Kickstarter Highlight: When I Was Me: Moments of Gender Euphoria
When I Was Me: Moments of Gender Euphoria is the first comic anthology from Edinburgh- based indie comics publisher Quindrie Press, launched earlier this week on Kickstarter (September 1st). With a £15,000 goal that's over two-thirds of a way there in just 2 days, it's had an amazing start!
When I Was Me is a collection of one-page autobiographical comics about the joyful and euphoric experiences of being transgender, featuring stories from trans people with a wide range of gender identities, ages, and nationalities. The book is edited by Eve Greenwood (Inhibit, founder of Quindrie Press) and Alex Assan (Shaderunners, Captain Imani & the Cosmic Chase) and includes comic artists and illustrators such as Otava Heikkillä (Letters for Lucardo), Hari Conner (Finding Home), Val K Wise (Cheer Up! Love & Pompoms), and Sfé R. Monster (Minecraft). With a 100% trans team, 11 beautiful interior illustrations, 9 original poems, and over 60 comics, this book is a wonderful reminder that the trans experience is full of beauty and happiness.
The print edition is a 21x21cm, 96-page book, with cover art by C. A. P. Ward. The book has been designed by graphic designer Spire Eaton and also features poetry by writer and performer Harry Josephine Giles. The book is available to buy in print or as a digital PDF. Further rewards include a large vinyl sticker designed by Steve Stivaktis and a print set featuring all 12 illustrations from the book, both exclusive to the campaign.
For this campaign, Quindrie Press has also partnered with Books Beyond Bars UK, an organisation that distributes books, comics, and literature to queer people in prison. Backers will be able to buy copies of When I Was Me to be donated to Books Beyond Bars through the campaign. The continued protection and support of trans people is important to Quindrie Press, so 50% of all post-campaign sales of the book will also be donated to charities that support young trans people in the UK, such as LGBT Youth Scotland.
This is Quindrie Press’ second project; the first Kickstarter campaign run by Quindrie Press, which ran in March 2021 and featured four original short comics by artists based in Scotland, raised nearly £40,000.
For more information, visit quindriepress.com, and find Quindrie Press on Twitter at @QuindriePress
