Lauren ZurchinToday we welcome Lauren Zurchin, professional photographer and the managing book editor for Lytherus. We invited Lauren to tell us about a new Kickstarter project she’s working on. We thought you might be interested… and, of course, Lauren has a question for you…

Last spring I started making some custom costumes for fantasy-themed photos and got the great idea to make fantasy authors the subjects of these photos. Then I decided to create a 2014 calendar with proceeds going to First Book and Worldbuilders. So I gathered an amazing team of fantasy authors who were interested in this project: Holly Black, Gail Carriger, Cassandra Clare, Lauren Kate, Gregory Maguire, The Merry Sisters of Fate — a trio of authors consisting of Tessa Gratton, Maggie Stiefvater, and Brenna Yovanoff, Brandon Mull, Lauren Oliver, Christopher Paolini, Patrick Rothfuss, Brandon Sanderson, Tad Williams.

Calendar Example

As the idea started to come together I realized that the cost of making costumes for fourteen authors, and the costs of travel to actually go and shoot all of these photos, was more than I could afford. So I decided to use Kickstarter to cover the cost. We recently hit the goal, so now I’m working toward the stretch goal, which will allow me to take these photos to another level with special details and props. And as a treat for the backers, the authors will sign items related to the project for Kickstarter rewards, things that are extremely limited in number and, once gone, will never happen again.

This is an amazing project that will bring a lot of good to the world, plus some good art. Please consider backing the Kickstarter and spreading the word. You can learn more about the project at my website. Thanks!

Now, my Thoughtful Thursday question for you:  If I decide to do a 2015 calendar, which fantasy authors would you want to see in it, and what should they be dressed as? You can make this serious or funny. One commenter gets a computer wallpaper of the author of their choice from the 2014 calendar.

Author

  • Kat Hooper

    KAT HOOPER, who started this site in June 2007, earned a Ph.D. in neuroscience and psychology at Indiana University (Bloomington) and now teaches and conducts brain research at the University of North Florida. When she reads fiction, she wants to encounter new ideas and lots of imagination. She wants to view the world in a different way. She wants to have her mind blown. She loves beautiful language and has no patience for dull prose, vapid romance, or cheesy dialogue. She prefers complex characterization, intriguing plots, and plenty of action. Favorite authors are Jack Vance, Robin Hobb, Kage Baker, William Gibson, Gene Wolfe, Richard Matheson, and C.S. Lewis.