09-26-25 Update - Where we are in the process
8 months ago
– Fri, Sep 26, 2025 at 07:53:40 PM
Greetings Crime Fighters!
Dave the Editor here with the promised update.
Thank you all for your patience with this project. Technically, this is the second Moonstone Kickstarter but the first run "in-house," so there has been a steep learn curve. We underestimated the amount of time putting this project together, and set lofty goals of which were not met, and for that we apologize. However, this update will show you were we are in the process, and give some better estimates of when you should see the anthology in your in-box or mail box.
First, there is art! We have all the interior illustrations from Dennis Calero. Here is a sample:
The next step was to send the text and images to Layout & Design, only the guy Moonstone has used for 20 years became unavailable, and we've had to bring in a pinch-hitter who is working on building the book and the multiple covers now. We expect an update about a week from now. We we get those proofs, we will send them to the authors as ARCs (advanced reader copies), as well as start sending it out for review. Once the authors approve their stories; and joe and I give it one last look-over, it goes into the press queue, and we should know a print date then.
It's at this point we can release the digital e-book version of the anthology, along with any digital rewards. You will get a link to your pledge manager, where the e-books are available to download.
While that's going on, we're building and printing two other things. The first is the trading card set that was an level reward and add-on in the backer-kit. We're looking at about 30 cards held in a nice box for you to show your friends. This will have art from this anthology and art from other Moonstone Green Hornet and Kato books.
The second is the book plates to be be signed by several of the Green Hornet & Kato : Detroit Noir City authors, as well as yours truly. These will be included in your physical copies of the books. I think it looks great! (Sample Below)
We expect you'll be happy with this addition to the limited edition version of the book.
Once the books, trading cards, and bookplates are printed and received at Moonstone headquarters in Chicago, the team will go to work boxing up your items and sending them out as quickly as possible.
Now, the big question you've been waiting for...How long is this going to take? And you deserve and answer. And I wish I could give you exacts, but as I said in previous updates, the biggest challenge will be printing the books and the trading cards, and we can't give exact dates on the physical copies because we're not in their queue yet.
However, I suspect you will see the digital version of the book shortly, certainly (and I might catch heck for this, but...) I suspect you'll have digital versions to read by Halloween, if not sooner, baring any other unforeseen issues. (fingers, toes, and eyes crossed!)
Again, this is a new process doing a Kickstarter in-house. That was much we didn't know, but we've learned a lot how to make this process smoother next time. For example, next time, we will try to have the book ready to send to the printer before the Kickstarter starts. That's not easy for small press like Moonstone, as you have to pay everyone up front, and you can never be sure if the Kickstarter will fund. We'll also be sending stories to the artists sooner, even before the story has been had final edits. This doesn't help speed up this book, but it will speed up future ones, so we appreciate your patience through this time of growing.
To summarize:
Digital items, including the anthology and bonus Timothy Zahn stretch goal story, should be available hopefully by Halloween, if not sooner.
Physical books are being laid out to create ARCs, then will go to the printers. Signed bookplates and Trading card sets are also being created to arrive hopefully at the same time. I wish I could give you exacts, but unless a major disaster strikes, our goal is to have them to you in time for the holidays, again, if not sooner.
Regardless, we will keep updating you each step of the way, especially, as we know when the physical books will arrive to Moonstone from the printers.
Thank you again for your support on this project!
All the best,
David Boop
A Note From the Editor on Progress
9 months ago
– Tue, Aug 26, 2025 at 11:17:10 AM
Hi Everyone! Dave the Editor here. Just a quick update since you're wondering.
We are currently in the Layout and Design process, formatting the stories to look good on the pages, making space for the art, etc.
Dennis is working on the art now that he's returned from his mother-in-law's funeral.
After everything is assembled, we will generate e-Arcs (advance reader copies) for myself and the authors to review to make sure there are no funky things happened to the text during the conversion process.
Once the e-Arcs are approved, it'll be sent to the printer to receive a physical sample to make sure, again, nothing looks weird. That one goes to Joe at Moonstone.
After he signs off on it, the book goes into the printer's cue to be printed. This is the one thing we have little-to-no control over.
