Progress Update #3
about 5 years ago – Thu, Nov 14, 2019 at 07:21:23 PM

Hello backers! 

I can't believe it is November already! So much has happened since my last update. The illustrator, Christine Cagara, implemented the developmental editor's edits to make the book easier for caregivers to navigate the book as well as update the layouts a bit. Each spread has a header and each picture has a descriptive word.

Here is a sneak peak of one spread that was inspired by reading the prototype to my son's daycare class. To set up the book, I asked them questions about same and different using their shoes and outfits.

The proofreader caught typos or inconsistencies and we fixed those problems. The printers did a final check to make sure the formats were correct and they sent me a proof. The Epson proofs were approved. Here is a picture the approved front cover/spine/back cover!

 And a picture that my mom took of me over-nighting the approved proofs back to them!

With support from the Kickstarter and through Backerkit, I was able to order 4,000 copies of the book. They have all been printed and as we speak the books are being shipping to my house.

Timeline

In case you are wondering where we are in the process, I've updated the flow chart from the last update.

Printed Books: The estimated arrival to get the printed books in my hands is MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18TH! I already have a team of family and friends ready to package and ship them to you as fast as I can. I will also be able to make local deliveries for my Indy-area backers if preferred! You will be receiving an email from BACKERKIT to the email address you registered with on Kickstarter to lock your address.  Please don't ignore it! The preorder store will be closing in 5 days and then the book is unavailable for purchase until the official launch in 2020. 

Ebooks: The ebook will be available to backers soon, but I do not have a date yet. I will keep you posted, but you will receive an email from BACKERKIT to the email you registered with that contains the file as a download.

SURPRISE! Stickers! 

Finally, the illustrator designed six stickers that I'll be including 1 of them randomly in each order.  Here are the designs for four of them. The other two (one featuring Elizabeth, and another featuring Oscar and Lydia) are still being designed.

Again, thank you SO much for your continued support. <3

Stephanie

Progress Update #2
about 5 years ago – Fri, Sep 20, 2019 at 11:29:06 AM

This post is for backers only. Please visit Kickstarter.com and log in to read.

The ball is rolling! Progress update and survey notice!
about 5 years ago – Tue, Sep 10, 2019 at 08:23:21 PM

Hello backers! Here is a progress update and details about fulfillment.

Progress update

I made the suggested edits from parents and kids and the manuscript is now with a developmental editor. I've created a diagram to show the next steps in the process. 

Some things like purchasing an ISBN for the ebook and the board book, copyrighting the book, beginning illustration edits, development of a copyright page, etc. will occur simultaneously. I didn't want to over-complicate an already over-complicated visual aid. I've spent the past month researching the best options for each step and I'm really excited with the team of people working on this! 

• The developmental editor for the book is Heidi Fiedler. She has extensive experience with editing children's books.
• The illustrator of the book is still Christine Cagara because her illustrations are amazing :) 
• The copy editing and proofreading will be done by Kim Bookless. She has a lot of experience with self publishing and has introduced me to the people who will help me with other steps of the process!
• Final checks and ebook generation will be handled by Gwyn Snider at gks creative.
• Coaching through the process to make sure steps aren't missed and help with Amazon and Ingram Sparks will be handled by Bethany Brown at The Cadence Group.
• Printing will be done in the USA with Pint Size Productions.
• Postage will be secured via Easyship.
• Ebook fulfillment will be hosted on a Backerkit page when the files are ready.

Fulfillment (If any of this seems confusing at all- we can step through it together over the phone or email! Send me a message and we can get it all sorted out!)

You will be getting a survey (or may have already received it! They send it in waves) that will ask for your shipping information and a few questions about your opinion for changes in the book. It will look something like this! Please complete it otherwise I cannot get your rewards to you!

 There is an illustration that needs edited and I'd love your feedback and there is a suggested title change that I'd love for you to weigh in on too. You will find them on the "1. QUESTIONS" tab of the checkout process. 

You will also be able to add-on additional copies of the book for a discounted price under the "2. ADD-ONS" tab. Here, you can add an e-book copy, print copies of the book, or donate a copy of the book to Bernie's Book Bank. 

