I want to introduce you to something bold I have been working on. Before I get into that let me say that anytime you see – The Black Ribbon in the title of the blog it is an update about this specific project.
I have already been posting a little online about it so I wanted to clarify and expand on what you may have been seeing.
When I first had the idea for Trankarri in 2009 I knew I wanted to make it a classic story in that it would endure through time. Because of that I also wanted to create the best reading experience for the reader full of illustrations and cool stuff. When I published the first edition in 2014 I failed miserably in everything I was trying to do. I had a good story and I did pay to have it edited, but the formatting sucked and the illustrations were cool but it missed somewhere, and the book cover didn’t hit quite the way I wanted. Plus I wanted a map and I have been thinking about that map since 2010. I have several versions sketched out but I am not a fantasy map maker. And I have decided that the illustrations will be of the Inkworld or Inkworld characters only. This way I can stick with the black and white motif I’ve accustomed to.
All of these come together in the Black Ribbon hardcover limited edition. This hardcover edition of the Inkworld Sagas (Trankarri, books 1-8 plus the first journal) will be available only through my website and Kickstarter in 2028.
It is very bold. The interior front pages prior to the Table of Contents will be exclusively artwork done by me to set the tone. Each chapter title page will also be artwork done by me. Chapter one will have one illustration, chapter two – two, three – three and so on for all eight books. That will be seventeen individual illustrations, plus the front matter and back matter and the page break artwork. The map will be done by a professional illustrator. And there will be three to five interior illustrations, masterfully done.
The front cover will be also be masterfully done and I will create or co-create the spine and I am still in two minds, actually maybe ten minds about the back cover artwork.
There will be other small things in the interior that will also be cool.
I think I will opt out of sprayed edges because who cares, I don’t. What I really like is the fan art of painted edges which is a cool work of passion.
The Black Ribbon hardcover edition that includes the first Trankarri journal will be exclusive with only 25,000 sets printed. And it may include my entire blog in printed form and possibly a personalized empty Trankarri just for you. I am still thinking about the entire package and all the tiers.
If you are interested in updates you can fill out the contact form on the website I will keep you updated in an email thread.
More posts coming.
