Happy 2026!
5 months ago
– Fri, Jan 02, 2026 at 11:06:49 AM
Hi everyone,
Can't believe 2025 has come and gone! It was a productive year in the ARC Worlds universe, with comics and prose aplenty. You can check out my year-in-review here.
On the Gauntlet front, I am still working on edits to the manuscript. After getting to the end, I felt that the last several chapters could use some fleshing out, and that necessitated expanding what was supposed to be 1-2 chapters into probably double that. And that also necessitated going back and introducing some plot threads earlier in the book. On the plus side, you're now getting a longer book! I expect to finish editing in the next several weeks, with the goal to get the ebook out to backers by the end of January.
I am also working on the design briefs for the three interior illustrations to get to Fran Delgado, so she can get started (She is currently working on the banner art for the next Blood of Atlantis KS campaign, but will start on the illustrations right after that). Depending on timing, I may release a text-only ebook version so you can start reading sooner.
Finally, I will be sending a Kickstarter survey next week where you'll submit how you want your name to appear in the back of the book (or opt-out if you prefer). I'll be using BackerKit for the traditional post-campaign fulfillment survey, which will be sent out closer to fulfillment.
Thanks again for backing the campaign, and I look forward to getting you your book!
Happy reading,
Jon
Thank you for a great campaign!
7 months ago
– Fri, Nov 21, 2025 at 11:11:45 AM
Hi everyone,
We've reached the end of the Guild of Magic: The Gauntlet campaign!
Thanks to your support, we unlocked six stretch goals, crossed the $7500 mark, and finished with 180 backers! We unlocked the sixth stretch goal, which means the book will feature three interior illustrations from Francine Delgado. We're very close to unlocking the last set of flash stories, and if we manage to get there via late pledges, you'll get 12 bonus stories featuring every member of the Guild.
So what happens now?
Kickstarter is processing payments now, and it will take a couple of weeks for Kickstarter to transfer over the funds to me.
If you received an email saying that your payment couldn't be processed, please follow the instructions, as you only have a limited amount of time to fix your payment information so that your pledge can go through. You'll also see a red banner at the top of the page the next time you visit Kickstarter.
In the interest of expediency, I am going to be sending out a post-campaign survey via Kickstarter to collect the name you'd like to appear in the back of the book. I'll then be sending out the official post-campaign rewards survey via BackerKit, most likely next month.
Through the BackerKit survey, you'll provide your email address for digital item delivery and your shipping information (if you are a physical tier backer).
In addition, you'll be able to buy any of the add-ons that were available in the campaign.
I’ll give you a heads-up before we send the survey so that you can watch for it.
Surveys will remain open for about a month, at which time they will be locked down - except you will be able to update your address right up to a week or so before rewards are shipped.
Again, I'm so grateful for your support and for your enthusiasm and can't wait to get you the book!
All the best,
Jon
5th stretch goal unlocked! Final hours!
7 months ago
– Thu, Nov 20, 2025 at 11:27:47 AM
Hi everyone,
With about three hours to go in the campaign, we've unlocked the fifth stretch goal! That means that all backers will get 9 bonus flash stories, each starring one of the Guild's members.
We're currently less than $20 away from hitting the 6th stretch goal: a third interior illustration from Fran Delgado! Woo!
Voting is currently tied for which Tables should be featured in rounds 2 and 3 of the bonus stories. However, if we hit $8000 before the campaign closes, then it will all be moot, because you will have unlocked all 12 flash stories. So please keep spreading the word!
Thank you as always for your support, and I'll see you on the other side.
Happy reading,
Jon
4th stretch goal unlocked! One day left!
7 months ago
– Wed, Nov 19, 2025 at 10:32:19 AM
Hi everyone,
Hard to believe that the campaign is ending tomorrow! We've unlocked the fourth stretch goal, meaning the book will now feature two interior illustrations from Fran Delgado, woo!
And we're under $500 away from hitting the fifth stretch goal, the third set of Guild flash stories!
Help us spread the word by sharing these Twitter and Instagram posts!
If you'd like a peek behind the scenes in how I came to write The Gauntlet, I wrote about creating a fictional shared universe over on my Substack.
Second round voting
Voting for the second round of Guild stories is still open, and it's currently a three-way tie! Cast your vote by leaving a comment on the main campaign page with your selection. Here are your choices again:
- The New Amsterdam Table: home of the Guild chair and the vacant Seat that the Gauntlet contestants are competing for
- The Orange Table: home of an ancient scribe, a mischievous schemer, and a friend to animals - UNLOCKED
- The Breuckelen Table: home of a playboy with a really nice (and magical watch), a bad girl with a heart of gold (kind of), and a woman who is more than she seems, in more ways than one
- The Pavonia Table: home of a crafter, a scientist, and the main character from Guild of Tokens and Guild of Magic
Campaigns worth your tokens
Sparks & Recreation: a new series about magic, community, and doing your best. Back the campaign here.
A cozy, bloody Australian urban fantasy with chronic pain rep & slow-burn romance, set in a magic tea house in the City Between world! Back the campaign here.
Thanks again for all your support!
Third Stretch Goal unlocked! Cover process! More campaign recommendations!
7 months ago
– Fri, Nov 14, 2025 at 02:34:33 PM
Hi everyone,
I'm happy to report that with a little under than a week to go, we've unlocked the next stretch goal! All backers will now get six flash stories starring members of the Guild (that's half the membership!).
Voting results and second round voting
Since we've hit the third stretch goal, it's time to vote again on which Table this set of stories will feature. Last round's winner was the Orange Table! To vote in the second round, simply leave a comment on the main campaign page with your vote. Votes from the last round will carry over, meaning the Pavonia Table is currently in the lead.
- The New Amsterdam Table: home of the Guild chair and the vacant Seat that the Gauntlet contestants are competing for
- The Orange Table: home of an ancient scribe, a mischievous schemer, and a friend to animals - UNLOCKED
- The Breuckelen Table: home of a playboy with a really nice (and magical watch), a bad girl with a heart of gold (kind of), and a woman who is more than she seems, in more ways than one
- The Pavonia Table: home of a crafter, a scientist, and the main character from Guild of Tokens and Guild of Magic
Another campaign to check out
A short and sweet Frog Prince retelling, this fairytale is packed with banter, baking, and a swoony romance. Illustrated by the author!
Back the campaign here.
Cover Process
I wanted to give you a peek behind the curtain on the making of our fabulous cover! I first came across Ruben Rojas's work on his comic series The O.Z. with writer David Pepose, and was thrilled when he agreed to do the cover for The Gauntlet.
Here is my initial design brief:
"The vibe I am going for in the illustration is a mixture of the modern and the fantastical (which you can see in the covers of the 3 existing books in the series).
The New York City skyline at night, with the Empire State Building visible, will be in the background.
Then we have the 3 main characters for this new story in the foreground of the illustration, with 3 characters from the prior books in the background.
Foregrounds characters: the grad student, the barista, the playboy
Background characters: Jen, Dalia, Beatrice"
Ruben then came back with his initial sketch:
As you can see, he really nailed it right out of the gate! Next, he moved to inks:
My one note here was to change Jen's appearance (the character in the background on the left, to make her more consistent with her other illustrations). With that change, Ruben moved to colors:
My final minor note was to add some more "magic," to add some more fantasy flavor. Here is the final cover illustration:
Have a great weekend and keep spreading the word!
