Important Clarification on Last Night's Update...
19 days ago
– Tue, May 19, 2026 at 07:24:09 AM
Hi again -
Reading the comments on last night's update, we want to reassure everyone of one thing:
Stripe's decision to suspend our account DOES NOT affect any of the funding that came in through the Kickstarter. Those funds were disbursed months ago.
In fact, we just got notification that the books have shipped from the printer, so we should have them in hand soon.
Rest assured, you WILL get your rewards!
What it does affect is our ability to use Backerkit. Creators use add-ons collected in Backerkit to offset the significant charge for the service--without the ability to raise additional funds, it wouldn't be worth the cost to use. Backerkit understands this, and has offered us a refund.
But they may also allow us to use a back-up payment source other than Stripe. We are currently looking into this option.
We didn't mean to alarm anyone last night. Again, you WILL get your rewards. It's just a temporary pause on the surveys while we figure out our options.
Thanks for your patience while we work through this,
Clay & David
Quick Survey Update...
20 days ago
– Mon, May 18, 2026 at 06:13:27 PM
Hi folks -
The Backerkit smoke test itself went off without a hitch, and while I would ordinarily press send on the wider surveys now, we are having to pause instead.
Some of you may have heard about Kickstarter's recent crackdown on NSFW material. It is driven by their financial partner, Stripe, which supports just about every other crowdfunding platform as well...including Backerkit.
Can you see where this is going?
A few hours after the smoke test went out, Stripe suspended our account. Dave and I are currently working with Kickstarter, Backerkit, and Stripe to get this resolved, but having the issue crop up late on a Friday meant a quick resolution wasn't in the cards.
Hopefully this is merely a brief bump in the road, and we'll be back shortly with better news. Rest assured, no matter what happens, we'll get the surveys--and your books--out to you soon.
Thanks again for your patience and support,
Clay
Backerkit smoke tests are out!
23 days ago
– Fri, May 15, 2026 at 11:16:37 AM
Twas the Eve of Fulfillment
And Bloodline HQ
Sent Backerkit Smoke Tests
To 5% of You
Look, I never claimed to be a poet.
But, it's true! We just sent out Backerkit smoke tests, which is a small batch of surveys to make sure there are no issues before we go wide.
(Backerkit makes you do this because their system is REALLY DANG HARD to navigate and it's easy to screw up.)
If there are no issues reported with the smoke test, we expect to go wide with the surveys Monday morning.
That gives everyone about a week to fill them out before books arrive at Bloodline HQ. Once we have the books in hand, we'll lock orders and start prepping for fulfillment.
Stay tuned for news on digital rewards, which are coming soon!
Thanks again -
Clay
The book is at the printer!
about 1 month ago
– Mon, Apr 27, 2026 at 04:39:55 PM
Hey there, Carmillians -
We're happy to report that Alex did a fantastic job, not just on the colors, but also in getting this turned around so quickly.
The book is currently at the printer, and as soon as we get an ETA on delivery, we will let you know.
In the meantime, expect surveys to go out soon.
We heard your feedback last time that the InDemand process was clunky (we agree), and we're happy to report that Backerkit recently changed its terms to be a little better for creators, so we will likely go that route this time.
But those take time to build, and since we've been so focused on finishing the book, we'll need a beat to work on surveys. Stay tuned...but we promise it won't be long.
Once surveys go out, digital rewards will be available for download.
We are nearing the finish line, gentle reader. And we think when the long tease is over, you'll say it was well worth the wait.
Thanks for being awesome,
Clay & David
Production update: Line art finished!
2 months ago
– Mon, Apr 06, 2026 at 09:09:37 AM
Hello Carmillians!
I'm happy to report that Erik Tamayo has finished all line art for the book, and Alex Zief has worked some magic to be right behind him. She's currently working on the final 10 pages and estimates having a first draft of those by 4/15.
Lettering will be complete by that date as well, so we should be able to turn this thing into the printer pretty darn quick once we get finals. Then it's just a question of how fast the printer can turn it around.
Dave and I greatly appreciate your patience--we usually build in a little more time on our estimates for fulfillment, but Erik was working at such a torrid pace, we thought April would be a safe bet. Fortunately/unfortunately, he's in high demand these days and some bigger projects meant the back half of the book took more time.
But I can tell you it was worth the wait, because the art looks incredible (see Dave's last update for proof!). I genuinely believe this is our best issue yet, and we think you'll agree when we get it into your hands.
More news on the updated timeline as soon as we've sent it off to the printer.
Meanwhile...
If you like to occasionally stroll on the less spicy side of Kickstarter...
The BLAZING BLADE OF FRANKENSTEIN VOLUME 1 collection just launched on Kickstarter!
The trade paperback is behind this cover from Conan the Barbarian artist Geof Isherwood (with colors by White Ash‘s Fin Cramb):
While our hardcover re-presents this stunning piece from Chuma Hill:
This collection will include the first four issues plus a brand new short story with art by Mick Beyers and Fin.
More news on CARMILLA surveys and fulfillment coming soon...
Thanks again for the support!
Clay
