The HIDEOUS PLASTIC KickStarter campaign has now been launched. Of course, you can find a lot of information on the KickStarter  site but this page is intended to supplement the main campaign.  The campaign commenced On March 1st, 2017 and will conclude on April 29th, 2017.  It’s an ambitious Project and while the book is largely written with much of its content in place it won’t be released until October 2017.

Success in the KickStarter campaign is essential for this book to be released.  Below you will find all the Goals and Backer Items outlined in detail.

 

IMPORTANT!: Due to where I live, KickStarter won’t permit me to express costs in anything but Australian Dollars. In which case, please keep in mind that the exchange rate currently favors the USD.  USD is substantially LOWER than the AUD values expressed on this campaign.

• Primary Goal: Basic Edition – AU$25,000 (Approx. US$19,235) – Full color images throughout the book from cover to cover. For myself – and presumably people backing this campaign – this is the minimum I expect this book to be.  A solid and very presentable weighty volume with color images throughout.  Achieving this Goal will be highly desirable and Backers are encouraged to make pledges to this Goal.  Tell your friends.  Spread the word.  FaceBook.  Twitter.  Whatever it takes.  It’s in your hands to achieve this outcome!:

Paperback. CMYK throughout. 128gsm white. Finished size: 176 x 254mm (Portrait) – 240pp.

Hopefully, these details explain the basic Goal of the KickStarter campaign.  I believe these are achievable and reasonable and with your support this Project will become a reality.

Contact me if you have any questions.

The main drive behind this crowd sourcing campaign is to get this book into Backer’s hands.  Below you will find the basic Reward Tiers you may support to this end.  I’m keeping the Rewards simple and focused towards this Goal.  All Backers supporting these Reward Tiers will have their name included on the KickStarter supporters page at the back of the book regardless of what tier has been supported.  All Backers choosing to support a print tier of the book will also be granted the option to vote for the final cover design from a selection of concepts.

• PLEDGE AU$12 (Approx. US$9.10) – Vote of Confidence: If you want to show your support but don’t actually want a copy of the book, that’s perfectly fine.  This Level is for you.  Mind you, your contribution will still leave a tangible mark as your name will be recorded in the KickStarter Backers page at the back of the book for all to see.

• PLEDGE AU$15 (Approx. US$12) – Vote for the Cover!: Want to have your say on what the final cover of the book looks like but don’t want a copy of the book?  This option is for you!  Below is a selection of cover concepts that are being considered for the final print version of the book.  $15 grants you the privilege to vote on which of these concepts will be used on the cover.   These are preliminary concepts only.  The final cover concept as decided by majority vote will receive full professional treatment.  There’s no rush on voting for these right now.  Voting will open in May after the campaign has concluded.   Voting will close on July 31.  Only one can win!  Make your vote count.  All print copy reward tiers will also be presented with the optional privilege to vote for one of these concepts:

1. Concept – Soft Cover Copy Default: The basic cover idea I’ve been working with since I started this Project.  It features a profile photograph of the Aliens’ face on a starry background.
2. Concept – Midnight Star: This concept is inspired by one of Super 7’s ReAction line figures, a rare Blind Box item that owes its indirect existence to the 1979 Kenner figure.  The blue background is symbolic as it is lifted directly from packaging of the original Kenner figure.
3. Concept – Plastic Portrait: Photograph of the upper torso and face of the figure.

• PLEDGE AU$20 (Approx. US$15) – Digital Ebook Edition: A limited number of Ebook editions for anyone who prefers an electronic version.  Formats are limited to Kobo and iBook users only.  (LIMITED to 200 Backers.)  Sorry, but Kindle will not be supported. 
  

• PLEDGE AU$40 (Approx. US$31) – Course Correction: Receive a copy of the book at 40% discount.  When published, it gets delivered to your doorstep. Anywhere in the World.  No additional costs.  You may also optionally vote on the cover and your name is added to the KickStarter Backer’s page inside the book.  (LIMITED to 800 Backers.)

• PLEDGE AU$65 (Approx. US$50) – Full Print Edition: This is the entry level support tier if you want a physical copy of the book. Regardless of what Goal (see the section above) is achieved, you will receive that Goal copy in the mail.  When published, it gets delivered to your doorstep.  Anywhere in the World. Postage, tracking and insurance is included.  No additional costs.  You may also optionally vote on the cover and your name is added to the KickStarter Backer’s page in the book.

