Welcome to the first FUTURES update from me, Lisa Gee, FUTURES programme director. We’ll be updating you weekly, usually on a Friday. Although, as other days are available, we may surprise you by casually posting something on one of them.

Huge thanks to all those of you who’ve already pledged. We're already coming up to 20% of our target, but we really need you to spread the word to make FUTURES happen. Tell your friends to pledge today at Unbound.com/books/futures.

As you'll have seen, we have loads of fabulous pledge levels. And, to celebrate the release of Mystic Matt – your exclusive opportunity to have our very own Matt d'Ancona, Series Editor host a book club in your home – we have the first in a series of Q&As with FUTURES authors and editors. Here, Matt gives his take on the series.

1. Why did you want to be involved with FUTURES?
Because I think the essay is a glorious genre whose time has come again; because I want 2020 to be a year of optimism and fresh starts, and for Tortoise to take a lead; and because it's a privilege to work with the FUTURES team.

2. What are you most looking forward to about the series?
Being surprised! This is an opportunity to match unexpected authors with compelling subjects, and to draw on a truly diverse range of contemporary voices. We're in an amazing age of change and transformation. It's an intellectually exciting time to be alive.

3. Not counting the brilliant authors contributing to this first set, who – dead or alive –  would be your dream contributors to FUTURES? Why them?
Toni Morrison – I've revered her since I read 'Beloved'. Was lucky enough to meet her once, though I was a babbling fanboy.
J.D. Salinger – can you imagine what the creator of Holden Caulfield and the Glass family would make of today's world, its pathologies and its phoniness?
Rebecca Solnit – the best essayist writing today. Consistently brilliant.

4. Why should people pledge for the FUTURES essays?
Because they will be investing in an idea as well as a beautifully-written, beautifully-published series of short books. FUTURES embodies a passion for authorship, authenticity and hope. As Nick Cave says, a good idea 'can be the smallest thing in the world, a little flame that you hunch over and cup with your hand and pray will not be extinguished by all the storm that howls about it. If you can hold on to that flame great things can be constructed around it that are massive and powerful and world changing.' So let's dare to change the world.

5. What else should I have asked you?
How soon is now?

So, Matt… how soon is now?

That's it for this week … again, please tell your friends to pledge, share this link on social media and keep an eye on the FUTURES page for all the news, competitions and exciting pledge rewards we've got coming out over the next few weeks. 

We can't make FUTURES happen without you!

Thanks for reading and – most importantly – for pledging!

Lisa

PS: What authors would you like to see commissioned to write a FUTURES essay? Which 'The Future of…' essays would you like to read? Tell us in the comments below…