📖It's about a couple of thieves doing awesome stuff in a steampunk fantasy realm. There may also be some underlying romantic tension because, hey, criminals and rogues need love, too. Here's the fancy blurb:
In a city run by aether-wielding magicians and steam-powered machines, Feni and Raf are on the wrong side of the law. Both are liars and criminals, and both hold secrets that could see the other hanged. But when mad alchemists, corrupt sorcerers, and creatures from other worlds threaten their streets, two thieves are all that stand between the monsters and their marks.
Between Thieves collects the first adventures of the ignoble duo, Feni and Raf, and their unlikely rise as heroes of a city that would rather see them in shackles.
It is a novel?
📘Yes, but not like you're probably used to. It's a "fix-up" novel, which a lot of pulp and sword & sorcery authors did back in the day. Between Thieves is a novel-length book with a complete plotline that is created from several short stories that each have their own complete plotlines. Think of it like TV episodes that become a full season.
All the stories feature Feni and Raf. Some have been previously published; some haven't. Everything has undergone a complete overhaul to blend the stories together with an overarching plot. Stories that were previously published were edited, altered, and updated. The whole thing should feel new, even if you've read one of the stories before (hi, Mom).
Can my kids read this?
⚠️Yes, it's up to you as the parent, but I recommend ages 13+. There's fights, death, and violence, mostly against monsters and evil people, but none of it is over the top. Some blood/gore, the occasional expletive ("Jupiter's balls," comes to mind). There's also some flirtatious banter, some smoochy-smoochy scenes but nothing super graphic (sorry my spicy girlfriends, maybe next time). Between Thieves is PG-13 heroic fantasy.
Who the heck are you?
🖊️Oh hi, I'm Stephanie. I write fantasy and gaming fiction. You can read a bunch about me and my work on my website. You may have read my Pathfinder RPG story, Armored, and that's a similar vibe to Between Thieves. I've been published a lot over the last decade or so, and I've worked on cool TTRPGs with studios like Modiphius and Renegade. I've been writing and editing in the industry for many years. Typing that sentence made me feel really old...
Full disclosure though, this is my first crowdfunding attempt, my first indie-publishing attempt, and there's a lot of firsts here for me. I'm nervous and excited. I really appreciate your support as you join me on this journey.
🦹Super Thief: Receive 1 special edition hardback, 1 ebook, and goodies. Hardbacks will be fancy limited editions with cloth covers, dust jackets, and any other fancy accessories I can afford. They will be numbered (only 100 will be printed) and signed by me. I'll personalize, package, and mail everything with love to you. Goodies will be announced throughout the campaign, and I'll throw in some surprise stuff, because every good heist comes with a twist! (Note: Only available for US shipping)
💑Partners in Crime: Get 1 paperback and 1 ebook. Two is better than one! Paperbacks ship anywhere IngramSpark delivers, which is most of the world.
Print Pickpocket: You get a printed softcover (aka trade paperback) of Between Thieves. Paperbacks ship anywhere IngramSpark delivers, which is most of the world.
🤓Digital Operator: You'll get the ebook in epub and pdf format delivered through the interwebs.
🛠️Build Your Own Bandit: Choose the reward combination you want from the add-ons, or just tip me a dollar for fun!
ADD-ONS:
🖋️Professional Editing Help: Get your manuscript edited at a discount! I'm offering 20% off my normal cost for Manuscript Evaluation. This includes 1-5 pages of editorial notes for up to a 10,000 word manuscript. Only 5 of these are available.
🧝Tuckerization: Become immortalized in Feni and Raf's world! You and I will work together to turn your name and/or likeness into a character in Broader, the world where the stories in Between Thieves take place. Your character will be added to the book as a cameo appearance. Want to be a half-elf bard singing bawdy tunes at Jupiter's Fishwife, the bar Feni and Raf frequent? Well, now you can make your dreams come true! Only 5 of these are available.
IMPORTANT BITS:
⚙️Support at any pledge level unlocks access to add-ons.
📦Shipping will be added after the pledge. Here are some estimated costs based upon today's calculations. These are subject to change! US | $3.49, UK | $7.73, Australia | $11.39, Canada | $10.72, China | $9.56, Brazil | $10.31, Morocco | $12.88, Japan | $10.90
🔮Backers outside the US will be responsible for VAT or other taxes.
❗But wait, there's more! I have partnered with Drawn to Dragons to provide 2 bonus rewards if you support both our campaigns and both fund. Rewards will be announced during the campaign.
💰The initial $1,000 to fund the campaign will allow me to create the ebook and printed, softcover (aka paperback) book. The costs cover the hiring of an artist to create the rest of the cover to wraparound the print book, the layout design, copyright registration, and ISBNs. If you want a full breakdown of the budget, see the Boring Business Stuff section.
The following stretch goals will let me do even more to bring Between Thieves to life!
$2,000 - Quest for an Editor
At this level, I'll be able to hire a professional editor to put the final polish on the book. While I am a freelance editor myself and other pro-level writers (thanks to every critique buddy who worked for free) have helped me revise this book, nothing compares to an impartial editor. This will make the book better for everyone.
