This is a message for all lovers of magic and fantasy! We wanted to let you know that I’ve just launched a very special campaign for my brand-new fantasy novel AND graphic novel called THE KING-KILLING QUEEN!And we are already funded!!
Head over to the Kickstarter page RIGHT HERE to get in on the early bird specials and limited tiers, which are going fast! These are some of the most gorgeous books in existence, and they’ll look great on your shelf right next to The Scions of Shannara Special Anniversary Edition!
And, as a special offer to you, because you’ve pledged a previous Grim Oak Press Kickstarter, you’re also eligible for this 1’’ Enamel OLD WORLD TALES pin ABSOLUTELY FREE if you back any physical level of the campaign.
What is The King-Killing Queen?
The King-Killing Queen is a brand-new high-fantasy novel from me, Shawn Speakman(The Annwn Cycle) that combines the high-stakes of Game of Thrones with the intrigue of Succession.
In The King-Killing Queen, a young woman named Sylvie Raventress is shockingly named heir to the throne after the High King passes, and she finds herself at the center of a conspiracy orchestrated by her siblings that threatens to both end her reign and ignite a war between the worlds of Man and Fae.
What is The Briar-Sword Monk?
The Briar-Sword Monk is a prequel graphic novel about Emmer, the warrior monk who played a pivotal role in the conflict between Man and Fae. His fabled sword Bruyere is the companion weapon to Lumiere, the blade which Sylvie will come to wield hundreds of years later.
Adapted from my original short story, The Briar-Sword Monk is drawn by Patrick Rothfuss’ illustrator Nate Taylor and serves as the perfect companion book for those looking for a deeper dive into the world of The King-Killing Queen.
We hope you’ll join the party and back THE KING-KILLING QUEEN! Thanks to everyone in advance for your support!
-Shawn, Becky, Grim Oak Press, and Skybound
Questions about The King-Killing Queen? Just email us at [email protected]
The Amazing Marc Simonetti & His Digital Art Package
about 3 years ago
– Tue, Mar 21, 2023 at 03:12:32 PM
Hi Shannara Backers,
Finally, after so long, I'm pleased to share the Digital Art Package piece of The Scions of Shannara Special Anniversary Edition Kickstarter.
As a matter of fact, I believe BackerKit is sending out notifications to everyone even as I write this. At least, I hope that's what is going. This is my first time creating a digital art package as large -- and as gorgeous -- as Marc Simonetti's work on our beautiful books. I've done my best job to get you files you can use without infringing on Marc's legal rights to his art.
I highly recommend you follow Marc on his various social media platforms. He's been absolutely amazing to work with these last few years -- he even won a Chesley Award for his Grim Oak cover on The Sword of Shannara -- and I hope to keep working with him in the future!
If you have any questions, do let me know. I'm always around.
Your WebDruid,
Shawn
PS: If you want to own some of these digital art prints as physical prints, The Signed Page has an art portfolio for your consideration.
Digital Art & More Slipcases Offered
about 3 years ago
– Sun, Mar 12, 2023 at 04:48:40 PM
Hi Shannara Fans,
A short note here. I have finished preparing The Signed Page for the release of The Druid of Shannara on March 15th at 11AM PT. I'm conducting some tests to ensure lettered and rare edition owners of The Scions of Shannara have password-protected access to buy their matching letters/rare numbers. Limited edition owners of Scions will of course be able to match their numbers too.
I do want to share that I'll be delivering the digital art to all of you on Friday this coming week. Marc Simonetti painted such brilliant imagery and it is time to share it as promised.
And lastly, many of you -- so many -- missed out on ordering the slipcases for Scions and Indomitable. Dozens and dozens of you have reached out to me hoping to get them. Well, enough people have asked that I feel like the cost per slipcase will be doable, and I can offer them again as a pre-order. Here are the links:
The Digital Art Package
over 3 years ago
– Mon, Nov 21, 2022 at 05:23:14 PM
Hi All,
Now that the Shannara physical items have shipped, I'm receiving a lot of requests for the Digital Art Package that is owed. I'll be working on this over the next three weeks when I have any sort of down time -- which isn't much given the holiday, family commitments, and especially shipping out Kickstarter copies of Digger by Ursula Vernon and Patrick Rothfuss.
Needless to say, you will be receiving the Digital Art Package. I just need time to create it. I haven't forgotten about it.
For those of you in the US, I hope you have a safe and joyous Thanksgiving holiday.
Shawn
Shipping is 99.9% Finished!
over 3 years ago
– Tue, Nov 08, 2022 at 12:05:16 AM
Hi Shannara Fans,
First, let me say it has been honor producing these books. I'm a fan like you, and I think the books and merch items turned out pretty snazzy. There were some issues -- like the colossal cards having minor damage due to poor shipping from the printer that they wouldn't redo or our artist Marc Simonetti not allowing his pen ink to dry completely as he signed, creating some smudges -- but otherwise I'm pleased with the end results. For the colossal card snaffu, Terry and I decided to create an envelope for the cards to sit within, an extra bonus from our original intention. We hope you enjoy that. And one more note: I've had two people who ordered the Art Portfolio wondering where their Unsigned/Signed extra art print was. The Art Portfolio was for 13 colossal cards and 2 cards that were stretch goals. The 2 cards are inside the Art Portfolio already.
We finished shipping over the weekend. It took about 7 weeks all told. USPS will do a giant pick-up this morning and then all packages will be gone from me. With the exception of about 8 packages since those backers haven't completed their survey. I've reached out to them via email/Facebook, and hope to have those completed in the coming days/weeks.
The Druid of Shannara Special Editions might not be a Kickstarter after all. It may just be a pre-order on The Signed Page. As far as I can tell, Kickstarter doesn't have the ability to allow the Lettered Edition tier to only be backed by the owners of the Scions Lettered Editions. I can see a huge headache there with new backers trying to buy the Lettered Edition and causing all sorts of mischief. I'll be talking about this more with Terry. The better news: We won't be doing pre-orders until early 2023. That way, all of you will have monies to spend during the holiday season.
That doesn't mean we aren't moving forward with The Druid of Shannara now though. Lixin Yin continues to produce beautiful artwork. The book is already designed. And I'm about to have the signature pages printed since Terry is close to finishing the the first draft of the third book in The Fae of Viridian Deep series. He'll have time to sign soon. All elements will be finished and at the printer by January, so we will already be far ahead of this process by the time you pre-order. That will shorten the delivery time considerably, probably in late Spring or early Summer! Yay!
And I've already hired the artist for The Elf Queen of Shannara. She's absolutely amazing. Can't wait to share that news next year!
What else to report? I leave today for the Grim Oak warehouse where I'll be helping Becky ship out copies of Digger Unearthed by Ursula Vernon & Patrick Rothfuss. The shipping just continues for me, taking me away from writing. But I don't mind it too much. I like happy people.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask. I'm always around.
Happy Day!
Shawn
PS: Some people have asked about when the additional copies of the books, slipcases, and merch will be available on The Signed Page. I'll pick a date and time soon for that and it will be shared in advance and on multiple newsletters and social media channels. Details coming next week more than likely. Stay tuned.
