Welcome author Jennifer Carson and her soon-to-be-released middle grade novel! She’s a friend, crit partner, and an incredibly gifted artist and writer. You name it, she can do it. Read on to find out about HAPENNY MAGICK and Jennifer’s decision to fund her project with Kickstarter.
UPDATE: HAPENNY MAGICK HAS BEEN FULLY FUNDED! YAY!
As the tiniest Hapenny, a race of little people, Maewyn Bridgepost spends her days from breakfast to midnight nibble scrubbing the hearth, slopping the pigs, and cooking for her guardian, Gelbane, who never spares a kind word. As if life as a servant isn’t bad enough, Mae learns that Gelbane is a troll—and Hapennies are a troll delicacy.
Years ago, a spell trapped Gelbane in Mae’s village. Ever since, Gelbane has been chiseling away the magic spells that guard the village and now Mae’s community is destined to become a smorgasbord for half-starved trolls.
Tell us a little history behind the story.
Hapenny Magick began its literary life as a picture book manuscript, which is kind of funny, because so did To Find A Wonder! I wonder when I’m going to learn that I’m long winded? Anyway, I had asked a writing friend, who is a picture book author, to look it over. I kept thinking that something was missing–it just wasn’t right. And she said, “It sounds like the synopsis of a longer story.” The lightbulb went on and three years later, here’s Hapenny Magick. Thanks, Deb!
How did your love for the Renaissance and Middle Ages develop?
I’ve been enamored with these time periods since I was thirteen. That fall was the first time my parents took my to the Ren Fair in Michigan where I grew up. It became a tradition after that to go on my birthday. I love the richness of the language and the fact that, before REAL scientific methods were introduced, anything was possible.
Why the decision to publish through a small start-up small press?
I tried for a couple of years to find a traditional publisher that would pick up HAPENNY MAGICK and run with it, but deep down I knew this book wasn’t meant for mainstream media. There were no farting dogs, butt cracks or vampires. The story unfolds like a classic fairy tale and the market for these kinds of books right now are seen by the mass media as too slow to gamble on. Mass media outlets are great, don’t get me wrong, but they tend to not take risks and to produce the same kind of media message over and over again–the “payday” message if you will. That’s why we have not just one CSI but three. HAPENNY MAGICK isn’t a trendy book. It is a classic story that I’m hoping will become one of your favorites.
I went through a small press with TO FIND A WONDER and I could have gone back to that same press and published HAPENNY MAGICK, but I decided to give it a shot myself. I had the art connections and a husband that was supportive of the idea. I just needed the money to get the project through its final stages, and that’s where Kickstarter.com came in.
What exactly is Kickstarter? I’m curious.
Kickstarter is a site where people can support the arts and invention through donations that earn them rewards from the creators of the projects themselves. And the great thing is, when you pledge your support, if the project doesn’t meet its funding goal, you don’t pay. So you aren’t donating to something that may not come to fruition.
You can check out my Kickstarter site here:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jennifercarson/hapenny-magick-a-story-with-humor-and-heart
Thanks, Laura, for having me on your blog and for helping me spread the word! I’ve got 6 days to go to meet my goal!
Laura again. I’ve read this story from the first draft to the final. It’s a whimsical fun story filled with danger and magic. The illustrations through out the story are incredible. I’m buying one for niece. And for myself, of course.
And did you know that your donation will buy you copy? Pretty cool. Her first middle grade book, TO FIND A WONDER, is for sale on Amazon. The Kindle version is only 2.99! Check it out.
Please check out Kris Asselin’s blog for more information on Pugalicious Press. They are accepting submissions!
Here’s an illustration in progress from HAPENNY MAGICK.
And here’s the cover with Jennifer’s hand crafted doll of Maewyn, the hapenny.
Thanks Jennifer for sharing your work. I hope you get this book fully funded because kids are going to love it!
Great interview Laura and Jennifer. Jennifer, your book sounds awesome. I’ve been to the Ren Fair in Michigan too. It’s awesome.
Good luck with your book.
I am hopelessly un-trendy – everything about this book looks just like something I would have loved as a little kid, and still love today (I admit to being stuffy enough to really hate books with fart jokes and butt cracks)! Kickstarter seems like a wonderful idea; I’m just starting to explore all the non-traditional methods of publishing (a friend and I are currently collaborating on a picture book we are going to self-publish), and I am so excited to see so many varied and rich options out there.
Good luck, Jennifer! I’m putting Hapenny Magic on my wish list!
(Also, your Maewyn doll is adorable.)
Thanks, Laura and everyone for your support! Kickstarter was an incredible experience!
I’m so excited for Jen and the book. It’s been so exciting to see it develop (I’m another of her crit partners!). Yippee!
Great interview Laura!
Thanks for sharing Jennifer! This sounds so unique and I love the artwork! Great interview Laura:)
*happy snoopy dance* that Haypenny has been funded woo hoo! I love this story, it’s going to be a favorite book of quite a few kids. 🙂
Wow, the cover is fabulous and the story sounds delightful. I’d also not heard of Kickstarter, so thanks for all the great info. Good luck!
What a great title and I loved the interview. I love hearing how people find their way to publication.
Congratulations, Jen. Great interview, Laura!
I’ve been to Ren fair in Indianapolis. Love that kind of stuff.
The cover of your book is awesome.
This looks like a book that could really be a classic. I love the cover, and the book sounds fun and interesting. Great Interview!
Informative, fun…and I love her costume. Thanks!
Thanks Everyone! I agree. This book reads like a classic but with high stakes and wonderful writing. And I’m not just saying that. I’ve heard her release is being moved until March because they’re hoping to get the book reviewed by Kirkus!
That’s awesome it’s funded! It sounds like a fantastic book!
Once again, Laura, you’ve introduced me to something new in the industry that I had no idea existed. And what an interesting book! Congrats on creating something so beautiful, Jennifer!
Becca @ The Bookshelf Muse
Congratulations to Jennifer and her book. The information on kickstart is really interesting.
What a fun book. I love the cover! And yay for kickstarters!