I have rewritten the opening to this campaign in my head more times than I want to admit, mostly because I hate asking people for money. I would much rather show you the designs, announce that the Faultlines Store is open, and start sending weirdly specific book merch into the world. In the most patient and emotionally mature way possible, I would like to drop the merch yesterday.
The problem is not a shortage of ideas. I have designs, production files, approved collections, book files, and even some completed physical samples. The Weight of Silence is available as an eBook and in regular- and large-print editions.
The Faultlines Store is happening. I am already building the permanent storefront through WordPress and WooCommerce, and it will open whether this campaign raises $2,000, reaches the full $6,500 target, or lands somewhere in between. This fundraiser determines what kind of launch I can build, not whether the store exists.
In other words, I am not asking supporters to bet on a hypothetical store. I am inviting you to help me build a stronger, more accessible version of its first launch.
This campaign will help purchase the equipment, materials, product samples, packaging, and initial inventory needed to produce and fulfill the first Faultlines merchandise collection. That includes keychains, magnets, bookmarks, tumblers, a carefully limited selection of shirts, signed books, and other pieces inspired by the series.
One of the most important parts of this launch is building genuine Braille production into the store from the beginning. As a blind author, I don't want accessibility to become something I promise to add later if there happens to be money left.
Braille is a reading and writing system, not decorative texture. If a Faultlines product says it contains Braille, the translation needs to be correct, the dots need to be produced safely, Braille readers need to test them, and the finished product needs to survive actual handling. Raised decoration that merely looks tactile does not count.
Creating that production lane requires a dedicated Perkins Brailler, Braille materials, safe cutting and alignment tools, storage, prototypes, waste allowance, and tactile quality testing. Campaign funds will also support physical product samples, packaging tests, required store tools, and the first responsibly sized merchandise run.
The full campaign target is $6,500. Reaching that amount would allow me to build a balanced, accessible first collection with the equipment, testing, packaging, inventory, and production buffer needed to launch those capabilities responsibly.
This is a Keep-It-All campaign, which means the work does not disappear if we finish below the full target. If we raise $2,000 instead of $6,500, that $2,000 still matters.
Every reward that supporters claim will be fulfilled first. Once production costs, shipping obligations, fees, taxes, and replacement reserves are covered, the remaining funds will move through a published milestone order. The first milestone funds the Perkins Brailler and starter Braille materials; later funding supports additional tools, prototypes, product samples, packaging, initial merchandise, and expanded production.
A smaller total means a leaner, slower, more limited opening, but the store does not disappear. The permanent store will still open; equipment, product categories, inventory, testing, and fulfillment capacity that are not funded at launch will be added gradually as the store grows.
I also do not want this campaign to feel like people are handing me money and receiving a generic thank-you in return. Every contribution level will offer something meaningful, and supporters may always decline a reward if they prefer.
The reward ladder begins with the $2 Founding Supporter level and a $5 DRM-free eBook edition of The Weight of Silence. The physical levels include small merchandise starting at $10, a $40 founding shirt bundle, a $60 signed regular-print book bundle, an $80 signed large-print book bundle, and the $200 Founding Faultlines Box. The box includes one signed regular- or large-print copy of The Weight of Silence, one founding shirt, one tumbler, one $15 small-merch selection, the eBook, and the lower-level digital benefits.
The rewards are cumulative, with two practical exceptions. The small-merch options are parallel choices rather than several items stacked together, and the large-print book substitutes for the regular-print edition instead of adding a second book.
Supporters who cannot contribute the full amount for a higher level at once may use Build Toward a Reward more than once during the 60-day campaign. Use the same email address every time. After the campaign closes, I will manually combine the processed Build Toward contributions and contact the supporter to confirm one published cumulative reward at or below that total. Shipping for a physical Build Toward reward will be charged once after the final reward, address, and package are confirmed.
If you already own the eBook, you will not be trapped into buying it twice. You may gift the book to someone else, choose an alternate digital item where available, or decline the reward and direct the remaining funds toward the store.
The first collection will remain intentionally limited around the sampled and approved launch products, production capacity, and vendor minimums. I have too many ideas to promise all of them at once. I would rather deliver a smaller collection well than promise an entire merch empire and end up buried beneath fifty-seven tumblers and my own terrible decisions.
If you can't contribute, please don't apologize or feel as though you need to explain. Sharing the campaign, talking about the books, following the store’s progress, or simply being excited about what I am building still matters. The amount someone can spend is not a measure of how much they care about me, Faultlines, or this work.
