Last Pony on Earth was completed several years ago, but it left an indelible legacy on apocalyptic and post-collapse fiction that demands to be printed. The story is already complete, and can be read here. For years now I've been getting requests to do a print version of this book, and the time has finally come to fulfill that request. I've learned a great deal about printing and distribution during my first project, and I hope to be able to use that knowledge to bring this excellent story to everyone.

The Details

With this project, we're setting out to get a deluxe hardcover print run of the apocalyptic fiction story Last Pony on Earth. Thanks to the lessons I learned during the Message in a Bottle print campaign, and the physical realities of this story (it isn't nearly as long), I will be printing two version of this book: a full color hardcover, and a black and white softcover. This way I expect LPoE to be within-reach of almost anyone interested in grabbing a copy.

The print will also contain approximately 12,000 words of original fiction not to be published outside these physical prints, meant to connect the narrative of LPoE to the events of the sequel story, Founders of Alexandria--written in the original style and with new illustrations to go along with the story.

As you might expect, Zutcha will be reprising his role as the artist of the series.

The funds raised will be used as follows:

1. The proof copies of the book and coverblock.
2. Original cover and illustrations.
3. Printing and distribution of the books themselves.

The book will contain minor corrections to the text made since the original publication, but otherwise will be identical to the story currently available on Fimfiction.net, save for the original content at the end.

Those who want to support the author a little could spring for an autographed copy, or support at the higher "custom chapter" tier, where I will write approximately 2,000 words of original PaP fiction about the subject of your choice. So long as it's in-universe, it need not be during this time period or even about Alex, unless you want it to be.

A word on custom chapters: The Last Pony on Earth narrative is a story much smaller in scope than my last book, and as a result I won't be able to add custom chapters into the physical print. These chapters will likely be published online in the Bedtime Stories anthology, or somewhere else if I believe they would fit well.

Risks & Challenges

I've learned a great deal about the systems involved in printing and distribution since my last project. I've learned real shipping costs, and the hardcover print proof has already been delivered (with the softcover on its way).

The only real risk I can think of is that the illustrations drawn for Last Pony on Earth were fairly small in pixel density as they were created spontaneously for the web. Here's a photograph of the print of how the illustrations actually look so you can judge for yourself, but I think they look great.

Other Ways You Can Help

Can't contribute? That's fine! Obviously I'm not printing this story for the money--it's all about getting something awesome in hardcover. I don't expect anyone who isn't interested in hardcover books to buy this one. If you'd rather just read the story, you can do it for free right now. 

If you'd like to help but you aren't interested in the book, feel free to share this campaign with anyone you think might want to buy a copy. Like anything in printing, this project gets easier the larger the volume we make.