Hello Everybody!

We are about 6 months past the end of the funding campaign for StoryGuider, and, since the last update:

I ordered the first 6 proofs early to make sure my formatting on the interior was correct (i.e. words were not getting eaten by the seam), and I did find an issue that I wasn't expecting!  The printer requires a blank page at the end of the book for an internal barcode, and I'd left that page blank by putting a white page there, which I think they detected as being an object.  This resulted in them adding extra pages at the end, which I don't want.

I know how to fix it for the next iteration, but this basically let me find the issue before I needed to submit the whole lot for printing and was able to work on laying out 12 other books while the proofs were being printed and shipped (hopefully saving time from a proof iteration later).

From a timeline standpoint:
Digital print-and-play distribution is still on track to meet the Heroes and Friends target (April) but may be delayed a month (June –> July) for the Dragons and coloring book target due to some life things that I talk about in today's TTRPGkids Dev Log.  I've also delayed surveys to March since I want to prioritize layout/ordering proofs, which are longer lead items.   POD key distribution will be parallel to print-and-play distribution if all proofs come in perfect, but it will likely be 1-2 months behind each print-and-play distribution if I find errors in the proofs and need to run a second round to correct it.  I'm expediting all POD proofs to speed up the iteration process, and I'll keep you updated as it goes.

And I am delaying my next project, Begamed Brochures to 2027 to help me have a little more time to close StoryGuider out by the promise dates and stay on track for Mystery Snacks (metioned later).

There's also a full timeline in my Dev Log post with lots more info, if you're interested in the details.

My current StoryGuider priorities are:
#1 - Finish layouts for the Heroes/Friends sets
#2 - Update Heroes/Friends based on proofs, and order next round of proofs
#3 - Send out surveys to backers
#4 - Prep print-and-play files, game pages, and keys for Heroes/Friends while survey is running + waiting for proofs to deliver


ALSO.... Mystery Snacks is in it's final days on Backerkit!  This is an anthology of all-ages friendly mysteries + a rules-lite system that's designed for solving fun-sized capers.

Check it out here: https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/ttrpgkids/mystery-snacks

You can expect the next project update in late March when I'll have status on surveys, art reveals for the Dragons series, and a more detailed timeline walk for digital and POD distribution. 

Until then, happy gaming!
Steph C, TTRPGkids.com

We're just 90 minutes away from the end of the campaign and are so excited to be bringing this project to life. Thanks to everyone for making this our largest comic campaign ever!

We're only about $600 away from our next stretch goal PLUS Suncrest is currently sitting at 81% of our engagement points to get everyone who backs a Suncrest project a freebie digital zine.

If you have anyone that you know would love Bound by Words or any of the other projects in Printopia let them know! As long as the backer train is moving the campaign will stay live in overtime mode!

While we're hard at work on Bound by Words, we also have a few other comics in the pipeline. We've dropped a poll below, let us know what sounds the most interesting.

(All the projects below are in development. These are working titles)

Comic #1: Phantom of the Space Opera - (Sci-Fi Sapphic Romance)

After the last war ended, a decommissioned battle station was turned into an opera house as a gesture of peace for the galaxy. But the deadly AI still haunts the ramparts behind the stage causing trouble for the new owners -- the wealthy elite of a crime syndicate. Christine will need all the wits, skill, and vocal talent she has to infiltrate the opera house, take down the syndicate, and become the opera's new leading lady.

Comic #2: Red Beer Inn (Fantasy Adventure/Gay Romance)

Dunstan, a good-hearted but down-on-his luck dwarf and Hank, a cynical ex-cleric orc, couldn't be more different. But when they discover an abandoned baby human girl, they resolve to raise her together. Hijinks ensue as they try to live a life of adventure before settling down to run a tavern. But their pasts are never too far behind them. Will their love be strong enough to overcome it all?

Comic #3: La Navaja (Crime Drama/Sapphic Romance)

In New York City, a powerful crime boss known as La Navaja (The Knife) ruthlessly protects her community by keeping the gangs there in check. When external forces draw her into conflict with the Mafia, she must join forces with a policewoman to keep her family safe and to root out corruption in the city.