Short Summary
Pittsburgh's very own queer-owned publishing company, Phoenix of Alexandria, is back with our second publication- "Sex N'at"! We've been working with great local writers to bring you a steamy collection of erotic tales that could only come from the minds of Yinzer Gays. By contributing to our fundraiser, you are securing a pre-order of your copy of "Sex N'at", and so much more!
What We Need & What You Get
Your contribution will help fund:
- Compensation for all contributors- editors, writers, formatters, and visual artists.
- Printing costs
- Additional merch for tabling events and release party
- Future publication projects and reprint funds
Anyone who backs this campaign is invited to our release party (more details to come). For each tier, you'll get:
- $10- Access to a digital copy of "Sex N'at", being mentioned in the "Thank You" section
- $20- Physical copy of "Sex N'at", being mentioned in the "Thank You" section
- $30- Physical copy of "Sex N'at", Custom Phoenix of Alexandria lubricant bottle, being mentioned in the "Thank You" section
- $50- Physical copy and Custom USB drive with digital copy of "Sex N'at"; Custom Phoenix of Alexandria lubricant bottle, being mentioned in the "Thank You" section
- $100- Physical copy and Custom USB drive with digital copy of "Sex N'at"; Custom Phoenix of Alexandria lubricant bottle, being mentioned in the "Thank You" section... AND! You'll receive a short, erotic story - with YOU as a character- written by our very own Jonny St. Germain!
The Impact
The last time we asked for your help, you got us an LLC and a solid foundation for creating queer content in the Pittsburgh area. This collection is taking our company to the next level, not just by having the content be explicitly about queer sex but by having enough of that hot content for a quality paperback print! Though we are still still working collaboratively with authors and artists, we are slowly moving forward as small publishers. We're hoping this project propels us - and our contributors - toward larger projects and having a larger impact on Pittsburgh's queer arts and literary space.
The rise of anti-queer bigotry in the US is nothing new, but it is manifesting as legal hell for our siblings. During Pride month this year we are raising money not only to support our community through the book- we are spreading unabashed queer joy. In a time where we told to be ashamed of our love, our bodies, our sexuality, and our lives, we refuse to be anything but loud, proud, and sexy as hell.
Risks & Challenges
We do have a few challenges when it comes to fundraising. Of course, not everyone is going to want to read sexually explicit content- and that is perfectly valid! Like we said before, part of our funding will be used for future projects... including the second issue of our literary collection, "Rivets"! While we do not have a set date for "Rivets Issue #2", we do have plenty of interested authors and artists waiting to showcase their best work. That means that even you personally do not want to read our erotic content, you are still contributing to our other queer endeavors!
We also understand that times are tough. We know that while many people want to financially support local queer art, not everyone is in a position to do so. This is why we've included different tiers and options to support- so no matter what you are capable of contributing, your help will still count! We've also been around for almost two years as an LLC, in which time we've built a following on social media. "Rivets Issue #1" is still selling and gaining interest at tabling events. We are growing as a company, and we believe our followers will be able to get us to our goal.
That said, in the event we do not reach our goal, we will prioritizing paying our contributors with the money we do raise. Additional funding after paying contributors will go toward printing costs so that books will be available for sale online and at events. If we cannot raise enough for all the items for all tiers or a deposit for a release party, we will still include all backers in our "Thank You" section and will sending backers access to a digital version of "Sex N'at" at the very least.
The lowest priorities for us are the release party and the funding for future projects. Do we want to celebrate our success with a "bang"? Absolutely! Do we want to secure a solid foundation for "Rivets Issue #2"? You bet! However, we need to focus on the people who made this book possible first. After that, we want to thank our backers. Remember: the closer we get to the goal, the more we are able to give back.
Other Ways You Can Help
As mentioned, times are tough and not everyone can make a financial contribution. There are plenty of other ways to help out, though!
- If you aren't already, follow us on Facebook and Instagram!
- Share our Indiegogo with friends, Yinzers, countrymen... whoever!
- If you see us at a tabling event (which you'll know about if you follow us online), stop over and say hi! We love meeting the people who support us.
We thank you for your support, and look forward to sharing this wonderful, sexy creation with you!
- Sam Logsdon (they/them); Founder of Phoenix of Alexandria