This version of the FAQ reflects the last public iteration, primarily about the crowdfunding campaign.
What is Duck Prints Press?
Duck Prints Press LLC is a small, independent press based in New York State, USA. Claire Houck (aka Nina Waters, aka unforth) is the owner/managing member. Our founding vision is to work collaboratively with fanfiction authors who wish to publish their original work. You can read more about Duck Prints Press here!
What is this anthology?
This project is the first work in our new series of “Queer Fanworks inspired by…” anthologies. For this series, we select literature, poetry, plays, and other works in the Public Domain and create a collection of queer stories and artworks inspired by the original material! The first work we’re transforming is William Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing,” and we’ve entitled the book And Seek (Not) to Alter Me, which is a riff on a line from the play.
To create an exceptional project, we’ve recruited 16 authors and 17 artists to create stories (up to 5,000 words) and artworks (full page) reflecting their queerified take on Much Ado! We’ll be publishing these pieces in a full-color A4 softcover zine.
The creators in this collection are encouraged to be creative—some contributions incorporate the characters from Much Ado in a new work, while others created original characters and new works that explore the themes and tropes featured in Much Ado. We’re excited about the range of types of transformative works that our creators have created!
Who is writing for this anthology? How were writers recruited?
You can see the contributor list here! Authors are those who applied to be part of our first anthology, didn’t quite make the cut, but with whom we still wanted to work.
Who is doing artwork for this anthology? How were artists recruited?
You can see the contributor list here! We ran an open call for applicants in May of 2021, reviewed the applications we received and selected the most qualified; we also did individual outreach to invite artists we thought might be interested, and ask if they’d like to join us.
Will contributors be paid?
Yes! Authors will be paid 1 cent US per word (up to $50 US), and artists will be paid $50 per single page of artwork. Creators have, in fact, already been paid the minimumy. And, while our Kickstarter did not earn enough funding to enable us to give authors and artists as large a raise as we’d hoped, we do expect to be able to raise this minimum rate.
Will story and art work rights revert to the creators post-publication?
Absolutely.
Our contract outlines the following rights for authors: Duck Prints Press licenses exclusive rights to the story in both print and eBook format for one year. Other rights such as right of translation and right to record as an audio book will remain with the author. If at some point in the future we wish to expand in those directions, we will contact authors, recruit those who are interested, and develop new contracts. You can see a sample of the author-publisher contract here.
Our contract outlines the following rights for artists: Duck Prints Press licenses rights solely related to the production, development, and sale of the Anthology. The rights requested are: the right to display, modify, advertise, and transmit the artwork; the right to produce art prints and other reproductions of the artwork; and the right to create derivative works such as merchandise and accessories featuring the artwork. Our licensing of these rights expires after one year. All other rights remain with the artist. If at some point in the future we are considering using the artworks in another project or context, we will contact artists, recruit those who are interested, and develop new contracts. You can see a sample of the artist-publisher contract here.
Who are the people behind this project?
Hi, we’re unforth (Claire Houck/Nina Waters), jhoomwrites (A.L. Heard), Pallas Perilous, Foop, Adaille, Owlish, and Alessa Riel. Please see our biographies page for more information about us.
How will the anthology be sold?
Copies of the A4-sized zine (we’ve been calling it a zine, since this anthology series is inspired by classic fandom zines) and related merchandise were available during a crowd-funded Kickstarter campaign only. The Kickstarter launched on March 15th, 2022 and successfully concluded on April 14th, 2022. An “extras” sale may be held once all copies have shipped, if we have any extras available; alternatively, extras may be retained as prizes/extras for future campaigns. This anthology will also be available in ePub, Mobi, and PDF formats on the Duck Prints Press website for as long as the publisher is in operation.
Where will net profits from anthology sales go?
If there are net profits from this anthology, they will be re-invested in Duck Prints Press to help us grow the business and fund future projects.
What format(s) will the anthology be available in?
The anthology will be available as a A4 Size (8.3″ x 11.7″/21 cm x 30 cm) paperback zine (Kickstarter exclusive!), an ePub, a MOBI, and a PDF.
What extras and merchandise will there be?
We’ve got a lot of really great stuff on offering for this campaign!
