Author Fantasy Calendar

What I can’t talk about on Kickstarter: This calendar, once made, will give proceeds to charity!

From “The Winter Queen” series, shot as an example for the Kickstarter
(© Lauren Zurchin Studios)

Welcome to the project made of awesome (well, I think so, anyway!).

For those of you reading this who know nothing about this project, in a nutshell I’m putting together a fantasy photography calendar with best-selling fantasy authors as the subjects. I’m doing a Kickstarter to raise the funds to cover the costs of making custom costumes for the photos, and to cover travel as I shoot twelve photos within a six-month time period. Basically, the Kickstarter will help bring this calendar into existence.

BUT THERE’S MORE! Once the project is funded through Kickstarter the calendar will be brought to life, and the proceeds from said calendar will be heading to not one but TWO different non-profits: First Book and Worldbuilders.

Kickstarter’s guidelines won’t allow mentioning anything relating to charity or non-profits on their site. Their focus is on the creation of art, so I can’t even say that down the road there will be charities involved because it risks taking focus away from the art being funded now. I love what Kickstarter stands for, which is why I wanted to go with them, but I also wanted to make sure I had a place to share my complete vision for this project. Hence this post.

My desire is that this project appeals to the masses of fantasy lovers even as a stand-alone project (I mean, come on, who doesn’t want to see their favorite fantasy authors in amazing costumes and photographs?!). Hopefully though, the fact that it will be for a good cause will only up the appeal.

There’s an amazing lineup of fourteen authors involved with this, and all of them are willing to sign various items relating to the project (and there’s even a few skype chats!), so be sure to head over to the Kickstarter, check out the prizes, and fund a project that will help two great causes!

CLICK HERE TO HEAD TO THE KICKSTARTER!

Curious of the line-up of authors? Here you go!

Holly Black (The Spiderwick Chronicles, The Curse Workers Series)
Gail Carriger (Soulless, The Parasol Protectorate)
Cassandra Clare (The Mortal Instruments, The Infernal Devices)
Lauren Kate (Fallen)
Gregory Maguire (Wicked, The Oz Chronicles)
The Merry Sisters of Fate- a trio of authors consisting of: Tessa Gratton (Blood Magic, The Blood Keeper), Maggie Stiefvater (Shiver, The Scorpio Races, The Raven Boys), and Brenna Yovanoff (The Replacement)
Brandon Mull (Fablehaven, Beyonders)
Lauren Oliver (Delirium, Before I Fall)
Christopher Paolini (The Inheritance Cycle)
Patrick Rothfuss (The Name of the Wind)
Brandon Sanderson (Wheel of Time, Mistborn)
Tad Williams (Otherland, Memory, Sorrow and Thorn)

Want more? Here’s a little bit about the initial idea:

I was feeling bored early last year, and I wanted to take on a photography project that was more creative than anything I’d ever done before, one that hopefully challenged me as an artist in the process. I had seen various fantasy photos online and decided I wanted to put my own stamp on that theme. I had also been toying with the idea of making costumes for photo shoots (yes, I can sew!), and this fantasy idea seemed like the perfect way to do that.

After a few months of thinking of generic themes with my friends as the subjects an idea popped into my head: “Now, wouldn’t it be cool to use fantasy authors for these fantasy photos?” See, my other ‘job’ is as a book managing editor for fantasy/scifi site lytherus.com, and at the time of this idea I was prepping for San Diego Comic-Con where I would be interviewing seven different authors. I had authors on the brain that day, it seemed, and this amazing idea exploded into my head. Immediately I realized the epic potential a project like this had, and I knew I had to do something … bigger. To use these powers for good, if you will. I went through various ideas for an accessible product that fans would want and could easily acquire funds for a charity, and I settled on a calendar. Calendars are reasonably inexpensive (12-20 bucks on average), and you get more bang for your buck in twelve unique photos. Once the idea had really solidified, I realized the finances I’d need to make this project happen and make it as amazing as it deserved to be were beyond what I had. Which brings us to the kickstarter! Head on over there for more details, how I’ll do everything, and the process of shooting my example photos, like the one listed above. And spread the word! This will only succeed with the support of fans!