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BAD. ASS. MOMS.
STORY
Too often in fiction, I’ve found myself asking: Where are the moms?
Dead moms are a long-established trope, especially in sci-fi/fantasy. When you look at stories—and the way we talk about stories—there’s this sense that when a woman becomes a mother, she ceases to be the heroine. Instead, she’s relegated to a supporting role for her children, who are now meant to be the center of her life and the only reason for her existence. There are exceptions, as there are in everything, but overall, we’re left with the impression that once a woman becomes Mom, her tale ends. Mother figures also rarely figure into fiction the way father figures do. It’s not often that the wise or experienced elder sought out by a young protagonist is a woman. Here’s the thing, though: A heroine doesn’t stop being a heroine because a kid came into her life. So I'm putting together this anthology to turn the spotlight on bad ass moms. This is inspired in part, of course, by my own bad ass mom, who emigrated from China to the U.S. fresh out of school, got her PhD in statistics, and named me after her personal heroine and another bad ass mom, Marie Curie (Mary and Marie are the same name in Chinese). Since moms and badassery come in infinite forms, I gave the contributing authors only one criterion: that their story be about a bad ass mother or mother figure. We’ve got moms across the age and experience spectrum, from grandmas to new moms. We've got warrior moms and moms who are bad ass in a quieter way. We’ve got biological moms, adoptive moms, and mom figures. A mom who runs a space colony, a hard-boiled detective mom, a witch mom, a coach who’s a mom figure to her students… and much, much more. Click here to support us on Kickstarter, or, if you prefer, directly via PayPal (see right-hand column). WHO'S INVOLVED? To bring these stories to life, I've partnered with the Crazy 8 Press crew: Russ Colchamiro, Peter David, Michael Jan Friedman, Robert Greenberger, Glenn Hauman, Paul Kupperberg, and Aaron Rosenberg. I've also assembled a fantastic line-up of additional authors (some of whom are bad ass moms themselves!): Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Derek Tyler Attico, T. Eric Bakutis, Paige Daniels, Kathleen O'Shea David, Heather E. Hutsell, Kris Katzen, Karissa Laurel, Khaalidah Muhammad-Ali, TJ Perkins, Jenifer Purcell Rosenberg, Joanna Schnurman, Hildy Silverman, and Denise Sutton. And who am I? Hi, I'm Mary Fan, author of sci-fi/fantasy books about intrepid heroines, including Stronger Than a Bronze Dragon, Artificial Absolutes, and Starswept. Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal, Booklist, and Kirkus liked my books, so I guess I get to call myself "critically acclaimed." I'm also the co-editor of the Brave New Girls anthology series about girls in STEM. Our awesome cover art is the work of Sean "MunkyWrench" Eddingfield (background art) and Streetlight Graphics (design and layout). A LA CARTE This a la carte menu enables you to customize your reward package. Just take any existing package of $35 and up and add the dollar amount associated with any item or items on the following list. Then message me to let me know what additional reward or rewards you've qualified for. Get listed as a patron on the acknowledgments page: $15 Receive a one-time mention as a cameo character, street, company, etc.: $25 Get additional paperbacks of BAD ASS MOMS: $30 each unsigned, $35 each signed by at least one author. (International backers - there will be additional shipping charges involved. Contact me for details.) Get one or more of the below e-book bundles featuring books by our contributing authors: $15 per bundle Sensational Sci-Fi E-Bundle: Supremacy's Bounty by T. Eric Bakutis, Crossline by Russ Colchamiro, In the Service of the Guild by Paige Daniels, Curai'Nal by Kris Katzen, No Small Bills by Aaron Rosenberg Fabulous Fantasy E-Bundle: Sir Apropos of Nothing by Peter David, Flynn Nightsider and the Edge of Evil by Mary Fan, Windborn by Mary Fan, Tales of the Crimson Keep: Newly Renovated Edition edited by Robert Greenberger, Vingat by Kris Katzen (writing as Rigel Ailur) Awesome Anthologies E-Bundle: Love, Murder & Mayhem edited by Russ Colchamiro, Brave New Girls: Tales of Heroines Who Hack edited by Paige Daniels and Mary Fan, In My Shorts by Paul Kupperberg, Release the Virgins featuring Hildy Silverman, Altered States of the Union edited by Glenn Hauman Girl Power FTW E-Bundle: A Matter of Faith by Robert Greenberger, Brave New Girls: Adventures of Gals & Gizmos edited by Paige Daniels and Mary Fan, A Girl Called Firedragon by Mary Fan, Starswept by Mary Fan, Breakway by Kris Katzen (writing as Reid Alan) Get signed books from me, editor Mary Fan: $30 each. (International backers - there will be additional shipping charges involved. Message me for details.) Choose from the following: Authored by - Paperbacks: Artificial Absolutes, Synthetic Illusions, Virtual Shadows, A Girl Called Firedragon, Flynn Nightsider and the Edge of Evil, Windborn. Hardcovers: Starswept, Wayward Stars, Seize the Stars, Stronger Than a Bronze Dragon. Co-edited by & contributing author to - the Brave New Girls anthologies: Tales of Girls & Gadgets, Stories of Girls Who Science & Scheme, Tales of Heroines Who Hack, Adventures of Gals & Gizmos, Tales of Girls Who Tech & Tinker (Coming July! Get it hot off the presses!) Contributing author to -- Love, Murder & Mayhem, Tales of the Crimson Keep: Newly Renovated Edition, Magic at Midnight. STRETCH