Neil Gaiman’s Norse Mythology meets The Odyssey in an epic mythic fantasy romance that reveals the birth of dragons. Forbidden love ignites a war between the gods of Ancient Carthage and Asgard.
Before dragons ruled the skies, a forbidden love set two pantheons on a path to war.
One woman. Two pantheons. A war that would give birth to dragons.
Neil Gaiman’s Norse Mythology meets The Odyssey in an epic mythic fantasy romance that reveals the birth of dragons. Discover the complete Dragon Origins trilogy, where forbidden love ignites a war between the gods of Ancient Carthage and Asgard.
Long before the Dragon Queen...
Before dragons ruled the skies...
Before kingdoms became legend...
One impossible choice would ignite a war between ancient pantheons and forever change the fate of dragons, mortals, and the world itself.
Choose any physical pledge during the first 48 hours of the campaign and you'll receive an exclusive illustrated vellum overlay insert featuring a quote from Nanna and Baldr's story.
This is a loose vellum insert, separate from the two vellum overlays bound into the Ancient Tome Collector Edition.
Available during the first 48 hours only and will not be sold separately. 🔥
You've helped bring my worlds to life before, and I haven't forgotten.
Returning backers who choose a physical pledge will receive an exclusive “I Helped Awaken the Dragons” sticker as my thank-you for coming back for another adventure.
Returning backer + pledge during the first 48 hours? You'll receive both exclusive bonuses. 🔥
Nanna, the grand daughter of the great Hannibal Barca
A Different Kind of Chosen One
Nanna was never supposed to become part of a legend. Born in Ancient Carthage, she has spent her life beneath the watchful eyes of gods who demand obedience, sacrifice, and loyalty.
But Nanna has never been particularly good at doing what she's told. She doesn't want a prophecy.
She doesn't want the attention of gods.
And she certainly doesn't want a destiny that will take her away from everything she knows.
She wants to protect her people.
But when the gods begin moving mortals like pieces across a game board, Nanna discovers that being chosen doesn't mean being given a choice.
And when a Norse god named Baldr intervenes in her fate, everything changes.
Two worlds collide: From Ancient Carthage to Asgard
Two worlds were never meant to meet.
Nanna comes from Ancient Carthage, a powerful Mediterranean civilization where gods demand sacrifice, empires battle for supremacy, and Rome threatens everything she has ever known.
Map of the Mediterranean Sea, showing where Carthage is
Baldr belongs to Asgard, a realm of Norse gods, ancient magic, prophecy, and the sprawling branches of Yggdrasil.
Asgard
Their meeting brings more than two people together.
It brings two pantheons into conflict.
From the battlefields of the ancient world to the halls of Asgard, Nanna finds herself caught between gods with their own ambitions, ancient powers willing to manipulate fate, and a destiny far greater than either she or Baldr imagined.
Because when two worlds collide even the gods may not survive unchanged.
A Story This Ancient Deserved a Book That Felt Ancient, Too.
For the first-ever hardcover edition of Dragon Origins, I wanted to create something that felt as though it might have been discovered beneath the roots of Yggdrasil itself.
Not simply a beautiful book.
An artifact.
Final appearance may vary slightly from digital mockups as materials and production techniques are translated into the finished book.
Inspired by ancient tomes and the mythology within the story, this special collector's edition is being designed to feel like a piece of the legend itself.
Rich textures. Intricate details. Antique gold. A book created to evoke something ancient, treasured, and passed down through generations.
And inside, the complete Dragon Origins trilogy comes together for the very first time.
Six Brand-New Full-Page Illustrations
Created especially for this edition, six full-page illustrations bring Nanna and Baldr's journey from Ancient Carthage to the realms of the Norse gods to life.
Collector Edition Features
Ancient Tome-inspired leather/leatherette hardcover
Antique gold foil detailing
Debossed cover elements
Gold gilded page edges
Six brand-new full-page illustrations
The complete Dragon Origins trilogy in one volume
Revised and expanded editions of Marked by the Gods and Cursed by the Gods
The never-before-published conclusion to Nanna and Baldr's story
A glimpse inside the world of Dragon Origins. Art by Lena
Book Specifications:
Format: Premium Collector's Edition Hardcover Trim Size: 6x9 inches Page Count: Approximately 300 pages Cover: PU Leather/leatherette Ancient Tome-style casebound hardcover Cover Treatment: Debossing + antique gold foil Page Edges: Gold gilded edges Interior: B&W with color illustrations and chapter headings Illustrations: Six full-page illustrations Binding: Hardcover binding with square spine Edition: Limited crowdfunding collector's edition Signed: YES Bonus feature: 2 Bound Vellum Sheets
This isn't simply the first hardcover edition of Dragon Origins. It's the edition I always imagined these stories deserved. A book created to feel like a piece of the legend itself.
