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CJ Ash, Dru, Kit & Ty 01
SOS collection covers 01

Seasons of Shadowhunters is the name of the project by Cassandra Clare to release multiple limited edition books through a Kickstarter. Included in this is an edited print edition of Secrets of Blackthorn Hall, an updated edition of An Illustrated History of Notable Shadowhunters & Denizens of Downworld, the novella compilation Careful of Books (featuring A Sea Change), and the short story collection Better in Black. One book will be released per season throughout 2024 and early 2025 and each is exclusive to this project.[1]

History[]

The project has been in the works by Cassandra Clare since mid-2022 at the persistent request from readers for a print edition of Secrets of Blackthorn Hall.[2][3] She eventually began thinking about other things that could be included in the Kickstarter such as the long awaited update of the Floriography book and merchandise.

The official announcement of the project came via a newsletter in September 2023 after over a year of her teasing about it. The Kickstarter launched on October 30, 2023 and will end on November 28th. The Kickstart became fully funded on November 15, 2023 so the books will be released separately over the course of the following year—one per season. Cassie has also included a few add-ons with the project and a complimentary slip case designed by Jenny Zemanek will be given in the final shipment to house all of the books.[1] Based on the amount of extra money raised, Clare offered a number of additional goals such as endpapers, ribbons, gilded edges, and even bonus items.[4][5] All but the highest two stretchmarks were reached in the allotted time. By the end of the Kickstarter, the project had raised $1,158,224 (with 8,774 backers) making it the highest young adult project ever on the platform.[6]

Cassie partnered with TopatoCo as a way to ensure quality, efficiency, and allow international participation.[7][5] Upon prompting by readers for the possibility of translated copies of the books, Clare has stated that she may think of asking her international publishers to consider releasing them at some point in the future,[8] she is hopeful that the success of the Kickstarter is enough to show other publishers that there is sufficient interest for further publications.[9] As of March 2024, Clare and her team are speaking with her publishers to release at least Better in Black regularly after the project's completion.[10] However, at this time there will be no other formats or prints of these books, and these special editions will never be remade.

Goals[]

In order for the project to be properly funded, the Kickstarter needed to raise $950,000. This money would be used to cover the price of producing the books. A timed goal was added to this on November 13th to get it funded by the 17th; as a result, all backers of tiers were given printed Polaroids featured in Secrets of Blackthorn Hall by Cassandra Jean as an extra incentive.

With the main goal reached, stretch goals were added to make the editions even nicer and offer bonus goodies—although these were changed a week before the project ended. When $975,000 was raised, each book received full color endpapers. After $1,000,000 was reached, every tier got a printed version of the "So Your House Is Cursed" pamphlet that Kieran sends Julian Blackthorn in Secrets of Blackthorn Hall that is depicted by Jean. A set of four character stickers (which are of Charlie Bowater's Matthew Fairchild, Magnus Bane & Alec Lightwood, Jean's Church & Chairman Meow, and Noverantale's Message from Alicante banner) were given to backers when another $25,000 was achieved.[11] Finally, once $1,100,000 was reached, all the books came with ribbon bookmarks.

There were 2 more goals that were not reached by the end of the campaign: an illustrated paper booklet called Clary's Sketchbook at the $1,250,000 mark and gilded edges had $1.5 million been raised.[12] Fortunately, because the former reward was so popular, Clare and her team are looking at other ways to make it available in the future.[13]

Tiers[]

There were over 14 different tiers ranging in price from $25 to $5,000:

