Hello, and happy Monday! Check out the new artwork we’ve gotten and our first excerpt from the Mystic Marauder prequel.

Artwork Update

We are reaching out today to let you know that we are gathering together all the artwork for this series–we have gotten the first piece back from the artist. Check it out below!

We’ll be getting more art in over the next week or two and will share it with you as it comes in.

Next Stretch Goal

We are SO close to the next stretch goal–and once we hit it, we’ll be writing our villain’s vampiric origin story. We’ve had a ton of fun outlining his story!

Share the Campaign

To help us hit that goal, be sure to head over to the campaign and share it on social media. You can also enter to win a Premier Swag Pack in our giveaway by sharing the campaign on social media.

Excerpt from Maps & Massacres, the Mystic Marauder Prequel

Henry St. John, Third Son of the Earl of Northridge

I spent all afternoon at the taverns near the wharf, searching for someone who could provide what I needed. But Father wasn’t the only member of our family with connections. By dinnertime, I had made my arrangements.

My willingness to spend my father’s money with reckless abandon to get what I wanted helped. After all, it wasn’t like I was going to be around to suffer his wrath.

I cashed in several of my own accounts, as well, secreting my wealth in stashes hidden around my body and in the single bag I packed to take with me.

After dark that night, I made my way down to the Port of London. Giant sailing ships crowded the Thames, and it took me longer than I’d anticipated to find The Shadowheart, moored as she was away from the docks.

Finally, I found a dockhand willing to row me out for a few shillings, and we waited in the shadow of the ship. From high above me, I heard a rustling, and then the thump, thump, thump of a rope ladder slapping down beside me. I glanced up to see the face of the sailor I’d met that afternoon peering down over the railing, just long enough to wave a hand at me to hurry up.

The ladder swayed underneath my feet, reminding me of the games I had played in treehouses on my father’s estate when I was a child. I made my way up as quickly as I could, though by the time I reached the top, I wished I had thought to bring gloves. Even my worst riding gloves would have been useful.

The sailor helped me scramble over the railing and onto the deck, then shushed me as I started to thank him. Tugging me along behind him, he led me to a hatch leading belowdecks.

At least this hatch had a ladder made of wood leading down. The hold he led me to was close and dark and dank. It smelled of old seawater and the damp wood of barrels tightly packed, full of grain and alcohol and other goods.

He led me to a back corner where the cargo had been arranged to form a hollow space behind and under crates and barrels. It wasn’t obvious unless you knew it was there. And it wasn’t very big, either—there was just enough space one person to hide in if he curled up to sleep. One end of the hidey-hole stretched tall enough for me to stand straight, but only barely.

“You’ll need to spend the bulk of your time here,” the sailor instructed me. The makeshift cabin held a tin plate, a metal cup, and a single lantern with only the tiniest bit of oil. The sailor gestured at it. “I’ll replenish that as I can, too, but shipboard stores are carefully accounted for—I can’t promise much. You’ll probably want to save the light for later in the journey. I’ll open up the hatch during the day when I can, but sunlight will be even rarer than lamp oil.”

He pulled a few candle stubs out of his pocket. “I nabbed these, too, but the last stowaway we had near went mad, trapped down here all hours of the day and night in the dark with nothing to do but think.”

I nodded, thankful I’d thought to pack a book in my pack—at least I’d have something to while away the few hours of light I managed to get.

“I can bring you food every couple of days,” the sailor continued, “but you’ll need to be careful not to draw attention to yourself. If you do get caught and you’re lucky, the captain won’t toss you overboard immediately.” He shrugged. “Then again, she will put you to work, and you may wish you’d ended up walking the plank. Especially once we get to Australia and she sells you off as an indentured servant—or worse, reports you as a transported criminal just to punish you for stowing away. Much better to hide all the way there and let me sneak you off the ship as a free man, even if you’re an insane one by then.”

I nodded, though my heart was pounding. Was it worth the risk just to avoid going into the clergy?

Yes, I decided. I cannot live a lie.

I pulled a coin out of my purse and handed it to him. I didn’t let him see how much more I had—better, I thought, to pay him in increments than to risk having my throat cut in my sleep if he thought he’d soaked me for all I had. Not that he couldn’t do that and rifle through my lifeless body and belongings, anyway. I had to hope he was more trustworthy than he looked. Or at least greedy enough to hope for more every day.

He gave me a scratchy, rough-smelling blanket, and left me to come to terms with my new quarters.

I settled in for the longest, loneliest journey of my life.

Publishing on Kickstarter

And as always, we have some great campaigns below. Be sure to check them out–remember, the more we all support publishing on Kickstarter, the more awesome backer rewards authors and publishers can offer.

Have a great week and happy reading!

~Cali & Margo

Stretch Goal 1 Unlocked

Hi, all! We just unlocked the first stretch goal! Now everyone will be getting a special Pirate Queen Bookmark–digital for everyone and printed foiled bookmarks for merch backers!

Next Two Stretch Goals

We’re also ready to announce our next two stretch goals.

At the $4000 level, we’ll be sending out exclusive witch- and pirate-themed stickers to all merch backers, along with digital versions to all digital backers.

And at the $5000 level, we’ll write a brand-new exclusive villain origin story featuring Thomas Le Baron, the vampire who is hunting Destiny and her crew in the Mystic Marauder series.

And keep an eye out–we may be adding more surprise bonuses as we go!

The Next Weekly Bonus Books

We’re also ready to announce our next weekly bonus book! For everyone who backs the Mystic Marauder series by Oct. 31, we’ll be sending out two ebooks–one on pirates and one on witches. 

The first book is Daniel Defoe’s 1724 book, A General History of the Pyrates.

The second book is an 1885 volume entitled The Witches’ Dream Book and Fortune Teller.

Giveaway

Don’t forget to enter to win in the Mystic Marauder Giveaway!

Publishing Projects on Kickstarter

Again, thank you so much for your support! Remember, the more you support publishing on Kickstarter, the more authors and publishers can offer–so be sure to check out these great campaigns, too!

 Haunted Haven:

The Soul-Eater Trilogy:

The Starlight Chronicles:

The Lycan War Saga:

We’re so stinking excited about this project and hope you are too.  We really appreciate your support in bringing Destiny Blade and her pirate mates to life. 

Early Bird Rewards Ending Soon 

Just a heads up that EARLY BIRD rewards are only available for a few more days.  If you want one of these special collections or want to recommend them to a friend, now’s the time.  

New Art 

Do go and check out the new images of the art (both clean and NSFW versions) that are now posted on our Kickstarter page.  We’re so pleased at how they turned out.  We’re sure you’ll agree that they are amazing. 

YOU in a Mystic Marauder Story

In case you missed it, you have a chance to star in a Mystic Marauder story along with getting all the books in paperback or hardcover! 

Other Kickstarter Publishing Projects

Check out these great projects by other authors–backing Kickstarter publishing projects allows authors to keep bringing you more exciting books!

Again, thank you so much for supporting our project!  

Warmly,

Cali & Margo