Faultlines has always centered people whose lives are too complicated to be flattened into neat, palatable versions. I want the store to carry those same values: thoughtful, specific, accessible, and built with actual people in mind.
If you would like to help build it from the beginning, I would be honored to have you there.
Seriously, I am so ready to make the damn merch!
Texas state and local sales and use tax is included in the sales price. Crowdfundr does not add a separate sales-tax line at checkout, so I will calculate and remit any applicable Texas tax from the amount collected. Separately charged shipping is included in the taxable sales price when the related reward is taxable.
Perks
You will receive one signed large-print paperback copy of The Weight of Silence, one shirt from the limited founding collection, one $15 small-merch selection, the DRM-free EPUB, the campaign-only digital thank-you, campaign updates, and the option to be listed on the Founders page. The autograph is placed inside the front cover and includes my name in print plus a custom message in Braille. The message may include the recipient’s name, a favorite quote, another personalized note, or a combination that fits the available space. You may choose uncontracted Braille (Grade 1) or contracted Braille (Grade 2); if you do not specify a preference, I will use uncontracted Braille. Choose your shirt size here. After the campaign, I will contact you to confirm the exact Braille message and your preferred shirt and small-merch designs from the final sampled and approved collection. U.S. supporters pay one flat $25 campaign shipping charge for this reward. That charge covers all shipping and packaging for the bundle, even if the book and merchandise need to be sent in separate packages. The book may be shipped by USPS Media Mail, while the merchandise will use the most economical eligible tracked service for the destination. You will not be asked to pay an additional shipping charge if separate shipments are necessary. International shipping is not available for this campaign.
You will receive one DRM-free EPUB edition of The Weight of Silence by email within 14 days after your contribution is confirmed. You may keep it, gift it to someone else, or decline it if you already own the book. This reward also includes the accessible campaign-only digital thank-you, campaign updates, and the option to have your name listed on the Faultlines Store Founders page. After the campaign, I will contact you to confirm whether and how you would like your name listed.
You will receive one signed regular-print paperback copy of The Weight of Silence, one shirt from the limited founding collection, one $15 small-merch selection, the DRM-free EPUB, the campaign-only digital thank-you, campaign updates, and the option to be listed on the Founders page. The autograph is placed inside the front cover and includes my name in print plus a custom message in Braille. The message may include the recipient’s name, a favorite quote, another personalized note, or a combination that fits the available space. You may choose uncontracted Braille (Grade 1) or contracted Braille (Grade 2); if you do not specify a preference, I will use uncontracted Braille. Choose your shirt size here. After the campaign, I will contact you to confirm the exact Braille message and your preferred shirt and small-merch designs from the final sampled and approved collection. U.S. supporters pay one flat $25 campaign shipping charge for this reward. That charge covers all shipping and packaging for the bundle, even if the book and merchandise need to be sent in separate packages. The book may be shipped by USPS Media Mail, while the merchandise will use the most economical eligible tracked service for the destination. You will not be asked to pay an additional shipping charge if separate shipments are necessary. International shipping is not available for this campaign.
You will receive a campaign-only Founding Supporter digital package containing a 1080-by-1920 phone wallpaper, a 1080-by-1080 square card that you may save or share, and a plain-text accessible companion with the same message and image description. This reward also includes campaign updates and the option to have your name listed on the Faultlines Store Founders page. After the campaign, I will contact you to confirm whether and how you would like your name listed.
Choose one founding small-merch option: one magnet ($10 total); one magnet and one keychain ($15 total); two keychains ($15 total); or a three-bookmark set ($15 total). This reward also includes the DRM-free EPUB of The Weight of Silence, the campaign-only digital thank-you, campaign updates, and the option to be listed on the Founders page. I will contact you after the campaign to confirm your preferred design from the final sampled and approved founding collection. U.S. supporters pay one flat $11 campaign shipping charge for this reward. That charge covers all shipping and packaging for the reward. The package will use the most economical eligible tracked service for the destination. You will not be asked to pay an additional shipping charge for this direct reward. International shipping is not available for this campaign.