  • Thomas's Diary — Thomas's journal
  • Round Tom's Return — Thomas's journal & Secrets of Blackthorn Hall
  • The Institute Library — All four books with slipcase
  • The Spiral-Bound Labyrinth — All four books with slipcase & Thomas's journal
  • Tessa's Tale of Two Cities — All four books with slipcase & four signed bookplates
  • Herondale Manor — All four books with slipcase, four signed bookplates, & Thomas's journal
  • Will's Welsh Dragon Tattoo — All four books with slipcase, four signed bookplates, Thomas's journal, & Cassandra Clare will handwrite a quote of the buyer's choosing for a tattoo (or other purpose)
  • Kiss or Kill — All four books with slipcase, four signed bookplates, Thomas's journal, & the buyer's name will be used in an upcoming book in which they will either be kissed or killed
  • Collector's Boxes — All four books signed and personalized with slipcase, Thomas's journal, & a number of items of Clare's based on a theme
  • A Message From Alicante — All four books signed and personalized with slipcase, Thomas's journal, & a personalized video from Cassandra Clare for any occasion
  • Like Children In A Fairy Tale — All four books signed and personalized with slipcase, Thomas's journal, & an exclusive 11 x 17 art print of Clary and Jace signed by Cassandra Clare & Charlie Bowater
  • Cassandra Jean Will Draw A Scene — All four books signed and personalized with slipcase, Thomas's journal, & a personalized commission from Cassandra Jean that will be an 11 x 17 print signed by Cassandra Clare & Cassandra Jean
  • Kraig's Retirement Party — All four books signed and personalized with slipcase, Thomas's journal, & an 11 x 17 signed print of the main Kickstarter image by Cassandra Jean featuring Dru, Kit, Ty, and Ash
    • Kraig's Retirement Party!! — All four books signed and personalized with slipcase, Thomas's journal, a 16 x 20 signed print of the Kickstarter image by Jean, a pack of favors from the party, & a custom handwritten letter from one character to another of the backers' choosing
  • The Whole Fam Damily — All four books signed and personalized with slipcase, Thomas's journal, & every book in The Shadowhunter Chronicles signed by Cassandra Clare

Collector's Boxes[]

Every Wednesday starting in the second week of the Kickstarter featured new and limited Collector's Box Drops. Each box had a theme featuring numerous items to go with the four signed and personalized Kickstarter books (including slipcase) and Thomas's journal. These boxes were very limited, some allowing as many as 6 backers and others only 1; ranging in price from $250 to $2,000.[14]

