Minneapolis, MN (PRWEB) November 17, 2012
Noble
Beast is developing Steam Patriots, a series of five fictional stories
that merge steampunk with the story of the American Revolution.
In
Steam Patriots the War of American Independence is fought by flying
airships where soldiers exchange cannon fire far above the fray of
steam-powered tanks, smoke-belching steamcycles and soldiers with
semi-automatic muskets.
Bringing
the future of digital publishing to the present, the Steam Patriots
book apps will include engaging features of animation, diagrams,
interactive maps and audio, along with social features that allow
readers to share comments within the story with other readers.
Noble
Beast aims to make American history cool for readers who may not
otherwise be drawn into learning about the Revolutionary War.
The
Steam Patriots story follows Felix, a young man who crosses the
thirteen colonies battling Red Coats while meeting some of the most
important historical figures in US History. Felix becomes the protégé of
Benjamin Franklin, a spy for George Washington, and a boon companion to
the patriot-pirate John Paul Jones.
Everything
the Founding Fathers experienced in the pursuit of Liberty presents
itself to Felix in a very personal way. Felix suffers horribly at Valley
Forge, fights valiantly at Yorktown, and witnesses the formation of a
more perfect union.
The
Steam Patriots series will be published on multiple platforms including
ebook, iPad app, printed book, audiobook, web app and Braille.
What
is steampunk? Steampunk is a speculative fiction genre of literature,
art, and music based on the Victorian aesthetic and updated with
steam-powered technology.
"Steampunk
set in the American Revolution has never been done before, but we've
got a fantastic story, remarkable art, and the drive to see it through,”
said Noble Beast producer-director, Richard Monson-Haefel.
Kickstarter:
Just
in time for Thanksgiving, the Steam Patriots book app project is now on
Kickstarter. Kickstarter is a crowdfunding platform that invites
potential backers to donate real money to creative projects. Funding for
projects is not provided unless 100% of funds are raised within the
specified time period. The 30-day Steam Patriots Kickstarter campaign
has a funding goal of $100,000 and will run November 15 to December 16,
2012
Rewards for pledging to the Steam Patriots Kickstarter campaign include:
• Access to the Steam Patriots ebook for pledges starting at $3
• Limited edition signed art prints by artist Patrick Arrasmith
• Digital music download of Liberty or Death by Parisian steampunk band Life’s Decay
• Interactive book app of Steam Patriots
• Noble Beast or Steam Patriots t-shirt
• Illustrated print edition of Steam Patriots
Artist: Patrick Arrasmith
Artist
Patrick Arrasmith is creating beautiful scratchboard artwork for the
series. Based in Brooklyn, New York, Arrasmith is an award-winning
illustrator featured in editorials and book covers for The New York
Times, Forbes, Random House, and Tor. Arrasmith prints of Benjamin
Franklin, George Washington and a “Steamcycle” will be available as
Kickstarter Rewards.
Antoon
Taghon of Uptown Fine Art Printing Studio in New York City will produce
the limited edition prints. Antoon Taghon is an expert printer, trained
since the age of sixteen in his native Belgium. His artistic and
technical skills in printing are unbeatable.
Music: Life’s Decay
Music
for the interactive app will be provided by musical duo Life’s Decay
from Paris, France. Life’s Decay creates a personal universe influenced
by dark classical acoustic music, steampunk industrial, and experimental
pop rock creating an intriguing soundtrack for the Steam Patriots
story.
Museum of the American Revolution:
Noble
Beast, LLC is working in conjunction with the Museum of the American
Revolution to help fund the construction of the new museum in
Philadelphia. Built into the Steam Patriots iPad application and web
book will be a non-intrusive link that allows readers to donate to the
$150M comprehensive campaign that is now underway to build the museum.
The mission of the Museum of the American Revolution is to engage the
public in the history and significance of the American Revolution.
Noble Beast Emporium:
The
Steam Patriots project will include a catalogue of curated steampunk
art, clothing, jewelry and other items called Noble Beast Emporium,
Purveyors of Unique Curiosities. It will be accessible online and
through the Steam Patriots book app. Allison Nowlin Ward, designer and
previous owner of the vintage store Madame Fortuna in Williamsburg,
Brooklyn is curating the collection.
App Features:
• Interactive story with audio, illustrations, and animations
• Pop-up diagrams of devices in the story
• Pop-up portrait and biographies of characters
• Interactive map of landmarks and character locations at any point in the story
• Noble Beast Emporium digital catalogue featuring music, clothing, jewelry and other curated items for sale
• Social capabilities that allow commenting within the app
Editions
A complete edition of every book in the series will be published on each of the following platforms:
• Color PDF
• eBook (includes Kindle Whispersync for Voice)
• Paperback
• Audiobook (includes Kindle Whispersync for Voice)
• Full-Color illustrated printed book
• Interactive, color-illustrated, iPad book app (iOS)
• Interactive web book
• Braille
The Team:
• Publisher: Noble Beast, LLC
• Producer: Richard Monson-Haefel
• Authors: Scott Wakefield and Rory Boyle
• Artist: Patrick Arrasmith
• Fine Art Printer: Antoon Taghon of Uptown Fine Art Printing Studio
• Music: Life’s Decay of Paris, France
• Noble Beast Emporium curator: Allison Ward
About Richard Monson-Haefel and Noble Beast Books:
Based
in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Richard Monson-Haefel is a 20-year veteran
of information technology, design, and publishing who has been producing
interactive books for the iPad since February 2010 – immediately after
the iPad was first announced. He has developed three other iPad books
including "Treasure Island" which was featured by the Apple App Store in
2010 Book app of the week for an unprecedented two weeks. Steampunk
Holmes is the first project from Monson-Haefel’s independent company,
Noble Beast, LLC.
Links:
Kickstarter: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/369012565/steam-patriots
Steam Patriots website: http://www.steampatriots.com/
Facebook: SteamPatriots
Twitter: @steampatriots