You will receive one shirt from the limited founding collection, one $15 small-merch selection, the DRM-free EPUB of The Weight of Silence, the campaign-only digital thank-you, campaign updates, and the option to be listed on the Founders page. You will choose your shirt size now. I will contact you after the campaign to confirm your preferred shirt design and small-merch selection from the final sampled and approved collection. U.S. supporters pay one flat $17 campaign shipping charge for this reward. That charge covers all shipping and packaging for the bundle. The package will use the most economical eligible tracked service for the destination. You will not be asked to pay an additional shipping charge for this direct reward. International shipping is not available for this campaign.
You will receive one signed regular- or large-print copy of The Weight of Silence, one shirt from the limited founding collection, one tumbler, one $15 small-merch selection, the DRM-free EPUB, the campaign-only digital thank-you, campaign updates, and the option to be listed on the Founders page. The autograph will be placed inside the front cover and will include my name in print plus a custom message in Braille. You may choose uncontracted Braille (Grade 1) or contracted Braille (Grade 2); if you do not specify a preference, I will use uncontracted Braille. Choose your book edition and shirt size here. After the campaign, I will contact you to confirm the Braille message and your preferred shirt, tumbler, and small-merch designs from the final sampled and approved collection. U.S. supporters pay one flat $25 campaign shipping charge for this reward. That charge covers all shipping and packaging for the bundle, even if the book and merchandise need to be sent in separate packages. The book may be shipped by USPS Media Mail, while the merchandise will use the most economical eligible tracked service for the destination. You will not be asked to pay an additional shipping charge if separate shipments are necessary. International shipping is not available for this campaign.
Use this option more than once during the 60-day campaign if you want to build toward one final reward instead of paying the full amount at once. Use the same email address every time. At the end of the campaign, I will combine your processed Build Toward contributions and contact you to choose one published cumulative reward at or below that total. Platform tips, shipping charges, refunds, failed payments, and chargebacks do not count toward the reward total. The same dollars cannot be counted toward several separately fulfilled rewards. If your total falls between levels, you may complete the difference before the campaign ends or choose a lower level; any amount left above your selection will continue supporting the Faultlines Store launch. Shipping is separate and will be charged once after your final reward, address, and package are confirmed. Limited quantities still apply.
Highlights
See all activity1FAQ
Will the Faultlines Store still open if this campaign does not reach $6,500?
Yes. The permanent Faultlines Store is already being built through WordPress and WooCommerce, and it will open regardless of the campaign total. This fundraiser determines what kind of launch I can build, not whether the store exists. Lower funding means a leaner, slower, more limited opening. Stronger funding means more accessible production equipment, deeper testing, more inventory, more product choices, and greater fulfillment capacity from the beginning.
What happens if the campaign raises less than the goal?
This is a Keep-It-All campaign, so partial funding still matters. I will fulfill every claimed reward first. After production costs, shipping obligations, fees, taxes, and replacement reserves are covered, the remaining funds will move through the published priority order. A smaller total will fund fewer launch capabilities at once; anything not yet funded will be added gradually as the store grows.
What will campaign funds pay for?
Campaign funds will support a dedicated Perkins Brailler, Braille materials, safe cutting and alignment tools, storage, prototypes, tactile-reader quality testing, product samples, packaging tests, required store tools, and a responsibly sized first merchandise run. The $6,500 target represents a balanced, accessible launch, not an opening threshold.
What does an autographed book include?
I place the autograph inside the front cover. It includes my name in print plus a custom message in Braille. The Braille message may include the recipient’s name, a favorite quote, another personalized note, or a combination that fits the available space. Regular-print and large-print autographed copies both use this format.
Can I choose contracted or uncontracted Braille?
Yes. You may choose uncontracted Braille, sometimes called Grade 1, or contracted Braille, sometimes called Grade 2. If you do not specify a preference, I will use uncontracted Braille. I will contact you after the campaign to confirm the exact wording and Braille choice.
Is the Braille on Faultlines merchandise genuine Braille?
If a Faultlines product says it contains Braille, the translation and physical production will be checked, Braille readers will test it, and the finished item will be tested for ordinary handling. Generic raised decoration will not be labeled as Braille.
How will I receive the eBook?
The $5 reward is a DRM-free EPUB edition of The Weight of Silence, delivered by email within 14 days after the contribution is confirmed. You may keep it, gift it to another reader, or decline the reward if you already own the book.
How will shipping work?
