Well. What a couple of weeks it has been.

Firstly, thanks to all of you from the bottom of my heart. When Unbound approached me and suggested doing this book, I was somewhat dismissive of the chances of it getting funded. But within a single week you all proved me thoroughly wrong.

To say this caught me out would be a bit of an understatement. My wife and I had booked a short break in Krakow before the crowdfunder went up, so I was actually sitting in a bar, in Poland, late on Saturday when the target was met. Trying to explain to a Polish barman why you've suddenly got very excited about a crowdfunder was an interesting experience!

Anyway, I thought I'd spend this update passing on some information that I want to share, and then tackle a few questions that people have asked on Twitter already (don't forget, if you have any questions or comments you can always chat to me there).

Streeeeeetch goals

Good news! We now have some! Now that we've passed the 100% point I've been able to unlock some extra rewards that we'd been working on. Most importantly, the GoveThulhu and M'Greh pin badges! These can now be upgraded to if you're on an existing normal book pledge, and have also been added to higher pledge levels. We also have custom dice for those who like to game.

Here's a basic list of the goals and changes, with more to follow. Don't forget to spread the word on Twitter and Facebook.

Dedications and testimonials

During the frantic funding week, those of you who follow me on Twitter may have seen that I did a thread about who this book would be dedicated to, and why. As a life-long reader (shocker!) I have always been fascinated by the mystery of book dedications. They're a tiny window into the things that motivate a writer, or perhaps even changed their life. 

I wanted to demystify my own dedications for you, as readers. So if you want to read about the two women who will feature in mine (the Science Fiction / Fantasy author Diane Duane, and my own mother) and why, then you can do so here.

Following on, but separately from this, I also announced that anyone who pledged can send me the name of an individual they have lost, who has inspired them, to feature in a testimonial section at the end of the book as well. We have all lost people who helped turn is into the writers and readers we are. You are the people who have stepped forward to fund this book. It is as much a memorial to your inspirations as it is to mine.

If you do have a name that you would like included then, as I mentioned in the thread, you can DM me their name on Twitter and I'll add them to the growing list.

Don't worry if you are unable to do this. Once the book nears the stage of going to print, I'll communicate again about this part of the process and invite people to submit (and check) names again.

The big question... when will this be published?!

The short answer here is: I don't know yet. To be honest, it wasn't a question my Editor, or I, were quite expecting to have to answer for at least a few weeks! As I mentioned above, this has all got funded a bit faster than expected, so you'll have to bear with me while we go through the logistics (and linguistics!) of the project and work all that out.

It is worth remembering, however, that there is an outside factor in play here - the Brexit process itself. This book is a satirical account of the ongling decisionmaking process, which gives me a tricky problem - that process shows no sign of ending!

Obviously, I want to get it in your hands as quickly as possible. But beyond the literary changes I know I want (and need) to make to the existing content - which I'll write about in a later update - there is obviously still more to come from the current, real life, players. Indeed the latest episode of the Brexit Tapes was published only last night, featuring a number of our key characters in their own special version of 'The Breakfast Club'.

One thing I have already done, however, is start to pull together a definitive list - and copies - of all the content that I have already. Indeed here's a sneak peak behind the curtain at one of my spreadsheets. Now this isn't reflective of the final chapter list, but it does give you a good idea of the content that either exists already, or which I already know I want to include:

As you can see, that's a substantial amount of content already. Which makes me think that perhaps the natural place to finish this current cycle of Tapes for print will be the end of March. Because that will mark the point at which the UK was meant to leave the European Union, and allow me to include all the inevitable shenanigans that happen between now and then. Of course whether the UK does leave then or not still remains to be seen!

Anyway, that's probably enough for now. If you've got any questions or comments then please ask or share, here or on Twitter. Again, thanks for backing this book. I'm genuinely touched, and also don't forget to keep telling the world about it.

The backing process doesn't stop here. It continues right up until this book goes to print. And the more backers we get, the more cool merch and other bits I can do.

Because c'mon... who doesn't want to see a M'Greh mug added too... #justsayin

TTFN!

John Bull
@garius