So here’s the situation – “Grumpfest” has been out in the world for a while now, melting hearts and causing an alarming number of people to develop inappropriate feelings for fictional hockey players. And apparently, that’s not enough for me. Nope, I’ve decided to go full extra and create a special edition hardback that’ll make your bookshelf weep with joy.
But here’s the plot twist: instead of just printing a few copies and calling it a day, I’m launching a Kickstarter campaign. And before you ask “Honey, what fresh hell is this?” – stick around, because I’m about to explain why this matters for your collection and my sanity.
If you’re already a hockey romance devotee who knows that Max Harrison is the grumpiest, most perfect book boyfriend ever created, smash that notify button right here and then come back for the full breakdown. If you’re new to my particular brand of havoc – welcome, and buckle up.
Kickstarter 101: The “What Now?” Edition
LLet’s start with the basics for anyone who’s never ventured into crowdfunding territory. Kickstarter isn’t like ordering from Amazon – you can’t just click “buy now” and expect a book to magically appear tomorrow. Think of it more like… remember when your friend group tried to coordinate splitting the cost of that vacation rental, but it only happened if everyone actually committed?
Same energy, better prizes.
Here’s how the magic works: I set a funding goal (translation: “enough money to print gorgeous special editions without living on ramen”), and if enough amazing humans decide this project is worth backing, we all win. If not, nobody gets charged and I go contemplate my life choices while stress-eating ice cream.
You get to be part of creating something special from the ground up – we’re proving demand exists by making it happen together.
Why Special Edition, Why Kickstarter?
Look, I could have just printed some hardbacks through my usual channels and called it good. But where’s the fun in that? Hockey romance readers deserve something spectacular, and frankly, the community aspect of Kickstarter makes my author heart grow three sizes.
Here’s the thing about indie publishing: we have the freedom to take risks and create exactly what readers want, but special editions are hella pricey to produce. Custom covers, sprayed edges, premium paper, character art – it all adds up fast. Kickstarter lets me gauge demand and fund production upfront, which means I can go absolutely wild with the fancy features.
Plus, let’s be honest about the book collecting situation. Special edition romance novels have become serious business. Readers want gorgeous covers, custom details, and that satisfying thunk of a quality hardback. But they also want fair prices and direct access to their favorite authors. Crowdfunding delivers on all fronts.
The Pretty Book Situation (Because We All Have Problems)
Let’s talk about what makes this “Grumpfest” special edition absolutely drool-worthy. We’re going full collector’s item here – custom sprayed edges that’ll make your bookshelf look like a rainbow of literary perfection. Based on successful romance Kickstarter campaigns, these features are basically crack for book collectors, and I’m not sorry.
The “Kickstarter first” character art deserves its own paragraph. I commissioned gorgeous artwork of Max in all his grumpy defenseman glory, Lily with her bright smile, plus some swoon-worthy couple art that captures that perfect moment when sunshine meets storm cloud in the infamous “jersey” scene. This art debuts with the campaign – not exclusive forever because I’m not a monster, but you early supporters get first dibs. It’s like VIP access to book boyfriend heaven.
Why does this matter beyond the pretty factor? Because readers lose their minds over character art in the best possible way. You want beautiful things, I want to create something that’ll make you squeal when it arrives – it’s a perfect match.
The Community Thing That Makes My Heart Happy
This is where crowdfunding really shines compared to traditional special edition releases. When you back this project, you’re not just buying a book – you’re joining a community of readers who get Max Harrison on a spiritual level. You’ll get behind-the-scenes updates, sneak peeks at the production process, and direct access to me throughout the journey.
Hockey romance readers are particularly amazing at building communities. You don’t just read passively; you create fan art, share recommendations, leave reviews that make authors cry happy tears, and build genuine friendships around shared book obsessions. Kickstarter amplifies that energy in the best possible way.
Crowdfunding communities are magical: readers who back romance projects often become repeat supporters of the same authors. You’re not just buying one special edition; you’re investing in future projects and becoming part of an inner circle that gets early access to everything I create.
Why “Grumpfest” Deserves the Special Treatment
If you’ve read “Grumpfest,” you already know why Max Harrison needs to exist in gorgeous hardback form. The man is peak grumpy defenseman energy – all protective/possessive instincts and hidden soft spots, wrapped up in a package that could stop traffic. Plus, Lily’s journey from PR disaster to finding her perfect match? That story deserves to live on your shelf in style.
For those who haven’t met Max and Lily yet (first of all, what are you even doing with your life?), this is your chance to experience their story in the most beautiful format possible while supporting the creation of something special.
Win-win situation.
The book has already proven itself in the wild – readers are obsessed, the reviews make me emotional, and there’s a dedicated fan base who’ve been asking for exactly this kind of special edition. Kickstarter lets us make it happen without the usual publishing industry gatekeepers.
The Timeline and What Happens Next
Mark your calendars and set approximately seventeen alarms: we’re launching (Lord willing!) at the end of July for three weeks. This timeline isn’t random – campaigns that run 14-21 days hit the sweet spot between maintaining excitement and not exhausting everyone’s attention spans.
The beauty of hitting that pre-launch notify button? You get first access to early-bird pricing while everyone else is still figuring out what’s happening. It’s like having VIP tickets to the book event of the summer.
During the campaign, you’ll get regular updates about production progress, stretch goals (because yes, there will be stretch goals that’ll make this edition even more amazing), and probably some behind-the-scenes melt-downs that’ll either entertain you or make you question my sanity.
Your Next Move (And Why It Matters)
Here’s where you come in, you magnificent book-loving humans. Hit that notify button on the pre-launch page – seriously, right now, I’ll wait. This isn’t just about getting a stunning book; you’re supporting the indie romance ecosystem that creates the diverse, passionate stories readers actually crave.
When you back projects like this, you’re voting with your wallet for more author creative freedom, more direct relationships between writers and readers, and more of the specific content you actually want to see in the world.
The campaign launches end of July. Be ready. Your bookshelf, your book-loving friends, and my questionable decision to make everything as extra as possible all depend on it.
Ready to make some book magic happen? Get notified when the “Grumpfest” special edition goes live and prepare to own the most gorgeous version of Max Harrison’s story ever created. Fair warning: this edition might ruin you for all other books.