I’m very pleased to report that the Kickstarter for Ragnarok Publications’ ‘Blackguards’ anthology is now funded and has reached the $17,000 stretch goal, which means my Raven’s Shadow novella ‘The Lord Collector’ will now be included. The original $14,500 goal was reached after only three days and the stretch goal two days later. Many thanks to everyone who pledged their hard-earned money to make this happen. It would be great if all the other stretch goals were met, so please spread the word if you can: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1089607742/blackguards-tales-of-assassins-mercenaries-and-rog
The funding goal for publication is $14,500. However, if the final total pledged exceeds $17,000 the anthology will include my novella The Lord Collector. This is an all-new, previously unpublished fifteen thousand word story set in the Raven’s Shadow universe, featuring a guest appearance by a pale eyed, raspy voiced Master from the Sixth Order of our prior acquaintance.
Other stretch goals include commissioning interior artwork, another story from an as yet unnamed author, and opening the anthology up to submissions, so any aspiring writers might want to drop by and make a pledge.
The current, and impressive, table of contents reads thusly and I think most fantasy readers would agree it’s well worth $10 of anyone’s money:
Many thanks to everyone who entered the Tower Lord giveaway competition, especially those who donated to Michael J. Sullivan’s Ride to Conquer Cancer. Total donations amounted to $1092.00 which is terrific. Donations for this very worthwhile cause will remain open until September 12th so please consider making a contribution. Without further ado, the winners are:
1st place: Laura Fisher
2nd place: Josh Garner
3rd place: Marianne Harrington and Duncan McKenzie
2nd-chance draw winners: Karen Seidle and Benjamin Surratt
Congratulations to the winners and commiserations to everyone else. As per the rules, everyone who made a donation will receive signed bookplates for Blood Song and Tower Lord. Also, many thanks for all the positive comments in the emails, sorry I couldn’t reply to you all individually.
It’s time for another giveaway competition. The rules are the same as before, with an added bonus.
The Prizes
One first-place winner will receive a US hardcover edition of Tower Lord, signed, lined and dated by me.
One second-place winner will win a UK hardcover edition of Tower Lord, signed, lined and dated by me.
Two third-place winners will win a UK large format paperback edition of Tower Lord, signed, lined and dated by me.
The Bonus
There will also be a second chance draw in support of fellow fantasy author Michael J. Sullivan who will be taking part in the Ride to Conquer Cancer in September benefitting the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Centre. Michael will be riding 150 miles in two days to raise money for cancer research. Michael lost both his father and sister to cancer, but he is riding primarily for the fantasy and science fiction authors who we’ve recently lost to this disease including: Iain M. Banks, A. C. Crispin, Jay Lake, and unfortunately many more.
Anyone who makes a donation of $20 or more to this very worthwhile cause will be entered into a second chance draw. There will be two winners in this draw. One will be chosen at random and the other will be the one who makes the largest donation. Each winner will receive a US edition hardcover of Tower Lord, signed, lined and dated by me. Also, anyone who makes a donation will receive both of the bookplates below for Blood Song and Tower Lord, designed and signed by me. Make your donations via the following link, and be sure to include your name in the ‘recognition name’ field:
As an added incentive, Michael has also agreed to send the winner a signed hardcover of their choice from the following books:
* Theft of Swords (includes The Crown Conspiracy and Avempartha)
* Rise of Empire (includes Nyphron Rising and The Emerald Storm)
* Heir of Novron (includes Wintertide & Percepliquis)
* Blood of Thieves (The Crown Tower and The Rose and the Thorn)
How to enter:
Email me at anthonyryan27@hotmail.co.uk between now and midnight GMT on the 7th of August. Mark your email ‘Tower Lord Giveaway’ and include your name and address in the body of the email. Anyone wishing to be entered into the second chance draw must attach their receipt from Johns Hopkins confirming their donation. Feel free to photoshop out any personal information you don’t wish to share, but your name and donation amount will need to be visible. I will choose the winners at random on 8th of August. All addresses supplied will remain confidential and will be deleted at the close of the competition. Only one entry per contestant please, multiple emails from the same source will be banned and the sender blocked. P&P will be paid by me. Best of luck.
