Edmund Spenser's The Faerie Queene: A Prose Rendering

Duessa Vanquished! (and Stretch Goal Two Unlocked)
about 3 years ago – Mon, Jan 16, 2023 at 03:43:05 PM

Apologies, folks, we now have the Duessa situation under control.

Our early attempts to dissolve her by dumping a bucket of water over her head proved unsuccessful; British enchantresses must work a bit differently. (Should we have tried cups of tea?) However, by feats of derring-do, we have vanquished her at last.

From this point forward in the campaign, we advise you to be wary. Giants, dragons, horrid beasts, and jealous women lurk in these enchanted woods and could appear at any moment.

Do not fear, but be alert. And raise a toast to meeting our second stretch goal! A free 8x10" print of a Justin Gerard Faerie Queene illustration will now be included with all mailed levels! Hurrah!

Should we reach the $50,000 mark, all mailed levels will receive a complete set of three of 8x10" Justin Gerard prints. So, please resist any opposition you receive from dark and dastardly characters attempting to prevent you from spreading the word.

Onward!

Rebecca K. Reynolds

Upon the tripling of this campaign's goal in the first day, I felt I should reach out.
about 3 years ago – Mon, Jan 16, 2023 at 02:27:54 PM

Dearest Kickstarter Patrons,

Duessa is the name, and upon hearing that this Kickstarter had tripled its original goal on the first day, I slipped behind the cyber curtain to clarify something important.

For over four-hundred-years, I’ve been unfairly cast as a nefarious villain in The Faerie Queene. Villain? I prefer the term “enchantress,” lovelies. Who can resist an enchantress? <kisses>

Before you read what nasty Edmund Spenser wrote about me (or this cursed Rebecca K. Reynolds figure who is continuing to spread his lies) I would like for you to hear my side of things. Perhaps you could just rest your sweet little head on my lap, and I could whisper the truth into your ear? Come along; sit with me beneath this wide-spreading tree in the cool shade. There you go. Easy now. That’s nice. Just get comfortable, and shut your eyes, and listen.

Now, hear me out.Who hasn’t transformed an ex-lover into a tree, suspended with his limbs frozen stiff for years, bound to suffer the elements through weather fair and poor? Who hasn’t seduced a noble knight as he sallies forth on a gallant quest? Who doesn’t morph into a hideous creature while bathing in a river with strange herbs at night during certain phases of the moon?

Darling, you and I understand one another, now, I think. So, dearest, don’t be naughty and let your friends know about this Kickstarter. Just keep the news all to yourself, and as a reward, perhaps I’ll even let you trot about on my lovely, seven-headed beasty?

Wickedly yours,

Duessa

Thank you for doubling our goal in 1.5 hours! Onward!
about 3 years ago – Mon, Jan 16, 2023 at 12:40:45 PM

Dragon's roar and armor's gleam,

Garish caves and cauldron's steam--

Let us journey onward still

Where troves await to cheer and thrill.

Spread the news both far and wide,

Through hill and dale, by land and tide.

For treasures rise as patrons grow,

So gather, friends; let good things flow.

(We are so grateful for all of you. Next stretch goal? $25,000. Let's do this.)

FUNDED IN 28 MINUTES!!! THANK YOU.
about 3 years ago – Mon, Jan 16, 2023 at 12:25:58 PM

Dear backers, thank you so much. I join Rebecca, Jon, and our team at Sky Turtle Press in sharing our appreciation for your immediate support. Please tell your friends about the project. This is a truly special literary endeavor that I am very proud to be publishing.  Not only did we reach our goal in just 28 minutes, but we are within reach of our first stretch goal. Don't forget, supporters backing the campaign in the first 24 hours will receive the beautiful print of the Red Cross Knight fighting the monster Error, created by legendary illustrator, Michael Wm. Kaluta. As a bonus thank you, the print will be signed by Kaluta and the author, Rebecca K. Reynolds.

Funded in twenty-eight minutes!
about 3 years ago – Mon, Jan 16, 2023 at 11:06:30 AM

Thank you so much! You folks are amazing. Twenty-eight minutes!

Now the goal is getting investors some cool free stuff as they share word about this endeavor with friends. Check out the stretch goals. There are even some riddles! Can you crack them?