Interior Design Preview Sample interior shown for illustrative purposes. Final layout, artwork, and design elements may vary.
Marbled Endpapers Rich emerald, black, and gold marbling carries the Ancient Tome aesthetic inside the cover.
Illustrated Vellum Overlay
2 illustrated translucent vellum overlays included, featuring a quote from Nanna and Baldr's story. These will be bound into the Collector Edition.
Three stories. One epic legend. The complete origin of dragons.
For the first time, Nanna and Baldr's complete story comes together in one volume. Marked by the Gods and Cursed by the Gods have been revised and expanded for this edition, alongside Hunted by the Gods, the never-before-published conclusion to the trilogy.
Marked. Cursed. Hunted. The Complete Dragon Origins Trilogy
MARKED BY THE GODS
Where the legend begins.
Nanna's world is Ancient Carthage, but the gods have other plans.
Revised and expanded for this collector's edition.
CURSED BY THE GODS
The gods have made their move. Now comes the price.
Nanna and Baldr are drawn deeper into a conflict that reaches across worlds as divine ambitions threaten everything they have fought to protect.
Revised and expanded for this collector's edition.
HUNTED BY THE GODS (THE NEVER-BEFORE-PUBLISHED CONCLUSION)
The story that completes the legend.
The final chapter of Nanna and Baldr's journey arrives for the first time in Dragon Origins, revealing how a war between gods will forever change their world...
Dragon Origins is available in three editions, whether you simply want to read the complete story or add the ultimate Ancient Tome edition to your collection.
The complete trilogy, ready to read anywhere.
The Digital Edition
The complete Dragon Origins trilogy in eBook.
Revised and expanded Marked by the Gods and Cursed by the Gods, plus the never-before-published Hunted by the Gods.
Perfect for readers who just want the story.
The complete trilogy in one reader-friendly volume.
The Paperback Edition
The complete trilogy in one reader-friendly paperback volume.
Black-and-white interior featuring all three stories in their revised and complete form.
Includes all three stories in their revised and complete form.
6 × 9 • Approx. 300 pages • Black & white interior • Full-color illustrated cover
ANCIENT TOME COLLECTOR EDITION The complete illustrated trilogy, created to feel like an artifact from the legend.
The Collector Edition
The definitive edition of Dragon Origins.
The complete illustrated trilogy presented in an Ancient Tome-inspired hardcover with full-color interior design, six new full-page illustrations, marbled endpapers, and bound illustrated vellum overlays.
For those who don't just read legends. They collect them.
Pledge Tiers.
Choose from the three available bundles, add on items that you've missed out on during prior campaigns, and round out your collection.
📱 THE READER Digital Edition - $10
Dive into the complete Dragon Origins trilogy digitally, including the revised and expanded Marked by the Gods and Cursed by the Gods and the never-before-published Hunted by the Gods.
You'll also receive qualifying digital campaign upgrades unlocked during the campaign.
📖 THE STORYKEEPER Paperback Edition - $45
Hold the complete story in your hands with the black-and-white paperback edition of Dragon Origins, bringing all three books together in one volume for the first time. You'll also receive the eBook of Dragon Origins as a part of your pledge. Shipping fees collected post-campaign in Pledge Manager.
You'll also receive qualifying physical campaign upgrades unlocked for this tier.
🐉 THE COLLECTOR Ancient Tome Collector Edition - $85
Own the definitive edition of Dragon Origins, created to feel like an artifact from the legend itself.
Includes:
Ancient Tome Collector Edition
Complete Dragon Origins trilogy
Six full-page color illustrations
Marbled endpapers
2 Bound illustrated vellum overlays
Qualifying unlocked Collector Edition upgrades
Signed by the Author
Also includes the eBook version of Dragon Origins as a part of your pledge
You'll also receive qualifying physical campaign upgrades unlocked for this tier.
Shipping fees collected post-campaign in Pledge Manager.