All 42 boxes
  • The Magisterium Box: It comes with an advanced readers copy of the first book, The Iron Trial, of The Magisterium series by Cassandra Clare and Holly Black signed by both authors and a set of promotional buttons.
  • The Infernal Devices Mini Box: This includes a paperback set of The Infernal Devices signed and personalized, a Clockwork Angel mini poster and chapter sample, a clockwork angel pendant by Hebel Design, a limited edition postcard from the Clockwork Angel tour, and the Careful of Books quote scarf previously sold on TopatoCo.
  • Iron Trial Box: The box comes with an advanced readers copy of The Iron Trial signed by Clare and Black, an audiobook CD of the book, and a promotional Scholastic poster.
  • The Magisterium Box TWO: It comes with a Magisterium advanced readers copy box signed by Clare and Black, a leather cuff bracelet by Hebel Design, and an Iron Trial promotional postcard.
  • Anniversary Edition Lord of Shadows: The title refers to the UK 5 year anniversary edition of Lord of Shadows that will be signed for the buyer. It will also include four promotional posters from the tour for the original release of the book.
  • The Mortal Instruments Box: It features signed and personalized copies of the discontinued Walker Books first edition paperbacks of City of Bones and City of Ashes. The box also includes a stele and Jace's Wayland family ring by Hebel Design, three enamel pins, a promotional bookmark of Jace and Clary, popsockets, and the Careful of Books quote scarf.
  • The Dark Artifices Box: Most prominently, this box features the extremely rare Waterstone rune edition of Lady Midnight signed and personalized. It also comes with a Comicon sneak peek of Lord of Shadows, a postcard set by Drei San Juan, three enamel pins, a promotional bookmark of Cortana, popsockets, the Careful of Books quote scarf and Livia's Watch patch previously sold on TopatoCo, and Blackthorn family ring by Hebel Design.
  • The Malec Box: This box comes with 2 additional books—a signed first edition of The Red Scrolls of Magic and a signed limited Valentine's special edition of The Course of True Love (And First Dates) that will have a piece of trivia about Magnus Bane and Alec Lightwood. Additionally it comes with the Careful of Books quote scarf and a Magnus plush previously sold on TopatoCo, Magnus's letter to Alec from Good Choice Reading Virtual Signings, Malec bookplates, Lightwood family ring by Hebel Design, and popsockets.
  • TMI: City of Bones Movie Tie-In Mini Box: This box includes the companion books: Shadowhunters and Downworlders, Shadowhunter's Guide, and The Official Illustrated Movie Companion. It also comes with a movie art notebook, temporary tattoos, and silver rune phone charms by Hebel Design.
  • German Mini Box: A box set of the first three German The Mortal Instruments books signed and personalized, a mini promotional pamphlet from the publisher, and a charm pack from Hebel Design make up this box.
  • Italian City of Bones Anniversary Ed.: This comes with the Italian hardcover of City of Bones that has illustrations by Jean, signed and personalized, a jewelry pack with the Morgenstern family ring from Hebel Design, and the Italian The Official Mortal Instruments Coloring Book.
  • Spanish Infernal Devices Box: The box comes with all The Infernal Devices signed and personalized hardcovers in Castillian Spanish, the promotional tour postcard, and a clockwork angel necklace by Hebel Design.
  • The Last Hours Box: It features a signed and personalized copy of both the Barnes & Noble special edition of Chain of Gold and the stand-alone copy of The Midnight Heir. There's a number of promotional items like a pin, Herondale wax seal, and character postcards by Jean with quotes. Additionally, it comes with a CD audiobook of Chain of Gold, either a Fairchild or Carstairs family ring by Hebel Design, and the Careful of Books quote scarf.
  • Lady Midnight Box: This box features a signed and personalized edition of the UK five year anniversary Lady Midnight. It also comes with chapter samplers from Lord of Shadows and Queen of Air and Darkness, the character cards set by Drei San Juan, and a set of rune pins.
  • Spanish Box TWO: It contains the signed and personalized Spanish special editions of the first three The Mortal Instruments books and a leather cuff Angelic Power rune bracelet.
  • UK TMI Anniversary Box: The most prominent feature of this box is the Walker Books 15th anniversary signed editions of City of Bones and City of Ashes. It also comes with a City of Bones postcard, a rune popsocket, and a set of mini posters featuring the main 3 couples from this series.
  • German Mortal Instruments Box: The box comes with the now out of print original German cover paperback set of The Mortal Instruments signed and personalized and a witchlight runestone by Hebel Design.
  • German Infernal Devices Box: Like the above it comes with the now out of print original German cover paperback set of The Infernal Devices signed and personalized. It also includes a clockwork angel pendant from Hebel Design, a Clockwork Angel poster, and the tour postcard.
  • German Magisterium Box: The signed and personalized (by both authors) first edition run of the full series in German and a special advanced readers copy of the first book make up this box.
  • Spanish Box ONE: It contains a signed and personalized Spanish hardcover set of The Mortal Instruments and Hebel Design's Morgenstern family ring.
  • Brazilian Portuguese Box: It is made up of signed and personalized copies of the Collector's editions of City of Bones and City of Ashes, the original An Illustrated History of Notable Shadowhunters & Denizens of Downworld, and a special sparkle cover edition of The Bane Chronicles. Additionally, it includes a rune backpack and a charm set by Hebel Design.
  • The Infernal Devices Box: The box comes with a signed and personalized The Infernal Devices: Manga Series Omnibus and Collector's First Edition of Clockwork Princess. The All the Stories are True sampler, a wedding invitation to Tessa Gray and Will Herondale's wedding from Good Choice Reading Virtual Signings, and a Tessa themed bookmark are also in the box. As with the mini box, it has a Clockwork Angel mini poster and chapter sample, a clockwork angel pendant by Hebel Design, a limited edition postcard from the Clockwork Angel tour, and the Careful of Books quote scarf.
  • The Malec Box TWO: It includes signed and personalized first edition copies of The Red Scrolls of Magic and The Lost Book of the White, as well as a signed and personalized hardback of The Bane Chronicles. Additionally, it comes with a Magnus plush, Magnus's letter to Alec, a rainbow Angelic Power necklace and Lightwood family ring by Hebel Design, a CD audiobook of The Red Scrolls of Magic, and Malec bookplates.
  • Chain of Thorns Box: This comes with two copies of Chain of Thorns—one being the first edition and the other being the limited Waterstones edition. It also includes a James Herondale trinket dish, a set of character cards by Jean, a Carstairs family pin, The Last Hours 2021 calendar and pack of charms by Hebel Design, and the Careful of Books quote scarf.