- And Seek (Not) to Alter Me e-book
- And Seek (Not) to Alter Me paperback zine
- an art print of the book’s cover art (art by Gio Guimarães)
- a tasseled bookmark (art by Alicia Matheson)
- a die cut sticker featuring our bard Dux (created by Alessa Riel)
- an enamel pin (art by Meredith Pancake)
- a 5.5″ x 8″ lined journal (graphic created by Alessa Riel)
- a set of 20 bookplates (art by Huaepiphany)
- a set of 10 3″ x 5″ note cards with envelopes (art by Miss Aceriee)
- a teacup and saucer (art by Cris Alborja)
- a teapot
We also have the following add ons:
- custom emoji and icon packs, featuring graphics by Alessa Riel and art by anthology contributors
- inclusion on the Premium Backer List
- your print copy of And Seek (Not) to Alter Me signed and personalized by lead editor Nina Waters
- an additional print copy of the And Seek (Not) to Alter Me zine
- the e-book of Nina Waters’s “A Glimmer of Hope“
- the e-book of our first Anthology, “Add Magic to Taste“
- the e-book of Tris Lawrence’s “Commit to the Kick“
- add one or more stickers, bookmarks, journals, bookplate collection, or note card set to your order
- add other Duck Prints Press merchandise to your order—your choice of two enamel pins, a dux magnet, and/or one or more of four different stickers
- your story of up to 5,000 words, edited by Nina Waters
- a custom-made plush dux with rainbow wings, made by EmpowerFantasy Plush
- a hand-made, one of a kind recipe book made by P. J. Claremore, featuring recipes contributed by our authors, editors, and Patreon supporters
Merchandise availability varies by backer level—see the next question!
What purchase options will I have?
Our backer levels for the Kickstarter are as follows (all prices in USD, all packages ship from the United States):
- Level 1 – E-Book Only (in ePub, Mobi, and PDF formats), plus the option to have the backer’s name listed on a “Thank You for Your Support” list at the end of the e-book. cost: $15, no shipping
- Level 2 – A4 Trade Paperback Zine, plus the e-book and the option to have the backer’s name listed on the “Thank You” list. Cost: $40, plus shipping (approximately $4 US/$26 international)
- Level 3 – E-Book (in ePub, Mobi, and PDF formats) and the “Items that Ship Flat:” an art print, a die cut sticker, a tasseled bookmark, and an enamel pin, plus the option to have the backer’s name listed on the “Thank You” list. Cost: $35, plus shipping (approximately $8 US/$26 international)
- Level 4 – A4 Trade Paperback Zine and “Items that Ship Flat:” an art print, a die cut sticker, a tasseled bookmark, and an enamel pin, plus the option to have the backer’s name listed on the “Thank You” list. Cost: $60, plus shipping (approximately $4 US/$26 international)
- Level 5 – A4 Zine and All Merchandise: a journal, a set of 10 note cards, a set of 20 bookplates, a custom tea cup with a saucer, art print, a die cut sticker, a tasseled bookmark, and an enamel pin, plus the option to have the backer’s name listed on the “Thank You” list. Cost: $100, plus shipping (approximately $10 US/$40 international).
- Level 6 – Four for Tea, which includes everything in the “A4 Zine and All Merchandise” level, plus three additional tea cups and saucers, a matching tea pot, and a selection of tea from “The Whistling Kettle.” US only. Cost: $150, plus shipping ($13).