Make It Your Own
Once you've chosen your path, explore the add-ons to discover artwork, limited editions, collectibles, and select treasures from previous Dragon campaigns you may have missed.
⭐ BEST VALUE
THE DRAGON HOARD
The Ultimate Dragon Origins Collection
Read it → Hold it → Collect it → Get the Hoard.
Everything you need to experience Dragon Origins in one ready-made collection.
🐉 Ancient Tome Collector Edition
📖 Paperback Reading Copy
📱 eBook Edition
🔮 Dragon Oracle Deck
✨ 2-Piece Loose Vellum Art Set
🎨 Six Gold-Foil Collector Art Cards
🖋️ Your Name Listed in the Book's Acknowledgments
🎵 Digital Songs of the Gods Instrumental EP
🔥 6-Month Patreon Membership
🐉 Qualifying Unlocked Campaign Upgrades
Want to build your own instead? Choose any individual edition and customize your pledge with available add-ons and collector treasures.
Shipping fees collected post-campaign in Pledge Manager.
Build Your Collection
Add a little more magic to your pledge.
Looking for something extra? Explore collector treasures from the world of the Dragon Queen, including select items from previous campaigns you may have missed.
Six Gold-Foil Collector Art Cards
Take the artwork beyond the pages of the Ancient Tome with a set of six 5 × 7 Gold-Foil Collector Art Cards, featuring all six illustrations created for Dragon Origins.
Each card features a full-color illustration with gold-foil detailing and a coordinating Dragon Origins Collector Art Card Series design on the reverse.
Included in The Dragon Hoard and available separately as an add-on.
Digital mockup shown. Final colors, foil placement, and production details may vary following physical proofing.
🐉 The Dragon Queen Artifact Bag
Crafted in top-grain leather with gold detailing and a custom dust bag, the Dragon Queen Artifact Bag was created as a true collector piece from the Dragon world.
Due to the size, value, and special fulfillment requirements of the Dragon Queen Artifact Bag, this add-on is available for U.S. shipping addresses only..
And this campaign could help us bring it home sooner.
🎄 Help Unlock Holiday Delivery
If 10 additional Artifact Bags are claimed, we'll upgrade the bags to expedited freight and use split fulfillment, shipping them separately from Dragon Origins for their best chance of arriving in time for the 2026 holiday season.
If we don't reach 10 additional bags, no worries. Your Artifact Bag will still be produced and fulfilled according to the standard fulfillment schedule.
Only 50 will ever be made. Once they're gone, they're gone.
THE HOLIDAY BAG CHALLENGE 🎄🐉
As bags are claimed, we'll mark them off, so you can keep track of this special mini challenge within the campaign too.
Starting at: 👜 👜 👜 👜 👜 👜 👜 👜 👜 👜 0 / 10 CLAIMED
And keep watching the sleeping dragons. New treasures may awaken as the campaign grows. 🐉
Want More? Additional collector rewards and exclusive add-ons will be available during the campaign.
Shipping fees will be collected post-campaign in Pledge Manager.
Shipping will be calculated based on your final reward selection, add-ons, package weight, and destination.
Our goal is to keep shipping as accurate and reasonable as possible rather than building estimated shipping costs into the price of every pledge.
📦 Combined Shipping
Whenever possible, your Dragon Origins rewards and add-ons will be packed and shipped together.
Some specialty items may have different production schedules or fulfillment requirements and may need to ship separately. When split fulfillment applies, it will be clearly noted in the item's description.
You will only be charged for shipping once when surveys are sent, even if your rewards ultimately require split fulfillment.
🌎 International Shipping
International shipping will be available to select countries for eligible rewards.
Available destinations and applicable shipping costs will be shown during the campaign or pledge manager process.
International shipments may be subject to VAT, customs duties, import fees, or other taxes depending on the destination. Any charges not collected through the campaign are the responsibility of the backer.
Digital rewards are available worldwide.
🐉 Specialty & Limited-Edition Add-Ons
Some oversized, high-value, or specialty collector items may have additional shipping restrictions. Any restrictions will be clearly identified on the individual add-on.
The Dragon Queen Artifact Bag is available for U.S. shipping addresses only.
Because of its size, value, and special fulfillment requirements, the Artifact Bag will not be offered for international shipping during this campaign.
📍 Address Changes
Before fulfillment begins, backers will have an opportunity to confirm their shipping information.
