Today, we bring you Stretch Goal Round-Up, Part Two: Livestreams, Were-Hedgehogs, and Jugglers edition.
I know it’s nowhere near as cool as the last title, but they can’t all be winners.
Today’s blog comes to you courtesy of the Worldbuilders Team. Pat spent the holiday with his family, had a signing down in Madison for IndiesFirst, and promptly come home sick as a dog.
While he sleeps it off, we’re here to grant him a break, as well as to show off the cool stretch goals we’ve passed in the last week, as well as an update on the #NeilReads totals at the end. If you missed the last collection of stretch goals, you definitely should check those out, too.
Let’s get right to it.
- $125k: Seth Fishman hosted a livestreamed Q&A teaching everyone how to write a query letter and/or get an agent.
The livestream happened last Monday, but you can now watch the video right here. Seth talked a lot about query letters and agents, and the dos and don’ts of each.
He even brought on one of his clients, Django Wexler, to discuss the first query letter Seth received from him, and why it didn’t get him an agent.
- $150k: Myke Cole will review Hedging His Bets.
Myke helped us get through the technical issues we had with this video, and it’s up in all its glory for you to see.
If you’ve ever wanted to read were-hedgehog erotica, but wanted to hear a review of the book first, you’ve got it here.
- $225k: James Ernest will post a video of his signature juggling trick.
James was a juggler and performer before he made it as a game designer, and this trick is his signature trick, that only he performs. Yup. Juuust him. Sure would suck if someone stole his move, made it famous, and gave him full credit. Sure would. Enjoy all of its majesty…
- $250K Nate Taylor & Pat stream a discussion about the art of Slow Regard.
Nate and Pat had a great time talking about the art from Slow Regard. When you’ve got an hour to spare, be sure to sit down and watch this one.
We passed both of these next goals over Thanksgiving, so the videos aren’t ready yet, but they will be soon!
- $300k Mikey Neumann writes and reads a short story just for us!
Mikey has been planning this one for a while, and we’re pumped to share it with you once he finishes and films it for us…
- $325k Christopher Paolini reads from “The Eye of Argon.”
“The Eye of Argon” considered the Citizen Kane of bad fantasy writing (or maybe the Plan 9 From Outer Space?), and has been embraced in its infamy by writers and fans alike. Apparently, reading this story has turned into some kind of competition. Folks are challenged to read it, exactly as written, without smiling or laughing. Grandmasters have to read it after inhaling helium.
This is going to be good, no matter how Christopher handles it.
And we’re right on the cusp of the next couple of stretch goals as well…
- $350k The Doubleclicks play “Love You Like a Burrito” with a special guest…
This special guest may need to redeem himself after not performing the song very well at a book release event in Portland a little while ago…
- $375k Cards Against Humanity livestreams a day of gaming with Pat.
This one is going to be epic as well, and the folks at Cards Against Humanity are awesome. If you didn’t see CAH’s Black Friday Bullshit sale, you really missed out on your chance to buy real, literal bullshit.
- $400k John Green eats a Heifer International inspired meal.
Followers of John Green may already know of his history of blenderizing meals. He’s agreed to eat a meal made up of things you can get from Heifer International: Goat cheese, bacon, honey, and lots of other things he might be able to find. It’s probably going to be really gross, in a really awesome way.
* * *
I (meaning Amanda) ran all the numbers this morning to see what animal Pat may have to kiss if we pass our total from last year:
It seems pretty solidly decided in favor of llama.
There were comments here and there of people trying to campaign for the Goat, mostly to spare Pat from what has potential to be a very scary experience with the llama, so we’ll see if they’re successful in the end…
As far as the #NeilReads totals, we’ve got quite the turn of events. I went to run my totals, and when I got the image to share with everyone, it turned up like this.
I did a double take when I realized that Jabberwocky and Where The Wild Things are were tied. I’d taken it for granted at this point that Jabberwocky would still have a perceptible lead. Since I didn’t think it was fair to show you this without offering up the detailed totals, I did a new chart with those included as well.
So that’s where things currently stand – Jabberwocky is winning with a mere $405 lead. If you want Where the Wild Things Are to win (I know I do), go in there and vote, or get your friends to vote. It won’t take much…
Hope you all had a great weekend. Stay tuned to the Worldbuilders Facebook page and/or Twitter feed, because we’ll be updating every day with things you won’t want to miss, including a massive blog tomorrow full of books from DAW.
The Worldbuilders Team
