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.
Is it 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).
Why should I follow your pre-launch?
You'll get the first story, A Game of Thieves, as a free PDF before the campaign launches. You can read it, decide if you like it, then give me your money... or not. I hope you like it and give me your money, though. That would be nice.
I'm also confident about fulfillment. The stories are drafted. The ebook cover is done (see above). I even have a super cool map made by a real cartographer! You'll have to back the campaign to see it.
I'd like to hire a professional editor (editing yourself doesn't really work the best) and get some art made for a limited edition print version. If I get really lucky with this campaign, I'll do some audiobook and gaming stretch goals--like making Feni and Raf's stories into D&D 5e modules, so you can enjoy the adventures at your own table!
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.