$3,000 - Alchemical Interior Designs
This means I can hire a professional layout artist who will add page flourishes, the city map, and fancier interior layout to all editions of the book. Ebook, softcover, or hardback, you will get the version I've always envisoned for Feni & Raf's stories!
$4,000 - Steam-powered Artwork
If we reach this goal, I'll commission more art from real human artists for fun things like bookmarks, wallpapers, stickers, pins, etc. All art will be available to backers digitally, and physical goodies will be available as add-ons. I'll announce these as we go with more details.
$5,000 - Magic Gamebooks
For this stretch goal, I'll turn one (or more) of Feni and Raf's adventures into a module for D&D 5e. I'll also include system-agnostic conversion advice for other TTRPGs. You'll be able to play through the epic heists and crazy battles that Feni and Raf encounter, right at your gaming table. The digital version will be available for free to all backers, and you can add a discounted print version as an add-on.
$6,000 - Audiobook Infiltration
I'll hire a professional narrator to create an audiobook. The audiobook will be available for purchase as an add-on at a discount for backers.
$7,000 - Only the Gods Know...
If we get up here, I'll figure out something really cool.
Side Quest - The Hardback Heist
Regardless of the campaign's total amount, if the limited edition, 100 hardbacks sell out completely, I'll throw in a super special secret reward for all backers! Trust me, you won't want to miss this. Help me sell those fancy book boxes!
🕰️I've built in some cushion time in because of the holidays and Murphy's Law. I hope to have everything to you sooner than this.
October - Campaign funds, woot!
Nov - Feb - Editing, ebook layout, print cover creation, distribution setup, etc.
March - Ebook releases to backers.
April - Paperback books are shipped to backers directly from distributors.
May - Hardcover books are shipped to me for signatures, quality check, packaging, etc.
June - Hardcover book boxes are shipped to backers by yours truly.
Where is the money going?
💸Mostly to fees and printing. You want to hear a math story problem? Probably not, but I'm going to tell you anyway. If this campaign sells 50 ebooks at $5, 30 paperbacks at $16, and 10 hardbacks at $40, that's $1,130 in total campaign funds. That's amazing, right? WE FUND! Of that, $$115 will go to fees/taxes, $390 will go to printing costs, and $995 will got to the static costs I actually need (ISBNs, Copyright, Layout, Artists). I will net -$470, which means I'll pay out of pocket to finish and ship this book. I'm prepared to do that.
Stretch goals mean that I'm no longer in the red, and I can start doing really cool things like hiring a professional editor or an audiobook narrator.
Here's a breakdown of what things costs:
ISBNs - $300 (bought in 10 packs for best deal)
Copyright registration - $45
Ebook & Print Layout - $150 (assuming I do it myself)
Print Cover Artist - $200 (I have a friend doing art for cheap)
Other Art - $400 (cross-collab, marketing, etc.)
Packaging Materials - $5 per hardback
BackerKit Fee 5% of total campaign
Processing Fees 2.9% of total campaign + $0.30 per pledge
Sales Tax 7.75% of total campaign
Who is this Jinx Publishing LLC on my invoice?
🧾Jinx Publishing was created in 2014 as the Ohio-based LLC under which I operate my freelance writing, editing, and self-publishing business. It was named in homage to my beloved rescue cat, Jinx Taboo. You may see Jinx Publishing LLC on official invoices, forms, or emails you receive from me during the campaign. Rest assured, it's all me. This is a one-woman (and a couple cats and dogs) show!
Is there any AI here?
🖥️No AI-generated content has been or will be used. All words (story, posts, marketing materials, etc.) are written by me. All hired artists or other consultants are required to sign a contract stating they will not knowingly use AI-generated content. There's lots of steam-powered machine things in the Feni and Raf's world, but none of them were involved in this book.
Fantasy
Is ONE world really enough? Do you not need to conquer more like the book dragon we all know you are?
Authors and creators need coffee to sustain themselves, and here is your chance to directly support them. We've all banded together on this quest, so why not check out other campaigns?
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Ready to escape yet?
📖 Printopia 2026
This is aPrintopia 2026project 📚 A celebration of books, comics, and graphic novels featuring an amazing lineup of creators crowdfunding together from September 10 – October 1 📅
👀 Explore the Printopia Banners Every project belongs to a banner, so you can discover stories you'll love and creators to follow:
Fantasy: Epic worlds, mythical beasts, and magic systems that defy reality.
Sci-Fi: Futuristic technology, space adventures, and mind-bending science.
Horror & Thriller: Spine-chilling scares, dark mysteries, and high-stakes suspense.
Romance: Heartwarming journeys, passionate bonds, and unforgettable love.
All-Ages: Fun, engaging, and wholesome tales perfect for every generation.
Anthologies & Collections: Curated short stories, diverse art styles, and unique creative voices.
🎁 Printopia Freebies Overview — Check out all the different ways you can get freebies in addition to your pledge rewards!
Banner Digital Zine Freebie — Support 3+ creators per banner to unlock their limited banner digital zine freebie, filled with art, stories, and bonus content from that group’s participants. Collect a new and exciting digital zine from each banner!
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