We've done it!!

We have funded a third anthology of aromantic stories! 300 of you have now raised C$12,078, whew!

You would think by now I would be getting used to this, that everybody's support would be a little less stunning, leave me less floored and better able to express my gratitude. But it really doesn't. If anything, the way everyone keeps showing up for more, keeps coming back to support these anthologies, is just all the more touching.

Common Bonds is a labour of love, my rallying cry to give aromantic stories -- and especially aromantic stories of platonic love -- the space to shine, to realize their fullness, to let their myriad possibilities and undeniable queerness come to life.

It is nothing short of miraculous, to build a queer anthology so devoid of romance and to gather C$12,000 for it, to pay our authors and cover artists what they deserve. I am often told that people want these stories, but the struggle is always the same: to find these readers when our stories are so de-emphasized and devalues. But we did it. We, because I couldn't have done this alone, even though this is a niche I know well. Your support over the last few weeks, whether through pledges or reposts, has given us the reach we needed. So thank you. Thank you for proving over and over that aromantic stories matter, that you love friendships and queerplatonic partners and mentors and family, found or forged or born into. Thank you for making sure we can pay everyone involved when existing as queer creatives is harder and harder.

And that last point? That's what comes next.

Because here's the deal: we still have 9 days. And here is our first stretch goal:

This is always the way we've built these campaigns: ensure a minimum of $0.06 USD/word, then shoot for our true heart's desire: $0.08 USD (and the corresponding poetry pay boost, of course).

And while it's always important to me that we reach this, I'm going to be level with everyone: when our authors submitted to the Common Bonds 2 call, we had achieved the $0.08 stretch goal. So I especially want to get it now, so we can pay Common Bonds 3 authors the same as both other anthologies. 

Is it shooting for the moon? Maybe a little. Has that ever stopped me? As if. 

We're already 80% of the way. Let's get this ball rolling and get the remaining 20, shall we?

With love, gratefulness, and determination <3

Claudie