Through the Funding Threshold and What Alice Found There

Alice's Nightmare in Wonderland now has just 120 hours left to run, so I thought it about time I addressed the subject of Stretch Goals and let you know about a new add-on that's been added... on... to the rewards available to backers.

The Fabled Lands: The Serpent King's Domain Kickstarter addressed the issue of Stretch Goals in an update a couple of weeks ago, and I have to say, I'm with them on this.

Alice's Nightmare in Wonderland has funded, which is brilliant, but it means people are now waiting to see what I have up my sleeve next. For those of you new to Kickstarter, Stretch Goals are a way for creators to keep funding something meaningful after achieving funding for the original product, such as features they really wanted to include, but had to cut to keep their budget small enough to achieve funding in the first place.

Alice's Nightmare in Wonderland has been conceived as a standalone gamebook. Just because this book has funded I am not going to commit to writing a second one, straight off the bat. And I don't want to promise extra rewards which it then becomes impossible to deliver, as the budget becomes squeezed more and more. (This has been a common problem with many Kickstarter projects.) I also don't want to do anything that's going to delay publication of the gamebook. (Been there, done that!)

However, in simple terms, the more money the Kickstarter makes the more awesome artwork can be included. What made Fighting Fantasy gamebooks so memorable to you as a child? The monsters, and the pictures of the monsters! I've seen gamebooks without illustrations and they just don't look like the real deal to me. So, rest assured, the more money the project makes, the more of Kev Crossley's astonishing art will adorn its pages.

How can you help make this happen? You might want to consider increasing your pledge, for a start. If you backed to receive a MARCH HARE paperback, why not make it a limited edition CHESHIRE CAT hardback? If you've already gone for the hardback option, why not make sure your name appears in the Acknowledges for all posterity, by upgrading to the GRYPHON level pledge?

Alternatively you might want to select one (or more) of the add-ons available, such as the KING OF HEARTS playing cards and dice set, or the DUCHESS level portrait, or maybe even the brand new KNAVE OF HEARTS ARU!

"What's an ARU?" I hear you cry.

ARU stands for All Rolled Up, an innovative, flexible and all-in-one solution for bringing your gaming to the table. A game roll that combines a gamebook pocket, pen tidy and dicebag into a single accessory - so that when you're All Rolled Up you're ready to game. But, it's not just for gamers... All Rolled Up can carry dice, eraser, index cards, sticky notes, beads, writing gear, drawing kit, boardgame components, trading cards, wargame miniatures, stationery, make-up and more. No need to worry about forgetting anything - All Rolled Up has everything you need to be a prepared player or GM. And it's handmade in the UK! You can find out more about this award-winning product here.

The unique Alice's Nightmare in Wonderland All Rolled Up will feature Alice-themed fabrics, with a round coloured badge, and an Alice-themed charm attached to the loop. (Attendees of Fighting Fantasy Fest 2014 may remember the FF-themed ARUs that were on sale at the event.) Here's a digital mock-up of what the ARU will look like.

Alice's Nightmare in Wonderland All Rolled Up mock-up. (Not final artwork!)

 Alice's Nightmare in Wonderland All Rolled Up mock-up. (Not final artwork!)

Example of an Alice-themed charm.

Example of an Alice-themed charm.

To manage your pledge, simply log on to the Alice's Nightmare in Wonderland Kickstarter page and follow the instructions on-screen.

But whatever you do, keep spreading the word, posting links via social media and telling all your friends. Put simply, the harder you work to help plug this project the more impressive the finished book, that you will own, will be.