News about printing
8 days ago
– Mon, Nov 25, 2024 at 09:08:52 AM
Hello!
So. I have been communicating with printers for this book since May. I just added up some of the emails I could find and there's been over 210. It has been much more difficult than I had hoped to figure out a lot of the details, specifically for the Deluxe version. I have been in talks with the printer we chose since August. It's just been a very long process with A LOT of back and forths.
However, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel! We just approved the digital proofs! The printer still needs to check with their technicians (again) that the holographic foil can be stamped onto the book cloth they have. (I did have this tested at a different printer but they couldn't do the edge gilding we wanted.) But once that's completed, production time should be three weeks for the standard book plus an extra two weeks for the deluxe because of the edge gilding (they send out the books for this work). Delivery to the Europe and UK distributors should take roughly 7-14 days and delivery to the US distributors will, I assume, take a bit longer than that (have asked for a time frame from the printers).
Based on all of this information, I'm thinking the books will start going out to backers in late January, early February (as I am guessing the printer closes over the holidays). Later than I'd hoped, but not too bad considering how wild this process of finding a suitable printer has been.
And before you come at me for not finding a printer before we launched the Kickstarter, a few things: 1) we put together this Kickstarter extremely quickly and only added the Deluxe Edition as an afterthought a few days before we launched. Was it the best idea? Maybe not, but it was a good idea and it's going to look amazing when it's done. 2) I contacted several printers before the launch based on recommendations from a few book publishers I spoke to. They all gave me initial quotes, but these don't go into detail, especially not with the complexities of the Deluxe version. Once that happened, it turned out a lot of printers could not do what we were asking. We settled on a printer who has done work with a publisher we trust and whose books we'd actually held in our hands. It was a great coincidence that they also offered everything we needed for the Deluxe version of the book! 3) I am just one person. I am doing my best. Lol
But this is all good news. Almost there! I can't wait to see this book printed and I'm so excited to send it out to all of you!
-Katie
Quick update!
25 days ago
– Fri, Nov 08, 2024 at 01:23:25 AM
Hello everyone,
Just wanted to send a very quick update to say that the book files were sent to the printer earlier this week. We are currently awaiting their feedback and their estimated timeline for getting the books finished and shipped to our distributors.
It feels odd to be sending this out this week. It feels odd to be doing anything this week as we all look out at the storm gathering on the horizon. And we are not gods, nor wicked, nor divine; we don't have miracles or magic. But we have each other, so hold on tight.
Team WicDiv
Shipping charges and book update
about 1 month ago
– Wed, Oct 30, 2024 at 05:38:05 AM
Hello!
Your cards have been charged for shipping and any add-ons that you ordered through the Backerkit pre-order shop. Some people have been confused that the name on the charge is Fiction & Feeling – that is the company name of Jamie McKelvie and Katie West's business. I did not realise it would say that, but I've included below what the email looks like to clear up any confusion:
There have been some declined cards, so please make sure your cards are up to date to guarantee you receive your rewards!
Also some news about the book itself. Our book designer was 98% finished the final files when they had an unexpected death in the family. We're working on getting those files finished and handed in to the printer, but they'll be a bit delayed. But lots of love to our designer Vokey (who also did colours on One For Sorrow, which is out next week!) and their family at this time. <3
Out today is Kieron's OGN with Stephanie Hans, We Called Them Giants, a story of communication across a chasm at the end of the world. Lori wakes to find the streets empty. Everyone has gone. Or at least, nearly everyone. She’s thrown into a world where she has to scrape by in the ruins of civilization, nearly starving, hiding from gangs when…They arrive. I have read this book several times (I edited it), and every time it makes me cry. It's incredibly beautiful and powerfully moving. Highly recommend!
Talk soon!
Katie
Shipping prices incoming!
about 1 month ago
– Wed, Oct 23, 2024 at 09:57:46 AM
Hello everyone,
Thank you for your patience. Shipping prices have been locked in and Backerkit will be charging your cards soon. They will send you a message letting you know. We have used Whole Order Weight-Based Shipping Fees, so the total weight of your order will determine your final shipping cost.
Shipping prices if you ordered one book (+bookplate or +art print) are as follows:
USA: £6.50
Europe + UK: £5.50
Everywhere else: £8.50
If you ordered more than one book, the weight of your package affects the shipping price as follows:
USA: £10.50
Europe + UK: £9.50
Everywhere else: £15.00
If the weight of your final shipment is more than the weight of two books, your shipping price will be as follows:
USA: £16.00
Europe + UK: £15.00
Everywhere else: £20.00
We are using two distributors, one in the US who will be shipping only US backers rewards, and one in France who will be shipping all Europe, UK, and everywhere else. As such, we're using two different delivery services, so the costs don't necessarily scale the same.
The bookplate and art prints are printed and look great. I'll do a separate post about them soon! The book is being sent to the printer this week. I'll let you know when it's done printing and on its way to the distributors. You'll get a notification once your book has been shipped.
If you haven't yet filled out your survey, please complete it now to guarantee you receive your rewards.
Thank you!
Katie
Quick update about paper
about 2 months ago
– Tue, Oct 08, 2024 at 05:54:51 AM
Hello everyone!
Sorry for two updates in two days, but after my last post and a conversation with a backer, I spoke with the printer about the difference in weight between papers. In Europe, being over 2kg would double the price of shipping. And since the cost of shipping has overwhelmingly been the biggest concern when we hear from backers of this Kickstarter, it's an issue we are keen to mitigate when and where we can. But turns out, the printer's original weight and price for the book was given for 170gsm paper: an error in our favour! The book should be about 1.7kg, which is perfect. So no worries, we're back to the original plan.
Next update will be confirming shipping prices.
Have a lovely day!
-Katie