Please make sure your address is correct before addresses are locked for fulfillment. Additional shipping costs resulting from an incorrect or outdated address may be the responsibility of the backer.
Keeping You Updated
We'll share updates throughout production, freight, and fulfillment so you can follow your rewards on their journey home.
Awakening the dragons is only half the adventure. We still have to get them safely to your door. 🐉
Thirteen dragons are sleeping, and throughout the campaign, we'll work together to awaken them.
Dragons can be awakened in two ways:
🐉 Funding Milestones as the campaign grows 🔥 Community Achievements as we follow, share, comment, and spread the word
Every dragon we awaken reveals something new. Some will unlock upgrades for qualifying physical pledges at no additional cost. Others will reveal new digital or physical add-ons, lore, art, and other pieces of the Dragon Origins world.
The farther we go, the more of the legend we uncover.
Readers first entered Nanna and Baldr's world in Marked by the Gods and Cursed by the Gods. Now their story is being revised, expanded, and completed for Dragon Origins. Then I'd feature the three strongest reviews, rather than all five:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “I loved seeing this blend of the different pantheons... It was easy for me to immerse myself in it. I adored this chance to learn more about the origins of the dragons...”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “This is extremely well written and the characters are beautifully developed.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “I just loved this book... Once I started reading I couldn't put it down until I read the last page.”
Reviews are from readers of the previously published editions of Marked by the Gods and Cursed by the Gods. Both stories are being revised and expanded for this edition. Hunted by the Gods is brand-new and has never before been published.
Years ago, while studying abroad in the Middle East, I visited places where the ancient god Baal was once worshipped.
Standing there, surrounded by the remnants of another time, I found myself thinking about the people who had once called those places home. They had their own gods, traditions, beliefs, and understanding of the world.
And one question stayed with me: How much of who we become is shaped simply by where we're born?
What if you took someone from one ancient culture, with its gods and beliefs, and placed her in another?
That question became Nanna.
As someone who has spent years studying religion and mythology, I've always been fascinated by the way cultures used stories about gods to understand the world around them. With Dragon Origins, I had the chance to bring two of those worlds together, placing the gods of the ancient Mediterranean alongside the gods of Norse mythology.
But at its heart, this isn't really a story about gods.
It's a story about choice.
About a woman whose choices are repeatedly taken from her. A god who makes a choice that changes both their lives. And what happens when mortals refuse to remain pieces on a divine game board.
What began with one question eventually became something much bigger than I expected.
It became the beginning of dragons.
I'm incredibly excited to finally complete Nanna and Baldr's story and bring all three books together in the edition I've imagined for them.
Thank you for helping me bring this legend to life.
Dragon Origins may have begun with Nanna and Baldr's story, but bringing this new edition to life has required the talents of an incredible group of creatives.
From the illustrations that give Nanna and Baldr faces to the covers and interior artwork that shape the books themselves, each person has helped bring the world you're seeing throughout this campaign to life.
Tina Glasneck
Author & Creator
USA Today bestselling author Tina Glasneck is the creator of the Dragon universe and author of Dragon Origins. Her love of mythology, history, and stories about the complicated choices we make lies at the heart of Nanna and Baldr's journey.
Lena
Illustrator
The artist behind the six full-page illustrations created especially for this edition, bringing Nanna, Baldr, and the worlds of Dragon Origins to life.
The interior title page and chapter artwork were created by Catcover Design, adding another layer of visual storytelling to the pages of Dragon Origins.
Cover Designers
Several designers helped create the distinct looks for the different editions of Dragon Origins, including the original covers.
The original covers for Marked by the Gods, Cursed by the Gods, and Hunted by the Gods was created by Covers by Combs.
Gombar Sanja
eBook & Paperback Cover Designer
Gombar Sanja created the illustrated cover featured on the eBook and paperback editions of Dragon Origins.
Blue Raven Book Covers created the cover design for our Ancient Tome Collector Edition, helping transform Dragon Origins into a book designed to feel like an artifact from the world itself.
Angela Sanders
Editor
Angela Sanders is helping shape this newly revised and expanded edition, working with me to polish Nanna and Baldr's complete story while preparing Hunted by the Gods for its first publication.
Music
The Songs of the Gods instrumental EP was composed with the help of Steve, my ghost composer and longtime collaborator, who has helped bring the sound of the Dragon world to life.
