The Dark Side of Super is an interconnected collection of super-powered shorts. Each features a dark, gritty, realistic take on powers, and adding another layer to the larger story arc being told. Looking to bring it to life as an audio book.
Bringing The Dark Side of Super to life with narration!
Trope map for The Dark Side of Super
The Dark Side of Super, originally released in the summer of 2024 in both ebook and physical form, is coming back this year! My goal is to bring the audio book version to life as part of the collaborative effort with The Book Bazaar. I have already contacted Adler Audios and priced out what it would take to narrate this novella.
But first, let me tell you a little bit more about this book. The Dark Side of Super is a collection of interconnected short stories that all weave together a much larger story to be told. Part Urban Fantasy (or Superheroes), part Thriller, part Heist, and all super, this collection will leave you stunned by the time you finish it.
Each story features a superpower and the cost that comes with it; be that mental, physical, emotional, or otherwise. One thing that always intrigued me was having power, but one that comes with a cost. This is the theme I explored, and played with, for each and every individual power contained within the eleven short stories in The Dark Side of Super.
What started as a writing prompt from a dear friend that brought forth the first story, to writing jams with my author group, and just dealing with A Lot™ during 2023—all of that led to the dark, gritty, realistic takes on power within The Dark Side of Super.
As my inaugural release, it has been a learning experience from the very start, to the end, and I have learned so much. And, of course, there’s so much more to learn as I venture forth with this audio book campaign.
I have Adler Audios on deck to narrate when we successfully complete this campaign, an indie narration company that supports indie authors. Believe me when I say they are perfect to bring this ensemble of characters to life!
But...what IS The Dark Side of Super? I kind of answered this in the previous section, but let's do a little bit more of a deep dive. To start, consider it a mash-up of The Boys and Oceans 11, or Umbrella Academy and Leverage. Take those, throw in some thriller and horror vibes, and you have The Dark Side of Super.
Here's the blurb for the novella:
Superpowers, the ability to be something more.
This collection of stories weaves together the tales of eleven individuals who have come into their own power.
When their backs are against the wall, each of them will have to make a choice. Felix must watch what he says, his voice carrying an addictive power. Jasper must learn to look before he leaps while figuring out his teleportation ability, much to the dismay of his sister Enid, whose emotions bring rain and thunder. Sabrina struggles against the relentless flow of time, no matter how she tries to turn the clock back. Nikhail hides from the fame, or infamy, the power to heal brings.
These stories and more delve into the dark side of being super. They can rise up like heroes, or let their powers corrupt them. Find out which side of human nature prevails!
At the end of the day, this collection of shorts is about how a normal, average, everyday person might deal with having superpowers. Whether they resist the siren's call of using it for reasons less than good, or if they hate the power in and of itself. These are people who lead messy lives, who might not have made the best choices even before coming into their power.
On top of that, each power comes with a cost. Some might be physical, others emotional, or even cause mental strain. There are costs that one might not even realize to having power.
These eleven stories weave together a novella-length tale layer by layer, each adding insight as to what draws these characters together, what might stand in their way. These stories build up to something, and, well, I dare not tell you what that is.
Spoilers, dearie, am I right?
That's it, that's The Dark Side of Super. Part urban fantasy/superheroes. Part Thriller. Part Heist. All Super.
Don't want to take my word for it? I get it, I'm the author, and I am biased. Check out some of these reviews.
My name is Matthew, and this project came to life because, well, I finally had to admit I do not need to know how to do everything myself. I am starting to both know and understand my limitations; both of time and capability. I know there are people out there who would love to enjoy The Dark Side of Super, but are unable to handle either a physical book or an ebook. When I first heard about Molly Briar of Adler Audios, something clicked.
I don't have to do this myself. As an indie author, we kind of do have to do everything, but not this. I found a narrator whose voice, and style, is perfect for my collection, and even better? It's a fellow indie author who does narration and started a company to help fellow small authors out.
When I first heard about The Book Bazaar happening, I reached out to Molly on the chance I got selected to be a part of is amazing collaborative crowdfunding experience...and here we are.
Audio books are an avenue I'd love to provide my stories in, to bring them wide to the world and to make them as accessible as possible. The end goal will be everywhere: Audible, Google Play, Apple Books, LibroFM, etc.
Of course, I aim to give you first dibs on all of this before anyone else!
Primary Goal: Raise $500 towards the cost of producing The Dark Side of Super as an audio book. This will get me to roughly half of the way to the total cost, and I plan to cover the rest. I will put my money where my mouth is to get this project brought to life.
Fully Funded: If we can reach $1200, that'll fully cover the costs of getting this novella narrated at the rates I have discussed with Adler Audios.
Stretch Goals: I have discussed with my narrator on what is possible for when this campaign blows up. There are some lofty goals I can set for us to absolutely smash! If we can hit $2750 raised in this campaign, we can add a duet-narrator. That would allow for a cleaner reading since there are multiple POV characters in this novella.