Add-on Prices:
- custom emoji pack: $1 (available to all backer levels; no shipping cost)
- custom icon packs: $3 (available to all backer levels; no shipping cost)
- inclusion on the Premium Backer List: $5 (available to all backer levels; no shipping cost)
- your print copy of And Seek (Not) to Alter Me, signed and personalized by lead editor Nina Waters: $10 (available to backer levels 2, 4, 5 and 6; no shipping cost)
- an additional print copy of the And Seek (Not) to Alter Me zine: $35 per copy (available to levels 2 through 6; adds $1 to US shipping or approximately $16 to international shipping)
- the e-book of Nina Waters’s “A Glimmer of Hope:” $5 (available to all backer levels; no shipping cost)
- the e-book of our first Anthology, “Add Magic to Taste:” $6 (available to all backer levels; no shipping cost)
- the e-book of Tris Lawrence’s “Commit to the Kick:” $7 (available to all backer levels; no shipping cost)
- add one or more stickers ($3 each), bookmarks ($5 each), journals ($17 each), bookplate sets ($15 each), or note card sets ($15 each) to your order (available to backer levels 2 through 6; stickers and bookmarks do not add to shipping; journals, bookplate sets and note card sets add $1 per item added to US shipping or approximately $10 per item added to international shipping)
- add other Duck Prints Press merchandise to your order: your choice of two enamel pins ($10 each), a dux magnet ($4), and/or one or more of four different stickers ($3 each). (available to backer levels 2 through 6; do not add to shipping)
- ONLY 3 AVAILABLE: your story of up to 5,000 words, edited by Nina Waters: $50 (available to all backer levels; no shipping cost)
- ONLY 2 AVAILABLE: a custom-made plush dux with rainbow wings, made by EmpowerFantasy Plush: $35 (available to backer levels 2 through 6; adds $5 to US shipping or $14 to international shipping)
- ONLY 3 AVAILABLE: a hand-made, one of a kind recipe book made by P. J. Claremore, featuring recipes contributed by our authors, editors, and Patreon supporters: $40 (available to backer levels 2 through 6; adds $1 to US shipping or $10 to international shipping)
How much does the Kickstarter need to earn to unlock more extras?
Our proposed budget includes funds to cover everything described in the previous two FAQ questions, which will cost approximately $12,000 (including shipping to backers)—that is our Kickstarter funding goal. Our stretch goals include raises for our contributors and additional merchandise for our backers (without costing individual backers a penny more—same price, more stuff!):
- $12,500: we’ll commission a second art piece from Gio Guimarães for the back cover. All e-books will include both art pieces, the print book covers will feature full-page art front and back, and a second art print will be made and included in backer levels 3, 4, 5, and 6.
- $16,500: contributors get a raise! Artists will earn $100 per page; authors will earn 2 cents US per word, to a maximum of $100 per story.
- $18,500: we’ll make a postcard set—twenty-two 4 in x 6 in (10 cm x 15 cm) postcards, each featuring one of the 22 art works created for this collection. Backers at levels 3, 4, 5, and 6 will receive this collection.
- $22,000: contributors get a raise! Artists will earn $150 per page; authors will earn 3 cents US per word, to a maximum of $150 per story.
- $24,000: we’ll produce a second 3 in x 2.75 in (7.5 cm x 7 cm) die-cut sticker, this one featuring the artist dux created by Alessa Riel. We’ll also add both stickers to our print-book only (Level 2) backer level, and will be sent to backers whose backer level includes any physical merch.
- $27,500: contributors get a raise! Artists will earn $200 per page; authors will earn 4 cents US per word, to a maximum of $200 per story.
- $29,500: we’ll produce an art portfolio of 8 in x 10 in (20.5 cm x 25.5 cm) prints featuring all 22 pieces made as part of this project. Backers at levels 3, 4, 5, and 6 will receive this collection.
- $33,000: contributors get a raise! Artists will earn $250 per page; authors will earn 5 cents US per word, to a maximum of $250 per story.
- $35,000: we’ll make a second enamel pin (artist and art to be determined). Backers at levels 3, 4, 5, and 6 will receive the second pin.
- $38,500: contributors get a raise! Artists will earn $300 per page; authors will earn 6 cents US per word, to a maximum of $300 per story.
- $40,500: backers at level 5 and 6 will get a lovely fountain pen. (This one!)
- $44,000: contributors get a raise! Artists will earn $350 per page; authors will earn 7 cents US per word, to a maximum of $350 per story.
- $46,000: we’ll produce a 2 in x 2 in (5 cm x 5 cm) key chain with Vograce, featuring our bard Dux (the first Dux key chain we’ve ever made!). This will be added to backer levels 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6—all backers with physical merch—as a big THANK YOU for helping us get this far!
- OUR TRUE GOAL – $50,000: contributors get their final raise! Artists will earn $400 per page; authors will earn 8 cents US per word, to a maximum of $400 per story.
Can we hit the $50,000? We truly don’t know. Based on our past experience, we’re hoping we can hit at least half these goals, but if y’all love and support this anthology as much as we love and support this anthology? The sky is the limit. And if, somehow, we DO exceed that goal, we’ll add additional merchandise stretch goals every $2,500.
Have a question not answered here? Send us an ask on Tumblr, DM us on twitter, or send us an e-mail!