•  Domestic backers: The system will allow you to purchase up to 10 additional copies. If you need more than that, send me a message and I can add them in on the back end for you before you check out.  
•  International backers: If you would like to add additional copies to your order, please message me before you check out and I can add them in manually after I calculate shipping to your specific location. Otherwise, they will not show up as an option for you in the system.

Note: If you pledged more than a reward tier amount, it will give you a credit in the system to apply toward add-ons. For example, if you pledged $55 for a $25 reward tier (excluding shipping), you will see a $30 credit to apply to add-ons. If you do not want to use it toward books or donated books, simply check out with positive credit balance. Please note that you cannot get a refund on the credit amount as it was your original pledge. If you add an add-on that was not part of your original pledge cost, you will be prompted to make a payment using Stripe or Paypal.

If you were one of the lucky winners of an extra copy of the book, you should have a free book added to your account. If you do not, please message me with the error and I will fix it!

If you are a school or a daycare that wants to work out a special guest speaking/books for all the students offer, please contact me directly and I can add it into the system on the back end and bill you via Paypal.

 Again, if any of this seems confusing at all- we can step through it together over the phone or email! :) Send me a message and we can get it all sorted out!

AMAZING! We hit our goal- and exceeded it!
over 5 years ago – Tue, Aug 20, 2019 at 10:19:58 AM

This post is for backers only. Please visit Kickstarter.com and log in to read.

24 hours to go!
over 5 years ago – Fri, Aug 16, 2019 at 12:36:23 AM

24 hours to go. At the time of this post the book has 278 backers and is 67% funded.

Thank you to local day cares and preschools for reaching out to make large pledges to get the books into the hands of your kids and to hold readings at your schools! It makes me so happy to see STEAM/STEM education happening at this age. If you are a daycare provider/preschool/after school program in Indiana or the Chicagoland area, please reach out and we can make a package where you receive 1 book per family and a reading at a very discounted rate. Two local day cares have done this and are excited to share this book with families.

This week I visited the Goddard School in Carmel, Indiana on Medical Drive and read the book to four different classrooms of children aged 2.5-5 years old. They loved the interactivity of the book and I was impressed with the similarities and differences that they picked out. They also loved the illustrations and everyday activities, sharing information with me that they too like superheroes or that blocks were their favorite toy. I was also impressed at their knowledge of science! Thank you so much to the daycare for inviting me to speak- I'm still smiling from it!

 
   Let's Hit 100%. Here's how.

• If you have already made a pledge for a physical copy, I'm running a 24-hour offer to give you an additional book for every additional $10.00 you pledge.  This book can be donated to the book bank or sent to you! To adjust your pledge, find this project under your "Backed Projects" and simply go to "Manage Your Pledge", then "Change Your Pledge", and under your "Current Reward" level, change the number to the new higher amount, and select "Continue", then select "Confirm" on the pop-up screen. I will message you that I have recorded your additional copy or copies! Easy-peasy! This does not apply if you switch a pledge or downgrade a pledge. Timestamps of pledge changes will be used! If you are a new pledge, pledge the lower amount first and then change the pledge. 
•  During the next 24 hours we are offering a "One for You and FOUR for Bernie's" pledge where you will receive 1 copy for yourself and donate 4 books to Bernie's for a pledge of $50.  Look for the reward called "**One for You and FOUR for Bernie's**. This does not apply if you switch pledges or downgrade your pledge. 
•  During the next 24 hours we are offering a "One for You and TWO for Friends" pledge where you will receive 1 copy for yourself and 2 copies to give to friends for a pledge of $50. Look for the reward called "**One for You and TWO for Friends!**". This does not apply if you switch pledges or downgrade your pledge. 
•  Share the project on all social media outlets with a note of why you think this book is important for kids. People are more likely to visit the link if you share why you like the project! Use #ChemistryForToddlers so I can find you to retweet or reshare. Make the post public for the greatest impact! Here is a link to copy and paste: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/chemistrytoddlers/lets-learn-about-chemistry-a-chemistry-book-for-toddlers?ref=dr3wgu  
• Share the project with your local day care or preschool today!

Again, thank you SO MUCH for all of your support. This book is important to me and I truly believe in its mission! #ChemistryforToddlers! 

Just see how much my son learned from reading this book and how excited he is that he knows it!