BUT! If we can knock this out of the park and raise (by my estimate) $4550, that means we can get a full cast with each POV character having their own narrator. I think we can do that!
You want to help out of the kindness of your own heart, earning yourself that feeling of being a superhero. We get it, money sucks.
Swag Pack
Goodies never hurt, right? Here you can get a two bookmarks and a sticker.
Swag Pack: Two bookmarks and a sticker
EBook
This level will get you a copy of The Dark Side of Super in epub format, to load onto your e-reader device as you wish!
The Dark Side of Super E Book
Physical Copy
You're going to get yourself a signed copy of The Dark Side of Super to hold in your very own hands. Or someone else's. We're not going to judge, just make sure to mop up when you're done.
The Dark Side of Super physical copy
Audio Book
You're here for the audio book, I get it. That's what this campaign is all about and that's what you want. So this is for you. A copy of the audio book for The Dark Side of Super!
Heroic Bundle
You want it all. An ebook, a signed copy, the audio book, the swag pack. This is it. This is what you want, hero amongst heroes.
The Ultra Mega Bundle
You want more, I get it. Add-ons are an awesome way to show further support for this project, and I'm here to entice you with lovely add-ons.
You can add on to any physical level the swag pack! Bookmarks and the super hero sticker!
Or if you want more words from me, you can also add on a paperback copy of The Backwards Knight! Be aware that'll raise your shipping costs for a second book, and those are collected after and separate from your normal pledge.
This question is something that took me awhile to realize, now that I am on this side of the experience. As an independent author, there's simply only so much time in the day. I do not have the experience (or the time to get it), the equipment (or the money to get it), and, well, that brings us to where we are today.
You.
I need your help to make this dream a reality, to bring The Dark Side of Super's audio book to life as more than a part of my dreams as an author. If I am going to do this, I want to do it right. And that means hiring a professional, hiring someone who both knows what they are doing and can bring their distinct voice and range to this ensemble of not-quite-heroes cast.
Which brings us back to you.
Your support means the world to me, and with it we can bring this novella off of the page and into your ears. And if not your ears? Someone else's.
I will delivery physical goods as soon as possible, after the campaign ends. Audio books will be delivered once all recording, processing, etc. are completed. If we meet the campaign goals, I should have the audio book files back to me within three to four weeks. At that point I can send them via pledge manager to backers who backed at a tier to receive them ASAP, even before I start distributing to official channels! How exciting is that?
Since The Dark Side of Super is already published as a physical book, and this is for the audio book, this really only comes into effect for people who chose to get a paperback copy. Those will go out as soon as possible upon successful completion of the campaign!
Backerkit charges shipping after the campaign and this is handled differently and separately than your pledge amount. Please bear that in mind as you back at levels that have physical rewards! Shipping ranges can change a lot, especially as we head into the holiday season.
Shipping costs and timelines for physical goods! That's something that I need to cover and set some expectations. These are estimates based on shipping costs I've ran into recently: (all prices in USD)
Projects to Back
If there is one thing I have learned over my years and years of writing, is that no one author is an island. From beginning with brainstorming all the way through releasing a book, this is not a path to go alone. We are stronger together, and as such, this campaign is not alone in looking for funding.
These are some other projects that I think you'll like that are also a part of The Book Bazaar. Please take a look at these, and heck, all of the other projects too!
But...who am I?
So, you're here, you've found about The Dark Side of Super, and now you need more information. What is left to tell you? Oh, ME? You want to know about me?
I would say how dare, but I'm in a telling mood today. Quite simply: I am me, and you are not, and that is okay.
More? Let's see...
I am Matthew, author of The Dark Side of Super (and more.) I currently reside somewhere in the Midwest, in the general vicinity of St. Louis. For as long as I can remember, I loved storytelling. Whether spinning my own tales, or getting lost in books, video games, movies, or even music, all of that has brought me to where I am now. An author of the fantastical, the horrible, and, well, so much more.
I love to create: to bake, to cook, to make, and sometimes, even to break. I feel most alive (and the most Not A Smart Man™-est) when I am learning something new. Which is part of what I love (and hate) about writing. I will never be perfect, but I can ever learn (and grow) as a writer. That's kind of where The Dark Side of Super even came from.
I wanted to try something new, to flex the writing skills I felt I had developed.
And I am pretty damn proud of what I came up with. After all, those stories are me, distilled down and refined into something dark, something super, something to get lost in.
This...is my first crowdfunding campaign, at least on this side of the process. I am new to this all around, and I am working to learn the ins and outs of this so that I can bring to you the most excellent experience, and audio book, as I can through all of the phases.
As this is an audio book, and reliant on a process I am not fully knowledgeable around, I will state that I am working with Adler Audios, who has been through this process many times before. I am a keen problem solver and while I do not foresee any issues, I will work through them to get you your rewards without delay.