The good news is, that during that time, we'll also be arranging for the bookplates to be printed and signatures acquired. We'll also be working on the trading card set and any other backer rewards/stretch goals that need to be fulfilled.
Once everything is together, Moonstone will ship everything out.
I know some of you are very anxious, as many Kickstarters have not come through with promises. I've been on your side more than I've been on this side, so I'm telling you right now that this project is in process, and that process takes times, and delays do actually happen that don't indicate that project is not going to finish. It is and will be shipped to you as soon as all the pieces come together. Unfortunately, we do not have an exact date for that due to the printer. As soon as they tell us when the books will arrive in Chicago, we can give you an exact date.
I'm asking for patience, as this is a process with many moving parts, and they're coming together. The art we're seeing from Dennis is amazing, as expected! The stories are tight and will add much to the myth and mystery of the Green Hornet and Kato's legends. I'm honored to be a part of this, and when all is said and done, and you have your copies and rewards in hand, we'll be announcing a new project for next year, and it's going to be BIG! So, hang tight, we hear your concerns, but there is nothing to fear. Maybe...well, just maybe, we can get one of the pieces of Dennis's interior art to post here in the next day or two? Who knows? Watch this space for more!
Green Hornet Noir Pledge Manager Is Ready To Go!
about 1 year ago
– Thu, Jun 05, 2025 at 04:14:21 PM
Hi, Hornet Fans,
After a great deal of preparation — the Pledge Manager is officially OPEN! 🐝💥
This is your chance to:
✅ Confirm your shipping address for your physical rewards
🛒 Add new items to your pledge (yes, even ones you may have missed during the campaign!)
🎁 Upgrade your pledge if you want to get your hands on even more Green Hornet goodness
We’re using Backerkit for our Pledge Manager, so keep an eye out for an email invitation in your inbox. It’ll contain a personalized link to access your pledge.
If you don’t see it, check your spam/junk folder just in case—or reach out to us directly, and we’ll make sure you’re taken care of. We will be sending out a smoke test that will go to a few dozen supporters to confirm everything is working properly. Then, within the next 48 hours, they will go out to everyone else.
Important Deadlines:
📦 You’ll have until July 1st to complete your survey.
🚚 Locking addresses and charging for add-ons will happen shortly after.
We're incredibly grateful for your support, and we can't wait to deliver these epic Green Hornet rewards to your door. 🖤💚
Need Help?
If you have any questions or run into issues, feel free to message us on Kickstarter or email us at [email protected].
Stay tuned for more updates as we move into production!
— The Moonstone Green Hornet Team
Pledge Manager
about 1 year ago
– Sun, May 04, 2025 at 02:41:21 PM
Hi, Green Hornet Fans:
We hope everyone is having a great weekend. We have been getting several messages regarding delivery, so I wanted to do a quick update about the progress of the project.
Currently, the book is being edited. Each of the writers had to submit their stories, then they go to editing and rewrites may have to be made. The book is still on schedule to be released by the end of the summer.
What comes next? - Next we have to release the pledge manager and finalize all orders before even the digital rewards can be delivered. I am currently working on the pledge manager, but recently wrapped on a movie, and I'm in pre-production on another. I will get it out to all of you as soon as I can.
Remember that those of you who have ordered printed editions of the book will be prompted to choose your cover from the main cover to the alternate cover.
Feel free to reach out if you have any questions. As some of you can already attest, I answer pretty quickly.
Thank you again for your support, and Green Hornet fans unite.
Moonstone Team.
WE DID IT! THANK YOU FANS!
over 1 year ago
– Mon, Mar 03, 2025 at 07:56:04 AM
Hi, Hornet Fans,
Thanks to all of you who have made this campaign a success. It came down to the wire yesterday evening, but as the last few moments ticked away a few great people pushed us over the edge to unlock that last stretch goal.
Yes, we unlocked the additional story by Timothy Zahn. Isn't that awesome!
Feel free to reach out to us anytime. As you can see, we don't respond quickly and we will continue to do so. We will keep you informed as we progress toward fulfillment.
Thank you all again for your support.
--The Moonstone Team