  • Simon's Box: The box features the first edition of and the audiobook for Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy, The Shadowhunter's Codex, a Japanese copy of City of Glass that has Simon Lewis and Isabelle Lightwood on the cover, a print of Simon and Izzy by Loweana, and a Mark of Cain pendant.
  • The Two Cassandras: This box focuses on projects Clare and Jean have worked on together: The 10 year anniversary edition of City of Bones, the first 6 graphic novels of The Mortal Instruments, a pack of tarot cards, The Official Mortal Instruments Coloring Book, a New York Comic Con coloring page of Simon and Raphael Santiago, promotional postcards for Chain of Gold, and a poster of Cristina Rosales and Emma Carstairs from the Lord of Shadows tour.
  • Special Editions Chain of Gold Box: It comes with three copies of Chain of Gold—the first edition in the limited LitJoy Crate slipcase and the Illumicrate and Waterstones special editions. A Cortana bookmark, promotional postcards, and Carstairs family ring also come with the books.
  • Sword Catcher Box: This box contains a #2 out of 200 limited edition and the Barnes & Noble special edition of Sword Catcher; as well as a promotional tote bag and a poster of Lin.
  • Chinese Edition TMI Box: It has the signed and personalized Chinese editions of the first three The Mortal Instruments books and a charm set by Hebel Design that features a Fearless rune.
  • Movie Memorabilia SuperBox: Like the mini box, it comes with Shadowhunters and Downworlders, Shadowhunter's Guide, and The Official Illustrated Movie Companion. It also comes with 2 movie tie-in notebooks, an iPhone case, an in store movie promo kit (rune pins, tattoos, and mini poster), and a promo pack (movie Angelic Power rune pendant, tattoos, two magnets, and a mini book of movie scenes).
  • Malec Box THREE: This box contains a number of first editions: specifically for the UK The Red Scrolls of Magic and The Lost Book of the White, The Bane Chronicles, and City of Lost Souls. Additionally, an Italian copy of The Bane Chronicles was included with the audiobook of The Red Scrolls of Magic. Plus a Magnus pin from Hebel Design, a print of Alec and Magnus by Loweana, a Magnus plush, an enamel pin of Chairman Meow, and Magnus's letter to Alec.
  • First Editions TMI Box: It has signed and personalized first editions of City of Bones, City of Ashes, and City of Glass. As well as The Official Mortal Instruments Coloring Book, a set of promotional postcards, a popsocket, an Angelic Power rune necklace and runic LED candle from Hebel Design, and a promotional poster for City of Glass.
  • Italian Box: The box comes with Italian first editions of The Infernal Devices who's covers are no longer in print, an Italian first edition of The Shadowhunters Codex, a clockwork angel necklace from Hebel Design, the Italian The Official Mortal Instruments Coloring Book, and the Clockwork Angel tour postcard.
  • Enhanced Chain of Gold ARC Box: This features a signed and personalized advanced readers copy of Chain of Gold, a chapter sample from the book, a witchlight pendant by Hebel Design, a promotional pin and fan, character art cards by Bowater, and a book themed mug with tea bags.
  • Enhanced Chain of Gold ARC Box TWO: It includes all of the above Chain of Gold ARC box except the witchlight and character cards. Instead, it comes with a Chain of Iron chocolate bar and a Carstairs family ring by Hebel Design.
  • Super Duper Dark Artifices Box: The main item is the full collection of the Waterstone's rune editions of the series, signed and personalized. On top of that, the box has a Blackthorn family ring and Julian's sea glass bracelet, both by Hebel Design, and four convention posters for The Dark Artifices (from San Diego, New York Comic Con, BookCon, and YallFest; all in 2017).
  • Lady Midnight Box TWO: This box features multiple editions of Lady Midnight, including the Waterstones special rune edition and the UK 5 year anniversary edition, as well as the audiobook and the Italian edition. It also comes with an Emma and Julian tee shirt and parabatai socks, a blank notebook designed to look like A Treasury of Tales for Nephilim, a promotional chapter sample, the character cards set by Drei San Juan, an enamel pin, and Blackthorn and Carstairs family rings by Hebel Design.
  • The Infernal Devices Box TWO: Prominently, it has the first edition copies of each book in the series. On top of that there is a Will and Tessa wedding invitation, Will and Jem socks, the tour postcard, matching parabatai leather bracelets by Hebel Design, and a Clockwork Angel chapter sampler, poster, and rare notebook.
  • Clace Box: The books included are first editions of City of Fallen Angels and City of Lost Souls,—both featuring bonus content about Clary and Jace (the City of Fallen Angels one being very rare)—The Official Mortal Instruments Coloring Book, The Mortal Instruments: The Graphic Novel, Vol. 1, and All the Stories are True: Classics Reimagined in the World of the Shadowhunters. Additionally, it comes with a Clary and Jace bookmark, a Morgenstern family ring and a spinner pendant featuring the Dante quote "L'amore che move il sole e l'altre stelle" by Hebel Design, a City of Fallen Angels tote, and the Bowater exclusive print of Clary and Jace.
  • Italian Omnibus Box: The box contains the Italian omnibus of the first three The Mortal Instruments books, the Italian omnibus of The Infernal Devices, and the Italian omnibus of The Dark Artifices. The original An Illustrated History of Notable Shadowhunters & Denizens of Downworld and Ghosts of the Shadow Market are also included, as well as a Blackthorn family ring by Hebel Design and the Italian The Official Mortal Instruments Coloring Book.
  • Herondale Box: This box features an assortment of books and items that showcases or relates to a member of the Herondale family. The books are All the Stories are True: Classics Reimagined in the World of the Shadowhunters, City of Lost Souls with Stephen's letter to Jace, City of Heavenly Fire and Chain of Thorns both of which have reversible covers, and The Official Mortal Instruments Coloring Book (with promotional poster from Comic Con). It also has a chapter sampler for Clockwork Angel and an exclusive teaser for City of Ashes with an out of print UK Jace cover. Items include a Herondale family pin, Clockwork Angel mini poster and promo notebook, a Jace charm by Hebel Design, a Kit postcard, a poster of Kit with Ty Blackthorn, James trinket dish, Will and Tessa's wedding invite, and a Reading Takes You Places poster by Jean featuring Jace and Clary.
  • Last Hours Box TWO: It has a set of signed first editions of The Last Hours series and the stand-alone copy of The Midnight Heir. As well as art prints of The Beautiful Cordelia cover by Noverantale, the Merry Thieves by Merwild, Lucie by Tamar, and an exclusive set of postcards by Kathleen Jennings. Plus The Last Hours 2021 calendar and Fairchild family ring by Hebel Design, a Carstairs family pendant, James trinket dish, Will and Tessa's wedding invite, and the Careful of Books quote scarf.