GOALS Our current fundraising target is $4,500. If we surpass that, we'll get to unlock these fabulous stretch goals! $5,000 - An original story by the legendary Keith R.A. DeCandido! Reaching this goal will allow me to commission a BAD ASS MOMS story from Keith, an award-winning author who's written for Star Trek, Spider-Man, X-Men, Doctor Who, Supernatural, and one of my first fandoms, Andromeda. Fun fact: The very first book I ordered online with my own money was Keith's Andromeda tie-in book when I was a teenager, and I'm still fangirling a bit over the fact that I could be his editor in this anthology. Please help us make it happen! :-D $6,000 - Additional signatures! If we reach this goal, we will upgrade those receiving one signature to three signatures from our fantastic group of authors. $7,000 - Hardcover upgrade! If we reach this goal, then anyone whose reward includes a paperback of BAD ASS MOMS will have the option of upgrading to a gorgeous hardcover with a dust jacket and everything! $8,000 - Illustrations! Reaching this goal will allow me to commission some lovely black-and-white illustrations - one for each of our 20+ stories! $9,000 - Even more signatures! If we reach this goal, we will upgrade those receiving three signatures to five signatures from our talented authors! $10,000 - SWAG! If we reach this goal, every backer receiving a physical reward will get a BAD ASS MOMS bookmark and fridge magnet! We will add the following BAD ASS MOMS swag options to the rewards: mini poster of the cover, enamel pin, t-shirt, tote bag. Details to come after this goal is unlocked ;-) |
Not into Kickstarter? Donate directly via PayPal!
Scroll down for details about the reward tiers.
Option A: Use the button below to donate any amount and specify any a la carte rewards you qualify for in the note.
Option B: Use the below buttons to donate an amount associated with a specific reward tier (scroll down for info on each tier). Due to differences in shipping, there are 3 buttons - one for digital rewards (no shipping), one for U.S. shipping (+$5), and one for international shipping (+$20)
Reward Tiers
Tier 1: $1+ | Show your support!
Get a social media shoutout from Crazy 8 Press! Tier 2: $10+ | Get the e-book!
You will receive a DRM-free e-edition of BAD ASS MOMS, suitable for viewing on either Kindle or Nook, as well as a social media shout-out from Crazy 8 Press thanking you for your generosity. Tier 3: $25+ |A bundle of e-books!
At this level you'll receive an e-bundle of your choice, each of which contains five DRM-free e-books from some of our contributing authors (see A La Carte section to the left for details). You'll also receive a DRM-free e-book of BAD ASS MOMS suitable for viewing on either Kindle or Nook. Finally, you'll receive a social media shout-out from Crazy 8 Press thanking you for your generosity. Tier 4: $35+ | Get a signed paperback!
You will receive a trade paperback version of BAD ASS MOMS, signed by at least one of its featured writers, as well as a DRM-free e-edition of the book suitable for viewing on either Kindle or Nook. You will also receive a social media shout-out from Crazy 8 Press thanking you for your generosity. Tier 5: $50+ | Signed paperback + e-book package!
At this level you'll receive a trade paperback of BAD ASS MOMS signed by at least one contributing author plus an e-bundle of your choice, each of which contains five DRM-free e-books (see A La Carte section to the left for details). You'll also receive a DRM-free e-edition of BAD ASS MOMS suitable for viewing on either Kindle or Nook. Finally, you'll receive a social media shout-out from Crazy 8 Press thanking you for your generosity. Tier 6: $55+ | Your name in the acknowledgements + paperback!
You will be listed as a patron of BAD ASS MOMS on the acknowledgments page. You will also receive a trade-paperback version of the book signed by at least one of our authors, as well as a DRM-free e-edition suitable for viewing on either Kindle or Nook. Finally, you will receive a social media shout-out from Crazy 8 Press thanking you for your generosity.
Tier 7: $60+ | One-time mention in the book + paperback!
At this level, one of our authors will name a business, street, or one-time bystander character after you. In addition, you will become a patron of the anthology and see your name on the Acknowledgments page. You will additionally receive a trade paperback version of BAD ASS MOMS, signed by at least one of its featured writers, as well as a DRM-free e-pub version of the book suitable for viewing on either Kindle or Nook. Finally, you will receive a social media shout-out from Crazy 8 Press thanking you for your generosity. Tier 8: Paperback + a Mary Fan book!
At this level, you'll receive a signed book (hardcover or paperback depending on the book) of your choice from editor Mary Fan (see the A La Carte section to the left for the full list). You'll also receive a trade paperback version of BAD ASS MOMS, signed by one of its featured writers, as well as an e-version of the book suitable for viewing on either Kindle or Nook. In addition, you'll be listed as a patron on the book's Acknowledgements page. Finally, you'll receive a social media shout-out from Crazy 8 Press thanking you for your generosity. Due to limited quantities, the higher-level rewards, Tuckerizations and custom stories, are not listed here. However, if you're interested in one of these but don't want to use Kickstarter, please contact me at astralcolt at gmail dot com.
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