• PLEDGE AU$100 (Approx. US$76) – Gallery Patron: Get your photo into the book!  HIDEOUS PLASTIC will feature an image gallery of up to 15 pages.  Each page will display 2 images in landscape orientation, one above the other. The gallery will be comprised of owners of 1979 Kenner ALIEN action figures posing with their vintage toys. (regardless of its completeness or condition).  If you own one of these old toys and would like to appear in the book with it, this pledge is for you!  (LIMITED to 30 Backers.)  These conditions apply:  All images must be landscape format.  High resolution images of 4×4 only.   Raw uncropped and unedited images should be sent in image.jpg format.  Ideally, 3 images should be provided so I can select one that is the most appropriate to the needs of the book, its layout and composition.   Be creative – pose with your action figure as you see fit.  Use it to harass your cat, if you like.  Take a group photo with your Kenner ALIEN front and center; just make sure it’s prominent in the image.  I’ll leave the rest up to you.  I’m actually quite open to artistic expression but keep it decent.   I reserve the right to reject and request alternate images at my discretion.   Incomplete and damaged figures are welcome.  It is still a Kenner ALIEN figure regardless of its condition or completeness so if it’s missing the dome, shoulder spike, head and/or arms (etc.) it’s still welcome to appear with you in photos.    Images must be received no later than August 31, 2017 – preferably earlier – as the book then enters its printing stage after this date.  All images remain the property of the respective Author but their appearance in the book or on the HIDEOUS PLASTIC website will be used at my discretion without the need to ask permission for their use.  I’ll need to know your preferred name so I can credit the image appropriately. OPTIONAL:  Provide (up to) 30 words to be used as a caption to the image.  Once again, I reserve the right to make changes or request an alternate version.  A personal anecdote regarding you and your  figure would be ideal.  You may also optionally vote on the cover and your name is added to the KickStarter Backer’s page in the book.
  

• PLEDGE AU$110 (Approx. US$84) – Collector Fan: 3 copies at a discount price is a good deal!  Some people like owning multiple copies of a book. …or you and a pair of friends may want a copy each and can choose to pool your resources to take advantage of this Pledge to receive your copies at a cheaper rate.  …or you may want one as a ‘hands on’ reading copy and keep pristine editions on a shelf.  …or you may want to keep one and give the others away as a gifts.  …or sell them on Ebay.  You’ll have your own reasons for wanting multiple copies delivered to your doorstep.  3 is a good number to have on hand.  You may also optionally vote (once only) on the cover and your name is added to the KickStarter Backer’s page in the book.

• PLEDGE AU$600 (Approx US$462) – Xenothusiast: If you want a copy of the book and would also like an original 1979 Kenner ALIEN action figure to go with it, then you’re in luck!  I have 25 of these vintage figures to hand out to such Backers.  Each one of these vintage figures being offered as part of this tier have been expertly reconditioned, cleaned, repaired, made feature complete and will hold a pose.  I have performed all the work on these impressive items and they are ready for display.  I’ll also include a signed and numbered certificate of restoration outlining the work that has been carried out on each of these figures.  (LIMITED to 25 Backers)  Don’t forget!  At this price, this pledge includes postage for a moderately large 200+ page book and a delicate 18″ tall action figure  to be safely posted anywhere in the World.  It also includes insurance and tracking for this valuable item.  Keep in mind, these 38 year old action figures may include the use of reproduction parts in order to make them feature complete.  Regardless of the possibility of such facsimile parts being present on these figures, they will be worthy of display.  Any use of such parts will be fully documented on a certificate along with any other restoration activity (cleaning, arms restrung etc.).  Importantly, they are still original 1979 Kenner ALIENS.  At any point in the future, any owner of these figures may easily swap out such third party parts and replace them with original pieces should they choose to do so.  You may also optionally vote on the cover and your name is added to the KickStarter Backer’s page in the book.

Postage worldwide is provided as part of pledges for all print versions of the book.  Tracking and insurance is also included.  Pledges are inclusive of all costs and no additional postage charges will apply.

Contact me if you have any questions.

-Windebieste.