Direct physical rewards use one flat U.S. shipping charge at checkout: $11 for small merchandise, $17 for the Founding Faultlines Shirt bundle, and $25 for either signed-book bundle or the Founding Faultlines Box. That charge covers all shipping and packaging for the selected direct reward, even if a book and merchandise need to be sent in separate packages. A qualifying book may be shipped by USPS Media Mail, while merchandise will use the most economical eligible tracked service for the destination, which may be USPS, UPS, or FedEx. Direct-reward supporters will not be asked to pay an additional shipping charge if separate packages are necessary. Build Toward shipping is different: it is not included in the contribution total and will be charged once through a separate secure payment request after the final reward, address, and package are confirmed. International shipping is not available for this campaign.
When will rewards be fulfilled?
The eBook will be delivered within 14 days after the contribution is confirmed. I expect to ship physical rewards in batches within 12 to 16 weeks after the campaign closes. The schedule includes final selection confirmations, vendor production, Braille personalization, quality checks, packing, and outbound shipping. I will post campaign updates as fulfillment moves forward and will explain any delay instead of disappearing into the void.
Can I contribute more than once and combine the total toward a reward?
Yes. Choose Build Toward a Reward each time, and use the same email address for every contribution. After the 60-day campaign ends, I will manually combine your processed Build Toward contributions and contact you to choose one published cumulative reward at or below that total. Platform tips, shipping charges, refunds, failed payments, and chargebacks do not count toward the reward total. The same dollars cannot be counted toward several separately fulfilled rewards. If your total falls between levels, you may complete the difference before the campaign ends or choose a lower level; any amount left above your selection will continue supporting the store launch. Limited quantities still apply.
What if an item arrives damaged, defective, incorrect, or incomplete?
Please contact me within 30 days of delivery with your order number, a description of the problem, and photographs or video if the issue can be captured that way. For shipping damage, keep the item and all packaging until I confirm that the claim is resolved, and do not mail anything back unless I ask you to. I may require a higher-value or unclear item to be inspected or returned; if I require a return for a verified problem, I will provide a prepaid shipping label. If a disability or access barrier prevents you from taking or uploading images, contact me, and we will use another accessible form of documentation. I will work with you toward an appropriate correction, replacement, or refund for the affected item.
Can I exchange a shirt if I chose the wrong size?
Yes. Shirt size exchanges are accepted within 30 days of delivery because online sizing is imperfect. Trying the shirt on is fine; it must come back in resalable condition, without damage, excessive staining, washing, odors, or evidence that it was worn beyond a reasonable try-on. You will pay a flat $5 exchange fee and the postage to return the original shirt; I will pay to ship the replacement size once. If I send a size different from the one you ordered, I will correct it at my expense, and you will not be charged an exchange fee or postage. Once production begins, I cannot offer refunds because someone changed their mind, chose the wrong design, or no longer wants the item.
What if I cannot contribute?
Please do not apologize or feel that you need to explain. Sharing the campaign, talking about the books, following the store’s progress, or simply being excited about what I am building still matters. The amount someone can spend is not a measure of how much they care about me, Faultlines, or this work.
How is Texas sales tax handled?
Texas state and local sales and use tax is included in the sales price. Crowdfundr does not add a separate sales-tax line at checkout, so I will calculate and remit any applicable Texas tax from the amount collected. Separately charged shipping is included in the taxable sales price when the related reward is taxable.
Activity
You will receive one signed large-print paperback copy of The Weight of Silence, one shirt from the limited founding collection, one $15 small-merch selection, the DRM-free EPUB, the campaign-only digital thank-you, campaign updates, and the option to be listed on the Founders page. The autograph is placed inside the front cover and includes my name in print plus a custom message in Braille. The message may include the recipient’s name, a favorite quote, another personalized note, or a combination that fits the available space. You may choose uncontracted Braille (Grade 1) or contracted Braille (Grade 2); if you do not specify a preference, I will use uncontracted Braille. Choose your shirt size here. After the campaign, I will contact you to confirm the exact Braille message and your preferred shirt and small-merch designs from the final sampled and approved collection. U.S. supporters pay one flat $25 campaign shipping charge for this reward. That charge covers all shipping and packaging for the bundle, even if the book and merchandise need to be sent in separate packages. The book may be shipped by USPS Media Mail, while the merchandise will use the most economical eligible tracked service for the destination. You will not be asked to pay an additional shipping charge if separate shipments are necessary. International shipping is not available for this campaign.
You will receive one DRM-free EPUB edition of The Weight of Silence by email within 14 days after your contribution is confirmed. You may keep it, gift it to someone else, or decline it if you already own the book. This reward also includes the accessible campaign-only digital thank-you, campaign updates, and the option to have your name listed on the Faultlines Store Founders page. After the campaign, I will contact you to confirm whether and how you would like your name listed.