Add-ons[]

SOS Thomas's journal cover 01

The cover of the journal

NT Bookplate 01

Design for the bookplates before color coding

TWP sampler cover 01, SOS

The Wicked Powers sampler cover

  • Thomas's journal: Some tiers include a hardback journal, designed to look like Thomas Lightwood's, filled with 200 sheets of writing paper and featuring 12 full color portrait artwork by Charlie Bowater from a previously scrapped project. This could also be added to all tiers as an add-on.[15][1]
  • Signed bookplates: Limited tiers offered bookplates designed by Noverantale that will match the books/seasons and are signed by Cassandra Clare.[16]
  • The Wicked Powers sampler: Those who contributed to the Kickstarter within the first 48 hours of launch will also receive the first chapter of The Last King of Faerie in the first shipment.[1][17]
  • Magnus Bane plush: A plush of Magnus Bane previously sold on TopatoCo that could be added to any tier.
  • Careful of Books quote scarf: A scarf designed by Kathleen Jennings featuring the popular "One Must Always Be Careful of Books" quote from Clockwork Angel that was previously sold on TopatoCo that was included in Collector's Boxes or could be added to any tier.
  • Livia's Watch patch: A fabric patch designed by Kathleen Jennings to match the illustration in Queen of Air and Darkness of Julian's banner for the Livia's Watch resistance previously sold on TopatoCo that could be added to any tier.
  • Parabatai Enamel Pins: A set of 2 parabatai rune pins previously sold on TopatoCo that could be added to any tier.

Trivia[]

  • As the Kickstarter progressed, Cassandra and her team began releasing more tiers and add-ons, as well as adding more spaces to the higher limited tiers in an effort to get enough money raised.[18]
  • The Collector's Boxes were originally going to be mystery loot items in which the buyers would not know what items they would be receiving and everyone would get something different.[18][19]
    • There was also supposed to be a French box that was not released.[20]
  • The "Spanish Box ONE" was the only Collector's Box that was not purchased by the end of the campaign.
  • Not only was it the highest young adult project on Kickstarter history, Seasons of Shadowhunters was also the highest female authored publishing project, one of just eight publishing projects to exceed one million dollars, and the fourth fasted publishing project to raise $500,000 by doing so in just 9.28 hours.[6]

See also[]

References[]

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