Dragon Origins is the latest chapter in a growing collection of crowdfunded books, special editions, and collector treasures I've had the privilege of creating alongside readers. This marks my 20th crowdfunding project, and I'm ecstatic to celebrate that milestone by bringing this campaign to BackerKit.
Through previous campaigns, I've gained hands-on experience working with artists, designers, editors, manufacturers, freight partners, and fulfillment providers to turn ideas on a screen into books and collectibles readers can hold in their hands.
Every campaign has also taught me something new, and those lessons continue to shape how I approach production, communication, budgeting, and fulfillment.
When you back Dragon Origins, you're supporting an experienced creator who understands that a successful campaign doesn't end when the funding closes.
The relationship continues through production, fulfillment, and beyond.
You're not just backing a project. You're becoming part of a growing community of readers who are helping bring the Dragon world to life. 🐉
🐉 SEPTEMBER 2026 Campaign Launch Dragon Origins comes to BackerKit!
📚 OCTOBER 2026 Pledge Manager & Final Preparations Surveys open, add-ons are finalized, and final production details are prepared.
🎨 FALL 2026 Editing, Artwork & Final Files The revised trilogy, new illustrations, interior design, and production files are completed and prepared for manufacturing.
📖 WINTER 2026–2027 Proofing & Production Final proofs are reviewed and approved before the Collector Editions enter full production.
🚢 EARLY 2027 Freight & Arrival Finished books make their journey from the manufacturer to our fulfillment location.
📦 SPRING 2027 Fulfillment Begins Rewards are packed and begin making their way to backers.
🐉 TARGET: BY THE END OF MAY 2027 The Dragons Come Home.
Our goal is to begin shipping rewards no later than the end of May 2027. Please note that all production and fulfillment dates are estimates and may change due to circumstances that arise during manufacturing or transit. Backers will be kept updated throughout the process.
Written by Me. Signed by Me. Packed by Me. Our World.
Dragon Origins may travel from Ancient Carthage to Asgard, but every book begins and ends right here with me.
I write the stories. I work with my creative and production partners to bring these editions to life. And when your rewards arrive, I'm the one packing them for you.
I also have a habit of slipping a few extra surprises into packages whenever I can, because you're not ordering a book from a warehouse. You're helping me build this world, one story at a time.
Dragon Origins is my 20th crowdfunding project, and one of the biggest lessons I've learned is that even the best-planned production can encounter unexpected challenges.
The good news is that this isn't my first time bringing a special edition from concept to finished book.
I've worked with artists, editors, designers, manufacturers, freight partners, and fulfillment providers across previous campaigns, and I've built the Dragon Origins timeline with room for the realities of producing a custom collector edition.
What Could Affect the Timeline?
The primary areas where delays could occur include final file preparation, proofing, manufacturing, international freight, customs, and fulfillment.
The Ancient Tome Collector Edition also includes custom materials and finishes that require additional production and quality-control steps. If something isn't right during proofing, I would rather take the time to correct it than approve a book that doesn't meet the standard promised to backers.
What Happens If Something Changes?
Communication matters.
If we encounter a production delay, manufacturing change, shipping issue, or anything else that materially affects the campaign, I'll communicate that with backers through campaign updates.
The estimated fulfillment schedule has been created with production time and contingency room in mind, but all dates remain estimates until the books are completed and ready to ship.
My Commitment to You
My responsibility doesn't end when the campaign closes.
It continues through production, freight, fulfillment, and until these books make their way into your hands.
Thank you for trusting me to bring Dragon Origins to life. 🐉
But one impossible decision would bring two pantheons to the brink of war and set in motion something neither gods nor mortals could have imagined.
The birth of dragons.
Now, for the first time, Nanna and Baldr's complete story will be told in Dragon Origins.
Three stories.
Two pantheons.
One complete legend.
Whether you're discovering the Dragon world for the first time or have been with me through every adventure, I'm so excited to finally share the story of where it all began.
Choose your edition. Awaken the dragons. Help bring the legend to life. 🐉
Back Dragon Origins today.
📖 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!
Cross-Collab Freebies — Back both projects in a Cross-Collab pair and get freebies from those participating creators (see individual project pages for exact freebie details and unlock requirements).
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?
Back 3 or more campaigns in the Fantasy Banner get an Exclusive Zine featuring Bonus Content from every Creator!
