2025: A Year in Westville

Season 1 Complete, Kickstarter Coming Soon!

Greetings, honorary denizens of Westville!

With this new year off and running, I’ve been chomping at the bit to bring you all up to speed on what this year holds for ‘Westville’.

First things first…

Season 1 is WRAPPED!

I have to take one last opportunity to express my gratitude for your support of this serial, the first iteration of this story that’s born of my cumulative love of mysteries and thrillers, my curiosity and study of the paranatural and unseen, and of course the quiet possibility of the town I grew up in, which Westville is based on.

Knowing that so many of you have been reading, listening, and looking ahead to each installment has been the wind through my sails during a tumultuous time. As I’ve shared already, many big life shifts came my way like multiple freight trains just as I was prepping to launch ‘Westville’.

If it weren’t for your support, it wouldn’t have come to fruition. I am after all first and foremost, writing for those who read it.

For you.

I truly hope it’s been as heart-pounding and emotionally fulfilling of a ride for you as it’s been for me.

The serial will continue to be live on Substack and in audio as a podcast on Spotify and Apple, for the next month and a half.

Naturally, the question is:

What’s Next??

Well, I’m glad you asked….

The Novel(s)

As I write this:

• The compiled and expanded novelization of Season 1 in the hands of an editor.

• Cover art is being developed, not just for Book 1 but for the series, (more on that below!) by a talented designer.

• A Kickstarter Campaign is being prepped for launch!

• The book will officially launch in April, with Kickstarter backers getting their copies early.

For those unfamiliar or maybe only vaguely so with Kickstarter:

Kickstarter is a crowdfunding platform that allows creators to bring their projects to life with the support of their fans and community.

By backing the novel(s) on Kickstarter, you’re effectively pre-ordering, in any number of formats and special editions depending on the ‘reward tier’ you select.

I’ll be announcing those specific reward tiers and ‘stretch goals’ soon, but they will include:

• E-Book and Hardcover or Paperback bundles

• Special Edition Signed Hardcovers with foil/holographic jacket

• More exclusive extras if unlocked! (T-shirt, table coaster, stickers, bookmark)

• Pre-Order Series Bundle

The last bullet point bringing me around to…

The Sequels!

I’ve had a series arc in mind for Westville for sometime, and I’ll let you in on a little secret.

Books 2 and 3 are already in progress, slated for release in August and November respectively, and will be available for exclusive pre-order as a part of the Kickstarter Campaign!

Just like any development in a good unfolding story, with the next installments of Westville headed ‘straight to novel’, what’s next for the serial?

I’m glad you asked! (again)

The Serial

The serial on Substack will continue after Season 1, albeit in a new format.

For starters in February, the D.C.B. archives are being ‘leaked’. (Someone is going to get the ‘Snowden treatment’ for that one)

• Top-Secret files on Converged Objects, (COs) Locations of Power, (LoPs) Leyline Incursion Events (LIEs)

• Incident Reports from all over the country and the world. (In the form of subscriber exclusive short stories)

  Now to bust out the classic 90s informercial tagline: But wait, there’s more!

• Interstitial chapters taking place between books 1 and 2 as well as between books 2 and 3 will be periodically released.

• Continually building subscriber exclusive playlists: Westville 98’, D.C.B. Archives, and Liminality

Phew! That’s a lot. To sum it up:
🌟 Kickstarter Coming Soon!

Watch your email for the link to the campaign pre-launch page in the next week!

✨ You’ll even get to help choose the final cover in an upcoming social media poll—stay tuned! Follow Westville on Facebook and Instagram!

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📚 Books 2 & 3 Out in 2025!
The Kickstarter will also include pre-orders for the next two books in the series:

• Book 1: Releasing April 2025.

• Book 2: Releasing August 2025.

• Book 3: Releasing November 2025.

Pre-order backers will receive exclusive perks, including signed editions and early access!

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💼 What’s Next for the Westville Serial?
The Substack is shifting gears to bring you:

• D.C.B. Archives: Locations of Power, Incursion Reports, and more.

• Short Stories: Standalone tales to expand the Westville world.

• Sneak Previews: Early access to scenes from Books 2 and 3 (for paid subscribers).

• And more! 😉

I appreciate and value each of your readership and ongoing support!

Here’s to 2025, a year of new ventures and new stories. I’m honored to be a small part of yours.

- Ryder