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The Eyes of Mandoral: an epic fantasy series of found family and more

Created by Laura VanArendonk Baugh

A new and complete epic fantasy duology with regular and special edition books, following a character-driven story of found family trying to stop a magic-wielding queen from saving the world.

Latest Updates from Our Project:

I'm still working!
21 days ago – Thu, Oct 31, 2024 at 01:12:15 AM

Hello, and Happy Halloween! I know many of you have received your surveys from other Booktopia projects, and I just wanted to let you know that I haven't forgotten you. I'm working on getting accurate shipping rates as low as possible, and when I can confirm, then I'll send surveys. 

I hope you can appreciate that I'd like to save you a few dollars where possible. I'm checking several different shipping and packaging options for the best combination. 

You'll receive an update and an email when we're ready! Any questions in the meantime, please contact me. :)

Have a great weekend!

We did it! Here's what happens now:
about 2 months ago – Mon, Sep 30, 2024 at 08:20:52 AM

Ohmygosh, you guys are awesome. We finished at 620% of our funding goal, and you are, as I said, awesome.

Now the work begins continues!

Pledges are being processed. If yours already completed successfully, you should have received an email to that effect. If your pledge did not process -- perhaps your credit card was near an expiration date, or there was a typo, or a sunspot, or something -- you can sign in to your BackerKit account and fix it.

It typically takes a couple of weeks for pledges to complete. Once all pledges are processed, I will send backer surveys. These are very important! so please watch your email for them. They should come in late October (and I'll update here again when they go out). These surveys confirm your desired rewards, let you make any adjustments or additions, and confirm shipping information and payment.

(Don't worry -- I'll do one more shipping confirmation before actual delivery, in case of a move or other necessary update.)

As I said during the campaign, delivery will come next year, and I'll update here as we progress.

In the meantime: If you haven't read "A Midwinter Theft" to meet Lisveth and Galen, you can pick up the free ebook here or get it in audio on the Finding Fantasy Reads podcast

Thank you again, and I'll be back with updates as we go!

Last Day Alert!
about 2 months ago – Wed, Sep 25, 2024 at 05:16:48 PM

We are less than 24 hours from closing, and we are just $352 away from one more stretch goal! Thank you so much for doing this with me -- I really appreciate your amazing support. We have ebooks, paperbacks, hardbacks, audiobooks, and special editions, thank to you.

Since we're so close to one final stretch goal, maybe tell a friend who might enjoy some found-family grimhopepunk ensemble-cast epic fantasy?

And don't forget to check my partner, Weave of a Thousand Lies, for an intriguing fiber arts magic system and more goodies when you back both at a physical tier. You can link there directly from my campaign page.

And one more time:

Readings & Goals!
about 2 months ago – Mon, Sep 23, 2024 at 08:08:07 AM

We are so very close (<$200) to unlocking full-color hardcover jackets for the special editions, letting you switch between jacket and foil at will for your preferred shelf display.

We're within striking distance of another double-sided glossy print.

And today we're getting another reading! Join me live at 3pm Eastern for several readings from Booktopia projects, and I'll give you Chapter 2. (You can hear Chapter 1 on a previous stream; just replay if you missed it!)

TELL SOMEONE, PLEASE?
Telling someone else about this project would be a huge help as we enter the last 3 days. Share with a friend who loves epic fantasy and found family! Unless, of course, you're keeping this secret because it's intended as a gift, in which case....

GIFT COPIES: YES!
One of the earliest questions I received about the campaign was whether backers could order additional copies of the books as gifts. Yes, definitely! Paperbacks, hardbacks, audiobooks, and special edition hardbacks are all available as add-ons to your pledge. (If you want these shipped separately, please contact me when you receive your backer survey and shipping information.)

If you want to give ebooks as a gift, I can make that happen, too -- it just takes a bit of manual adjustment. Contact me!

Thank you so much!

We've unlocked another goal! And more streams to watch
2 months ago – Mon, Sep 16, 2024 at 09:39:46 PM

Tonight we crossed the line for Fancy Chapter Headings, and we started toward Full Color Jackets for the special edition hardcovers. I'm very excited! Note that physical stretch goals generally become available for digital tiers as well, with a minimal shipping charge. I'm trying to keep these to flat, lightweight rewards such as prints so that shipping stays low (currently estimated at $4-5 for shipping all extra unlocked stretch goal rewards within the USA, depending on your choices and location).

I have 3 more streams scheduled, with various topics, so join us if you can:

Friday at 6:30 pm Eastern, some Booktopia authors will share our weird story origins. This should be fun, and you can get a sneak peek of some of my inspiration for The Poet's Eye before you read the Bonus Ebook of Extra Extras!

Saturday at 10 am Eastern, we'll chat about characters. I'll introduce you to Lisveth and Galen, and then to Kayvin, Dielo, and Yovela. (I love ensemble casts!)

Saturday at 11 am Eastern, a few of us will talk about our "clean reads" in Booktopia. This is a very subjective term, often defined in different ways, but it generally means no steamy scenes on the page, no extreme gore, and limited profanity. If that's your preference, you can learn more about those books here!

I've had a lot of fun doing the streams so far, so I hope you can join us for one or more. Bring your questions and bring your comments, and see you there!