ONE WEEK

The surreality of being on the cusp.

We are just over a week out from the 'WESTVILLE' campaign launching on Kickstarter, and it's a little surreal.

In large part because, as I've alluded to before, these books almost never happened.

The concept had been brewing in my brain for a few years in fits and starts. Being set in an alternate version of my hometown, maybe it's actually been percolating in the background my whole life.

The at times idyllic beauty of Lowell, undulating on other days in the throes of deep cold winter, fog drenched autumn mornings, or blood-thick dark summer nights to a strange, unsettling small-town liminality. All of this mingling and marinating with the legends and stories I grew hearing, reading and watching.

My dad loved the X-Files and the Twilight Zone. He loved a good story. These books are very much for him, a love letter to Lowell, and at the heart of the characters and the story, an ode to overcoming grief, fear and the anger that seeps from both.

I set out to launch the story as a serial last year at the end of October. And I did.

Despite my Dad actively dying, and then passing away. I thought I should stop, press the brakes.

But something told me to keep going. That he would have wanted me to keep going. Because he was himself, a consummate and consistent songwriter and creator.

Now, they are about to become a printed reality, in the form of novels released this year and next.

I want to make something great based on where I'm from, because I want great things for our community. I have the wild dream that just maybe, someday, a version of 'Westville' could get optioned and produced, right in Lowell, MI.

I'd love for you to join in that dreaming. Whether it's just stepping into these books with me and coming along for the ride, or maybe even on to bolder, perhaps, 'stranger things'? (Sorry, it's just my favorite pun right now)

If you head to the link below, you'll be able to get your first glimpse at what the campaign offers, and the different Reward Tiers you can pledge at and what you'll get.

Give it a look over, pick your poison, (or better yet select your salve) and get ready to bring something special to life together, next week TUESDAY FEB. 25th.

EARLY BIRD SPECIAL discounts are available on certain bundles, a LIMITED NUMBER and for LIMITED TIME. Be sure to sign up to get notified when the campaign goes LIVE!

Thanks everyone. See you around the town.

- Ryder