You will receive one signed regular-print paperback copy of The Weight of Silence, one shirt from the limited founding collection, one $15 small-merch selection, the DRM-free EPUB, the campaign-only digital thank-you, campaign updates, and the option to be listed on the Founders page. The autograph is placed inside the front cover and includes my name in print plus a custom message in Braille. The message may include the recipient’s name, a favorite quote, another personalized note, or a combination that fits the available space. You may choose uncontracted Braille (Grade 1) or contracted Braille (Grade 2); if you do not specify a preference, I will use uncontracted Braille. Choose your shirt size here. After the campaign, I will contact you to confirm the exact Braille message and your preferred shirt and small-merch designs from the final sampled and approved collection. U.S. supporters pay one flat $25 campaign shipping charge for this reward. That charge covers all shipping and packaging for the bundle, even if the book and merchandise need to be sent in separate packages. The book may be shipped by USPS Media Mail, while the merchandise will use the most economical eligible tracked service for the destination. You will not be asked to pay an additional shipping charge if separate shipments are necessary. International shipping is not available for this campaign.
You will receive a campaign-only Founding Supporter digital package containing a 1080-by-1920 phone wallpaper, a 1080-by-1080 square card that you may save or share, and a plain-text accessible companion with the same message and image description. This reward also includes campaign updates and the option to have your name listed on the Faultlines Store Founders page. After the campaign, I will contact you to confirm whether and how you would like your name listed.
Choose one founding small-merch option: one magnet ($10 total); one magnet and one keychain ($15 total); two keychains ($15 total); or a three-bookmark set ($15 total). This reward also includes the DRM-free EPUB of The Weight of Silence, the campaign-only digital thank-you, campaign updates, and the option to be listed on the Founders page. I will contact you after the campaign to confirm your preferred design from the final sampled and approved founding collection. U.S. supporters pay one flat $11 campaign shipping charge for this reward. That charge covers all shipping and packaging for the reward. The package will use the most economical eligible tracked service for the destination. You will not be asked to pay an additional shipping charge for this direct reward. International shipping is not available for this campaign.
You will receive one shirt from the limited founding collection, one $15 small-merch selection, the DRM-free EPUB of The Weight of Silence, the campaign-only digital thank-you, campaign updates, and the option to be listed on the Founders page. You will choose your shirt size now. I will contact you after the campaign to confirm your preferred shirt design and small-merch selection from the final sampled and approved collection. U.S. supporters pay one flat $17 campaign shipping charge for this reward. That charge covers all shipping and packaging for the bundle. The package will use the most economical eligible tracked service for the destination. You will not be asked to pay an additional shipping charge for this direct reward. International shipping is not available for this campaign.
You will receive one signed regular- or large-print copy of The Weight of Silence, one shirt from the limited founding collection, one tumbler, one $15 small-merch selection, the DRM-free EPUB, the campaign-only digital thank-you, campaign updates, and the option to be listed on the Founders page. The autograph will be placed inside the front cover and will include my name in print plus a custom message in Braille. You may choose uncontracted Braille (Grade 1) or contracted Braille (Grade 2); if you do not specify a preference, I will use uncontracted Braille. Choose your book edition and shirt size here. After the campaign, I will contact you to confirm the Braille message and your preferred shirt, tumbler, and small-merch designs from the final sampled and approved collection. U.S. supporters pay one flat $25 campaign shipping charge for this reward. That charge covers all shipping and packaging for the bundle, even if the book and merchandise need to be sent in separate packages. The book may be shipped by USPS Media Mail, while the merchandise will use the most economical eligible tracked service for the destination. You will not be asked to pay an additional shipping charge if separate shipments are necessary. International shipping is not available for this campaign.
Use this option more than once during the 60-day campaign if you want to build toward one final reward instead of paying the full amount at once. Use the same email address every time. At the end of the campaign, I will combine your processed Build Toward contributions and contact you to choose one published cumulative reward at or below that total. Platform tips, shipping charges, refunds, failed payments, and chargebacks do not count toward the reward total. The same dollars cannot be counted toward several separately fulfilled rewards. If your total falls between levels, you may complete the difference before the campaign ends or choose a lower level; any amount left above your selection will continue supporting the Faultlines Store launch. Shipping is separate and will be charged once after your final reward, address, and package are confirmed. Limited quantities still apply.
