I CHOOSE THE BEAR - A BEAR-SHIFTER ROMANCE

The next trivia question is up! Has anybody narrowed down their ideas?
2 months ago – Thu, Sep 12, 2024 at 04:25:46 PM

Before we get to the question...

A couple of reminders:

Everybody who is currently backing the project or who backs this week will get a digital coloring book. Here's a sample page.


I had a lot of fun laying this out in Canva. All art was designed by graphic artists or hand drawn with no AI as far as I was able to tell.

Once we reached 150 backers, I'll reach out to my artist Kmochi and commission a second piece of NSFW art.

The NSFW art will only be available in the Backerkit versions and direct from me as I'm unsure how the sale of erotic art will be handled on Amazon, so while the PG illustrations will be in the ebook once it's on sale at Amazon, the NSFW images will be removed.

I'm thinking about creating 'Lore Cards' that will be delivered digitally, a freebie, that will feature that trivia questions on one side and the 'answer', my insights into Ivy's heritage on the other.



On the back, I'd explain my answer and offer a hint toward the sources or mythos involved.

If we fund high enough, I might have these printed out, gratis, for those who've backed physical tiers. There would only be about ten cards so there would be no extra charge if we get to a certain goal.

What do you all think? Let me know in comments.

And...onto the trivia question!!!

It's time to meet a new character! And a poll...this is for the lurkers!
2 months ago – Thu, Sep 12, 2024 at 11:19:55 AM

• Meet Delia, Jonas's mom. She defines mama bear
• Shooting for $6k
• The Lurker Poll
• Why BackerKit and Crowdfunding

Shapeshifters live longer than humans, so don't be shocked to find out that Delia was in her fifties when she gave birth to Jonas.

She also ended up almost killing her ex-husband because when Jonas was very young, it became obvious he'd be the next Alpha and that triggered something ugly in his father, Magnus.

Jonas absolutely adores his mother and she loves him right back.


Shooting for $6k

If we hit $6k in funding, I'm getting Blue Raven Books to design the book jacket. Look at some of these designs!



I didn't think I knew what I wanted but I have an idea in mind now and I think it will be amazing. But we need to get over $6 to make it happen.


Why Backerkit and Crowdfunding?

I know a lot of people are curious as to why I've moved to crowdfunding after so many years of...not.

Well, the industry is changing. I haven't had much success trying to sell that last couple of ideas I've had to my traditional publishers. And frankly, indie publishing is hard. If you don't line up everything just right, it can be hard to make even more than a couple of hundred dollars on a book.

And...frankly, even when you do, it might not happen. I mean, can you imagine working for months and months on a project and your paycheck turning out to be no more than a couple of hundred dollars...and that's after you've invested money into it?  

Crowdfunding will allow an author to create interest in projects, generate funds and revenue on special editions of older books, like I did with Blade Song, and build up interest for new projects like I'm doing with I Choose the Bear.

This could be one of my biggest books to date--at least, I'm hoping so. And I'd love for you to join me on the journey.

For the lurkers

If you haven't backed the project, would you take a minute and answer my poll? I'm curious about why. Nobody will contact you! I just want to know if I can entice you... because I'm all about enticement!

Question 4: Her kind—or those like her—
2 months ago – Wed, Sep 11, 2024 at 02:51:46 PM

Just a reminder on how this works:

I want to give you a chance to guess at Ivy’s heritage. We’re going to play some trivia…but FYI, I’m tricky. Some answers will be tricky. Sometimes the answer won’t be there. Sometimes, multiple answers will be correct…but only one will apply to Ivy.

To make it fun, though, what I’m looking for is participation. Whether you get it right or not, backers of physical tiers who participate and answer 80% or more of the questions will receive a small bonus, handmade prize, something unique to Ivy’s heritage.

Add-on Updates, New Art and a Poll!
2 months ago – Wed, Sep 11, 2024 at 01:34:03 PM

• painted edges for trade paperbacks as an add-on
• See Jonas
• Poll on how to celebrate when I reach 150 backers
• the flash reward

Sprayed Edges on the Trade Paperback (The Beta Reward)
After a request, I did a trial on a trade paperback at home and I'll offer this as an add-on for those buying the trade paperback, too.

Please note: there will likely be a small amount of bleed-over onto the page.

It will not interfere will the reading experience, but it might appear as a thin black line.

If you want to add it on, just go to the 'manage your pledge' area and look for it in the add-ons!



I got the final art for Jonas!!!

I'm so thrilled with it!


Created by Kmochi of Artistsnclients, this will be one of the illustrations and this will be one of the three colorized inserts offered (stretch goal!)



Flash Reward Reminder!

If you're a current backer or for followers who back this week, you'll receive a free digital coloring book that you can print out and color.

I started coloring with my mother-in-law several months back. She's currently in hospice with dementia and it's one of the few things she's still able to do and I enjoy doing it with her. It's amazing how relaxing it is. I can only do it for short periods of time due to nerve issues I have with my hands, but it's a good way to zone out and let my brain just...rest.

I had a lot of fun laying this coloring book out in Canva and you get it for free!

Here's just one of the pages.

I love how I was able to make the stream merge with the design in the moon. Isn't it pretty???

And finally... a poll that isn't about IVY! If you have a suggestion beyond what is offered, drop it in the comments!

Time for QUESTION 3! Remember, all that's required to win is PARTICIPATION!
2 months ago – Tue, Sep 10, 2024 at 02:41:57 PM

About the trivia contest:
 I want to give you a chance to guess at Ivy’s heritage. We’re going to play some trivia…but FYI, I’m tricky. Some answers will be tricky. Sometimes the answer won’t be there. Sometimes, multiple answers will be correct…but only one will apply to Ivy.

To make it fun, though, what I’m looking for is participation. Whether you get it right or not, backers of physical tiers who participate and answer 80% or more of the questions will receive a small bonus, handmade prize, something unique to Ivy’s heritage. 

Choose your team
Question 1
Question 2

And...the question(ish) is: