Athena's Daughters, Day 30: YOU GUYS ARE INCREDIBLE, A Message from our Project Managers, and A Word on Volume II

"Athena," copyright 2013 Ginger Breo. Created for the anthology "Athena's Daughters," published by Silence in the Library.

Day 30. All I can say is that YOU GUYS ARE INCREDIBLE. We have funded every. single. stretch goal of this Kickstarter campaign. We are producing three kick-ass anthologies about strong women: Athena's Daughters, Apollo's Daughters, and (as of three minutes ago) Athena's Daughters: Volume II!!

There is absolutely no way we could have done this without your generosity and your willingness to share about the project. Thank you for the campaign of a lifetime.

Wanted to point your attention to the official Silence In The Library post from this morning, by Maggie Allen and Janine Spendlove, our official project managers. They have done an incredible amount of work behind the scenes to get this anthology off the ground and to run a smooth campaign, and we owe much of this project to their tireless efforts!

Now, a note re: Athena's Daughters: Volume II. This anthology is special to my heart because it will be OPEN FOR SUBMISSIONS. Yeah, you read that right. Any established or aspiring female author can submit their work for review to be included in this anthology. Submissions will begin in summer 2014 and Volume II will officially be published in 2015!

I'll be back tomorrow with a final total and some last minute details, but in the last ten minutes of this Kickstarter, let me say:

Interested in this anthology, or know anyone who might be? You've got ten minutes to back us or share about the project here.

Athena's Daughters, Day 24: E.J. Lawrence, More Podcasting, and a Tricia Barr Novel Preview

Six days left in our Kickstarter campaign, and we are thisclose to breaking $31K! Thank you so much for continuing to share about our project! With luck and faith, we hope to break through a few more stretch goals before the week is over. Now, onto the link roundup:

Athena's Daughters author E.J. Lawrence did a guest post for the Silence in the Library blog this morning. In it, she talks about how her early love of science fiction eventually spurred her to a career in science. She also talks about the symbiotic relationship between the two, and the ways in which female figures in both fields can be positive role models for young girls and women:

"...And though female figures within the scientific community do help to drive young girls into the scientific fields...I believe that female figures within science fiction also serve [as role models] in that capacity. Perhaps more so, because in science fiction and fantasy for that matter you get to live out those ‘what ifs’ far sooner than we can make them happen for real, but those ‘what ifs’ drive us towards getting there that much faster."

Well said, EJ! Her full blog post is here on SITL's website.

Athena's Daughters also got a plug on DJ Grandpa's Crib a few days ago. Janine Spendlove appeared on the podcast to talk about the anthology and strong women in the episode "Thor's Hammer, Part 2." You can stream it live or download it via iTunes at the link!

I'm also excited to announce that AD author Tricia Barr released her first novel, Wynde, this week! Her story for our anthology is a direct tie-in to this novel. The latter is best classified as "military science fiction with a fantastical twist that features heroines Vespa and Gemini." Which just makes me squee. I can't wait to read it! You can find out more about Wynde or purchase it here at FANgirl Blog.

To everyone who has backed or shared about Athena's Daughters so far: thank you! We are blown away by your continued generosity and support. But the campaign's not over yet! If you're reading this and feel compelled to get on board while you've still got the chance, the link -- as always -- is right here.

Athena's Daughters, Day 7: More Previews! More Press! And the (updated) Rewards Rundown!

2013 copyright Autumn Frederickson.

Day 7, and we are over 19K and still climbing. I'm so proud of this anthology and how well it's doing. In the conceptual stages, we were all thrilled to be invited to this project, but to see it funded so quickly and continue to be a success now that the campaign's active is really gratifying for everyone involved. Thank you all for doing what you do!

I wanted to bring you guys another preview from our anthology. Author C.A. (Christine) Verstraete writes both flash and short fiction with a touch of the macabre. Her stories have appeared in various anthologies including Darlings of Decay, Feast of the Dead - Hors D' Oeuvres, 100 Doors to Madness, as well as Timeshares and Steampunk'd from DAW Books. Her new book is GIRL Z: My Life as a Teenage Zombie.

Her story for "Athena's Daughters" is going to be awesome. In fact, you can still pledge for a "Tuckerization" in it, meaning you'd be written in as a character! So far, Autumn Frederickson has created a gorgeous illustration of C.A's protagonist, Marietta (see above). An excerpt of Christine's story is posted here on her blog:

"No one could remember the last soul who came to Devil’s Gulch and made such an impression. When she stepped through the doors of the Black Fiddle Tavern that day, all conversation stopped and silence fell like a heavy winter snow.

Everyone took notice because the woman just didn’t seem to fit in either the brass-embellished tavern or the burgeoning town. Miss Marietta Parsons was as plain as could be.

Marietta knew that everyone considered her plain, homely. But she didn't care. Nor did she take insult at the look of regret that flashed across the painted face of the striking bar owner Luella, who had posted an opening for a songstress and thereby lured Marietta to the tavern...

Let's also take a look at the current Rewards Rundown, updated to reflect achieved stretch goals:

-a digital copy of the “Athena’s Daughters” anthology, now also featuring stories by E.J. Lawrence, Tera Fulbright, Tricia Barr, and Jennifer Brozek -an email from one of our authors, personally thanking you for your contribution

-a digital copy of two Danielle Ackley McPhail novels (The Halfling’s Court and Yesterday’s Dreams) -a digital copy of Gail Z. Martin’s short story bundle including “Vanities,” “Buttons,” and “Steer a Pale Course” -a digital download of Maggie Allen’s album Last Call, recorded with her band Naked Singularity -a digital copy of Cynthia Ward’s short story “Gabriella” -a digital copy of Sherwood Smith’s novel Crown Duel

-an anthology cover upgrade, created exclusively for our book by artist Tietjen Alvarez -a digital download of Jean Marie Ward‘s short story bundle “Four For More” -a digital download of the audiobook of Danielle Ackley McPhail’s collection of short stories, Flash in the Can. -a digital download of Gail Z. Martin’s Jonmarc Vahanian short story bundle, including “Raiders’ Curse”, “Caves of the Dead”, and “Storm Surge,” -a digital download of Janine K. Spendlove’s novel War of the Seasons, Book 1: The Human

-a digital download of Tera Fulbright‘s short story “Fires Within the Blank Page.” -a free digital download of Ginger Breo‘s illustration of the goddess Athena. Backers who purchase print copies of the book will additionally receive a free 5×7 print of Ginger’s art. -a free digital download of the audiobook for Janine K. Spendlove’s novel War of the Seasons, Book 1: The Human

Here is a list of our upcoming stretch goals (a couple of which you are going to freak out over. because they're amazing):

At the $20,000 level, we will produce a limited hard cover run of Athena’s Daughters using the commissioned cover art by Tietjen Alvarez. This edition will be limited to a print run of 200 books.

At the $22,000 level, another story will be added to the anthology! Author Diana Peterfreund is the author of nine books for adults and teens about awesome young women doing awesome things: from breaking down the gender barriers of an all-male secret society to saving the world from killer unicorns. Her latest book, Across a Star-Swept Sea, is a gender-flipped take on the Scarlet Pimpernel set in a post-apocalyptic future. Her critically acclaimed short stories have appeared on the Locus Recommended Reading List and in the Best Science Fiction and Fantasy of the Year, Vol.5.

When we reach $24,000, Silence in the Library, our publisher, will produce a companion volume to Athena’s Daughters titled Apollo’s Daughters! This anthology will feature stories by some of the best male SF/F authors in the business. The stories will also feature female protagonists. Michael A. Stackpole, Aaron Allston, Aaron Rosenberg, David Mack, and Bryan Young have already signed on for the project.

Are you getting excited yet?! We still have 23 days to go! I can't quite spill the beans about some of the other stretch goals we've got planned, but I will say that you're bound to love them as much as we do.

Reading this blog for the first time? Or the twelfth? You can back us or share about the project here.

Athena's Daughters Kickstarter, Day 2

Amazing. We are FULLY FUNDED on day TWO of this campaign! Thanks to everyone who has contributed to our project, as well as those who may not have contributed, but have faithfully shared the link on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Reddit, and other social platforms. You guys rock! We could not have done this without you!

I want to take this time to talk briefly about the inspiration for this anthology, and remind you about some awesome upcoming stretch goals we've put together for you!

The reason Silence in the Library wanted to put together this collection of stories is simple: media representation of women matters. Right now, there are many examples of strong women in books, television, and film. Through this anthology, we wanted to show that character strength comes in all forms. Female characters do not only have to be physically strong to be considered awesome. Women and girls also have mental strength, moral strength, or strength of conviction, all of which deserve due recognition alongside physical feats.

Basically, we wanted to read and write stories about compelling women of all walks of life. The authors in this anthology who have children wanted their families to be able to read about a variety of female characters, too.

Since this project IS funded, I'll remind you about the fantastic upcoming rewards we're working to bring you now:

At the $9000 level, artist Ginger Breo will create an exclusive piece of artwork for this anthology which will feature the goddess Athena. It will be made available as an 8x10 print for backers to purchase.

At the $9500 level, all backers who have pledged $5 and up will receive a free digital download of Danielle Ackley McPhail'snovel The Halfling's Court!

At the $10,000 level, all backers who've pledged $5 and up will receive a free digital download of Gail Z. Martin's short story bundle 3 Deadly Curiosities! This includes her short stories Vanities, Steer A Pale Course, and Buttons.

At the $10,500 level, all backers who have pledged at the $5 level will receive a free digital download of Maggie Allen's album Last Call, from her folk-rock band, Naked Singularity!

Finally, at the $11,000 level, we begin to add more stories to the anthology! Award-winning author Nisi Shawl and newcomer Tanya Spackman will both have their work included in Athena's Daughters if we reach this goal.  Tanya has even posted an excerpt of her story on her blog for you to preview!

I am so excited to see where we take this project from here. Thank you all for your continued support. I hope you continue to spread the word of this fantastic Kickstarter to your friends and family.

(Newcomers: like what you hear? Back us!)

Athena's Daughters Kickstarter is Live!

Our beautiful cover!

It is officially Day 1 of our Kickstarter campaign! I've partnered with Silence in the Library Publishing and a host of renowned authors including Mary Robinette Kowal, Gail Z. Martin, Jean Rabe, Sherwood Smith, Janine Spendlove, and many more in a new Kickstarter project titled Athena's Daughters. 

Athena’s Daughters is a collection of short speculative fiction from some of the best female science fiction and fantasy authors in the industry. This anthology features stories written by women about women. It showcases an engaging, diverse group of stories about female characters who exhibit strength in all forms, whether physical, mental, or moral. It also features an introduction by retired astronaut and Space Shuttle Commander Col. Pam Melroy.

I am so pleased to be part of this anthology. My included work, "Oh, Sisters, Let's Go Down to the River," is an Appalachian ghost story about a young girl whose daily chore is to scrub the family well. She thought nothing could scare her more than being lowered into the well's narrow mouth. But she didn't ever count on hearing voices while she worked...

Silence in the Library, our publisher, believes strongly in bringing creative artistry back to the industry. To that end, the anthologies they produce feature illustrations for each individual story. Athena's Daughters showcases the work of two talented artists  in particular -- Autumn Frederickson and Betsy Waddell -- and, as one of our stretch goals, is also poised to feature artist Tietjen Alvarez, who will create an original art cover exclusively for this anthology.

My fellow authors and I, in addition to the staff at Silence in the Library Publishing, believe that any good project should contribute something to improving the human community. In keeping with that goal, a portion of every book sold will go to RAINN. RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) is the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization. RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline in partnership with more than 1,100 local rape crisis centers across the country, and operates the DoD Safe Helpline for the Department of Defense. RAINN also carries out programs to prevent sexual violence, help victims, and ensure that rapists are brought to justice.

This is only a small portion of what you'll find on our Kickstarter project page. Please join us today and become a part of the Athena's Daughters journey: http://tinyurl.com/athenasD.