SMALL WORLD campaign launching Tuesday! Pre-register for TWO FREE PRINTS!
about 3 years ago
– Sat, Apr 03, 2021 at 03:31:28 PM
Hi everyone! Just a quick weekend post, as teased in the last update --
You may have seen an email or one of a dozen+ websites announcing it yesterday, but in case you missed the big reveal...
Described as ``PETER PAN meets AKIRA``, this 'manga-adjacent' 248-page hardcover graphic novel by JD Morvan and Toru Terada is a funland of action and vice! And it is the only full-length graphic novel by superstar mangaka TORU TERADA!
Check out the exciting trailer!
Just as we've offered on all previous campaigns, if you pre-register your pledge before launch, you will get a bonus limited edition 8.5x11" linen cardstock print of the campaign-exclusive variant cover art by the red-hot, in-high-demand artist PEACH MOMOKO!
PLUS:
This time around, everyone who backs the campaign on Day One (Tuesday April 6th) will get a FREE Limited Edition linen cardstock print by Toru Terada!
That's TWO FREE PRINTS for simply pre-registering and pledging on Day One!
Visit the pre-registration page TODAY to learn more about the project and to sign up for your free Peach print. If you like manga, anime, cyberpunk fairy tales, ironic mashups, dystopic vice, or beautiful and unique artwork, this project promises to be a wild ride! We've got lots of surprise extras, and exciting bonuses lined up!
We hope to see you there on Tuesday!
International Tracking Numbers are sent. FINALLY. (whew!)
about 3 years ago
– Wed, Mar 31, 2021 at 06:36:35 PM
Hi everyone,
It has been a long and weary 10-day stretch since our last update -- we truly and absolutely expected to have posted this update much sooner, but to our constant daily surprise and frustration, we had no tracking numbers to share for International shipments. The packages had been transferred to DHL a while ago (per our previous update), but we only JUST ONE HOUR AGO received the list of Tracking Numbers from DHL to forward to you patient saints who have been waiting so earnestly all this time. I don't know what to say (other than "I'm sorry for the delay") -- it is simply mind-boggling that it would take them 10 days just to provide tracking numbers, which is, like, the core of their business. I suspect something else might have been going on between our warehouse delivery and getting these numbers back, but regardless, THEY ARE ON THEIR WAY and International backers should be getting your tracking notifications shortly. If you haven't already gotten it, or that message doesn't arrive before tomorrow, simply log into your Backerkit (aster-of-pan.backerkit.com) and you should find your individual tracking info top center of your account page.
WHEW!
As much of an uphill climb as this (and the PARIS 2119) campaign has been, we're getting better with exercise, and are very much looking forward to working with Quartermaster on the next and all future campaigns.
Speaking of which...
GOT ANY BIG PLANS NEXT TUESDAY? WE SURE DO...
STAY TUNED FOR MORE!
Int'l packages have left the building!
about 3 years ago
– Mon, Mar 22, 2021 at 01:49:09 AM
Hi everyone!
Hope you all have been doing well. We had hoped to post this update a few days ago, but were waiting on confirmation from our warehouse... and it has been confirmed:
ALL INTERNATIONAL PACKAGES WERE DELIVERED TO DHL ON FRIDAY!
(And wouldn't you know it -- we finally get our VAT # from gov.uk that very same afternoon... sigh...)
I was hoping to have gotten all of the tracking #s on Friday as well, for a doubly-awesome update, but they may not have those to me until tomorrow or Tuesday. Rest assured, however, that we will get all of those sent out as soon as we have them!
As our second campaign to complete fulfillment, this has been a very educational process. Not only have we learned about many of the unknown complications of international shipping, but we've also learned that there is a difference between "World Friendly" and "Customs Friendly". Aside from the US, we have shipped books to backers in 44 other countries, and while most of them have delivered without any problems, there is no way to predict if any particular country's customs department will behave differently. (UK and Belgium have been the two most unpredictable parties so far...) Hopefully things will go smoothly for everyone this time.
For those of you who have followed along to back our more recent campaigns after ASTER, we have already started working with Quartermaster Logistics, so these fulfillment issues should be a thing of the past. Starting with WAHCOMMO, they will apply their tried-and-true worldwide experience to all of our projects.
Stay tuned for another update shortly!
Canadian shipments are sent! Int'l packages being boxed up!
about 3 years ago
– Fri, Mar 12, 2021 at 01:02:45 AM
Hi everyone!
Just a quick note to let the Canadian backers know that your boxes have been sent! We received all of the tracking numbers from the postal forwarder in Toronto, so you should be receiving an email with your number shortly! (In fact, some of you might already have even gotten your boxes...?)
One side effect of pushing the tracking number notification messages out through Backerkit is that Backerkit may have sent tracking number notification emails to EVERYONE who has shipped so far, including all of the domestic backers (again). So it is very possible some of you may receive a tracking number notification email for a package that you have already received. Sorry! I couldn't find how to segment out previously-shipped orders, so don't be alarmed and don't get excited -- we're not shipping you a second package. ;) We still have to get our International backers taken care of!
And to that end, I have been told by our warehouse that they are setting up the packing line this week, so all of those 350+ International orders should be boxed up and on their way to DHL if not by this weekend then certainly by early next week. Once they are delivered to DHL, we'll forward the tracking numbers they provide us.
Whew... the end is in sight! We can't wait for you all to have your goods in your hands! :)
A quick update (with a beefier one to follow in a day or two)
about 3 years ago
– Mon, Mar 08, 2021 at 07:50:19 PM
Hi everyone,
Just wanted to post a quick update regarding Canadian and Rest-of-World International orders:
CANADIAN ORDERS have cleared customs so they should reach the fulfillment center in Toronto this week. I don't understand why this shipment was so much more complicated than the previous shipment for PARIS 2119, but whatever -- they're cleared. Once the Toronto postal forwarder confirms receipt, they will probably have them turned around and on their way to you within a day or two tops. We'll keep you posted and provide those tracking numbers as soon as they are available.
REST-OF-THE-WORLD ORDERS: We approved the quote to have them packed and shipped directly from our warehouse via DHL (like we did with PARIS 2119). It is notably more expensive for us, but we need to get these out to you. These delays have been dragging on long enough. While I approved the quote, I was hoping to have a firm confirmation of acknowledgment from the warehouse with an estimated turnaround date to give to you in an update on Friday, but they didn't get back to me before closing for the weekend. (Sigh.) So on the plus side: these will be going out immediately. On the flip-side: I'm trying to get them to tellme what datesqualify as "immediate". As good as they usually are at packing and shipping our domestic orders (all of which went out quickly and securely), we do have to recognize that we're just a small client in their warehouse full of other goods, and while our 350-something orders are very significant to us, I have no perspective on what other client requests they are also dealing with. We're probably small potatoes to them. My hope is that they will get back to me tomorrow with good news (like "we'll have these out the door by Friday"). I will let you all know as soon as we have concrete information.
At least on the bright side, moving forward, we are locking down our agreement with the larger, experienced worldwide fulfillment service mentioned earlier, so these issues shouldn't be as prevalent for WAHCOMMO, BRINDILLE, MONOLITH, and beyond...!
