stickers and bookmark pack). They will also receive an invitation to my Lore Keepers Street Team.
Poppy (remembrance) | $100
Supporters at this tier will receive a signed physical copy of the book along with previous tier’s rewards. They will also receive a set of artwork notecards.
Angelica (inspiration) | $250
Supporters at this level will receive a signed special edition hardback of the book along with a regular paperback copy. They will also receive an 8×10 art print from a selection of the book’s artwork and previous tier’s rewards.
Begonia (connection) | $500
Supporters at this level will be invited to a book club hosted by the author, either in person or online, depending on location. Event details will be determined after the official release of the book. Supporters at this level also receive rewards from previous tiers.
Holly (foresight) | $1000+
Supporters at this tier will receive a signed and annotated special edition hardback, along with previous tier’s rewards. They will also receive a sneak peek of the first few chapters of Holly’s Portent in beta form.
How to Get Involved
Register for campaign updates. Without registration, you won’t be eligible for weekly giveaways and special drawings, and I may be unable to mail your campaign rewards.
After you register, any donations made to my Project Jumpstart during the campaign timeframe will count towards the reward tier at the campaign’s conclusion.
Follow me on social media or watch your email for giveaway opportunities! Giveaways vary based on platform and are completely optional. Participation in giveaways will not affect the campaign rewards received.
Some giveaways may require you to submit a screenshot of your donation/participation. Use the form below to submit items for giveaways.
Sydney Frusti | Author & Creative Mind
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