So here we are, exactly one week since the Scheherazade’s Facade Kickstarter Campaign launch, and we are doing spectacularly.  $4158 of $5000.  83% with 148 backers and 23 days to go.  And all I can say is WOW.  The goal is practically in sight, and I am thrilled with everyone.  I know we’re going to reach the goal, and I couldn’t be happier.   Thank you again to everyone who’s pledged or spread the word.  I and the authors appreciate it.  Keep it up, and don’t think that if we hit that goal we’ll slack off.  I’m really hoping this book will reach a wide audience of fantasy lovers everywhere.

And as a treat, have some snippets from the five stories I didn’t cover last time:

“The job of a Kambal Kulam was simple: protect clients from harmful curses by serving as living decoys. There were many types of curses available to a Philippine sorcerer, but the most deadly all required the use of a sympathetic element, hair or skin or some bodily fluid of the intended victim.” – From “Kambal Kulam” by Paolo Chikiamco

” Just outside the village, Kayin paused to smear soot on his face and eat another handful of dried jana berries. The berries seemed to be working; his face had remained as smooth as a girl’s through all his weeks on the savannah. A generous supply hung from the belt of his short skirt. Judging from the tenderness he felt higher up, the bitter fruits were on their way to giving him breasts, too.” – From “Pride” by Melissa Mead

“They told me I was striking, when they did notice–perfect proportions, natural grace, a complexion that neither tanned nor burned. My hair was jet, my skin pale white–an alabaster some admired. Mother described it differently: “There’s something cold about her, Ronald.” And Dad replied, “Well, Sally, he warmed up to your father like a flower to the sun.”  – From “Going Dark” by Lyn C.A. Gardner

“The gods have made you a little strange, child. You’ll have to make yourself up to be more womanly. It falls to some of us to be so. But you’re lovely and dowered and you’ll catch yourself a goodish husband before long.” – From “The Cloak of Isis” by Sunny Moraine

” “I want your heart,” Dragon whispered, her breath frighteningly hot. “I don’t want to move on. Give me your heart, and I can stay with you: I want to be with you until I die.” ” – From “Treasure and Maidens” by Sarah Rees Brennan

And there you go.  Five tiny tastes of things to come.  You don’t know how much I’m looking forward to sharing the full stories with the world.  It was hard  finding good excerpts that evoked the story’s magic without giving away anything juicy, you know.  Especially since I keep getting distracted re-reading the stories, even as I take care of all the last minute formatting and editing that OF COURSE crept on me now.  So anyway, keep up the good work and stay tuned for further announcements.

(All excerpts courtesy of their respective authors, used for publicity purposes, legal mumbo-jumbo handwavium spell, etc etc etc.)